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White noise improves learning by modulating activity in midbrain regions (2014)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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Re: White noise improves learning by modulating activity in midbrain regions (2014)

#41

Post by wing-_-nuts »

thenthenthen wrote: post #36

I enjoy some noise, like fan, AC, but get auditory hallucinations from most ‘noise generators’ (apps). I start to hear voices, orchestras tuning etc. Very strange and distracting. I’m thinking it’s my mind trying to make sense of all the random frequencies? Any tips to counter this? ( I could record my fan and play that... in a loooooong loop ;)

This happens to me when listening to a white noise app / machine that has a short loop. You can buy machines that are explicitly non-looping and it's so much better.

Re: White noise improves learning by modulating activity in midbrain regions (2014)

#42

Post by Broken_Hippo »

westurner wrote: post #27

White noise: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_noise https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=28402424 : > https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neural_oscillation#Overview says brainwaves are 1-150 Hz? IIRC compassion is acheivable on a bass guitar. Doodling improves memory retention / learning, too. IDK how much difference the content of a doodle makes? Hypothesis: Additional "cognitive landmarky" content in the doodle or re…

" IDK how much difference the content of a doodle makes?"

I'm a doodler. I also make art. And you are right, the cognitive load of the doodle makes a difference. My 'learning doodles' are really a mindless endeavor, and they only realistically look arty because I have been making art for decades now. The actual content of the doodle matters little. The real point is more keeping the hands busy and the mind lightly engaged with something else - I suppose it is akin to listening to a podcast while walking or driving.

I can get something similar from taking notes, but even that is better if I have doodle space since I don't need to write everything down.

Re: White noise improves learning by modulating activity in midbrain regions (2014)

#43

Post by Enginerrrd »

omnicognate wrote: post #24

White noise is horrible to listen to. Brown noise is where it's at. Exponentially smoothed for the connoiseurs, get that soft rumble going. White noise is an equal mix of all frequencies. It's what you get from radio static. It's hissy and nasty. Brown noise is the sound of things being randomly bumped around (Brownian motion). It's what you get from waterfalls and thunder. It's smooth and delicious.

I'm a fan of pink noise.

Re: White noise improves learning by modulating activity in midbrain regions (2014)

#44

Post by copperx »

wing-_-nuts wrote: post #41
thenthenthen wrote: post #36

I enjoy some noise, like fan, AC, but get auditory hallucinations from most ‘noise generators’ (apps). I start to hear voices, orchestras tuning etc. Very strange and distracting. I’m thinking it’s my mind trying to make sense of all the random frequencies? Any tips to counter this? ( I could record my fan and play that... in a loooooong loop ;)

This happens to me when listening to a white noise app / machine that has a short loop. You can buy machines that are explicitly non-looping and it's so much better.

Why would they loop? Creating white noise is one line of bash.

Re: White noise improves learning by modulating activity in midbrain regions (2014)

#47

Post by ZeroGravitas »

omnicognate wrote: post #24

White noise is horrible to listen to. Brown noise is where it's at. Exponentially smoothed for the connoiseurs, get that soft rumble going. White noise is an equal mix of all frequencies. It's what you get from radio static. It's hissy and nasty. Brown noise is the sound of things being randomly bumped around (Brownian motion). It's what you get from waterfalls and thunder. It's smooth and delicious.

I like this site, that lets you tune it:

https://mynoise.net/NoiseMachines/greyNoiseGenerator.php

But yes, pink or brown noise is better than white.

Re: White noise improves learning by modulating activity in midbrain regions (2014)

#48

Post by wing-_-nuts »

copperx wrote: post #44
wing-_-nuts wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This happens to me when listening to a white noise app / machine that has a short loop. You can buy machines that are explicitly non-looping and it's so much better.

Why would they loop? Creating white noise is one line of bash.

Most of these machines are 'multi-function' machines that play crickets / waterfalls, etc in addition to white noise. That sound is best handled by capturing a snippet and looping it over and over again. The same applies for white noise as well unfortunately.

Also it's usually a good idea to buy a little machine for this that uses like 5W vs running your computer all night.

Re: White noise improves learning by modulating activity in midbrain regions (2014)

#49

Post by basq »

executesorder66 wrote: post #18

I've always been confused by people that enjoy white noise. It's awful. Here is a sample from the wikipedia page on white noise : https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File%3AWhite... Does anyone genuinely enjoy listening to that? On the other hand, even though I don't, I could imagine why someone might like Brown noise (sounds almost like the ocean) : https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File%3A…

When I code I use white noise, or pink noise, but it's run through a low pass filter to trim off the harsh high ends.

I'll also add a slight comb filter then modulate the frequency with a slow LFO (around .05 hz) to give it some movement. Some extra processing then happens like a compressor to even it out a bit and add warmth.

It's quite effective, especially for noisy environments.

Re: White noise improves learning by modulating activity in midbrain regions (2014)

#50

Post by AnonMessiah »

lasagna_coder wrote: post #30
omnicognate wrote: post #24

White noise is horrible to listen to. Brown noise is where it's at. Exponentially smoothed for the connoiseurs, get that soft rumble going. White noise is an equal mix of all frequencies. It's what you get from radio static. It's hissy and nasty. Brown noise is the sound of things being randomly bumped around (Brownian motion). It's what you get from waterfalls and thunder. It's smooth and delicious.

Harsh Noise Wall is where it's at.

Merzbow is my preferred "focus time" noise
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