psychoacoustics

We’ve mentioned binaural beats previously – illusory “beats” that you can hear when pure tones of slightly different frequency are separately and simultaneously presented to each ear.

It’s an interesting psychoacoustic effect – one that at least some people think can help you do things ranging from concentrating to opening your chakras.

Mainstream media has picked up on this so-called “digital drug”, though, and is offering hysterical coverage that recalls the days of Reefer Madness.

Check out what USA Today’s Kim Komando has to say about these new age-y audio files:

The sites claim binaural beats cause the same effects as illegal drugs. These drugs impair coordination and can cause hallucinations. They’ve caused countless fatal accidents, like traffic collisions.

If binaural beats work as promised, they are not safe. They could also create a placebo effect. The expectation elicits the response. Again, this is unsafe.

At the very least, digital drugs promote drug use. Some sites say binaural beats can be used with illegal drugs.

The sites also look favorably on the effects of illegal drugs. So, talk to your children. Make sure they understand the dangers of this culture. It could be a small jump from digital drugs to the real thing.

Yeah – talk to you kids, Kim Komando. And while you’re at it, tell them that Mom’s a gullible buffoon – that for some scary reason – has a national audience.

The Conference Committee of the British Section of the Audio Engineering Society has announced details of its 22nd Conference to be held at New Hall College, Cambridge, April 11-12, 2007. Illusions in Sound – The Applications of Psychoacoustics To Audio, the two-day event will cover the techniques, technologies and controversies involved in creating convincing sonic illusions through the use of psychoacoustics – our knowledge of how the ear/brain combination works to enable us to hear and localise sounds around us.

Topics to be explored by the 18 papers will include:

• The role of psychoacoustics in consumer and sound reinforcement audio system and loudspeaker design
• An overview of the latest developments in spatial recording and reproduction
• Dramatic new techniques for realizing full with-height surround
• A comparison of radical approaches to creating surround recordings
• An overview of audio in the electronic games industry

A special panel will consider, “What do we really want from surround-sound?” Presenters will explore capturing the ’sound’ of real acoustic spaces for use in surround reverberation systems, and discuss applications of surround-sound in radio drama. In addition to the papers, two demonstration rooms will offer current ‘with-height’ and ‘planar’ spatial reproduction systems. The Conference is a must for audio professionals and academics involved in surround and spatial audio for: broadcasting, feature films, music recording, gaming, sound reinforcement or consumer electronics.

Optional overnight accommodation for the conference has been organised to enhance networking potential and provide a full appreciation of the ambience of The New Hall College For Women in Cambridge. Set on 11 acres of grounds with informal lawns and gardens the campus is considered a modern architectural masterpiece. Proceedings, lunch and Wedneday evening’s dinner are included in the registration fee.

For more information on attending the AES 22nd UK Conference visit the Conference website – or email uk@aes.org.