Hey Folks, thanks again for listening to the online demo of N.O.W.
In this post I’ll tell you more about the demo of N.O.W. you just heard, describe how this demo is different from the actual product, and invite you to share your observations, questions, comments and suggestion.
Each time you listen to the online demo, 1 of 3 different New Origin Waveform™ (N.O.W.) tone sequences play. This is different than the actual N.O.W. system we will release this summer.
The actual (physical) N.O.W. system is comprised of two separate speakers, each with their own built in New Origin Waveform tones. Every time each speaker is turned on it plays a different tone sequence. There is no connection between the speakers. They are an “asynchronous dual-mono system”.
This system architecture means … each time you listen to the physical N.O.W. product, you are hearing a unique, never-before-heard moment, a moment that will never be repeated again. With the physical N.O.W. product, you are listening to “the now”, as it happens, not a linear pre-recorded track.
So you see, N.O.W. is not a metaphor for “the now”, it actually presents you with a “new now moment” every time you listen. The effect on the mind is stunning.
The mind recognizes 1.) that the tones are familiar, and 2.) that the sequence is different. There is both comfort in familiarity and the present moment allure of “the new”. The effect on the mind brings you to “the now” as a safe and somewhat familiar place, but one with newness and possibility.
In contrast to the physical N.O.W. product, the online demo of N.O.W. is different.
Because of technical constraints, only three different sound files are being used, and these are linear, “pre-composed” tracks. Unlike the physical N.O.W. product, the online N.O.W. tone sequences are not being created “in the moment”, they are more like .mp3 or CD tracks.
So the effect is not a completely new experience each time it is heard. The online demo of N.O.W. provides just a small hint of what the actual product experience is like in terms of completely new “now moments”.
But the online N.O.W. experience is exactly like the physical N.O.W. experience in one important way.
As the tones gradually fade away at the end of the sequence (and you’re in a state of heightened awareness of the tones) you will find that at some point you can no longer hear the tones, but remarkably, you will have great awareness of the sounds around you.
You will be “aware that you are aware”, that you are consciousness. This is you. You can simply move away from the demo and take that consciousness with you. Because it is you.
N.O.W. is simply an aide to help you remember this—you are consciousness.
Hi Michael,
The demo put me in a very relaxed/attentive space. Unfortunately I was listening to it too loudly and it triggered my tinnitus. Will the physical system have volume controls on it, or would you just recommend placing them farther away? I’ve noticed when working with synthesizers that certain wave forms are more triggering than others. I look forward to being able to listen to it for more time.
Hey Eric. As a long term tinnitus “experiencer” (I won’t say “sufferer” because tinnitus is a “perception” thing) I understand what you’re saying. I don’t think I emphasized enough that this is a lean-in experience. The tones should not be too easy to hear without bringing some intentional “active listening” to the session. There will be a volume control.
Brilliant!
Fascinating. I just tried this in my studio. I closed my eyes and placed myself in the exact positioning I would normally be at mixing. At the end I sat in silence and just took in the nothingness around me. It was like the room was breathing along with me. Very relaxing.
The implications of this concept in regards to working in music, what are your thoughts? I want to explore this further.
Hi Michael, thanks for listening the interesting observations.
re: use in music making. That would be very cool. As you can see in my reply to Alexander here, the tone sequences are made up of C256, C512 and G384 (plus some slowing moving beat frequencies slightly off those reference pitches). So it defines a partial C chord. It would be cool to use the N.O.W. tone sequences as a modal drone, tampura-like, as a basis for microtonal instrumental or vocal improvisation as found in the musics of India.
I should add the the actual, physical product has more tones but the use of pure sine waves allows for even close intervals like C-D to occur. As in interesting sidebar … C256 and D288 played together produce a phantom difference tone of C32 – three octaves below C256. So rather than the C-D interval sounding inharmonically strident as it would on a piano, a pure sine wave C256 and D288 is quite pleasant and has its own, ah, metaphysical flavor.
How about private listening in a public place? Options?
Great question. I’m working on a follow-on product that allows the listener to both experience the tones privately and hear the ambient sounds around them. The effect is remarkable! There is a “layering-on” of a coherent, harmonically pure tonal experience to the real world one encounters while walking, driving, shopping etc. The effect is a gentle retuning and harmonization of the world around one. This product is really nice for slow-movement meditation practices like Tai Chi etc.
And I’m also working on a product for public listening in public spaces. The product would enhance meeting rooms, lobbies, waiting rooms, brainstorming sessions etc., but still allow for clear speech communication.
Really cool idea to presenting a sound that is constantly shifting. I’m curious to know what sound frequency Hertz you are choosing to vibrate and how you can create an algorithm for the sounds to constantly shift ? Also curious to know about what will happen if the speaker system fails to operate.
Hi Alexander, good questions.
The tones themselves are based on a C256 Hz tuning standard derived from the concept of “One” or “Oneness” (1,2,4,8,16,32,64,128,256 256Hz is 8 octaves above 1) This results in an “A432” tuning in other words. The intervals are perfectly intonated: 1:1 (Unison), 2:1 (Octave) and 3:2 (Perfect 5th).
In terms of the pulse modulation frequencies … modulation frequencies are used that correlate with open monitoring meditation brainwave states.
I can’t reveal more detail as I have a patent pending review.
If the speaker system fails to operate it can be returned for a free replacement.
The demo is working great, Looking forward to the actual product.
Wow, Michael – this is phenomenal. As someone with a background in meditation who has just been introduced to several new meditation techniques, I’m comparing your demo to how the many techniques I know calm the mind….and N.O.W. is profound and effortless by comparison. It puts me in mind of Tibetan bowls – in fact my only complaint is that the sound sampling *isn’t* Tibetan bowls, as they have an inherent analog complexity that is like N.O.W times 2 😀
I’m all over this technology – I’ll be in line for it when it comes out for sure! My struggles with severe intractable anxiety will have one heck of a potent ongoing treatment.