Free the Noise

What exactly is Free the Noise?

Free the Noise is a simple tool that creates different kinds of background sounds, often called "noise," right in your web browser. Think of it like a sound machine you can use anywhere you have internet access. We use modern web technology to generate these sounds purely, without using compressed audio files.

What are the different 'colors' of noise?

Good question! The "colors" are just names given to different types of noise based on how their sound energy is spread across low and high pitches. Each one sounds unique:

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• Green Noise: Often described as being in the middle of the sound spectrum, sometimes compared to the ambient sound of nature. (Definitions can vary a bit for this one!)
• Brown Noise (or Red Noise): Sounds deep and strong, like a heavy waterfall or low roar. Its energy decreases significantly at higher pitches.
• Pink Noise: Sounds a bit deeper than white noise, more like steady rain or wind. Its energy decreases moderately at higher pitches.
• Violet Noise: Sounds very bright and hissy, even more so than blue noise. Its energy *increases* strongly at higher pitches.
• Blue Noise: Sounds brighter and more 'hissy' than white noise. Its energy *increases* moderately at higher pitches.
• White Noise: Sounds like radio static or a 'shhh' sound. It has equal energy at all pitches.

Curious about the science? Wikipedia has more details on the Colors of noise.

How can these sounds help me?

Different people find different noises helpful! Because they contain a wide range of pitches, these sounds can cover up distracting background noises (like talking or traffic). This can help you:

• Focus while working or studying
• Relax or meditate
• Fall asleep more easily
• Mask tinnitus (ringing in the ears) for some people

Experiment to see which sound works best for you!

How do I use it? It looks simple!

It is! Just follow these steps:

1. Click the button for the noise color you want to try (like Brown, Pink, etc.).
2. Use the slider to adjust the volume to a comfortable level.
3. Click "Pause" to stop the sound.

What does the "Oscillate Volume" checkbox do?

Checking that box makes the volume gently rise and fall automatically, kind of like waves on a beach. It adds a bit of variation to the sound.

Is there a mobile app (iPhone/Android)?

Nope! There's no dedicated mobile app, and we don't plan on making one. The website is designed to work well directly in the web browser on your phone or tablet. Just visit freethenoise.com!

Do I need a special web browser?

Free the Noise should work great on recent versions of most popular browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. If you're using a very old browser, it might not work correctly because it needs modern web audio features.

Will it work on my phone?

Yes! The layout adjusts automatically for smaller screens, so you can easily use it on your smartphone or tablet.

Are you just playing MP3 files? What's the sound quality like?

Great question! We are *not* using MP3s or other pre-recorded files. Compressed files often remove parts of the sound to save space. Instead, Free the Noise generates the sound *live* in your browser. This means you get a pure, truly random, and uncompressed sound experience.

It doesn't work if I have JavaScript turned off?

That's correct. The sound generation relies entirely on JavaScript and the Web Audio API in your browser. You'll need to have JavaScript enabled for it to work.

Help! The sound isn't playing or something is wrong!

We're sorry to hear you're having trouble! First, please double-check that you're using a reasonably up-to-date web browser (like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge) with JavaScript enabled. Sometimes, simply refreshing the page can help.

If it's still not working correctly, please use the form below to let us know. Be sure to describe the problem and mention which browser and operating system you're using (like "Chrome on Windows 10" or "Safari on iPhone"). We appreciate your help in making Free the Noise better!