Optimum Base Sound Level -- Dane?

[Larry E. Johnson]

No disrespect to anyone else intended, however, this message is intended for Dane--as I am seeking "official" clarification of my concern. <BR> <BR>Sir: <BR> <BR>I am unsure of how I should have my audio controls set for optimum benefit in listening to the UM series of compact disks. I realize that I could experiment with various settings, yet you would seem to have intended a listening condition in your design of your audio materials. But as regards useage instructions, the closest I have been able to find in your printed materials are: <BR> <BR>On page 5 of the Ultra Meditation Guidebook, the following is stated: <BR> <BR>"The neuro-entrainment matrix is composed of tones in a subsonic frequency range (just beneath the threshold of human hearing). These tones coax your brainwaves slowly from a beta consciousness down into the theta range. You may hear a faint, very low humming sound in the background of your tapes. This is the subsonic neuro-entrainment matrix." <BR> <BR>On page 58 of Super Brain Power, the following is stated: <BR> <BR>"Adjust the volume control so that it is at a pleasant listening level." <BR> <BR>(My own sense of a "pleasant listening level" is when all of the sound is well-modulated.) <BR> <BR>I tried a personal portable CD player (most of them simply have a "base boost" button), but found that they do not adequately amplify any CDs (let alone yours), probably since the low-level power of one or two AA batteries does not allow for much in the way of amplification even with headphones. I also tried a "boom box" which had equalization presets such as JAZZ, ROCK, VOCAL, NONE. I settled on an older "boom box" of mine which has more traditional base and treble control knobs; regarding these, the far end of the bass control range is marked "expanded base" corresponding with "base boost" on preset players. <BR> <BR>When I listen to your UM soundtracks (I will reference UM1 here for the sake of a particular reference) -AND- have the bass level set at maximum (corresponding to "base boost"), I do not hear "a faint, very low humming sound in the background". Instead, I hear what sounds like a very loud and penetrating "dynamo" sound. (The closest thing I can compare this to in my experience is the penetrating sound of the hyrdroelectric generators of the world's largest earth-built dam, the Garrision Dam in North Dakota--when one is standing in the generator room!) <BR> <BR>When I set the bass control at the center (detent) position, I then hear a dynamo bass sound that is still somewhat louder than "a faint, very low humming sound in the background". <BR> <BR>Yet, I note also your statement that "the neuro-entrainment matrix is composed of tones in a subsonic frequency range" (I interpret your use of "subsonic" here to mean "below the level of human hearing".) <BR> <BR>Complicating this is your online description of your (almost) free headphones (of which I did purchase one--great value!), where you state: <BR> <BR>"The special frequency matrix in these CDs works best with headphones that reproduce the lower frequencies well." -and- "We had special headphones manufactured for us to specifically respond to the low-end frequencies produced by these soundtracks." <BR> <BR>Dane, will you please clarify here exactly how one should have one's player set as regards the base spectrum of the sound produced from your CDs? <BR> <BR>Thank you very much for your attention to this potentially very important matter!

[dane]

With a good CD player and stereo headphones the frequency response is adequate to produce the desired effects. You need not worry about specific equalizer settings, although your equipment (headphones especially) should be able to respond to the lower frequencies. <BR> <BR>Put on your headphones...adjust the volume level so that it is at a pleasant listening level, and push play. Try not to fall into the analytical trap. Let the "experience" guide you. Results are to mesaured by the cummulative effects of regular use.