Understanding Isochronic Tones

Understanding Isochronic Tones

The pros, cons and the theory behind isochronic tones.

In some ways, isochronic tones are the opposite of binaural beats, but they both have the same ultimate aim. Both are used for the purpose of brainwave entrainment; to alter the dominant frequency of your brain so as to induce specific states of consciousness, such as relaxation, meditation or sleep.

Binaural beats require that a slightly different frequency be played into each ear. The difference between the two frequencies creates a sub harmonic binaural frequency that causes brainwave entrainment.

Isochronic tones on the other hand, are created by a simple pulse of sound that is played to both ears at the same time. The same frequency is played to both ears and it is the tempo of the pulsing sound that gives rise to the entrainment response. In other words, an isochronic tone with a fast tempo will entrain the brain to a higher frequency than a tone played at a slower tempo.

By taking advantage of this brainwave entrainment process, isochronic tones can be used to help create meditation music that has a more direct effect on your state of mind than typical meditation music. In effect, isochronic tones actually help to guide your mind into a state of meditation.

The Isochronic Advantage
One of the main advantages of isochronic tones over binaural beats is that they do not require the use of headphones. Binaural beats must be listened to with headphones so that the binaural frequencies are interpreted by the brain in such a way that the entrainment process is effective. With isochronic tones, only one tone is played, but it is turned on and off again in a repeated pattern. For this reason, some people argue that isochronic tones are more effective than binaural beats because they rely on a simpler auditory processing function.

Isochronic Disadvantages
Unfortunately, isochronic tones are not all that pleasant to listen to. This obstacle is usually overcome by embedding the tones within ambient music, nature sounds or white noise. Even then, I personally find isochronic tones to be a little intrusive, even if they are hypnotic. In contrast, binaural beats are more subtle while still stimulating the frequency following response that is the basis of brainwave entrainment.

Sonic Mantra meditation music overcomes the disadvantages of isochronic tones in a unique and very effective way. Rather than trying to mask the mundane, repetitive sounds of isochronic tones with even more sounds, Sonic Mantra meditation music uses very musical patterns of tones to create a hypnotic music that coaxes the mind into a state of meditation, much like a traditional meditation mantra does.

Unlike isochronic tones, Sonic Mantras remain musical and are very pleasing to listen to. While Sonic Mantra meditation music is not technically referred to as “brainwave entrainment music”, it is still worth mentioning in this context, simply because Sonic Mantra meditation music induces meditative states through the use of repetitive sounds. Fortunately for us, these sounds are a lot more musical and pleasant to listen to than isochronic tones!

Click here to view or current range of music for meditation, or click the logo below for more information about Sonic Mantra meditation music.

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