White noise
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Mixer
Sounds generated by your device: nothing is downloaded. On iPhone and some Android phones, the sound stops when the screen locks.
White noise contains every audible frequency at the same level: it sounds like a bright, steady hiss.
Because it covers the whole spectrum, it is the most effective at masking voices and sudden sounds. Some find it too bright: pink or brown noise are softer alternatives.
| Noise | Spectrum | What it sounds like |
|---|---|---|
| White noise | Equal energy at every frequency | A bright hiss, like a radio between stations |
| Pink noise | −3 dB per octave: equal energy in each octave | Softer, like steady rain |
| Brown noise | −6 dB per octave: low frequencies dominate | Deep and muffled, like a distant waterfall |
Frequently asked questions
What is white noise?
A random signal with the same energy at every frequency, named by analogy with white light, which contains every colour.
What is white noise used for?
Masking conversations in an open-plan office, the noise of a street or a neighbour, to concentrate or fall asleep more easily.
How loud should it be?
Just loud enough to cover the noise around you. Keep a moderate volume, especially with headphones or near a sleeping baby, and place the device at a distance.