Isochronic tones generator
One tone, pulsed evenly on and off. It is the most pronounced kind of beat, and it plays perfectly well through a phone or laptop speaker.
Presets
Binaural, monaural, isochronic: one beat, three ways
- What reaches your ears
- Different tone in each ear
- Where the beat happens
- Made in the brainstem
- Playback
- Headphones required
- How strong it feels
Left ear 200 Hz, right ear 206 Hz. Neither ear hears a beat; your auditory system creates a gentle 6 Hz wobble by comparing the two. Subtle, and it disappears on speakers.
Where isochronic tones came from
Pulsed sound for brainwave work was popularised in the 1980s and 90s, partly as a speaker-friendly alternative to binaural beats. The idea draws on the "auditory steady-state response": the brain’s electrical activity measurably follows a sound that pulses at a steady rate, strongest around 40 Hz. That response is well established and is used clinically in hearing assessment. Whether following a pulse changes your state of mind is the part that remains unproven.
Choosing a pulse rate
The same bands apply as for binaural beats: 2 Hz delta for sleep, 6 Hz theta for drowsy relaxation, 10 Hz alpha for calm, 16 Hz beta for focus and 40 Hz gamma. Because the pulses are sharp, low rates can feel like a slow tick; add pink noise if you’d like them softened. For 40 Hz, see what the gamma studies actually used.
Questions people ask
What are isochronic tones?
A single tone switched on and off at a regular rate, creating distinct pulses. The pulse rate (for example 10 per second) is the “frequency” matched to brainwave bands.
Isochronic tones vs binaural beats: which is better?
Isochronic pulses are stronger and work on speakers; binaural beats are subtler and need headphones. Neither has solid evidence of superiority, so choose the one you find more comfortable.
Do I need headphones for isochronic tones?
No. Because the pulsing is in the sound itself, speakers work fine.
Are isochronic tones safe?
For most people at low volume, yes. Rhythmic pulses can be a trigger for some people with photosensitive or pattern-sensitive epilepsy; check with a doctor first.