Photosonix UtraBass User manual

All PHOTOSONIX products are
designed and manufactured by microfirm inc.,
2420 Gundry Avenue
Signal Hill, California, USA.
Information booklet and software
copyright Microfirm Inc. 2006, all rights reserved.
PHOTOSONIX is a registered Trade Mark
of Microfirm Inc.
by Jeff Labno and Snezana Zdravkova
www.photosonix.com
PHOTOSONIX
and their use with AVS Binaural Beats
Sensory rhythms
for mental fitness!
PHOTOSONIX
ultraBassTM Headphones
Ultra Bass Low Frequency Response Headphones
PHOTOSONIX

PHOTOSONIX
Warranty and Customer Service
Make sure that you fill-out, and send in your warranty card when you
purchase your unit. You can save on postage and register your warranty
on our web site: www.photosonix.com
Systems come with a one year warranty (parts and labor) to the original
purchaser.
Your Owners Manual contains full details on how to use your system. If you
need help using your unit, contact your dealer.
In addition, our website is a complete customer service resource designed
to help you 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. It contains FAQs (frequently
asked questions), how to obtain copies of manuals (in case you lose yours),
stat sheets (and a comparison chart) on all of our products, details on how
to download additional programs, a list of accessories, pricing, shipping,
and more.
For service and repair, contact:
[email protected]
1-800-258-2566 (United States)
1-562-981-8800 (International)
Telephone
1-800-258-2566 (in the USA)
1-562-981-8000 (International)
e-mail:
[email protected]
More information
More information about the Light and Sound industry, PHOTOSONIX
products and support is available by visiting our web site information center:
www.photosonix.com
For answers to your questions, help with choosing
or purchasing a model please contact our sales
and customer service representatives.
About the authors of this book
Jeff Labno has been in the Light & Sound Industry since
1980, when he founded Altered States MindGym. Currently, he is
consulting as a product specialist.
Snezana Zdravkova is one of the principal designers of
PHOTOSONIX products and written materials.
www.photosonix.com www.photosonix.com
PHOTOSONIX

About PHOTOSONIX
Thank you for your interest in Light and Sound Relaxation and our
products. You have purchased the utimate LowBass headphones for
your light and sound relaxation machine. We hope this booklet helps you
understand the features, the benefits and the possibilities. And that you
will enjoy your relaxation system for many years to come.
We first began manufacturing electronic equipment in 1981. In 1989,
we applied our expertise in microprocessor-embedded technology to
manufacturing light and sound systems (also known as AVS audio
visual stimulation devices). We feel that we have developed the most
diverse, and complete line of light and sound relaxation systems. We
offer systems for home users who like to keep it simple, for home users
who like all the features, for professionals such as therapists, for
researchers and for commercial usage.
Our line of relaxation products incorporate many industry firsts, such as:
choice of light color for glasses, PVStim glasses for use with eyes open,
hemiStim glasses for hemispheric specialization, midiStim for use with
brainwave biofeedback, bi-color glasses (using two different colors),
downloading sessions from the Internet, units with custom programs for
healthcare professionals, dual binaural beats and dual monaural beats,
multi-user systems, integrating breath pacing with light and sound, sine
wave light technology, and Light WeaveTM light technology.
24
Room for personal notes of effects and observations
www.photosonix.com
PHOTOSONIXPHOTOSONIX
1
www.photosonix.com

2
About the ultraBassTM Headphones
After an extensive search and testing of many options, we are pleased to
bring to you the ultraBass (Low Bass Frequency Response) headphones.
We chose this model because it offers the low frequency response that
many other headphones are not sensitive to and are not capable of
detecting. In pursuit of excellence in sound quality that the AVS experience
needs, and because we offer several AVS models that utilize sessions with
low frequencies, notably the Nova Pro 100 and InnerPulse, such quality
headphones were needed.
First, let us start by saying that the LowBass haedphones are a great way
to enjoy any music or audio stimulation. But for that you need not read this
booklet. For that you just put the headphones on and start the music. This
booklet is only aimed at helping you use the headphones to expand on the
quality of Binaural Beats sound and your AVS experience.
Binaural Beat frequencies in the low pitch ranges can be used in many
different ways. Learning the basics of how binaural beats are created will
help you even if you are not interested in making your own version of
sessions with them. In this booklet we will provide enough information for
you to find your way in the enjoyment of the binaural beats. By trial and
error you will be able to discover your preferences and enhance your AVS
experience.
Enjoy.
23
Room for personal notes of effects and observations
www.photosonix.comwww.photosonix.com
PHOTOSONIXPHOTOSONIX

22 3
What are Light and Sound systems?
The frequency ranges of Light and Sound sessions are based on basic
brainwave states (see page 13). They are general guides and they will
not work the same for everyone. This is the reason we offer so many
sessions and tone combinations in our systems, the variety helps most
find what is suitable and enjoyable for them to use.
Strobe light has long been known to change brainwaves, such as
looking at the flickering light of a campfire. The same is true for strobe
sound, such as taking a walk on the beach, listening to the sound of
ocean waves breaking on the shore. In both situations, the result is a
more relaxed state of mind.
Light and sound systems uniquely combine these two sensory
stimulations. By combining light with sound, brainwave transformation
is much more efficient than by just using one of the senses (light, or
sound).
While light stimulates the front of the brain (cortex  logical thought
process), sound is processed by the back of the brain (limbic 
emotional process). The combination of light with sound stimulates both
the front and back of the brain at the same time. This helps to balance
the activity of the front with that of the back of the brain by increasing
the activity of both at the same time.
Room for personal notes of effects and observations
www.photosonix.comwww.photosonix.com
PHOTOSONIXPHOTOSONIX

214
Who Uses This Technology, and Why?
Light and sound machines were first used for experimental therapy in the
1970s. Flickering light and sound rather quickly transition people from
thinking about their daily to concerns to being in a more deeply relaxed
state.
Deep states of relaxation were deemed conducive for therapists to help
people make positive changes very quickly. Very much like hi-tech self
hypnosis. Light and sound technology is now often used in conjunction with
hypnotherapy to augment hypnosis programs.
In the mid 1980s, businessmen in the New Age community began to
promote this technology as the ultimate high, because the lights in the
glasses produced an amazing array of colors and patterns, with your eyes
closed. Meditators also found the kaleidoscopic light show, at times looks
like a mandala (spiraling meditation chart), useful to help quiet the mind.
In the late 1990s, the use of light and sound once again grew amongst
therapists to help patients relax, control their stess, practice breath
exercises, meditate and recently to help children and adults who suffer
from learning challenges, such as ADD (attention deficit disorder).
Room for personal notes of effects and observations
www.photosonix.com
www.photosonix.com
PHOTOSONIXPHOTOSONIX

Quick Start
Low Frequency Binaural Beat using ultraBass Headphones
The ultraBass headphones enable you far superior use of the low
binaural beats frequencies (and sessions designed with them) that our
machines are capable of. The headphones can add a great enhance-
ment of the Audio Visual Stimulation Light and Sound experience in the
low frequency binaural beats. Try it, you will not be disappointed.
1. Turn your system on.
2. Press the down button until the display reads oPc (operator
control).
3. Press play, and wait for the countdown (10, 9, 8).
4. Press the select button (8 times) until you access the tone
selection (display reads PFr).
5. Press the up button (3 times) until the display reads bb for
binaural beats.
6. Press the select button (once) until the display reads 7.81 (for
Frequency 1 [F1] selection).
7. Press the up button until the display value reads 30 (30 Hertz).
8. Press the Select button (once), the display will read 128 (128
Hertz [P1} setting).
9. Press the down button until the value (128) lowers to 40 Hertz.
10. Wearing your headphones, manually change F1 and P1 up
and down until you get the desired result, based on how it
makes you feel.
11. Suggestion: have a pen and paper nearby to record the F1
and P1 values, take notes as to their effect on how you feel, for
future sessions.
20 5
Room for personal notes of effects and observations
www.photosonix.comwww.photosonix.com
PHOTOSONIXPHOTOSONIX

6
What Are Binaural Beats?
Binaural beats are auditory brainstem responses which originate in the
superior olivary nucleus of each hemisphere. They result from the
interaction of two different auditory impulses, originating in opposite ears,
below 1000 Hz and which differ in frequency between one and 30 Hz.
For example, if a pure tone of 400 Hz is presented to the right ear and a
pure tone of 410 Hz is presented simultaneously to the left ear, an
amplitude modulated standing wave of 10 Hz, the difference between the
two tones, is experienced as the two wave forms mesh in and out of
phase within the superior olivary nuclei. This binaural beat is not heard in
the ordinary sense of the word (the human range of hearing is from 20-
20,000 Hz). It is perceived as an auditory beat and theoretically can be
used to entrain specific neural rhythms through the frequency-following
response.
Various Uses Of Audio With Embedded Binaural Beats
Uses of audio with embedded binaural beats that are mixed with music or
various pink or background sound are diverse. They range from
relaxation, meditation, stress reduction, pain management, improved
sleep quality, decrease in sleep requirements, super learning, enhanced
creativity and intuition, remote viewing, telepathy, and out-of-body
experience and lucid dreaming. Audio embedded with binaural beats is
often combined with various meditation techniques, as well as positive
affirmations and visualization.
19
Where to find additional information and learn more
Smith, J.C., Marsh, J.T., and Brown, W.S. Far-Field Recorded
Frequency Following Responses: Evidence for the Locus of
Brainstem Sources. Electroenceph. Clin. Neurophysiol. 1975, 39, 465.
Smith, J.C., Marsh, J.T., Greenberg, S., and Brown, W.S. Human
Auditory Frequency Following Responses to a Missing Fundamen-
tal. Science, 1978, 201, 639.
Starr, A., Wrege, K.S. Binaural Interaction in Human Auditory
Brainstem Evoked Potentials. Neurol. 1981, 38(9): 572-580.
White NE. Theories of the Effectiveness of Alpha-Theta Training for
Mutiple Disorders. An Introduction to Quantative EEG and
Neurofeedback. Evans JR, Abarbanel A (eds.). Academic Press: New
York, 1999.
Yamado, O., Yamane, H., & Kodera, K. Simultaneous Recordings of
the Brain Stem Response and the Frequency Following Response
to Low Frequency Tone. Electroencephalography and Clinical Neuro-
physiology, 43, 362-370, 1977.
www.photosonix.comwww.photosonix.com
PHOTOSONIXPHOTOSONIX

Choices of binaural beats in PHOTOSONIX Systems
bb (binaural beats) waver up and down in volume, and, as such, are
much more relaxing than strobe tones. Pioneering researchers, investigat-
ing the impact of sound on human behavior, developed beat frequencies
for precisely that reason.
Beat frequencies happen when two sound waves of different pitches occur
at the same time. The two pitches of sound interact with each other, and
the result is a new pattern, a sound wave which wavers up and down in
volume at the frequency that represents the difference in pitch between the
two sounds.
bbS (binaural beats with surf) Many people have told us that it is one of
their favorite tones, because it is quite pleasing to the ear, and deeply
relaxing. You are mixing two of the most relaxing tones.
dbb (dual binaural beats) dual binaural beats were first experimented
with by Robert Monroe. He used them to induce out-of-body experi-
ences. His main formula was to use combine a beta frequency to keep you
alert, with a theta wave, to induce a dream state. The idea was to induce a
state of mind awake, body asleep.
When it comes to dual binaural beats no one is exactly sure what state of
mind the combination of two brainwave states will actually produce.
Different people will have very different experiences with the same
combination. For that reason, Robert Monroe used a whole lot of different
combinations in his signature series, The Gateway Experience, so that
just about anyone would find a combination that work well for them.
You can do the same. If you experiment with dual binaural beats, you will
see what combinations work well for you.
18 7
Where to find additional information and learn more
Lane, J.D., Kasian, S.J., Marsh, G.R., and Owens, J.E. Binaural
Auditory Beats Affect Vigilance Performance and Mood. Depts. Of
Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 1997, Duke University Medical
Center, Durham, NC.
Loizzo, A., San Martini, P., Venturini, R., Zapponi, G.A. Interaction
Between Intermittent Photic Stimulation and Auditory Stimulation
on the Human EEG. Europsychobiology, Vol. 5 (1979), 201-206.
Neher, A. Auditory Driving Observed with Scalp Electrodes in
Normal Subjects. Journal of Electroenceph. Clin. Neurophysiol. Vol. 40
(1976), 77-88.
Oster, G. Auditory Beats in the Brain. Scientific American, 1973, 229,
94.
Picton, T.W., Woods, D.L., & Proulx, G.B. Human Auditory Sus-
tained Potentials, I. The Nature of the Response.
Electroecephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology, 45, 186-197, 1978.
Rogers, L.J., Walter, D.O. Methods for Finding Single Generators,
with Application to Auditory Driving of the Human EEG by Complex
Stimuli. Journal of Neuroscience and Method. 1981, Oct. 4(3): 257-265.
www.photosonix.com
www.photosonix.com
PHOTOSONIXPHOTOSONIX

8
Choices of binaural beats in PHOTOSONIX Systems
dSb (dual monaural binaural beats) This tone allows you to create a
different brainwave frequency in each ear. Sound heard in the left ear is
processed by the right side of the brain, and sound heard in the right ear
stimulates the left side of the brain.
The left side of the brain is responsible for analytical thinking, math, and
logic; whereas the right side deals with abstraction, art, and creativity.
Using dual monaural beats, you can adjust the activity in each side of the
brain, or hemisphere, to either be more logical, or creative.
If you want to be more analytical, then you would adjust the beat frequen-
cies in the right ear so that they are faster than the frequency in the left ear.
To be more creative, you then want the frequency in the left ear to be
faster than the right ear. Faster beat frequencies would be in the alpha and
beta ranges, above 8 Hertz. Slower frequencies would be in the theta and
delta brainwave states, below 7 Hertz.
The use of dual monaural beats is quite new to the field of light and sound,
therefore, there is not a lot of documentation on exactly how its effects
really work. There also is not an exact science as to what each side of the
brain really does. While the right brain pertains to creativity, such as
processing music, many trained musicians use the left brain when playing
music. This highlights the fact that the brain is much more complex than
any model can define, and that you will need to experiment in order to
find out what actually works for you.
Where to find additional information and learn more
Dum, N., Schmidt, U., von Wedel, H. Scalp Distribution of the
Auditory Evoked Brainstem Potentials in the Guinea Pig During
Monaural and Binaural Stimulation. Hear-Res. 1981 Nov. 5 (2-3): 271-
284.
Gerken, G.M., Moushegian, G., Stillman, R.D. & Rupert, A.L. Human
Frequency Following Responses to Monaural and Binaural Stimuli.
Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology, 38, 379-386, 1975.
Gilula, M.F. Protocol for 1981 Synchro-Energizer Study: Multiple
Afferent Sensory Stimulation (MASS) as a Tool for Investigating
Clinical Neurological Problems and Pure Noetic Research Method-
ology. Unpublished Manuscript, 1980.
Hoffmann, E. Mapping the Brains Activity After Kriya
Yoga, (Scandinavian Yoga and Meditation School. Bindu).
1998, 12: 10-13.
Jones, L.A., Komsuoglu, S.S., Harding, G.F. Visual and Auditory
Evoked Potentials in a Case of Marchiafava Bignami Disease. Clin.
Electroenceph. 1981, 12(2): 72-78.
17
www.photosonix.com
www.photosonix.com
PHOTOSONIXPHOTOSONIX

16 9
Various Uses Of Audio With Embedded Binaural Beats
Uses of audio with embedded binaural beats that are mixed with music or
various pink or background sound are diverse. They range from relaxation,
meditation, stress reduction, pain management, improved sleep quality,
decrease in sleep requirements, super learning, enhanced creativity and
intuition, remote viewing, telepathy, and out-of-body experience and lucid
dreaming. Audio embedded with binaural beats is often combined with
various meditation techniques, as well as positive affirmations and
visualization.
Binaural beats experience and music
While light stimulates the front of the brain (cortex  logical thought
process), sound is processed by the back of the brain (limbic  emotional
process). The combination of light with sound stimulates both the front and
back of the brain at the same time. This helps to balance the activity of the
front with that of the back of the brain by increasing the activity of both at
the same time. Using the Nova Pro 100, or the InnerPulse to generate
binaural beat frequencies, you can add your own music of choice to
augment the experience. Here are some tips to help you augment the
effectiveness of doing a program using different types of music and sound.
Where to find additional information and learn more
Budzynsky TH. 1986. Clinical Applications of Non-Drug-Induced
States. In Handbook of States of Consciousness, Wolman BB,
Ullman M (eds.). Van Nostrand Reinhold Co.: New York, 1986.
Campbell, K.B., Picton, T.W., Stapells, D.R. Auditory Evoked
Potentials from the Human Cochlea and Brainstem. Journal of
Otolaryngol. And Suppl. 1981 Aug 10(9 Suppl): 1-41.
Chatrian, G.E., Lazarte, J.A., and Petersen, M.C. Responses to
Clicks from the Human Brain: Some Depth Electrographic Observa-
tions. 1959, Rochester State Hospital, Rochester, MN.
Connolly, J.F. Stability of Pathway-Hemispheric Differences in the
Auditory Event-Related Potential (ERP) to Monaural Stimulation.
Psychophysiology, 1985 Jan. 22(1): 87-95.
Cox, R., and Shealy, N. Pain Reduction and Relazation with Brain-
Wave Synchronization (Photo-Stimulation). Forest Inst. Of Prof.
Psych. 1990:9.
www.photosonix.com
www.photosonix.com
PHOTOSONIXPHOTOSONIX

10 15
Binaural beats experience and music
Types of Music
Beta Programs Radio shows, Baroque music, jazz, informa-
tion tapes, acting tapes (learning lines)
Alpha Programs Foreign language tapes, classical era,
romantic era, popular music, new age, ethnic music
Theta Programs Radio dramas, behavioral modification,
Gregorian chants, renaissance era, impressionistic era, hypnosis tapes
Delta Programs Nature sounds (ocean, wind, waterfalls,
rain), Tibetan bowls
Types of Tapes
Listening to behavioral modification tapes or CDs has always been very
popular with light and sound systems because the session quickly takes you
into a deep relaxed state, one that is conducive to absorb information, and
suggestions for making positive changes - such as similar to hypnosis.
Theta programs are the best, because they produce a mind state such that
you can more readily visualize, or see clearly the suggestions you are
listening to.
Where to find additional information and learn more
Aponchenko,V., Kevanishvilli, Z. Click Polarity Inversion
EffectsUpontheHumanBrainstemAuditoryEvokedPotential.
Audiol.1981 10(3):141-147.
Arsian,E.,Michelini,S.,Prosser,S. TheAuditoryBrainstem
ResponsetoBinauralDelayed StimuliinMan.Audiol. 1981 10(3):
151-155.
Atwater,F.H. The MonroeInstitutesHemi-SyncProcess:A
TheoreticalPerspective. Faber, VA Monroe Institute, 1988.
Bridgewater, G., Clifford,S.,andMarcynski,T. Alpha Activity:
TheInfluenceofUnpatternedLightInputandAuditoryFeedback.
LifeSciences,1975,16;729-737.
Brockopp,G.W. ReviewofResearch onMulti-ModalSensory
StimulationwithClinicalImplicationsandResearchProposals.
Unpublished manuscript, 1984.
www.photosonix.com
www.photosonix.com
PHOTOSONIXPHOTOSONIX

11
14
How The Brain Generates Binaural Beats
When signals of two different frequencies are processed, one to each ear,
the brain detects phase differentials between these signals. The brain
processes these sounds differently producing the sensation of a third beat
frequency.
The difference between the signals waxes and wanes as the two different
input frequencies mesh in and out of phase. As a result of these constantly
increasing and decreasing differences, an amplitude-modulated standing
wave -the binaural beat- is heard. The binaural beat is perceived as a
fluctuating rhythm at the frequency of the difference between the two
auditory inputs.
Altered States
Binaural beats can easily be heard at the low frequencies (< 30 Hz). This
perceptual phenomenon of binaural beating, or entrainment of brain waves
and altered states of consciousness result in stimulation, relaxation,
meditative, and creative states, and help to fall asleep.
Sound with embedded binaural beats alters the electrochemical environ-
ment of the brain which allows your mind-consciousness to have different
experiences. When the brain is entrained to lower frequencies, this state is
often referred to as hypnogogia mind awake/body asleep. Higher-
frequencies lead to more suggestive states of consciousness.
History of Pulsed Beats Frequencies and the
PHOTOSONIX binaural beats experience
The Monroe Institute experimented with beat frequencies, realizing rather
quickly that the samepatterns produced variations in results on different
people. Robert Monroein his Gateway Series thus produced a sequence
of different variations of beatfrequency combinations because eventually,
just about anyone would have profound results. He trademarked his
technology Hemi-Sync.
Centerpointe uses low pitches, per the study in Scientific American
Magazine along withvariations of different sounds. Again, low pitches
entrain faster anddeeper than higher pitches. They trademarked their
technology as Holosync.
With the use of the ultraBass headphones with the PHOTOSONIX Nova
Pro 100, or InnerPulse you can generate your own low frequency bass
experience. Without spending lots of money on binaural beat CDs you can
generate the same or better results yourself.
www.photosonix.com
www.photosonix.com
PHOTOSONIXPHOTOSONIX

Creating Your Own Binaural Beat Frequencies
When working with binaural beat frequencies, there is no true and tried
method or best program or sequence, only when you experiment and see
what works for you via trial and error will you get the best of the experi-
ence.
When using your PHOTOSONIX light and sound system, you have the
option to choose binaural beat frequencies from the menu of pre-existing
programs, or create your own.
Creating your own beat frequencies allows you to quickly determine the
real and actual effect that the binaural beats frequencies are having on
your mind/body connection. All PHOTOSONIX light and sound systems
utilize binaural beats; however to set your own beat frequencies manually,
you will need to use the Nova Pro 100, or the InnerPulse.
Older PHOTOSONIX systems also allow you to manually set beat frequen-
cies such as the Muse, Muse #, Nova, Nova Pro, Galaxy, and Galaxy Pro;
but do not have low frequency pitches that make beat frequencies a
powerful tool for affecting consciousness.
Regular headphones do not process pitches below 60 Hertz, this is the
reason you will need broad frequency headphones like the ultraBass
Headphones tested for PHOTOSONIX systems.
12 13
History of Pulsed Beats Frequencies
In experimental psychology and medical research communities;there has
been a fascination concerning repetitious sound waves, such asdrums.
It is an anthropological observation that repeated drum beats, for example,
can quickly induce deep trance states, particularly at night next to acamp
fire where the flickering light of the flames creates its own trance-
typestate.
Since the 1930s, researchers have investigated the impact of pulsed tones
to better understand their impact on brainwave states. Repeatingtones,
however, can be annoying. Binaural beat patterns arose as an option
because they were more palatable to the ear, versus a constant beat in
that beat frequencies wavered up and down in volume, making it a gentler
experience for thebrain to process.
Oster published a study in 1973 inScientific American which promoted the
use of low pitches, saying that they weremore efficient to entrain
brainwaves. Low pitches mean, tones that areseveral octaves below
middle C on the piano.
www.photosonix.com
www.photosonix.com
PHOTOSONIXPHOTOSONIX