What's that banging noise?

[Tech Support]

Hi Grace,

I have sent you an email but thought I would post some of it here to help anyone else if the come across this issue.

The hardest part of solving these types of issues is to pinpoint where the issue lies.

If the tracks play fine on the computer then the issue is not the downloaded track but in the playback on the device (or the transfer).
If it was just the ipod that had the issue I would assume it was that, however since you are having the same issue on your iphone also, this may point to your headphones.

Do you use the same headphones when you listen to the tracks on your computer?
If not could I suggest that you try the same headphones on your ipod or iphone that you use on your computer.
This should rule out any issues with your headphones if the problem still exists.

Equalizer settings on Iphone: On the Iphone the equalizer is in "settings" then "music" under "EQ".

If the headphones are ok and the problem still exists, then it may be the headphone jack, but again if the problem exists on ipod and iphone then the chances are slim that both would go at the same time.

I have seen instances of itunes distorting tracks when being imported due to faulty USB to ipod cable but this would normally happen to all music tracks and easily noticed.

[pollyanna]

Hi again Grace,

I have contacted support who will be contacting you again. Not sure whether they work week-ends. Jodie said your email was sent late Friday evening and that she sent you a reply on Monday morning so maybe they don't work week-ends (or not every week-end)

Your email to support stated that you have no problem when listening from your computer and the problem you have is when listening from your i-pod or i-phone. Perhaps someone you know, someone in the community, or the instructions for your iphone/ipod will have the solution.

As Giles has said they really are very helpful and I'm sure there will be a simple solution to your iphone/ipod

Let us know how you get on and I wish you much peace and joy

P.S. Ooops - they beat me to it hehe

[Boris Badenov]

In my opinion the thumping becomes more noticeable when you are using a low frequency response headphone/speaker. For instance, if I listen to the tracks with my UniTone headphones it sounds like I'm riding with a flat tire. If I use my Sennheiser PC36 headset, then it's fine. If I use earbuds with my IPod it's fine as well. The problem lies in the low frequency response of my UniTone headset: 20 to 18,000 Hz. My Sennheiser headset's response is 40 to 18,000 Hz. That 20 Hertz makes all the diffence in the world and it really doesn't have much to do with the equilizer (I don't think as I don't fool with it).
I'd say if you could look up the frequency response of your speakers or headphones then you'd have a solid starting point. A higher response headset will cause it to be unnoticeable.

Hope this helps.

[GraceB]

Thanks for stepping in for me Pollyanna. Yes, the three days I waited bridged a weekend. Sounds like they don't work weekends. Grant from Tech Support did write to me (and posted above) a very helpful note that prompted me to very carefully try listening in a variety settings (from computer, iPod, and iPhone, through internal and external speakers as well as with each of 3 pairs of headphones I own and through car speakers). I made sure each time that the equalizer settings were off and that no bass boosting or other enhancements were involved. I still hear the sound...the headphones are worse than the stereo speakers and the car speakers are the worst of all.

I actually think that Boris Badenov may have hit on it though! All the headhphones I use have frequency responses of 5 to 22K Hz....even lower than the ones that make the sound audible to Boris. I thought that was going to be a GOOD thing, but perhaps its the problem. I'm encouraged anyway that someone else has heard this noise.

Sounds like I need get different 'phones!

Thank you so much, Boris, for weighing in! I'll send a note to TEch Support too just to see if this seems a likely explanation to them.

Grace

[Boris Badenov]

I see in the FAQ that Project Meditation recommends the Sony MDR-XD2000 headphones with the movie setting switched off. The frequency response of this headset is 10-22,200 Hz. The movie setting provides a bass boost so my guess is that switching that off moves the frequency response up enough to eliminate the thumping sound.
I really think this will solve your problem.

[GraceB]

Hi everyone,

Well, i've finally gotten the bottom of this banging noise thing. Turns out that the one place I wasn't looking was actually the source! After working with Grant from the support team, I ruled out the tracks, iTunes, the equalizer, my iPod, speakers and headphones....and Grant suggested that I have other people listen to the tracks through the same headphones I'm using to see if they can hear the noise. They cannot. So, oddly enough, the deal is apparently that I am hearing the lower ranges where most people don't.

I suppose this shouldn't surprise me, although it did. The main reason I am using Lifeflow is to help me keep my uber-sensitive brain synchronized and stable. For years, I had really debilitating migraines and seizures that would be set off by the tiniest changes in the environment. Neurofeedback helped me tremendously to be able to tolerate certain kinds of light and sound that my brain was over-reacting to, but I continue to be very sensitive to all kinds of stimulation (wireless internet, changes in barometric pressure, noise, lights, etc). I guess it sort of makes sense that I'm picking up sound energy (I do "feel" that banging noise as much as hear it, or that's how I hear it).

Anyway, so just in case anyone else out there is annoyed by the thumping/banging noise, I'd suggest working systematically through the steps to find the source and including one's one brain in the system as well.

Many thanks to everyone who offered suggestions along the way. At this point, I'm just forming a different association with the noise to make it less irritating. Instead of thinking of it as sounding like an unbalanced washing machine or like driving on a flat tire, I am just associating it with the lovely zone I get into with LifeFlow and allowing that to be a more positive thought.

Grace

[GilesC]

Hi Grace,

Glad you finally got to the bottom of it.

Hugs

Giles