Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ 4/5 Stars
Quiet Music already offer a range of sample‑based instruments, but SacredTones is more like a platform for meditation or contemplative sound design. Based on a small number of resonant sound sources comprising Tibetan bowl, crystal bowl, gong, temple bell, tuning fork and tanpura, SacredTones eschews the standard A=440 tuning system, instead using so‑called healing frequencies, ambient sound textures, and binaural beat drones. If you compose music for mindfulness, sound therapy, yoga or relaxation, then prepare to be intrigued.
While healing frequencies might sound a bit like New Age mystique, SacredTones puts scepticism aside and provides a practical approach where all the different frequencies are listed alongside their names. The core instruments are designed to generate evolving harmonic textures rather than conventional melodic performances. SacredTones defaults to A=432Hz and includes multiple tuning systems such as Solfeggio, Chakra Solar, Hans Cousto‑inspired planetary tunings, and OM Vedic scales, but whether you subscribe to such things or not doesn’t impact on the relaxing and atmospheric nature of the sounds generated. Harmonics drone forever in the background punctuated by the struck sound sources when triggered.
A key feature is the binaural beats engine covering Delta, Theta, Alpha, Beta and Gamma brainwave frequencies purported to enable users to encourage mental states associated with sleep, meditation, relaxation, focus or alertness. Beat frequency and intensity can both be adjusted directly within the interface, though headphones are required for the binaural effect to be experienced properly as binaural beats rely on each ear receiving slightly different pitches. This binaural processing is integrated into musically‑generated sounds rather than simplistic sine waves, so the effect is like hearing harmonic pads based on resonant sounds combined with added reverb and environmental textures such as ocean, forest, wind, rain and fire.
For pure relaxation use, there’s a Session Play mode with a choice of timers that drones away indefinitely, ringing the chosen sound source once each time period. For composition, the sound sources may be played from a keyboard.
For anyone creating calming, immersive musical environments, SacredTones is remarkably effective.
While the appeal of SacredTones is likely to be limited to those working on relaxation or meditative music, it certainly succeeds for its intended purpose. If you just want easily playable resonant bowls, then Quiet Music’s Healing instruments are probably a better choice, but for anyone creating calming, immersive musical environments, SacredTones is remarkably effective.