01 · Start here
Beat rate, carrier tone and EEG band are not interchangeable.
In a binaural session, two nearby audible tones are sent separately to the ears. The difference between them is the beat rate. For example, 400 Hz left and 410 Hz right produce a perceived 10 Hz fluctuation. The audible 400/410 Hz tones are carriers; 10 Hz is the difference rate.
Hamen can also create an isochronic or pulse rhythm, where the audio level itself rises and falls at the stated rate. That rhythm exists in the signal and can be heard through speakers. A steady pure tone has no added beat unless it is pulsed.
It may describe a left-right difference or modulation rate. It also does not confirm that an EEG would show a global 10 Hz brain state.
02 · Conventional labels
Delta, theta, alpha, beta and gamma are useful categories—not destinations.
| Label | Approximate range | How Hamen uses it | What it does not prove |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delta | 0.5–4 Hz | Slow beat or pulse sessions placed in low-stimulation evening pathways | That the listener entered deep sleep or a clinical sleep stage |
| Theta | 4–8 Hz | Slower rhythmic sessions for quiet or reflective listening | A guaranteed meditative state, memory change or dream effect |
| Alpha | 8–12 Hz | Moderate rhythms in calm and relaxed-focus pathways | Improved focus or a measured whole-brain alpha state |
| Beta | 13–30 Hz | Brisk rhythms in more active work or study options | Higher productivity, ADHD treatment or a universal alertness response |
| Gamma | 30 Hz and above | Fast rhythms in short high-energy or clarity-oriented choices | Better memory, cognition or a health effect from a 40 Hz label |
EEG-band boundaries vary somewhat by field and protocol. The labels summarize patterns researchers measure in electrical activity; they were not invented as playlists. Hamen borrows the familiar names to organize audio rates, then states the limitation clearly.
03 · The tone you hear
Carrier frequency shapes the sound more than the headline.
A lower carrier often feels deeper; a higher carrier can feel brighter or sharper. In binaural mode, left and right carriers must remain close enough to create the intended percept. In pure mode, a carrier is simply the steady audible pitch.
Changing a carrier changes timbre and comfort. It does not turn a beat-rate category into a different scientific result. Hamen’s current release uses curated presets instead of arbitrary custom-frequency entry so the player stays simple. A future frequency lab is listed on the roadmap, clearly marked as not released.
Signal mode matters too
- Binaural: separate nearby carriers for left and right; requires stereo headphones.
- Isochronic or pulse: periodic amplitude changes in the actual signal; can use speakers.
- Steady pure tone: one continuous pitch without a difference beat.
- Noise and ambience: broader sound fields that can mask environmental sound or soften the tone.
04 · Named frequencies
432 Hz, 528 Hz, Solfeggio and 7.83 need context.
432 Hz and 528 Hz are audible pitch or tuning labels. They are not EEG bands. Small exploratory studies do not establish that one tuning heals, repairs DNA, guarantees calm or produces a universal sleep response. Hamen treats these as tonal colors or intention-based traditions.
Solfeggio labels are cultural and contemporary wellness framings. They can be meaningful to a listener as ritual or musical choice without being presented as medical frequencies.
“Schumann 7.83” is an inspired audio label. The Earth–ionosphere cavity has electromagnetic resonance modes, with the lowest commonly summarized around 7.8 Hz. Hamen’s audio beat or pulse does not recreate the Earth’s electromagnetic field and does not establish a health effect.
05 · Practical use
Choose by sound and routine, not by a guaranteed state.
- Pick the pathway that matches the moment: bedtime, quiet break, work, study or meditation.
- Choose a session whose tone is comfortable at low volume.
- Use binaural mode only with stereo headphones; choose pulse, steady tone, noise or ambience for speakers.
- Set a timer so the session has a clear boundary.
- Notice your own comfort and preference without treating one session as a diagnostic test.
Responses vary. A frequency label that feels useful today may be distracting tomorrow. The app does not measure your EEG, sleep stage, heart rate or attention, so it cannot confirm a physiological outcome.
06 · FAQ
Frequency questions, answered carefully.
What is the best frequency for sleep?
No single rate is proven best for everyone. Slow delta-labeled sessions may fit a low-stimulation ritual, but the label does not guarantee sleep or treat insomnia.
What is the best frequency for focus?
Alpha-, beta- and gamma-labeled options are common in focus libraries, but no number guarantees concentration. Choose a comfortable, low-distraction sound and a practical work interval.
Is 40 Hz scientifically proven?
Auditory 40 Hz stimulation can evoke measurable steady-state responses in laboratory settings. That does not by itself prove better memory, focus or health from a consumer session.
Can speakers play binaural beats?
Not with reliable left-right separation. Use stereo headphones for binaural mode. Speakers work for isochronic, pulse, steady tone, noise and ambient modes.
Can I enter my own frequency in Hamen?
Not in the current release. Hamen uses curated presets. A custom session lab is an exploration item on the roadmap, with no promised release date.
Sources
Evidence behind the boundaries.
- Ingendoh, Posny & Heine (2023): systematic review of binaural beats and brain oscillatory activity
- García-Argibay, Santed & Reales (2019): meta-analysis
- Galambos, Makeig & Talmachoff (1981): 40 Hz auditory potential
- Calamassi & Pomponi (2019): exploratory 432/440 Hz tuning study
- Balser & Wagner (1960): Earth–ionosphere cavity resonances
For methods, limitations and the complete reference list, read Science & Listening. The cited studies did not test Hamen unless explicitly stated.