Simulations With You
Sonic Landscapes
Frequency Explorer
Find the signal in the noise.
đź“– Inspired by Real Stories
This tool was created for people seeking clarity amidst the noise of everyday life.
How to Use Sonic Landscapes
This frequency explorer mimics an old analog radio dial. Drag the circular dial to rotate it—watch the frequency numbers change as you turn. Hidden within the static are four sound stations (rain, ocean waves, forest birds, resonant bells), each locked to a specific frequency range. When you get close to a station, the white noise fades and the sound emerges. The closer you tune to the exact frequency, the clearer the signal becomes. A small indicator light appears at the top when you've locked onto a station, and the station name displays below the dial. Use the volume slider at the bottom to adjust overall sound level. The interface is intentionally tactile—you have to search, listen, and fine-tune manually, just like tuning an actual radio in the 90s before preset buttons took over.
Why I Built This
I made this after realizing I'd forgotten how to actively listen. Everything is instant now—pick a song, hit play, skip if you don't like it within three seconds. But there's something meditative about searching for a signal. The act of tuning forces you to slow down, pay attention to subtle shifts in sound, notice the exact moment static resolves into music or rain. It's like the difference between scrolling past a photo and actually looking at it.
The white noise isn't just filler—it's part of the experience. Finding clarity within chaos is its own kind of reward. When you finally lock onto that rain sound after hunting through frequencies, it feels earned. If you're curious about this idea of "finding your frequency" in a more metaphorical sense, I wrote about it in "Finding Your Frequency". It's just a little sonic scavenger hunt for those moments when you want to engage with sound instead of passively consuming it.
Tips for the Best Experience
- Use headphones—the subtle transition from static to signal is much more satisfying with good audio.
- Turn slowly when hunting for stations; if you spin too fast, you'll miss the narrow frequency windows.
- Once you find a station, try tuning slightly off-center to hear how the signal degrades—it's oddly calming.
- The stations are randomized each session, so you can't memorize their positions—embrace the search.
- Lower the volume before you start if you're sensitive to white noise; it can be jarring at full blast.
- Don't expect instant relaxation—this tool rewards patience and active listening, not background ambience. No pressure—if hunting for frequencies feels like work instead of play, just close the tab. It'll be here if you want it later.