Best Soothing Sounds App?

[HappyDude20]

I'd like an app to block out distracting noises for 2 things:

When I fall asleep

and

When I need to study and do homework.

Suggestions of a good app? So far quick browsing i've only seen AMBIENT or AMBIENCE, something like that for a buck. Is this the best or is there better? or Better and free?

 

[GfPQqmcRKUvP]

I love Ambiance. It's $.99. Less than four quarters.

 

[Gokunama]

I use Tranquil Alarm. The Ocean sound is relaxing, and it also provides alternative sounds for waking up to and a clock. aSleep was good, and so was Nature (more customizable).

 

[jaseone]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 2_2 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/525.18.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.1 Mobile/5G77 Safari/525.20)

Ambiance has the best of the interfaces but I prefer the sounds in the Sounds of Nature but the interface in that app is horrid!

 

[The Governor]

Whitenoise is good too. It has more than enough sounds available.

 

[Bobioden]

I like Easy Relax, it was free for awhile, now at .99


http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=292416392&mt=8

 

[SFC Archer]

I have removed "Ambiance" and "aSleep" for the terrific realistic sounds of "Sounds of Nature" This app is outstanding for the needs stated above.

I also like this app for the ability to merge sounds into your own custom sound to fall asleep or relax to. Ambiance is limited to 3 sound merge (I think) and does not sound very realistic compared to Sounds. I was able to recreate a camping night out in the Rocky Mountains of Montana where I grew up by merging Soft Stream & Bull Frogs from Mountain Stream and all 4 sounds under Night Sensation then adjusting each sound individually to set up a perfect replication of my childhood camping trips. I was then able to bookmark this for future use and pleasure. I used Ambiance for the longest until this one came out.

I also have to disagree with Jaseone in that the interface is very easy to use and it looks good. Having the scenery backgrounds is a nice touch and makes it look good. It is very easy to set up and is all self explanatory.

However, iPhone 2.2 update, as with other Apps, the sleep timer does not work right now when your iPhone goes to sleep. His new section has a few errors in it but he has been informed and is fixing. The under water sound has a gap in the loop and the Dolphins will not shut off without shutting down the app. Again, he is fixing and has responded to my emails before and fixed what I found and some of what I recommended.

Nature is a Super App for anyone that loves the outdoors.

 

[EvanLugh]

aSleep Vs. Mindwave - yours truly.

 

[kameko]

yeesh. are you people the same ones that buy those crappy ocean sound cds from walmart as well?

 

[PhaserFuzz]

Easy Relax Ultimate is the best IMO

 

[Habakuk]

Bloom because I am a Brian Eno fan! Plus it offers a certain interactivity if you like. A little bit more than a buck but it's worth in my opinion.

 

[jaseone]

I also have to disagree with Jaseone in that the interface is very easy to use and it looks good. Having the scenery backgrounds is a nice touch and makes it look good. It is very easy to set up and is all self explanatory.

Can you let me in on the secret then on how to set it up so I can open the app and start the timer with my preset sounds without having to navigate through bunches of screens? It is not at all intuitive if you can indeed do that. That is what I need as it is a pain to do all the steps just before bed each night, hence why Ambiance gets more use at the moment.

 

[SFC Archer]

yeesh. are you people the same ones that buy those crappy ocean sound cds from walmart as well?

yeesh...are you the same whiner that complains on everyone else's threads because you have a crappy life and need attention???

Well here it is

 

[SFC Archer]

Can you let me in on the secret then on how to set it up so I can open the app and start the timer with my preset sounds without having to navigate through bunches of screens? It is not at all intuitive if you can indeed do that. That is what I need as it is a pain to do all the steps just before bed each night, hence why Ambiance gets more use at the moment.

Sure Jase, I have no problems helping you use this app.

1. Open the app and in the upper right corner select options.
2. Turn both "Remember Volume" & "Customize Mode" to "ON"
3. Don't mess with the interval settings for now
4. Hit the little arrow key at bottom left corner
5. Go into whatever section interests you and select the sounds you want to create and adjust the volume. You can select up to 7 different sounds (ambiance is only 3)
6. Once you have all the sounds you want to use and volume settings set then select the "Bookmark" icon on top left of screen, give it a name and select add.
7. At bedtime choose one of your bookmarks, select options again and choose "Timer Settings"
8. Select hours and min (I use two hours) first
8. Turn "ON" "Timer Enabled" and check slow fade if you want.
9. Then hit the sleep button on top of the iPhone...This currently is bugged with the 2.2 upgrade and he is fixing it...but it will shut of the main screen and keep the sounds going for the next two hours.

Once you get all your favorites bookmarked it is really easy. Again, he has some bugs (who doesn't) but should have them fixed soon according to the email he sent me.

Hope that helps and you are able to get it going.
Good Luck

 

[jaseone]

2. Turn both "Remember Volume" & "Customize Mode" to "ON"

The latter part of that step was the missing link! didn't realize you needed to have customize mode on to use the bookmarks! Even though it says that exact thing on the options screen!

However it looks like the app has the same issue Ambiance had in that the audio cuts out when the iPhone goes to sleep, Ambiance has fixed their issue in a rushed fix so hopefully Sounds of Nature isn't far behind!

 

[SFC Archer]

The latter part of that step was the missing link! didn't realize you needed to have customize mode on to use the bookmarks! Even though it says that exact thing on the options screen!

However it looks like the app has the same issue Ambiance had in that the audio cuts out when the iPhone goes to sleep, Ambiance has fixed their issue in a rushed fix so hopefully Sounds of Nature isn't far behind!

Yes, its the same problem a lot of sound related apps had with 2.2. What is really wierd though is when I click on the sleep button not all sounds stop, the owl and cicadas, for example keeps doing his thing every 30 seconds which is what I set it to. The continuous sounds are the ones that stopped. He deffinetly has some bugs and I am reporting all I find because I think this app just has better sounds and with the book mark option, one can save what they want up to 7 sounds. Ambiance does not have that option at all.

I also hope that he gets the update soon.

Enjoy and glad I could help

 

[SFC Archer]

Just an update on the Sounds of Nature App.

Just received email from "Zac the Programmer" that the fix was submitted to yesterday and they are just waiting for approval and release.

Soon I should be able to go to sleep quickly again