Return
to Sleep
Thoughts
Five Questions about Virtual
Dreaming
I would
like to spend this 'sleep thought' answering a few questions that have
been posed to me over the last few months.
1. What is Virtual Dreaming?
Virtual
Dreaming is a term I coined to describe our version of nature sounds. We
combine natural relaxing sounds with virtually real audio environments.
This promotes visualization. In other words, if you were standing on a
secluded beach you might hear waves... but if you were standing at a
lighthouse you might hear waves, flags on the yardarm flapping,
seagulls, ships passing and so on. The combination of both audio effects
(to visualize) and nature sound (to sooth) is a potent relaxation
method.
2. But why do you call it
Virtual Dreaming?
If you
can think of a better term let me know. Much like in deep meditation and
hypnosis, the human brain's secondary visual cortex interprets
visualizing and REM dreaming in much the same way. By
stimulating this natural brain function we can promote the onset of
Theta brainwaves and induce sleep. We create 'virtually real' audio
environments. Ergo, the term virtual dreaming seemed like a
'no-brainer'... no pun intended.
3. Do
you have a favorite Virtual Dream?
It's
interesting how my preferences change with the seasons. I was almost
addicted to Jumbo Jet for
awhile (a strange phenomena) then I moved on to
Thunder Train and now I am enjoying
White Water as a sleep induction
method. I have a tendency to believe that the ultimate
virtual dream has yet to be recorded.
4.
Where do you get you ideas for a Virtual Dream?
Since no
one has ever done this before the ideas in the early going were easy to
come up with. The relaxing soundscapes like Twilight
Golf and The Old Lighthouse were
suggestions by others. Direct input from patrons is an excellent source
of new material. There is only three variables I consider when starting
a new audio project. Is it ultimately relaxing? Can you fall asleep to
it? And, finally, is it technically possible to record?
5. You
state that Virtual Dreams become more potent with time. How is that?
As the
listener becomes more familiar with the sequence of 'audio events' in
each recording the visualizations become easier to anticipate. An
example would be the aforementioned flag flapping in The Old Lighthouse.
If you know ahead of time you are about to hear the flapping sound then
the ability to visualize the flag becomes second nature. You might also
be surprised by how your mind can almost go on auto-pilot while
listening to them. And when that happens... sleep soon follows.
Anyhoo,
it's Thanksgiving Eve and I want to wish everyone out there a happy
turkey day!
Brad McBride
