MindZone

A neuro-acoustic instrument that generates structured, multi-phase brainwave-entrainment audio. Each session layers binaural carriers, amplitude-modulated entrainment, and ambient synthesis into one continuous stereo render.

Project initiated: 2026-02
Author: Yan Petrov
Affiliation: Independent
Location: Paphos, Cyprus
Version: 0.7
Status: Active development

↓ scroll · §01 abstract

§ 01

Abstract

MindZone turns a plain-language description of a cognitive goal into a structured, multi-phase brainwave entrainment session. A language model reads the request and writes a strategy specification: a sequence of phases, each set by its target brainwave band, entrainment frequency, carrier offset, timbre, and breath cadence. A signal-processing pipeline then renders that specification into one continuous stereo file, using additive synthesis, binaural carriers, sinusoidal amplitude modulation, convolution reverb, and a noise bed tuned for stochastic resonance.

The design draws on published work: the 40 Hz GENUS protocol (Iaccarino et al., 2016, Nature), the auditory steady-state response (Picton et al., 2003), and the theta-gamma cross-frequency coupling described by Lisman & Jensen (2013). A session follows a phase arc, moving deliberately between bands instead of holding one fixed tone, so the stimulus tracks the cognitive task rather than working against it.

This page covers the architecture, the science it rests on, how to run a session, and the full parameter reference. The live instrument sits behind a login at mindzone.cloud/hub. You can play a thirty-second rendered sample below without signing in (§ 06).

§ 02

Architecture

Input Natural-language prompt free-form text

Interpret Strategy generator LLM · heuristic fallback

Validate Loader + safety clamps enforced server-side

Overlay Research model + PSE gate visual + breath · strobe gated

Render · audio Audio engine synth · binaural · AM · noise · mixer

Render · visual Visual engine light · fractal · breath · strobe

Output WAV / MP3 stream · download

FIG. 02 · the request pipeline. The loader enforces every clamp on the server, and the PSE gate keeps strobe off until a user passes screening.

§ 03

Theoretical basis

§ 03.1

Auditory steady-state response (ASSR)

Amplitude-modulating a carrier at frequency f produces a phase-locked cortical response at the same frequency, measurable on an EEG. It is how an audible session can entrain a target band.

Picton et al. (2003) · Int. J. Audiology
EVIDENCE: STRONG

§ 03.2

40 Hz GENUS protocol

Combined audio-visual stimulation at 40 Hz drives gamma across cortex and hippocampus and improves cognitive markers in animal models. The basis for MindZone's learning-oriented gamma phases.

Iaccarino et al. (2016) · Nature
EVIDENCE: STRONG (animal)

§ 03.3

Binaural beats & the frequency-following response

Two carriers offset by Δf presented dichotically produce a perceived beat at Δf. The effect requires headphones and is weaker than monaural AM, so MindZone keeps binaural carriers ≥20 dB below the foundation pad.

Oster (1973) · Scientific American
EVIDENCE: MODERATE

§ 03.4

Theta-gamma cross-frequency coupling

Working memory appears organised by gamma cycles nested within a theta rhythm. Sessions therefore couple bands across a phase arc rather than holding a single frequency, mirroring this nesting.

Lisman & Jensen (2013) · Neuron
EVIDENCE: STRONG

§ 03.5

Alpha entrainment & attentional gating

Alpha-band activity (8–12 Hz) indexes inhibitory attentional control. Relaxed-focus and creative phases target this band to lower distractibility without forcing high arousal.

Klimesch (2012) · Trends Cogn. Sci.
EVIDENCE: MODERATE

§ 03.6

Stochastic resonance

A calibrated noise floor can raise the detectability of a sub-threshold periodic signal. The pink/brown noise bed is set to support the entrainment envelope, not to mask it.

McDonnell & Abbott (2009) · PLoS Comput. Biol.
EVIDENCE: MODERATE

§ 03.7

Slow-wave sleep & acoustic enhancement

Sound delivered in phase with slow oscillations during deep sleep can enhance slow-wave activity and memory retention. Informs the delta-targeted descent of sleep sessions.

Papalambros et al. (2017) · Front. Hum. Neurosci.
EVIDENCE: MODERATE

§ 03.8

Sleep spindles & consolidation

Delta and spindle activity during NREM sleep support memory consolidation. Sleep phases prioritise an unbroken descent through theta into delta over any audible novelty.

Diekelmann & Born (2010) · Nat. Rev. Neurosci.
EVIDENCE: STRONG

§ 03.9

Isochronic amplitude modulation

Pulsing a tone on and off gives a stronger entrainment envelope than binaural beats, and it works on speakers. MindZone uses a sinusoidal AM shape, never a square one, capped at 0.10 depth so the pulse never turns alarm-like.

Derived from ASSR · internal DSP rules
EVIDENCE: MODERATE

§ 03.10

Melanopsin & non-visual light response

Intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells respond to light colour and intensity, shaping alertness and circadian state. The visual engine maps colour temperature per band on this basis.

Hattar et al. (2002) · Science
EVIDENCE: MODERATE

§ 03.11

Empirical aesthetics of acoustic stimuli

Perceived pleasantness of a stimulus modulates engagement and tolerance over a long session. Timbre, reverb, and humanised timing are tuned so a session is bearable for its full duration.

Max Planck Inst. for Empirical Aesthetics
EVIDENCE: AESTHETIC

§ 03.12

Cyclic-sighing breath pacing

Extended-exhale breathing lowers physiological arousal faster than passive attention. MindSight's breath pacer drives an inhale/exhale ratio matched to the target state.

Balban et al. (2023) · Cell Reports Medicine
EVIDENCE: EXPLORATORY

§ 04

Operating manual

§ 04.1

Access

Go to /login. The preview is gated, so request evaluation credentials through the contact in § 08.

§ 04.2

Channel selection

After login, /hub offers three channels running on the same engine:

/waveMindWaveaudio only /fieldMindFieldaudio + synchronised visuals /sightMindSightvisual + breath, audio optional

§ 04.3

Prompt construction

The generator takes free-form natural language. A good prompt names a cognitive goal, a duration, and any context that matters.

"45 minute deep focus session for solving calculus problems, gradually building to gamma in the middle third."

§ 04.4

Generation modes

LLM mode (default) reads the prompt with a language model and tends to produce more varied phase arcs; it needs a network connection. Heuristic mode is a deterministic keyword map: faster, and it works offline every time.

§ 04.5

Energy level

Low / Medium / High scale how strong the session feels (amplitude-modulation depth and accent density), but never the brainwave frequency or the filter cutoff. The science stays fixed; only the expression changes.

§ 04.6

Playback

The rendered file streams from /download/{id} and supports range requests. Use headphones so the binaural carriers work as intended; speakers still carry the dominant monaural AM envelope.

§ 04.7

PSE gate

Strobe features are disabled by default. To enable, complete the photosensitive-epilepsy screening at /auth/pse_consent. Do not enable if you, or anyone in view of the screen, has epilepsy or a history of seizures.

§ 05

Parameter reference

Parameter	Range	Default	Unit
session.duration_min	1-120	45	min
phase.brainwave	δ θ α β γ	n/a	band
phase.entrainment_hz	0.5-100	band-bound	Hz
phase.carrier_left_hz	80-300	200	Hz
phase.carrier_right_hz	left + ent_hz	derived	Hz
phase.filter_cutoff	1200-3500	2200	Hz
phase.am_depth	0.05-0.10	0.08	ratio
phase.transition_sec	0.5-45	30	sec
phase.intensity_scale	0.5-1.4	1.0	scalar
visual.color_temp_k	2200-5500	3500	K
visual.brightness	0.06-0.80	derived	unit
visual.dimension	1.30-1.50	1.38	D
visual.strobe	off	gated	n/a
breath.inhale_sec	2-10	4	sec
breath.exhale_sec	3-12	6	sec

§ 06

Live instrument

Find the instrument at:

https://mindzone.cloud/hub

Running it requires a login. For evaluation access during the preview, contact the author (§ 08). The thirty-second sample below plays without a login, and it is real engine output rather than a mock-up.

alpha-entry · 30s · 200 Hz carrier · heuristic render

§ 07

Changelog

2026-06-09v0.7

Phase-arc cross-fade extended to 30 s default
Per-phase parallel render enabled by default (≈1.3× faster on vibrations)
Stereo correlation target clamped 0.5 – 0.85
Spatial-drift auto-pan added to master chain

2026-05-22v0.6

Visual engine: PSE gate dual-layer enforcement
Strobe waveform changed: square → cos²
Breath pacer morphs shape per brainwave band

2026-05-04v0.5

Musical mode: beat + bass + arp layer added
Tempo-locked to band tonal centre

2026-04-18v0.4

Research model: visual + breath overlays per phase
Chromotherapy hue mapping per brainwave band

§ 08

Authorship & contact

Designed and built by Yan Petrov.

Independent researcher and developer, working across neuroscience, digital signal processing, and accessible cognitive support. MindZone is a one-person project; the research behind it is cited inline in § 03.

For technical discussion, collaboration inquiries, or evaluation access:

aioraownr@gmail.com

+357 95 570792