Pro Sound Web: When Discovery Channel’s MythBusters set out to test the claim that subaudible low-frequency sounds near 19 Hz can instill feelings of discomfort, dread, and even outright terror, they turned to Meyer Sound and Dr. Roger Schwenke, the company’s staff scientist and honorary MythBuster, for assistance. The episode was aired on Discovery Channel on October 28.
13 comments:
It is cool how MythBusters always tries unique experiments and ends up with surprising and unbelievable results. Even this time, it is surprised and intriguing to see how they worked with sound frequency that I could have never thought of. It is quite surprising to see how frequent hearing of ultra-low sound might result in uneasiness and further fear. Often, I only thought that high pitch sound can cause a surprise or discomfort. However, after seeing this article, I could rethink that listening to constant low sound can be very horrifying. I think this idea of making fear through sound can be applied to anywhere such as events, films, or theatrical productions when a mood of fear should be made. It is also cool to see how a specific frequency can generate different mood or feeling to the audience.
I actually read an article a while ago that talked about a building that was supposedly haunted, because people would get extremely weird feelings of a presence near them. It turns out there was a generator outside that was rattling the building at a sub-sonic frequency. When that was turned off, the creepy feeling stopped. It would be interesting to see if this is a feasible concept to apply to sound design in theater, or even better in a halloween "haunted" attraction.
I remember watching the "brown note" MythBusters episode, it was pretty entertaining. I am definitely going to watch this episode and see what they concluded. Seeing how sound can affect our bodies is an interesting concept. It definitely can cause positive and negative reactions in individuals. Trying to capitalize on those reactions in theatre or the entertainment industry would be interesting. Maybe if it did work we could apply as Dan suggested. Very cool concept.
This is something that I had never thought existed before!!! But it makes so much sense, now that I think about it. For me, most of my fear is completely irrational and all formed in my mind when i start to think that something will be scary. To think that there is a scientific way to instill fear in someone is actually pretty terrifying. If this test is proven true and experts can hone the skill of instilling fear in other this can be used against enemies the weaken their strength in battle. Think of the possibilities!!!!!
I find it a little irritating that the article didn't say whether or not it was a myth. However, I still think this is an incredibly cool experiment and it just further confirms my idea of sound being "black magic". It's unbelievable the things that sound can do. Sound can be the difference between a scary scene in a movie and a friend trying to make you jump as they pop out of a closet. One high pitched note can drive a person insane and now you're telling me that a low frequency can make a person afraid? It's crazy the things a sound designer is capable of. the subtle ways to manipulate people through sound seem to be endless and there is a different way to do it for every show.
This sounds so cool. It reminds me of something the sound designer for Macbett is doing. He is using this thing that goes on an actors head while they are acting and does something with the emotions or brain waves that he will use to modify the sound. These kinds of things are so interesting and can really help in sound design. I never would have thought to approach sound design like that.
Man, I really love the Mythbusters. It is rare in today's world for a team of individuals to show such passion and dedication for discovery and be able to share that love for learning on a mass scale. Even more impressive is how Mythbusters has embraced their position as a sort of Bizarre Knowledge Bureau and extended their reach into areas outside of their original fields. I recently saw a program hosted by the Mythbuster gang profiling the life and world of Punkin' Chunkin' in the American North Mid-West.
Ever since my class with Shawn West I have been paying more attention to Myth busters. I think it is funny that some of what they do could be relevant to our industry.
This is a great one because the correct sound design can really give a production the correct "feel". I went to see the Woman in Black in London and before that I could never imagine a live show ever freaking me out, but the placement of the speakers and the actual sound effects made such a big difference and really scared the crap out of me.
Wow this is really fascinating. I am so curious to see this episode and hear a more detailed version of their conclusion. This could be a really powerful tool in the theater for evoking fear and discomfort in an audience. It is incredible how the body reacts to things that we are not even aware are present. The more we can tap into these unobservable emotional catalysts, the more possibilities and tools we gain in our craft. This presents many exciting applications.
I'll definitely go look for this episode. I have enjoyed all the episodes that involved Meyer Sound. I have a feeling that this Myth is true. It wouldn't be about the sound that you hear and more about the sound that you feel. Wouldn't your insides be shaking? My insides shake when I even think about a cabin deep in the woods.
I love Mythbusters, and this episode was certainly no exception. The idea that fear could be cause by low frequency sound waves/ energy waves is pretty interesting, and could certainly be exploited in horror films, and similar applications. Meyer Sound has had a strong connection with Mythbusters in the past, and always has interesting problems to solve, and myths to bust. My favorite probably being wether or not a human voice can shatter glass, followed by this one. Very interesting stuff! Unfortunately this myth turned out to be busted, but was still an awesome show.
Would it be immoral to subject an audience to this? The theater applications of this would be awesome. It would kind of be cheating but imagine if you could make your audience more fearful while watching a show, make them come out feeling emotionally connected to the characters. It would be like subliminal messaging but for theater. If this turns out to be true I wonder if people will start using this, I bet at the very least haunted houses will. It will be very interesting to see what happens, excited for this episode!
using the element of discomfort through sound is something that can be incredible when used in theatrical design. a lot of theatrical design approaches rely on the subliminal understanding or reception of a theme or mood - but to actually trigger an unexplainable sense of discomfort through sound is amazing. instead of leading the audience to a place where they feel uncomfortable, they can actually be uncomfortable. if this myth is true it opens the door to incredible opportunities.
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