Sleep Buddy: how the sleep sounds work
Sleep Buddy, at sleepbuddy.chowchowlabs.com, plays calming sounds you can mix into your own soundscape, with a sleep timer that fades out and a gentle alarm. This page explains how the sounds are made, how to build a mix, and what to expect from it.
Sounds made in your browser
Most sleep-sound apps play recorded loops. Sleep Buddy generates every sound itself, right in your browser, without third-party recordings. That has two practical benefits. Generated sounds can play continuously, without the audible seam you hear when a recorded loop restarts, which is exactly the kind of small repeating detail that can keep you awake. And because nothing large has to download, sounds start almost immediately, even on a slow connection.
57 sounds in 12 families
The sounds are grouped into families: noise (white, pink and brown noise and a fan), rain and storms, water, nature and night, wildlife, pets, trains, flight, vehicles, markets, construction, and factory. A few notes on the noise colours, since people often ask:
- White noise is an even hiss across all frequencies. It’s good at covering sudden sounds, but some people find it sharp.
- Pink noise is softer, with less energy in the high frequencies. Many people find it more comfortable for a whole night.
- Brown noise is a deep, low rumble, closer to distant thunder or a strong waterfall.
Mixes and soundscapes
You can layer several sounds and set each one’s volume, for example light rain with crickets and a low fan, then save the mix under its own name. If you’d rather not build your own, there are twelve ready-made soundscapes, such as a summer night, ocean waves, a rainy season, a train journey and a purring cat.
Timer, routine and alarm
The sleep timer fades your sounds out gradually rather than cutting them off, so the change doesn’t wake you. The alarm works the other way: it starts with a soft tone and slowly gets louder. There are ten tones to choose from, including soft chimes, a music box and a kalimba. You can set it all up as a bedtime routine so the same sounds, timer and alarm are ready each night.
What’s free
Twenty-eight of the 57 sounds, six of the twelve soundscapes, five of the ten alarm tones, the timer and mixing are free, without an account. Optional Premium ($2.99 CAD a month) unlocks every sound, soundscape and tone, and removes ads.
Tips for using sleep sounds
- Keep the volume low, just loud enough to blur background noise. Louder isn’t better for sleep.
- Steady sounds, such as noise, rain or a fan, are usually better for falling asleep than sounds with sudden changes, such as birds or thunder.
- Use the same mix for a while. A familiar sound can become part of your wind-down routine.
Try it
Open Sleep Buddy or get the iPhone app.
Sleep Buddy is made to help you relax. It isn’t a medical device and doesn’t diagnose or treat insomnia or any other condition. If you have trouble sleeping most nights, talk to your doctor.