Relax Melodies Premium 4+

Your first impression with this product might be that it’s a “hippy app”, but in reality, it’s a highly versatile app with real benefits. I’ve come to use specific sound combinations (I call them soundtracks) only when working specific tasks or activities. Over time, these soundtracks have become my personal “theme songs” that are only played when I’m doing a specific task or activity. For example, if I block out time to just read and return work emails, I always listen to a combination of sounds I call “mellow focus” which has a steady but gentle beat that is a good match for the repetitive nature of emailing. I added the 20Hz “concentration” binaural overlay sound (think subtle vibration sounds that are pseudo subconscious). They have other "binaural beats” with varying frequencies to condition the listener for relaxing, focusing, pre-sleep, meditation, etc.. The moment I turn on my “mellow focus” selection, it’s like a flip is switched in my brain and I’m ready to bang out some emails because that sound equals that task. As such, it’s a great tool to outwit procrastination…just turn on your task-specific sound and you feel like you’ve started. I have many other personal "sound tracks" I use for various activities/tasks/preparation for both work and personal. Just like a smell can bring back a strong memory or put you in a certain mood, these “soundtracks” put you right back to a particular mindset.

I bought the premium version of this app on my MacBook and my AppleTV, and I have the free version on my iPhone and iPad. Most of the "sounds" in the available library are high quality and well done. There are only a few I have found of a lesser quality, like for example where the loop is detectable within the track, or where there's too much ambient noise surrounding a specific sound I want. I notice that they keep adding new sounds to the library, which is fantastic and a big part of the reason for this review. I only use the sounds that aren't musical, but I'm sure those musical sounds are loved by many as well. I absolutely LOVE combining 3 to 12 different sounds, blending them together at different volumes using the built-in "mixer" feature, and saving them as favorites for later. I play with this feature way too often! If I had once wish, it would be for my "favorites" to transfer from device to device, but I enjoy creating new mixes so much, this is a very minor complaint. Huge thanks to Ipnos Software for this app - it allows me hours and hours of distraction-free work.

This app provides excellent sounds and frequencies for multiple needs. I have issues focusing while studying. This app allows me to zone out the rest of the world and work. I also use the app to help me go to sleep or calm down before a presentation. I tried the free version for a year before buying this one thinking ‘I like it and I don’t need any extras.’ Then I noticed the extra frequencies and sounds that I thought would appeal more to me. The paid version is well worth it. The only issue I have with the app is that it doens’t flow well with the trackpad. Using two fingers it tries to let you swipe through the different sounds, but it usually glitches it out and sticks to the page you are on making you click the button. This is an issue in both the paid and free version. While I’m ok with clicking the button, I hoped that by paying for it the issue would be resolved. Other than that, it’s a perfect app for those who just need a time out, a time to foucs, or a little help falling asleep.