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Soundscapes

Your Portable Oasis: Using Soundscapes to Block Noise on Planes, Trains, and Buses

The Stillpoint Team
Your Portable Oasis: Using Soundscapes to Block Noise on Planes, Trains, and Buses

The low drone of an airplane engine, the screech of a subway, the chatter of fellow passengers—travel is often a chaotic symphony of noise. This constant auditory input can be mentally fatiguing and make it difficult to relax, read, or sleep. This is where your headphones and Stillpoint become your most valuable travel companions.

By creating a personal soundscape, you can replace the unpredictable, stressful noises of your environment with a consistent and calming audio blanket.

The Key: Offline Access

Stillpoint is a Progressive Web App (PWA), which means you can "install" it on your phone's home screen. Once you do, the app and all its sounds are saved directly to your device. You don't need an internet connection to use it. This is crucial for airplane mode or for when you're on a subway with no signal.

  • How to Install: Simply visit our website on your phone's browser, tap the 'Share' or 'Menu' button, and select 'Add to Home Screen' or 'Install App'.

Soundscape Recipes for the Road

For Airplanes: The primary noise here is a very deep, low-frequency engine drone.

  • The Goal: Mask the engine hum.
  • The Recipe: Your best friend is Brown Noise. It's rich in low frequencies and will be incredibly effective.
    1. Start with Brown Noise at 80%.
    2. Add Heavy Rain at 50% for a more natural feel.
    3. If you want to feel like you're flying through space, try Starship Bridge Ambience instead of rain.

For Trains and Subways: The noise is more rhythmic and includes high-frequency screeches.

  • The Goal: Mask both the rhythm and the high-pitched sounds.
  • The Recipe: You need a more balanced mask here.
    1. Start with Pink Noise at 70%. It's better than brown noise for masking higher frequencies.
    2. Lean into the rhythm by adding Train on Tracks at 50%. By syncing with the environmental sound, you make it part of your intended experience, which makes it less jarring.
    3. Add Ocean Waves at 40% to smooth everything out.

For Buses or Car Rides: The main issue is often traffic noise and conversations.

  • The Goal: Mask speech and vehicle sounds.
  • The Recipe: White noise is excellent for masking speech.
    1. Start with White Noise at 40% (it can be intense, so start low).
    2. Add Distant Traffic at 60%. Again, lean into the environmental sound.
    3. Layer Light Rain at 80% over everything.

Before your next trip, take a moment to install Stillpoint on your phone. When you're settled in your seat, pop in your headphones (noise-canceling ones are a huge plus!), build your travel soundscape, and retreat into your personal oasis of calm. Explore the Soundscapes and find your perfect travel mix.