Frequency Ear Trainer

For Tonal Ear Training, match the tone generated by the application with your tuned one on the Frequency Ear Trainer. This is basicly an interactive game in which you need to tune your probe tone until you hear a match between the carrier signal and your probe tone. You can use a mouse or touch screen, but using your computer keyboard will give you more control over the speed.

There are mainly 2 modes available; one for General frequency recognition and another mode for Precision matching.

How to Use the Tonal Ear Training Game

To do this, click the Broadcast next target button and then create another hidden tone. Take some time to listen to that tone before tuning. Once each round starts, the widget will emit the carrier signal just one time. Now you want to tweak the probe tone to match the carrier as closely as possible. How accurate are you? The system track your precision and reward you with points for locking onto the frequency.

This is a logarithmic frequency range. The left side is a large spectrum display which represents the logarithmic frequency range. To set the tone of your probe simply click or drag on the spectrum area wherever you want. Your current probe position will be shown with a red marker. When you reveal your target it will show up as a green marker.

The right hand side has a tuning dial that shows you both what frequency you are currently at and the matching musical note. There’s also a fine tuning slider beneath the dial if you need to make more precise tweaks. Accurate adjustments can be easily made using your keyboard.

To enter keyboard mode, focus the spectrum area. Nudge your tuning up/down in small increments with left/right arrow keys, or for larger jumps, hold down Shift and press one of the arrow keys. The Page Up/Down keys will adjust your tuning by a whole octave and the Home/End keys jump your tuning to the top/bottom of your currently set training range. Sound the current probe tone by pressing the Space or Enter key.

With global keyboard shortcuts, you can monitor what’s going on without having to click buttons. To listen to the hidden target carrier press T. Your existing probe tone is played by pressing P. A good way to see the differences is to compare the probe and carrier by pressing C. Pressing B lets you listen for the interference beat of the two tones; a slower beat means you are likely getting closer. Finally, if you want to jump to an octave anchor frequency just press the corresponding number 1; 8.

Below the primary screen is an audio monitor deck with a few different listening choice. Replay the target signal by clicking on Monitor hidden carrier. Listen to what you are currently set at by clicking Monitor tuned probe. Pushing the Carrier probe button plays both tones back-to-back, making them easier to compare. With the Check interference beats button, it mixes both of those sine waves together allowing you to listen for that beating effect. Pushing the Sweep training span button will play a smooth sweep through whatever frequency range you choose.

The mode buttons above let you toggle between Recognition and Precision missions. For a Precision mission, you’ll need to focus on the specific frequency of the covert carrier signal. For Recognition, you’ll determine which EQ region contains the carrier frequency. Select one of the regions from the Auditory-region console below and submit your guess. The system will score your performance and record your current streak of correct answers.

At the bottom there are several settings for configuring the training experience. You can select the Signal source from narrow-band noise or a pure sine wave. The Training span dropdown limits which frequencies is used during the exercise so you can concentrate on certain registers such as high treble or low bass. The High-band safety checkbox will taper down the output volume at higher frequencies. Then there is a Master level slider to control the overall volume. If you’re using narrow band-noise, the Noise filter focus slider controls the bandwidth of the noise signal.

The Octave Anchor Bank lets you quickly jump to popular reference frequencies. In Precision mode, clicking one of these buttons sets your probe to that frequency, while in Recognition mode, they help you navigate the range. This is helpful for bracketing a desired tone when you aren’t sure where it might be on the spectrum.

In Precision mode, these buttons does exactly that, they put your probe right at the desired spot. In Recognition mode, they are a way to get around within the range and make your best guess.

One of the most effective ways to refine your lock is with interference beats. Two different sine waves that are nearly but not quite the same will produce an interference beat, which sounds like a pulse. If the interference beats are very slow, then you’re getting closer to the right note; if they stop, then you’ve found it. Press the Check interference beats button and see if you can hear the interference beats. Tune slowly in the direction where you want to go until the interference stops or is very slow. It’s often much more accurate than listening to just the pitch.

Just note: turn down the volume on your device first! Even though the widget has some safety measures in place to avoid blasting you, it’s still pretty jarring if you’re not expecting it at max volume. So set it low and work up from there when necessary.

It will also record how many times you’ve been correct along with your current streak so you know where you’re at and what needs improvement. If you get a long streak going that means you’re consistently right, which will make you more confident.

Don’t try to match things in a hurry; take your time when approaching each target. Bracketing (testing frequencies both above and below your initial estimate) can be particularly useful. Regularly compare your results using the A/B comparison feature. As you get better at it, the widget will become more challenging. Regular practice will help you build a reliable internal reference for pitch and frequency regions.

With these tips under your belt, you’re ready to really focus on how well you can hear. Try out various settings and modes that suit your preference. Regardless of whether it’s recognizing broader ranges of frequencies or pinning down an exact note, the audio trainer will let you know instantly. Begin by playing the next target and then listen closely to how near or far away from locking onto the right note you’ve come.

It is both fun and enlightening!