Every once in a while, I come across an article that not only teaches me something new but also reframes what I thought I already knew. Bobby Owsinski’s recent piece, “The Difference Between White, Pink, Brown and Blue Noise,” did just that.
Now, if you’re like me and spend a good chunk of your time immersed in sound, either sculpting it in the studio, absorbing it in headphones, or pondering its emotional effects, then you’ve likely come across the terms “white noise,” “pink noise,” and their lesser-known cousins.
But how often do we stop and really understand what these colours of noise actually mean? What roles do they play in how we listen, create, and relax?
Bobby’s article acts like a prism, breaking down these sonic hues into something tangible and useful. He explains that each “colour” of noise is defined by the way energy is distributed across frequencies.
In other words, these aren’t just ambient soundscapes we use to fall asleep, they’re audio personalities with their own character traits.
Here’s the quick breakdown:
- White noise is like the audio version of a snowstorm on an old TV screen, equal energy across all frequencies. Great for masking other sounds, but not always easy on the ears.
- Pink noise tilts the energy more toward the low end, creating a more natural, balanced sound, think of it as the sonic equivalent of rain on the roof.
- Brown noise leans even further into the bass, deeper, richer, like distant thunder or the rumble of a waterfall.
- Blue noise (and its higher-frequency sibling violet noise) flips the script entirely, more energy in the high end, often used for very specific audio testing purposes.
Reading the article made me reflect on how we all have our own preferred “noise colour” when we need to drown out the world. For some, it’s the comforting hush of pink noise during sleep. For others, it might be brown noise’s low-frequency embrace, grounding the body and soothing the mind.
But beyond personal preference, there’s a deeper takeaway here: each type of noise has a purpose, especially in music production, sound design, and wellness.
As a musician, knowing how and when to use these frequencies is like having a painter’s understanding of shadow and light. It’s not just about volume or tone, it’s about energy distribution and emotional impact.
So if you’re a fellow sonic explorer, curious producer, or just someone who appreciates the subtle art of listening, I encourage you to check out Bobby’s full article. It’s informative, clear, and full of practical insight.
Click here to read: “The Difference Between White, Pink, Brown and Blue Noise” by Bobby Owsinski
And while you’re at it, maybe take a moment to explore what your noise colour is. Next time you reach for a background sound to work, sleep, or create to, choose consciously. After all, every sound we surround ourselves with leaves a mark, like brushstrokes on the canvas of our inner world.
