Customer Reviews

Environments 2: Tintinnabulation

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I work for a group of social workers and therapists who specialize in stress, molest issues, and other trauma... and we've found that this recording is one of the best ever to promote a safe and relaxing "audio environment". With undertones similar to heart beats and a natural flowing rhythm vaguely similar to the sounds of the womb, this recording seems to promote an immediate sense of calm. One of our therapists got so relaxed, she actually fell asleep listening to this. I have a copy for myself at home, too, and play it for my dogs when they're aggitated by lightning storms. The low-tone non-melody is very soothing. I think it's excellent. Buy this one.

There were 11 Syntonic Research Inc. "Environments" LPs between 1970 and 1979, with a different environment on each side (22 total). "The Psychologically Ultimate Seashore" was their first and perhaps most famous because it was a new concept. "Dawn and Dusk at New Hope PA" were perhaps their two best environments.

Both of these have been re-released on CD (thankyouverymuch). Oh, and also "Environments 2: Tintinnabulation" which was the only one in the series which was not a nature recording (it's composed of synthesizer bonging, rather more like the Wolff/Hennings "Tibetan Bells" recordings). Not one of my favorites.

The other 19 Environments have not been released! These include some great ones -- Winter Snowstorm, English Meadow, Caribbean Lagoon, Wood-Masted Sailboat, Dusk and Dawn in the Okefenokee Swamp, Be-In.... These are fabulous recordings which have not been duplicated by other environmental recordings. WHERE THE HELL ARE THEY?

Syntonic Research Inc., if you still exist, are you listening?

A really great series of records which only a few are available on CD. It is sad that this one is so hard to find. It was one of the best in the series and surely the most interesting. I am hoping that the company with the rights to this series will release more of the ENVIRONMENTS series on CD.

I recommend this CD to anyone eager to try something real. The resonance of the bells will transform your relaxation state into a psychological sensual experience. Syntonic Research has done well to transfer this release to CD.

This is probably one of the oddest recordings I've ever heard, but it's also one of the most restful. It reminds me of some of the deep, resonant brass bells I heard rung during ceremonies in a Buddest temple in China in 1986. The sounds are at varying frequencies, with refraines lasting for several seconds at a time. I could easily see this as a meditation piece, something with which to focus one's mind, just as the bells in China were probably used during the ceremonies I attended. There is nothing that remotely resembles a "tune" here or anything that is strictly speaking an "environmental" sound either. For those who enjoy some of the atmosphere recordings, this will probably please you. For those who expect their music to be hummable, this definitely isn't it.

Many of us wore out ALL of the Environments recordings on vinyl 20 years ago. Now the rest of the world has discovered the magic, you find cheap imitations selling by the thousands, the market is more lucrative than ever, and the Environments series is nowhere to be found. Nothing else compares - We want them!

I've had this CD for years, and the vinyl before it. It is very unusual and not for everyone, but one of the best aids to study, sleep, and grief I've ever found. it is not a recording you listen to; rather, it's one which you allow to surround you. That's true of all the Environments recordings but especially true of this one. I couldn't agree more with Seattle about the need for all the Environments recordings to be released in CD. I have been longing for Wood-Masted Sailboat ever since I switched to CDs. I would buy most of them as soon as they are released.....if they were ever to be released. Amazon, can you exert some influence?

I love the "Environments" series and am also anxiously awaiting the release of all of them on CD. This would be my LAST choice to put on CD. It gives me a headache and is not relaxing to my set of ears. PLEASE release the rest of them on CD!! I have a check waiting to send to whomever releases high quality transfers to CDs.

You should know that this is the "special low frequency version" (16 RPM, 60 minutes). I think it sounds better at 33; this version seems unnaturally slow, more disorienting than soothing. (If you have sound design software with "time and pitch" effects, you can create the 33 RPM version without too much trouble.)

This is a very unusual, interesting recording. It consists of only soothing bells, playing varying tones. A lot of the tones are very low frequencies, and the bells entone for long stretches of time. The tones never gel into any sort of musical pattern -- instead, they are meant to be in the background. You can't play this album loud, or you will both ruin the effect and ruin your speakers!

Allow this CD to seep into your consciousness, and you will find that it helps with relaxation, meditation, and study.