Support
How can we help?
Start with the quick guide, check the common questions, or send us a message. We reply within two working days, and within one for Practitioner.
Getting started
- Open MindTimbre and tap Start a live session on the dashboard (or the Voice tab, then Live), then Start. Allow microphone access when asked.
- Sing or hum a steady note. The large letter is your note; the number beside it shows how many cents sharp or flat you are.
- Tap Stop to see your session summary and rate how it went. Past sessions are in the Sessions tab.
- In the Voice tab, switch to Voice prints, choose Sustained "ah" and 15 seconds, and tap the red button. Hold the note until it stops.
- Look at the spectrum. Peaks marked H1, H2, H3 are your pitch and its harmonics. Tap ↗ on any peak to open it in Explore.
- Tap Send these peaks to Pattern Lab, then Find patterns to see which relationships stand out from chance.
Use a quiet room, hold the phone 20–30 cm from your mouth, and keep your volume steady. An external USB-C or Lightning microphone gives the most consistent results.
System requirements: iPhone with iOS 17 or later. Android is planned.
Common questions
Why are there peaks at 2×, 3× and 4× my pitch?
Those are harmonics. Every voiced sound is a mix of the fundamental pitch and its whole-number multiples. MindTimbre labels them H1, H2, H3 and so on.
Why do the peak shapes change when I change the FFT size or window?
The spectrum is a calculation, and its settings affect how sharp or wide each peak looks. Larger FFT sizes separate close frequencies better but blur fast changes. Comparing settings shows which features come from your voice.
What is the 16–32 Hz reference octave?
Any frequency can be halved or doubled until it lands between 16 and 32 Hz. Doing this to every value lets you compare frequencies from different octaves on one scale.
What does "consistent with chance" mean in Pattern Lab?
Random sets of the same size and range produced as many matches as yours did. The pattern you found is likely coincidence. "Above chance" means fewer than 5% of random sets did as well; "well above chance" means fewer than 1%.
Should I use just ratios or equal temperament?
Just ratios (3/2, 4/3, 5/4) are the pure intervals found in the harmonic series. Equal temperament is how pianos are tuned, with every semitone the same size. The differences are a few cents; MindTimbre shows both.
Which brainwave headsets work with MindTimbre?
We are starting with Muse, BrainBit and Vilistus systems, and will add more. You can always run MindTimbre alongside any headset's own app. More about brainwaves.
Can MindTimbre tell me anything about my health?
No. MindTimbre measures sound and calculates musical relationships. It doesn't diagnose, treat or assess any condition. If you're worried about your voice or health, please see a GP or speech and language therapist.
Are binaural beats safe?
For most people, listening at a comfortable volume is fine. MindTimbre caps its output and fades every tone in and out. Don't use binaural tones while driving, and stop if you feel unwell. If you have epilepsy or a hearing condition, check with your doctor first.
Where are my recordings stored?
On your iPhone, inside MindTimbre. They are included in your normal iCloud or computer backup and are deleted if you delete the app. Use Share audio (WAV) to keep a copy elsewhere. When MindTimbre Cloud launches, you can also choose to back them up to the MindTimbre server.
What is Mindstreams?
Mindstreams stores the body signals from your device, such as a Muse, BrainBit or Vilistus headset: brainwaves, and heart rate or skin conductance if the device records them. They're kept under random IDs with no personal details. It never receives sound data: voice prints and recordings are stored on the MindTimbre server. Mindstreams is only used if you turn on cloud sync and use one of these devices. More about the cloud.
Troubleshooting
Live says "Microphone access is off"
- Open the iPhone Settings app.
- Go to Privacy & Security › Microphone.
- Turn on MindTimbre, then return to the app and tap Start.
The pitch jumps an octave up or down
Very breathy or creaky sounds can confuse pitch detection. Use a clear, steady tone and move a little closer to the microphone.
The recording shows a "clipped" or "very quiet" warning
Clipped means the sound was too loud for the microphone: move further away or sing more softly. Very quiet means the opposite. Aim for the level bar to sit in the middle while you record.
I can't hear low tones
Phone speakers barely reproduce sound below about 80 Hz, and nothing below 40 Hz. Use headphones, or play an octave equivalent from Explore.
Binaural pairs sound like a single tone
Each ear needs its own tone, so use headphones. Bluetooth headphones work, but some add a small delay.
Contact us
Questions, bug reports, quotes for education or clinics, Vilistus owner codes, or the launch waiting list.
Use this form for everything, including privacy and data requests. We reply by email.