Get Your Virtual Haircut and Other Auditory Illusions

May 13, 2007

Holophonic RecordingMy buddy Hrafn over at Think Artificial found this fantastic audio recording that sounds exactly like you’re getting a haircut. I thought it was so cool that I had to do some research.

These are called Holophonic sounds and are made to be listened to with headphones. They are recorded with a dummy head that has two microphones, one in each ear. The shape of the head and ears must be similar to a human head.

Select the red play button to listen

The Virtual Haircut (Download Zip):

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

The Holophonic Matchbox (Download Zip):

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

A Woman’s Voice (Download Zip):

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Blow Drying (Download Zip):

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Tuning Fork (Download Zip):

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Shears (Download Zip):

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Dogs Running (Download Zip):

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Dogs Barking (Download Zip):

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Loud Frogs (Download Zip):

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Sexy Woman’s Invitation (Download Zip):

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Jazz Band (Download Zip):

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Flutes in Singapore (Download Zip):

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Digital Vivaldi (Download Zip):

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Crumpling Bag (Download Zip):

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{ 125 comments… read them below or add one }

1 RDNZL401 December 13, 2009 at 7:46 am

Carl, did you try listening to them with your eyes shut? If you were staring at your screen, or anywhere else in your room, I suspect the incoming visual information was overriding the subtle auditory cues, and rather than concluding that there was an invisible source of sound passing across your line of sight (as suggested by the sounds alone), your brain automatically arrived at the best guess that the sounds were behind you, or otherwise just out of sight. Cognitive dissonance averted.

I found the matchbox to be the most compelling, circling my head. But with my eyes open, and no visual cues to confirm the presence of a matchbox in front of me, it felt rather as if it was passing just above my eyes, in front of my forehead, though I’d guess that the recording was made circling the head at eye-level.

Reply

2 josh emick August 26, 2010 at 11:24 pm

i disagree, i was lying in my bed with the labtop shut but my eyes open and it was more convincing like i could point to were the sound was truely coming from, it’s simply amazing

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3 Guildford December 21, 2009 at 12:42 pm

i like the The Virtual Haircut, its wonderful and some of the others are difficult to listen.

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4 Seth December 22, 2009 at 11:42 pm

This is the way all music should be recorded.

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5 JB Owens December 30, 2009 at 1:11 pm

I like these alot, amazing quality. Are there any more?

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6 eishenae goldsby February 16, 2010 at 8:54 pm

that was cool it actually sounded like some one was in the room with me nice job dude. :D

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7 eishenae goldsby February 16, 2010 at 8:58 pm

when you make more i am truly going to check it out keep up the good work man that could be a great job to do in the future dude peace out bro.

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8 krishanu February 18, 2010 at 11:03 pm

Its gr8 work keep it up buddy…thanks

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9 Robbins April 16, 2010 at 10:00 am

hey, buddy this is a great sounds nd u guys r doing a great job. try to make it more in future.

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10 elaine May 11, 2010 at 9:12 pm

very interesting, i like it very much

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11 lyla May 15, 2010 at 1:46 pm

I think it’s really great. I don’t know why, but I want to cry. It’s a incredible work. Great!~ please try more.

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12 Jing May 28, 2010 at 5:18 am

that is sooo amazing~I mean the virtual haircut it’s like the man just stand behind me…

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13 kate June 4, 2010 at 9:51 am

i like them so much, they’re amazing

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14 easingchin June 9, 2010 at 12:45 pm

Ears of the feast, really feel!

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15 Rockey ssr June 14, 2010 at 5:19 am

WÖW man its awesome plz add more cheers… :-D

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16 odracir June 17, 2010 at 1:18 am

wow!!!!
It’s so AZTIG…….

PInoy touh^^

Hahahahahahaah….

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17 Steven Jones June 27, 2010 at 12:40 am

that was by far the most amazing thing i have ever heard in my life… ya’ll should keep it up who knows the right person hearing all this this kind’a stuff is future stuff mann if this stuff was but into movie theaters and people had to wear wireless earphones that would be awesome

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18 Joanne August 1, 2010 at 10:53 pm

AMAZING!!!!

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19 Juno August 3, 2010 at 12:23 pm

Really amazing ! Sound like a 3-D movie !
I like it very much !
I think if 3-D movies use this technology , maybe become more real !
Oh, wow!!
WE can enjoy good music , too .

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20 helen August 21, 2010 at 11:47 pm

i am trying to download the virtual hair cut to my mobile phone and i am unable to do this can anyone help pls

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21 rachhendra khand August 29, 2010 at 8:26 am

Yea>>>>cool…can you make better than…thiss…i mean more full of illusion>>>>heee

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22 HeartandSpirit September 2, 2010 at 3:50 am

The flutes in Singapore and then the Virtual Haircut were my favorites. I wish I heard the world so clearly everyday! Keep doing what you are doing, some of us crave even a daily dose of such fine audio stimulation!

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23 HeartandSpirit September 2, 2010 at 3:53 am

I just listen to Digital Vivaldi and Wow….forgot to mention….one must close the eyes to fully get the most out the experience.

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