Animal Sound Companion

Disclaimer: Observe your animal's reactions. Prioritize their well-being. Consult professionals. Use responsibly and ethically.

1. Animal & Scenario

2. Sound Parameters

3. Modulation & Effects

Pulse Modulation

Amplitude Modulation (AM)

Frequency Modulation (FM) / Sweep

Noise Generation

Note: When noise is enabled, frequency and waveform selections for oscillators are overridden by the noise type. Duration and volume still apply.

4. Playback & Presets

Controls Guide

This guide explains the function of each control in the Animal Sound Training Utility. Always prioritize animal welfare and observe their reactions carefully when using any sound.

Main Sound Parameters

Animal Type
Select the target animal. This adjusts the main "Frequency (Hz)" slider's range to reflect the typical hearing spectrum for that animal. Selecting "Custom" allows you to manually input Minimum and Maximum Frequencies for the slider.
Custom Min Frequency (Hz)
Sets the minimum limit for the "Frequency (Hz)" slider when "Custom" animal type is selected. Defines the lowest pitch the main oscillator can produce.
Custom Max Frequency (Hz)
Sets the maximum limit for the "Frequency (Hz)" slider when "Custom" animal type is selected. Defines the highest pitch the main oscillator can produce.
Training Scenario
Select a training scenario (e.g., Positive Reinforcement, Recall Command). This loads suggested starting parameters for the chosen animal and scenario, which you can then further customize. It also helps in naming saved presets.
Frequency (Hz)
Determines the primary pitch of the generated sound, measured in Hertz (cycles per second). This is the fundamental frequency of the main oscillator unless Noise is enabled.
Waveform
Selects the basic shape of the sound wave, which determines its timbre or tone color:
  • Sine: A pure, smooth, fundamental tone with no overtones (like a tuning fork or a gentle whistle).
  • Square: A bright, somewhat buzzy, and hollow-sounding tone, rich in odd harmonics (often associated with retro electronic sounds or clear alerts).
  • Sawtooth: A rich, full, and somewhat harsh or buzzy tone, containing all harmonics (common in synthesizers for strong sounds).
  • Triangle: A tone that is mellower than a square wave but brighter than a sine wave, containing only odd harmonics but with amplitudes that decrease more rapidly than square waves.
Duration (s)
Specifies how long the sound will play in seconds. If set to '0 seconds', the sound will play continuously until the "Stop" button is pressed. Caution: Continuous play, especially at high volumes or frequencies, can be stressful or harmful to animals.
Volume
Controls the loudness of the sound (amplitude). Ranges from 0 (silent) to 1 (maximum output from the browser). Warning: Always start with a low volume and gradually increase if necessary, carefully observing the animal's reaction. High volumes can be aversive or cause hearing damage.

Modulation & Effects

Modulations alter the sound over time, adding complexity, movement, or specific effects. These are disabled if "Enable Noise" is checked.

Pulse Modulation

Enable Pulse
When checked, the sound is turned on and off repeatedly at a specified rate, creating a rhythmic or stuttering effect.
Pulse Frequency (Hz)
Determines how many times per second the sound pulses (turns on and then off). A higher value means faster pulsing.
Pulse Duty Cycle (%)
Controls the percentage of time the sound is 'on' during each pulse cycle. For example, a 50% duty cycle means the sound is on for half the pulse period and off for the other half. A 25% duty cycle means it's on for a quarter of the period.

Amplitude Modulation (AM) - Tremolo

Enable AM
When checked, this modulates the amplitude (volume) of the main sound using a low-frequency oscillator (LFO), creating a tremolo effect (a rhythmic change in loudness).
AM Frequency (Hz)
Sets the speed of the volume changes in the tremolo effect. This is the frequency of the LFO controlling the amplitude.
AM Depth (%)
Determines how much the volume varies. A higher depth results in a more pronounced difference between the loudest and softest parts of the tremolo.

Frequency Modulation (FM)

Enable FM
When checked, this modulates the frequency (pitch) of the main sound using another oscillator or a defined frequency change pattern.
FM Type
Determines the nature of the frequency modulation:
  • Vibrato: Creates a gentle, periodic variation in pitch around the main frequency, similar to a singer's vibrato or the effect on a string instrument.
  • Sweep: Causes the pitch of the sound to glide from a specified start frequency to an end frequency over a set duration.
Vibrato Rate (Hz)
(Vibrato only) Sets how fast the pitch oscillates above and below the main frequency.
Vibrato Depth (Hz)
(Vibrato only) Sets how much the pitch varies from the main frequency. A larger depth means a wider pitch change.
Sweep Start Frequency (Hz)
(Sweep only) The pitch at which the sound begins its sweep.
Sweep End Frequency (Hz)
(Sweep only) The pitch the sound glides towards and ends on.
Sweep Duration (s)
(Sweep only) The time it takes for the pitch to travel from the start frequency to the end frequency.
Logarithmic Sweep
(Sweep only) If checked, the frequency sweep occurs on a logarithmic scale, which is often perceived as a more musically natural pitch change. If unchecked, the sweep is linear (equal change in Hz per unit of time).

Noise Generator

Enable Noise
When checked, replaces the pitched oscillator sound with a selected type of noise. When noise is enabled, the main Frequency, Waveform, Pulse, AM, and FM modulation controls are disabled, as they typically apply to pitched sounds.
Noise Type
Selects the color of noise, each having different frequency characteristics:
  • White Noise: Contains all audible frequencies at approximately equal intensity. Sounds like 'hiss' or static.
  • Pink Noise: Has equal energy per octave (meaning its power spectral density is inversely proportional to the frequency). Often perceived as more balanced or "natural" than white noise, similar to the sound of a waterfall or wind.
  • Brown Noise (Brownian/Red): Has higher energy at lower frequencies, with power density decreasing more sharply than pink noise (6dB per octave). Sounds deeper or softer, like heavy rainfall, distant thunder, or strong wind.

Playback Controls

Play Button
Starts playing the currently configured sound. It will be disabled while a sound is actively playing.
Stop Button
Immediately stops any currently playing sound. It is enabled only when a sound is playing.

Preset Management

Preset Name
Enter a descriptive name in this field before saving the current sound configuration.
Save Preset
Saves all current sound parameters (frequency, waveform, modulations, etc.) under the entered "Preset Name" to your browser's storage for later use.
Load Preset (Dropdown)
Select a previously saved preset from this list. Choosing a preset will load its settings into all the controls.
Delete Preset
Deletes the preset currently selected in the "Load Preset" dropdown from your browser's storage. A confirmation prompt will appear before deletion.