You've probably heard of white noise, but what about pink and brown? These "noise colors" are named by analogy with light — just as white light contains all visible wavelengths, white noise contains all audible frequencies. The color tells you how the energy is distributed.
White Noise
White noise has equal energy at every frequency. It sounds like TV static, a hissing fan, or rushing air.
Best for: Masking sudden noises (traffic, conversations, barking dogs). Very effective for babies — the high-frequency content resembles sounds heard in the womb. Good general-purpose background noise.
Downside: The prominent high frequencies can feel harsh or fatiguing over long listening sessions. Some people describe it as "sharp."
Pink Noise
Pink noise reduces energy by 3 dB per octave as frequency increases. It sounds like steady rain, wind through trees, or a distant waterfall. Every octave carries the same total power, making it perceptually balanced.
Best for: Sleep. A 2012 study in the Journal of Theoretical Biology found that pink noise improved deep sleep and memory in older adults. It's gentler than white noise while still providing effective masking.
Downside: May not mask high-pitched sounds (like a smoke alarm or baby crying) as effectively as white noise.
Brown Noise
Brown noise (named after Robert Brown, not the color) drops energy by 6 dB per octave. It's the deepest of the three — a low, rumbling sound like strong wind, a roaring river, or distant thunder.
Best for: Focus and concentration, especially for ADHD. The enveloping low-frequency rumble provides stimulation without distraction. Also great for relaxation and meditation.
Downside: The lack of high-frequency content means it's less effective at masking sharp, bright sounds.
Quick Comparison
| Color | Sounds Like | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| White | TV static, hissing fan | Masking noise, babies |
| Pink | Steady rain, waterfall | Sleep, relaxation |
| Brown | Strong wind, thunder | Focus, ADHD, meditation |
Beyond the Big Three
There are other noise colors too:
- Blue noise — Energy increases with frequency. Bright and airy. Rarely used for ambient listening.
- Violet noise — Even more high-frequency weighted. Very bright, almost piercing.
- Grey noise — Psychoacoustically calibrated to sound equally loud at all frequencies to human ears. A more "natural" version of white noise.
Velour includes all six noise colors so you can find the one that works best for your brain.