Sleep Sound Generator

I draw a distinction between most sound machines and those that are called sound generators. A Sleep Sound Generator actually creates its own sound either electronically or mechanically. All other ordinary sound machines have their sounds stored on an electronic chip in digital format so that when you play the sound you are actually playing a recorded segment of sound over and over in a loop. All white noise machines of this type play and re-play the same recorded segment of sound in an endless loop whereas a true sleep sound generator creates its own real sound. Some cheaper sound machines play only a very short segment of sound and you can easily pick out where the recorded loop of sound begins and ends. Other, better executed machines play a longer (5-10 seconds) segment of sound and the transition from where the loop ends to how it transitions to start over is more skillfully blended making it hard to detect the looping.

The SleepMate 980A Sleep Sound Generator is the most popular of all the true sound generators. The Sleepmate uses an encased motor to produce a fan-like sleep sound that most people find quite pleasing and effective at aiding sleep. The SleepMate 980A Sleep Sound Generator is older technology that has been around for a long time but keep in mind that it has been around so long because it works. The main drawback to the Sleepmate is that since it produces a real sound that is not amplified, it can't go to a loud volume. White noise sleep sounds are best used at the lowest possible volume that is still effective, but sometimes the Sleepmate just can't go loud enough.

The only other true sleep sound generator is the Marpac TSC-330 Sleep Sound Generator which generates its sound electronically. The TSC-330 does not play a recorded sound clip in a loop like all other electronic sleep sound machines. The TSC-330 is the only electronic sound machine that creates or generates it own sound. The sound generated by the TSC-330 is only a static like white noise that can be set to sound like rain or a waterfall by adjusting the amount of treble and bass. Additionally, the rain like sound can be set to come in and out like ocean waves which I have found can be especially effective at helping mask the snorer in your life.