Table of Contents
1. Getting Started
Welcome to Quietus!
Quietus is a professional-grade ambient sound generator that creates real-time parametric audio with binaural beats and journey automation. Unlike apps that loop pre-recorded files, Quietus generates all sound mathematically — meaning infinite, never-repeating soundscapes that evolve over time.
First Launch
Open Quietus and you'll land on the Presets tab. Try loading a factory preset to hear what the engine can do, then explore the Sound tab to tweak parameters and make it your own.
Navigation
Quietus uses a tab-based interface:
- Presets — Browse, search, and manage your sound presets
- Sound — Control the synthesis engine, filters, and effects in real time
- Journey — Program time-based automation for evolving soundscapes
- Settings — Master volume, preferences, and app info
2. Sound Engine
Dual-Voice Architecture
Quietus features two independent texture voices that can be layered, panned, and filtered independently. Each voice offers:
- Gaussian white noise generation — high-quality noise via the Box-Muller algorithm
- Multi-mode filter — Low-Pass, High-Pass, Band-Pass, and Notch with 12 dB or 24 dB slopes
- Filter resonance — shape the spectral character of each voice
- Optional dedicated high-pass filter — remove low-end rumble independently
- Constant-power stereo panning — maintains perceived loudness across the stereo field
- Per-voice volume control — independent level management
LFO Modulation
Five independent LFOs (2 per voice + 1 for binaural beats) modulate filter cutoff to create evolving, breathing textures. Choose from 6 waveform shapes: Sine, Triangle, Sawtooth, Ramp, Square, and Sample & Hold.
Effects
- Stereo ping-pong delay — cross-feedback for spatial depth (50–2000ms)
- Lookahead limiter — professional mastering-quality loudness protection with 5ms lookahead
3. Binaural Beats
How They Work
Binaural beats play slightly different frequencies in each ear, and your brain perceives a "beat" at the difference frequency. Quietus generates true binaural beats with a base frequency range of 100–400 Hz and beat frequencies from 0.5–40 Hz.
Brainwave States
- Delta (0.5–4 Hz) — Deep sleep
- Theta (4–8 Hz) — Deep meditation
- Alpha (8–12 Hz) — Relaxation and creativity
- Beta (12–30 Hz) — Focus and alertness
- Gamma (30–40 Hz) — Peak cognitive performance
Use headphones for the full binaural effect — speakers cannot produce the necessary per-ear separation.
4. Journey Automation
Overview
Journeys let you program your sound to evolve over time. Define waypoints at specific time points, set parameter values, and let the journey system transition between them automatically.
Interpolation Curves
Five curve types control how parameters transition between waypoints:
- Linear — constant-rate change
- Ease-In — starts slow, accelerates
- Ease-Out — starts fast, decelerates
- Ease-In-Out — smooth acceleration and deceleration
- Step — instant jump at the waypoint
End Behaviors
When a journey reaches its final waypoint:
- Fade Out — gradually reduce volume to silence (configurable duration)
- Continue — hold the final parameter values indefinitely
- Stop — stop audio playback
- Loop — restart the journey from the beginning
Composer Mode (Touch Override)
During an active journey, grab any slider to temporarily override the automated value. Release it and the parameter smoothly returns to the journey's current value — like autopilot with manual override.
5. Presets
Saving and Loading
Save your complete sound configuration as a preset — every parameter is captured, including any embedded journey. Organize presets into 6 categories: Focus, Sleep, Meditation, Relaxation, Creativity, and Custom.
AI Preset Art
On supported devices (iOS 18.1+ / macOS 15.1+), use Apple's Image Playground to generate unique artwork for each preset. Choose from 6 themes, 6 moods, and 8 visual motifs for 288 possible combinations. Preset names are abstracted on-device for privacy before image generation.
Import and Export
Share individual presets as .quietuspreset files or bundles as .quietuspack files via the system share sheet.
6. Tips & Tricks
- Layer voices for depth — use one voice for low-frequency warmth and another for high-frequency texture
- Use slow LFOs — rates below 0.1 Hz create subtle, evolving movement that prevents listener fatigue
- Program a sleep journey — start with alpha-range binaural beats for relaxation, transition to delta for deep sleep over 60–90 minutes, then fade to silence
- Headphones for binaural — binaural beats require headphones to work; speakers blend the channels and eliminate the effect
- Safe listening — use moderate volume levels, especially for extended sessions. The lookahead limiter protects against peaks but doesn't replace responsible volume management