When I first began producing my YouTube videos featuring Binaural Beats, I had to acquire the knowledge and skills to create these beats myself. At that time, there were limited options available on the internet, and I wanted to create custom frequencies with specific durations for my projects. This is a step-by-step guide on how to create Binaural Beats using Audacity, a free application compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems. Additionally, Audacity provides various plugins that enhance the user experience. If you do not already have Audacity downloaded, you can visit their website to obtain it.

What are Binaural Beats? 

Binaural beats can serve various purposes and have been found to assist with studying, meditation, and even enhancing creativity. Without delving too deeply into the technicalities, binaural beats are the auditory illusion that occurs when two different frequencies are played simultaneously in each ear. The objective is to align your current brainwave state with the frequency produced by the binaural beats. So, what does this mean? Let’s say your mind is in a highly active or stressed state, which would typically manifest as numerous Alpha or Beta waves on an EEG. By utilizing binaural beats, however, it is possible to potentially lower your brainwave state and achieve a more relaxed state of mind.

Step 1: Download Audacity

If you don’t already have Audacity, you can download it by clicking here. In case you’re unfamiliar with Audacity, it is a user-friendly audio editor that offers free access and will be our tool of choice for creating binaural beats.

Step 2: Establishing the Foundation Frequency

The initial task is to create a foundational frequency (typically between 100-200Hz, depending on the desired wave effect). To accomplish this, navigate to the “Generate” tab and select “Tone”.

Enter the desired frequency and duration into the appropriate fields. Ensure that the remaining options match the provided picture.

Step 3: Crafting the Left Stereo Channel

To enable the binaural beats to function effectively, it is crucial to separate the left and right audio channels. Begin by clicking on the drop-down arrow at the start of the newly created audio track, then select “Left Channel”.

*Please note that for older versions of Audacity, adjusting the L—R slider for each tone to one side will yield the same result.

Step 4: Generating the Second Tone

Repeat the previous step, but this time, set the frequency either higher or lower than the base tone. **Before generating the second tone, make sure to deselect the first audio track by clicking away from it. You should see a second audio track that appears grayed out before selecting “Ok”.

Step 5: Crafting the Right Stereo Channel

Follow the instructions from Step 3 once again, but this time select “Right Channel” instead of left.

Step 6: Finalize and Export

To complete this process and convert it into an mp3 file, navigate to File->Export Audio and assign it a name. Choose the desired audio quality, ensuring that the Channel Mode is set to “Stereo” instead of “Joint Stereo”. Additionally, I have included a video where I utilized the audio from audacity if you would like to experience the intended sound.

That’s it, not at all challenging! Now you have the option to enjoy the soothing tones of Binaural Beats as a standalone frequency, without any accompanying music in the background. This is particularly beneficial if you’re using the frequency for studying purposes. Research suggests that Binaural beats in the lower beta frequencies (14 to 30 Hz) can enhance concentration, alertness, problem-solving abilities, and memory function. Additionally, a study conducted in 2020 found that Binaural beats at 40 Hz were effective in improving training and learning outcomes.

If you prefer to create your own customized meditation experience with Binaural Beats, accompanied by beautiful music or the calming sounds of nature, there are numerous websites available where you can download these resources for free or under a royalty-free license.

To immerse yourself in the world of Binaural Beats, I invite you to listen to my specially curated Binaural Beats Video on YouTube.