Pink noise
Soft and steady, like rain on a roof. Press play to hear it here, made live in your browser.
Not a recording. It uses the same math as the Umber app, so it never loops.
What pink noise sounds like
Pink noise sounds like steady rain on a roof, or the rush of air when a car window is open a little. It has a full low end and a gentle top. It is smooth and balanced: brighter than brown noise, softer than white.
In technical terms, pink noise has the same amount of energy in every octave. Each step up in pitch is about 3 dB quieter, and the ear hears that as even from low to high. That is why sound engineers use pink noise to test speakers and tune rooms.
Pink, brown, green or white?
If white noise feels too sharp, pink is the usual next step. If pink still has too much hiss for you, try brown, which is deeper again. Green noise is pink noise with the middle pitches brought forward, so it sounds more like wind in trees.
When people use it
Pink noise is a good all-round cover. It is wide enough to soften voices from the next room, chatter in an office or a cafe, and street sounds at night, without the hiss of white noise. People play it as a steady sound while they work or read, or keep it on low in the bedroom.
Other colors
Play pink noise all night with Umber
The Umber app for Android plays pink noise with the screen off, until you stop it. Set a sleep timer, or let Room Match listen to your room for 10 seconds and pick the noise that covers it best. No ads, ever.
Get Umber on Google PlayFree to use, with no time limit. Pro is €6.99, once.