Frequently Asked Question

Q: What is Cymatics?

Q. What is the origin of the word Cymatics?

Q: How are Cymatic images created?

Q: What is a CymaScope?

Q: What does a CymaScope do?

Q: How does the CymaScope make sound visible?

Q: Is it a vibration causing the pattern or sound causing the pattern?

Q: What is the purpose of a CymaScope?

Q: Do sound waves create the Cymatic patterns?

Q: How was the CymaScope developed?

Q: How are Cymatic images captured?

Q: Is there a CymaScope available for public viewing?

Q: What does the future of Cymatics hold?

Q: What are some of the practical applications of Cymatics?

Q. How can Cymatics assist with Dolphin communication?

Q: What is the link between Cymatics and the Great Pyramid?

Q: What drives you to continue your research?

Q: What kind of company is Sonic Age America?

Q: Why would I need a CymaScope?

Q: Does the CymaScope have healing qualities?

Q: Is the CymaScope patented?
 

About Personal Cymatic Imaging

Q: Can I get a sound image of my own voice?

Q: Can I get a sound image of other sounds?

Q: What is a Personal Harmonic Signature?

Q: Can I combine more than one personal signature on a single image?

Q: Is each personal sound image truly unique?

Q: Can I choose the color and size of my Personal Signature?

Q: Can you image frequencies used for scientific research?

Q: What materials do you use to create the CymaArt pieces?

Q: What materials do you use to create the Personal Harmonic Signature and the Infinite Love Circles?

About costs and delivery

Q: How much does it cost to have a personal Cymatic Image made?

Q: Do you offer a discount for the purchase of more than one piece?

Q: How long will it take to receive my artwork?

Q: Do you ship outside the U.S. and Canada?

About Cymatics and the CymaScope

Q: What is Cymatics?   TOP OF PAGE
A: Cymatics is the study of visible sound, also known as the study of modal phenomena. Directly visualizing vibrations involves using sound to excite media in the form of particles, pastes or liquids.   

Q. What is the origin of the word Cymatics?   TOP OF PAGE
A: Cymatics is the name coined by Hans Jenny (1904-1972), a Swiss physician and natural scientist, to describe visible sound. Considered the father of cymatics, he laid important foundations for this emergent science. Jeff Volk of Macromedia Publishing has single-handedly championed Hans Jenny and republished Jenny’s 1970’s book "Cymatics: A Study of Wave Phenomena."



Q: How are cymatic images created?   TOP OF PAGE
A: Sound vibrations imprint geometric patterns of energy on a surface, such as a plate, membrane, or diaphragm, even on your skin or the surface of water. Each sound creates a unique pattern.

Q: What is a CymaScope?   TOP OF PAGE
A: Developed by John Stuart Reid, in the UK, and Erik Larson in the USA, the CymaScope is a scientifically designed unit that reveals the geometry within sound. Just as the microscope and telescope opened new realms, the CymaScope reveals the hidden realm of sound.

Q: What does a CymaScope do?   TOP OF PAGE
A: A CymaScope makes sound visible.

Q: How does the CymaScope make sound visible? TOP OF PAGE
A: When sound meets a membrane it imprints a geometric pattern. The CymaScope imprints sound on latex or on the surface tension of water. Each pattern is unique, determined by the nature of the sound and other factors such as the tension and nature of the membrane. The patterns are usually invisible to the unaided eye but the CymaScope uses special techniques to make them visible.

Q: Is it a vibration causing the pattern or sound causing the pattern? TOP OF PAGE
A: It is a vibration that causes the pattern. Sound is an air-borne phenomenon but when sound enters a denser medium, such as a membrane, it becomes a vibration in that medium. A vibration can be thought of as a mechanical movement of a membrane.

Q: What is the purpose of a CymaScope? TOP OF PAGE
A: CymaScope is an instrument used for the visual study of human sounds, sounds of cells, animal sounds, bird sounds, sounds of sea creatures, sounds from space and musical instrument sounds. A CymaScope can also be used in speech therapy and for entertainment applications, for example, to make music visible.

Q: Do sound waves create the cymatic patterns? TOP OF PAGE
A: If we could see sound with our eyes, we would not see waves, as is commonly believed, but beautiful holographic bubbles, each with a shimmering kaleidoscopic-like pattern on its surface. See our physics section for more information.

Q: How was the CymaScope developed? TOP OF PAGE
A: With the success of his experiments in the Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt, John Stuart Reid realized that cymatics was a tool that could assist his acoustics research and he built an early CymaScope named the "Dodecadon." Collaborating with design engineer Erik Larson in the US, the Dodecadon was enhanced and refined using sacred geometry, and the first CymaScope was completed and demonstrated at the Sound Healing Conference in October of 2006 in Atlanta.

Q: How are cymatic images captured? TOP OF PAGE
A: Cymatic images, sometimes called CymaGlyphs, are captured using a conventional digital camera or camcorder, as they appear on the membrane. When imaging sound imprints on latex membranes we use fine quartz sand as the disclosing medium. When imaging sound imprints on the surface of water we use monochromatic light as the disclosing medium. See this beautiful example of human voice made visible.

Q: What software is used to create CymaGlyphs from the CymaScope? TOP OF PAGE
A: The CymaScope doesn't actually use software, at least not in the imaging technique, although software is used in the CymaScope’s signal-processing module.

Q: Is there a CymaScope available for public viewing? TOP OF PAGE
A: A CymaScope went on display in 2007 at the !Explora! Museum in Albuquerque, USA, where museum visitors can experience seeing their own voice, along with other sounds. All other CymaScopes are currently in private use.

Q: What does the future of Cymatics hold? TOP OF PAGE
A: Sound lies at the heart of every aspect of Nature, underpinning all of Creation. So the new science of visual sound—cymatics—will, in the future, enable humanity to understand far more about our world and Universe than we ever could with our ears alone. That is why the CymaScope, and the science of cymatics, is so important. Dr. Emoto has demonstrated the effect that sound can have on water and since our body is comprised mainly of water it is clear that the sound environment is important to our health.

We predict that cymatics will become an important tool for the study of disease, via sonocytology, and as a therapy for disease support.

Q: What are some of the practical applications of cymatics? TOP OF PAGE
A: Applications of cymatics are beginning to emerge for almost every aspect of human endeavor, from astroseismology—the study of the sonic signatures of stars—to zoology, the study of animal sounds—and a wide range of other disciplines highlighted on our web site.


Q. How can cymatics assist with Dolphin communication? TOP OF PAGE
A: Sonic Age America, in collaboration with Jack Kassewitz in Florida, is beginning to decipher dolphin language by building a lexicon of dolphin picture words. Dolphins can see with sound and when they echolocate on an object we can record the reflections and image them on the CymaScope.

Q: What is the link between cymatics and the Great Pyramid? TOP OF PAGE
A: In 1996 English acoustics engineer John Stuart Reid experienced the extraordinary resonant qualities of the granite sarcophagus in the King's Chamber in the Great Pyramid of Giza. He concluded that the Egyptians may have employed acoustics principles to design the King's Chamber and its sarcophagus as part of a resurrection ritual. In his search for a scientific tool to explore the inherent resonances of the sarcophagus he came across cymatics, a method that would visually reveal the resonances. He returned to the pyramid in 1997 to conduct a series of cymatics experiments that proved to be highly successful. See our Egyptology section for more information.



Q: What kind of company is Sonic Age America? TOP OF PAGE
A: We are essentially a research organization studying sound and its effect on inanimate and animate matter. Our sales division sells cymatic art to help support our research.

Q: Why would I need a CymaScope? TOP OF PAGE
A: To assist in your chosen field of study or for the joy of seeing your favorite music made visible.

Q: Does the CymaScope have healing qualities? TOP OF PAGE
A: In its present form the CymaScope is not designed as a therapeutic instrument although a T-CymaScope is under development.

Q: Is the CymaScope patented? TOP OF PAGE
A: CymaScope technology is patented in several countries. Prospective licensees may apply here.
The names “CymaScope,” “CymaGlyph” and “CymaArt” are registered trade marks.

About Personal Cymatic Imaging

Q: Can I get a sound image of my own voice? TOP OF PAGE
A: Yes. We make cymatic images directly from your voice recording. Your cymatic image is unique to you. Celebrate your own harmonic beauty with a cymatic Personal Harmonic Signature (Cyma PHS).

Q: Can I get a sound image of other sounds? TOP OF PAGE
1. A: We offer an accessibly priced laboratory service for imaging any sound. Celebrate the spirit of your dog, cat or baby. Or have your favorite music made visible.

Q: Can you image sounds for scientific research projects? TOP OF PAGE
A: We offer an accessibly priced laboratory service for imaging any sound. For the first sound we charge $199 and $99 for each additional sound.

Q: What is a Personal Harmonic Signature? TOP OF PAGE
A: A PHS is your voice sound made visible. The unique geometry of your voice can now be made visible, encompassing your personal resonant frequency, directly reflecting your body chemistry.

Q: Can I combine more than one personal signature on a single image? TOP OF PAGE
A: Yes! Our “Infinite Love Circles” product is a unique work of art for two people, an affectionate statement of unity for couples, spouses, or friends, the visual expression of two hearts joined as one, an object of beauty to cherish for a lifetime. Each partner records the words "I love you" to create a gorgeous work of art that is one of a kind, the mingling of your voice energy your partner, custom created according to the color and finish you requested when placing your order.

Q: Is each personal sound image truly unique? TOP OF PAGE
A: Absolutely. The technique we employ would result in a different cymatic image for every individual in the world. No two pieces of cymatic art can ever be the same. That's one of the beauties of your Personal Harmonic Signature, it’s unique to you.

Q: Can I choose the color and size of my Personal Harmonic Signature? TOP OF PAGE
A: Yes. We have many options to allow you to express your personality while matching your décor! We have 24 unique color options. Be creative. All the choices are visible in our online store. If you would like a custom color created we can match any pantone color or paint code for you for an additional fee of just $100. Please contact us for details.


Q: What materials do you use to create the CymaArt pieces? TOP OF PAGE
A: We offer two options.
Object d’Art: A vibrant transparency displayed between two clear and elegant panels 4.68 in wide x 6.35 in tall/ 119mm wide x 162 mm tall
Museum Etching Print: A warm, textured surface, finest quality Museum-Etching paper, printed with fade-resistant archival inks. Ready to frame. 11.7 in x 11.7 in/ 297 mm x 297 mm

Q: What materials do you use to create the Personal Harmonic Signature and the Infinite Love Circles products? TOP OF PAGE
A: We offer two options.
Museum Etching Print: Printed with fade-resistant archival inks. Ready to frame. 11.7" wide x 16.5" tall/ 297 mm wide x 420 mm
Gallery Wrap Canvas: Ready to hang Giclee fine art piece, printed on high-quality, acid-free, polyester-cotton canvas, using pigmented inks designed to resist fading. 16.5” × 23.4”/ 420 mm x 594 mm


About costs and delivery

Q: Do you offer a discount for the purchase of more than one piece? TOP OF PAGE
Yes. We offer a discount for each duplicate piece ordered at the same time. For example, if you order the Infinite Love Circle at $199 and a duplicate at the time of the order, the second image is just $99. You can also take advantage of combined shipping of multiple pieces for even greater savings.

Q: How long will it take to receive my artwork? TOP OF PAGE
Artwork is shipped within four to six weeks from the date we receive your sound recording.

Q: Do you ship outside the U.S. and Canada?  TOP OF PAGE
Yes. Our art has been sold around the world, throughout Asia, Europe, Central America and Australia. You can order our art anywhere that UPS goes.