ASMR is one of the most popular video categories on YouTube, and it’s enjoyed by millions daily. But what is it? It officially stands for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, but that’s a bit of a mouthful. It’s a sensation not everyone can experience. A gentle tingling at the back of your scalp in reaction to pleasant sounds. I’d compare it to the sensation of a head massager. A sort of tingle.
People create videos that contain the sounds that trigger this tingling sensation for people who experience ASMR. The variety of sounds that trigger it include tapping, whispering, detailed sounds, crinkling, scratching, mouth sounds (like gum chewing), and more. For some, visual triggers, like hand movements, also work. It’s almost a sort of synesthesia. A sound triggers a physical feeling, much in the way other forms of synesthesia trigger other senses.
Companies have, largely, not capitalized on this. Despite the fact that it’s largely an auditory phenomenon, we haven’t seen it popping up on Spotify or Apple Music. Instead, it’s on YouTube. There, some companies sponsor ASMRtists (the people making the ASMR videos), but it hasn’t gotten very large yet. Still, these videos are enjoyed by millions every day, either to relax or to focus. I’m listening to it right now to help me focus.
Now Apple’s getting in on it. They’ve uploaded 4 videos focusing on 4 different triggers. Their videos are a little too clinical for me, too focused, and the sounds aren’t “close” enough. I typically prefer 360º audio and a variety of sounds. But, to some, they might be relaxing, even if they’re not very good at triggering ASMR.
Take a listen and see what you think. Remember to use headphones and, if it helps, close your eyes and imagine where the sound is coming from. I find that always gets me started.
Crunching
This was my favorite of Apple’s videos. A few ASMRtists have experimented with placing microphones in their pants or shoes and going for walks. Others have simply followed along with a binaural microphone. In this video, Apple goes for a walk through a trail, which goes through a variety of environments, leaves, grass, stone gravel, and others. There’s no talking, so if you find that distracting, this one’s a good one for you.
Whispering
This isn’t my favorite trigger. In fact, it rarely works for me except in short bursts, closely, ear to ear. But, what I liked about this video was the story. What a fascinating geographical landmark. It might not have triggered anything close to an ASMR feeling for me, but it was a nice story. Listening to it was both relaxing and informative.
Rain At Camp: Tapping
Tapping is one of my favorite triggers. Pull out some wood or a nice CD case that makes good sounds, and I’ll close my eyes and relax. Still, Apple’s ASMR video, seeking to capture the sounds of rain, was more relaxing than tingly, for the most part. There’s a part with an inflatable air mattress in the rain by a river that’s surprisingly delightful. It’s a muted rain sound, with lots of layers. I like it.
Satisfying Woodshop Sounds
I usually have to be careful with some of these. Get too close to the sound of dry cardboard rubbing, and I get really bad misophonia, that is, a hatred of the sound. It’s like nails on a chalkboard to me. That any any time someone pulls out a sharpie marker and tries to use it on paper. No. Please no.
But, fortunately, Apple’s wood sounds were mostly planing. For those who haven’t done woodwork, that’s taking a tool and shaving off pieces of the wood with an angled and partially obscured blade. Think of it like a safety razor for wood. It’s largely a pleasant sound that borders on scratching. There is some sanding at 3:45, which you may want to skip if you don’t like it. It stops around 4:48. The rest of the video won’t have other potentially polarizing sounds.
So, what did you think? Did Apple’s latest videos put you to sleep? That means they’re working!
Source: Amber Neely, AppleInsider