Procyon is a new kind of light/sound experience, melding a full spectrum of color choices with clean, pure digital sound. The resulting new mediaform can be used to modulate states of consciousness in rich new ways.

A palette of millions of colors--modulated by a variety of innovative visual effects--enables a new kind of audio-visual experience, and can closely match color to the desired mental state.

Procyon also has the ability to precisely synchronize audio material on a CD or MP3 with a Procyon program. This exclusive feature, called SynchroMuse, is ideal for use with colour-work, language learning, hypnotherapy, personal growth and the immense libraries of music now available.

What is a light/sound machine?
Utilizing light and sound pulses at a specified frequency, these machines stimulate the mental activity in various ways, essentially leading perception from the waking state to a variety of altered states of consciousness.

What are some examples of "altered states of consciousness" and how do they differ from normal states?

• Waking state: attention directed to surroundings. Includes agitated, restless/"monkey mind" states which are especially amenable to treatment with light and sound stimulation.
• "Alpha" state: Relaxed, tranquil, daydreaming, "inward awareness" state. Light meditation here, too.
• Hypnagogic, or "twilight" state: Borderline sleep; deep meditation state; hypnotic state; access to the unconscious mind and enhanced retrieval of memories; creativity, accelerated or "superlearning", inspiration. Associated with increased theta brainwave activity
• Trance state: Deep, dreamless sleep; deep rest. Often associated with increased delta brainwave activity

Who can benefit from this technology?
Light and sound is an effective tool for anyone who wishes to explore altered states of consciousness, awareness expansion and sensory stimulation, psychedelic-like visual imageray, and those seeking an entertaining path to relaxation.

Is there anyone who should not use this technology?
Nearly everyone who uses light and sound stimulation report enjoying it. However, if you have a family history of epilepsy, are taking psychoactive medication or have ever had a seizure of any sort, we recommend consulting your physician before using light and sound. Likewise, if bright light bothers you (i.e., can give you a headache), then light and sound may not be for you.

What happens during a session?
With special light-bearing sunglasses over your closed eyes and headphones over your ears, you are immersed in colorful dancing geometric patterns and entrancing sounds. The light and sound pulse rate shifts from state to state as the session progresses; mental activity will follow the pulse rate of the machine.

What is achieved by experiencing these states of consciousness?
The following are some of the areas being explored by users of these machines: psychological stress relief, deep relaxation, assistance in falling asleep, memory improvement, increased learning, stabilizing emotions, increased intellectual focus, lucid dreaming, sensory stimulation, and increased physical energy. While some of these benefits have been substantiated by research studies, these machines are experimental and results will vary from person to person.

How important is sound to the overall experience?
Sound and music have been used for centuries in many cultures to alter consciousness. Drums, chants, and environmental sounds like wind and rain all provide strong mental pictures and associations. Pleasant sounds are much more enjoyable and relaxing than one-note beeps or tones, such as those used by other machines. Synetic Systems incorporates the most sophisticated sound generation circuitry of any light/sound device, employing digital wavetable synthesis to generate complex wave forms, rich two- and three-note harmonies, and moving audio sculptures. Use of special AudioStrobe® CD's can fully synchronize the lights with the audio program. However, because a much larger portion of the brain is involved in vision as compared to audio processing, we can state that sound is less important than the lights as a means for achieving the desired states.

What are "binaural beats"?
Binaural beats occur when two sine (pure) waves of slightly differing frequency are presented to the left and right sound channels: the difference between the left and right is synthesized by the brain and perceived as a slowly modulated frequency. This is known as a binaural beat frequency. This beat frequency is typically modulated at the same frequency as the lights.

Why are LEDs used instead of incandescent lights?
Light emitting diodes–LED's–are state of the art solid state devices that convert small amounts of electrical energy into light. They can be switched on and off much faster than incandescent lights, producing the crisp strobe-like pulses which have been shown to be most effective at inducing desired patterns of activity. They also create very pure colors–again an important factor in the alteration of consciousness, as demonstrated by several published studies.

• Benefits of an AVS Device:
  Increase your I.Q.
  Improve your memory and attention span
  Eliminate stress and enjoy blissful relaxation
  Get a restful night's sleep
  Improve your concentration
  Achieve a deeper state of meditation with less time and effort
  Pain management and relief
  Addiction relief
  Relief from depression and anxiety
  Replace lost sleep
  Score higher on tests
  Fight loss of cognitive ability due to aging
  Brain stimulation also activates healing ability
  Hemispheric and whole brain stimulation improves brain functioning.

Features include:

• Procyon’s GanzFrames™ use 255 shades of each color (red, green, blue)
  Procyon uses red, green and blue LEDs each with it's own brightness and pulse rate. These allow Procyon to create millions of different colors.
• Multiple visual effects (color phase shift, pulse width modulation, etc.)
  Enables complex light-show-like sessions.
• Multiple color waveforms (sine, pulse, triangle)
  Adding even more amazing visual patterns.
• Smooth transitions between Ganzfeld and flicker
  Ganzfeld uses solid non flickering color for purposes of color meditation.
• Frequency range from 0.1 to 75.0 Hz
  The widest range available on the market.
• Each color channel is independently programmable
  Facilitating the development of unusually subtle and complex states of mind.
• Digital Audio Interface
  Giving Procyon clear, clean audio.
• USB interface
  For fast data transfers and OS upgrades.
• Procyon AVS is powered by your PC when connected
  No batteries required when connected to your PC.
  For standalone operation it uses three AA alkaline cells.
• 250 program capacity
  Procyon has a large Flash memory of 32KB. It comes with 50 installed sessions with a total capacity of 250 in nonvolatile memory. (up to 1600 program segments)
• Can be controlled by a PC in real-time via USB
• New BioConnect2 biofeedback interface
  Ideal companion for our PreSage high-resolution biofeedback system currently under development.
• Totally programmable
  A Windows based editor program is available for download free of charge, allowing you to edit and create your very own Procyon sessions.
• Totally upgradeable
  Procyon uses advanced Flash memory for both session and operating system data. This means that you can download not only new sessions but also new operating system updates.
• SynchroMuse™
  Procyon has the ability to precisely synchronize audio material on compact disc or MP3 with a Procyon program. This feature is like an advanced version of AudioStrobe®, but allows full color control. Making it ideal for use with color-work, language learning, hypnotherapy, personal growth, music, etc.
• New BioConnect2 biofeedback interface
  Ideal companion for our our PreSage high-resolution biofeedback system currently under development
• 1 Year Warranty

Procyon/Proteus Comparison

Procyon control unit Red/Green/Blue compact GanzFrames™ with micro-miniature LEDs Stereo Headphones USB cable (mini to standard) Stereo (mini, 3.5mm) audio patchcord Carrying case Manual Free programming software available via download One-year parts and labour warranty

Procyon Manual (pdf) | Procyon Software (zip) | Latest Software Patch (zip)
Manual Update (pdf)