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Sounds in nature contain lots of inaudible frequencies (20k-100khz). Human ear cannot pick them up, however recent studies show that skin can directly absorb them, and ensure our mental & physical stability.
Hibino Sound Therapy Lab (HSTL), established in 2009, aiming for application of this effect in music, made a research about combination of instruments, songs, recording techniques, mixing procedures, to most effectively produce music for that purpose.
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The Founder / President of HSTL, Norihiko Hibino, graduated Osaka University in Human Science Major, and Berklee College of Music in Jazz Composition. He already established his global reputation in video game music industry, including continuous contribution to the soundtrack of Metal Gear Solid series, which has been sold more than 22 million worldwide. Though his experience in high-profile video game production and collaboration with Hollywood, Norihiko acquired not only composing and performing skills but also arranging, producing, programming, and sound engineering techniques. All his experienced are reflected in HSTL concept, which captures music in big picture from input to output, such as instruments to speakers.
 
Minako Takizawa (Flute)
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The Original chamber orchestra consists of violin, flute, cello, piano, classic guitar, percussion is the core element in HSTL. On recording session each player is required to understand how to most effectively create vibration in instrument by not “slapping” in forte. All instruments we use for recording are manufactured by “curving” materials. It is known fact that by curving things, there exists freedom in intermolecular attraction, which create soft and rich sound. When the high frequencies produced by bow, pick, hummer are amplified by the freedom of molecule, the sound becomes just like cicada creates buzz with his wing on the tree, or bird singing on the tree…and that creates exactly “the sound of nature”.
Currently most studio uses Pro Tools workstation, however, most A/D converter input only supports 20Hz-20KHz. If so, there’s no way that we can capture that wonderful nature-like sound. We use high end A/D converter Prizm ADA-8XR, in 24 channel, to ensure input quality up to 96khz.
Prizm ADA-8XR
The difference of Prizm and other A/D converter is so extreme, and currently this is the only choice to do proper recording. Also, we pay maximum attention for phasing problem, which is more obvious in high-resolution recording.
Especially for piano recording, we use 5 microphones to record subtle nuances on the strings as well as overall softness.
 Minori Yamazaki (cello) |
 Naoko Sato (percussion) |
 Yuichiro Onuki (piano) |
Hibino Sound Therapy Lab also explores in distributing our soothing music in various format, and our iPhone content “Prescription for Sleep” has been downloaded 150,000 copies, and its concept and music itself are quite well received, regardless of huge limitation in sound quality.
In Southeast Asia, we bundled our “Prescription for Sleep” together all natural sleep supplement “Rilax” by Livelife Sdn Bhd.
Also, we continue to do some research at Yale University school of medicine, about the relationship between human cell’s stress level and sound source.
