Concentration and focus improvement app for Harmonic Brain

Challenges

Gaining control over mobile audio

The requirement was to create a sound effect that "wraps" around the user, so that any audio playing on the device (podcasts, music, audiobooks, etc.) would be processed to sound as if it were moving from side to side. But then we discovered the main challenge: Android/iOS operating systems do not expose a way to manipulate sound movement (panning) at the system level. In other words, there is no API that supports this, and there is no official documentation explaining how it might be possible. Most existing apps only control sound they play themselves, not audio from the entire system.

Solution Approach

Understanding human sensation is just as important as technical understanding

We didn't give up. After an extensive search, we found a single app that managed to control the device's overall audio. We contacted its developer, and he shared an experimental method based on advanced use of the Dynamic Processing API—a rare and undocumented feature that allows separate volume control for each ear. That was just the first step. We realized that even if we could control the sound intensity in the right and left ears, a linear change in volume simply doesn't produce the desired sensation of movement. We worked closely with the client (who has a deep background in sound), and he was the one who suggested we use the Constant Power Panning technique—a method that creates a smoother and more natural sensation of sound moving from ear to ear. We implemented a function that divides each movement into 100 small steps, so that at any given moment, the sound intensity in one ear increases according to the function, while in the other, it decreases in an inverse and precise manner. This creates a sensation of continuous, pleasant, and natural movement.

Result

A technological breakthrough that helps promote relaxation, reduce stress, and improve focus

The Harmonic Brain app includes simple and user-friendly components—an on/off button and three different speeds to choose from. The app has become an accessible and powerful tool for self-soothing. We managed to implement advanced sound principles at a level previously undocumented on Android, allowing users to relax and focus in any situation and with any app. We learned that sometimes the solution lies in talking to the right person—even if there is no official documentation or guide—and that collaborating with clients who deeply understand the field can lead to real breakthroughs. We also learned that the key to a high-quality user experience is a deep understanding of our needs and senses, and that these challenges are our opportunity to innovate and refine.