Introducing the N-Track Tuner (Free iOS Version)
One of the best free apps you can add to your at home sound healing tool kit is the N-Track Tuner. I can only recommend the free version because that's all I've ever needed, although the paid Pro version does look pretty nifty.
The free version comes with a few fundamental tools that may come in handy, including a guitar tuner, another tuner for other instruments, a graphic equalizer (EQ), and a tuning fork that is basically a tone generator with limited frequencies.
Finding Frequencies for Humming and Vocal Toning
While the free version doesn't have a fully functional tone generator, it has other tools that enable you to see the specific frequency you are singing or playing on an instrument. These tools are the Graphic EQ and the Tuners.
Sounds are made up of many different frequencies, and the graphic EQ allows you to see both fundamental frequency you are toning, as well as the harmonics (additional frequencies) that make up your voice or a specific sound.
The tuners will show you the specific frequency you are humming but without the graphic EQ showing all the other frequencies that are present.
Find the Frequency of Mystery Singing Bowls
One situation where it's really handy to have an app like N-Track Tuner is when there are instruments around like crystal bowls or Tibetan bowls that you want to know the frequency of. I've done this many times while visiting yoga studios or using other peoples instruments so that I can know what notes I'm playing.
Learn Your Voice with EQ
When you use a graphic EQ while toning you are essentially using it as a mirror to learn more about your voice. You could sweep through frequencies with your voice to find a specific frequency for your VoiceBio practice, or you could use it to see what frequencies are at the bottom of your vocal range vs. the top or middle of your vocal range.
It gives you numbers and data to inform you on a deeper level as you explore your voice and practice humming for health.
Using EQ for VoiceBio Humming Practice
If you've done a VoiceBio session you may have some specific frequencies that you want to hum. If you are in a place where you can't access a tone generator or hear a recording of the frequency you are supplementing, you can use the EQ to get close to the frequency you want to work with. You may have to increase or lower the pitch of your voice by very small amounts to get a more accurate read on the desired frequency, but it's doable!
I would consider it a bit of a skillset to develop the ability to manipulate your voice to specific frequencies, so don't get discouraged if this seems difficult. Once you learn to listen to your voice and make minor adjustments in pitch, you should be able to gradually gain more ability to sing on pitch and sing specific frequencies.
A Good Alternative to a Tone Generator
Using a precision tone generator externally is absolutely the easiest route for finding specific frequencies, but when you are in a pinch you can use an EQ or tuner to find frequencies instead. This app does have a tuning fork function, that is limited to a few notes from the typical 440hz standard tuning, but I wouldn't consider this a true tone generator because it doesn't allow you to input your own frequencies with decimal places.
Overall, I found N-Track Tuner to be one of my favorites and I use it all the time in my personal sound healing practice and musical career. I'd recommend checking it out if you are a curious person who wants to learn a bit more about their voice.