I have been a software developer for a number of years and I find there are many sonic distractions in the office that prevent me from concentrating. Sometimes it is something small like someone eating an apple in a loud way or something big like a boisterous meeting conducted in an adjacent cubicle. A lot of developers listen to music but even music can sometimes be distracting especially if it has words. So, over the years I have compiled a few sources of noise that doesn’t distract, to block out the ambient noise. Here is a list of some good noise sources that cover sounds, but aren’t a distraction themselves.
SimplyNoise
SimplyNoise is my favorite noise generator because it simply plays white, pink or brown noise. You’d be surprised at how much ambient noise this can block out. I like the brown noise best because seems softer than the others. SimplyNoise also has an app for iOS and Android.
PlayNoise
Similar to SimplyNoise, PlayNoise is a noise generator which has all the colors and options SimplyNoise provides only with a simpler interface. PlayNoise has no mobile apps.
Ambient-Mixer
This site is quite amazing. You can pick an environment, like outside in the rain or maybe a boat floating in the sea, and then you can set the volume and frequency of all the ambient sounds. Too much thunder? Make them softer or less frequent! Ambient-Mixer also has iOS and Android versions.
Music For Programming
This is a simple site that provides a list of music that “aid concentration and increase productivity”. I’ve listened to the first few “episodes” and they are great!
DI.FM
This is a free electronic radio site that also has apps for all major phones. It is great because it has many, many channels some of which are just chill ambient sounds.
