Mask noise at night: snoring, neighbours, traffic.
A steady background does not remove a disturbing noise, but it can make it stand out less. Oasis offers a Mask a noise feature for five common disturbances, with a starting mix you then adjust. Here is which sounds to choose, at what volume, and when another solution works better.
How can one sound mask another?
A noise disturbs most when it breaks through silence. A steady background reduces that contrast: the disturbing noise is still there, but it stands out less. This is sound masking. It works better on moderate, irregular noise than on a din. The background should cover frequencies close to those of the disturbing noise. An engine or snoring calls for a background rich in low tones. Voices call for a brighter one.
Snoring: which sound should I choose?
For snoring, start with steady brown noise beneath rain. Brown noise concentrates its energy in low tones, where most snoring sits, and rain adds a less monotonous texture. This is the mix Oasis suggests for this disturbance. Raise the volume just above the snoring, no higher. Brown and white noise are free in Oasis, like the timer.
Neighbours and voices: which sound should I choose?
For voices or a neighbour’s television, Oasis suggests rain on a tent with a little white noise. Voices sit in the middle frequencies. A bright, steady background covers them better than near silence, without needing much volume. Footsteps and bass travel through walls more easily. In that case, add a little brown noise beneath the rain to cover the low end too.
Street and traffic: which sound should I choose?
For traffic, Oasis pairs brown and white noise with steady rain. Brown covers the rumble of engines, white softens higher passing sounds, and rain ties it all together. The result is a continuous background, not silence. The most sudden noises, such as a motorbike or a siren, will remain audible. The option that softens loud moments applies to Oasis sounds, not to the street.
Open office: which sound should I choose?
In an open office, Oasis suggests a river with soft white noise. Flowing water gives a varied texture, and white noise fills the frequencies of speech to cover nearby conversation without tiring you. Keep the volume low, beneath your work. You can add a focus block of 25, 50 or 90 minutes with breaks. The free version includes 2 blocks of 25 minutes.
A hum or a fridge: which sound should I choose?
For a steady hum, such as a fridge or ventilation, Oasis suggests a river and a light wind. These natural sounds cover a fixed tone and make it less present, without adding a second hum. If you prefer a perfectly even background, the fan and airplane cabin noises, included with full access, are other options.
How loud should masking be?
Keep the volume just above the disturbing noise, no higher. If you can still hear the noise but it no longer catches you, the setting is right. A background that is too loud is tiring and can itself disturb sleep. A University of Pennsylvania study published in the journal Sleep in 2026 linked pink noise played all night to less REM sleep, and found earplugs more protective (penntoday.upenn.edu). At night, Oasis can therefore lower the sound by half once night has settled, following the clock with no sensor, or stop with the timer.
When is another solution better?
If the noise is loud or very sudden, earplugs or better insulation protect you more than a background sound. Masking suits moderate, regular disturbances. It does not replace a conversation with neighbours or medical advice if sleep stays difficult. You can also combine both: earplugs for most of the noise, a very low background for what remains.
Frequently asked questions
Which noise masks snoring?
Brown noise beneath steady rain, at a volume just above the snoring. Brown noise is free in Oasis.
White noise or brown noise for masking?
Brown noise covers low sounds better, such as engines, bass or snoring. White noise covers voices and higher sounds better. Both are free in Oasis, and you can blend them beneath rain to cover both at once.
Should the sound play all night?
Not necessarily. The free timer stops playback after 15, 30, 45, 60 or 120 minutes, or after 8 hours. Oasis can also lower the sound by half once night has settled, following the clock, with no sensor.
Does masking remove the noise?
No. It makes it stand out less by reducing the contrast with silence. For loud noise, earplugs protect you better.
Can I save my mix?
Yes. The free version saves one personal soundscape, full access as many as you like.
Is Mask a noise available on Mac?
No. It arrived with Oasis 2.1 for iPhone. Oasis for Mac 2.0.3 offers noises and soundscapes in the menu bar.
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