Reading and focus
Sounds for reading, at your own volume.
A television in the next room or café conversation can follow you into a book. Try quiet rain or a river. In Oasis, combine the sounds you like and save the balance for your next chapter.
Before you download
Start with a sound.
Three places, three 20-second excerpts. Choose a sound and press play, without an account.
In the app, mix 64 recordings and listen offline after downloading them. A subscription with a 7-day trial if eligible, or lifetime access.
Reading while someone watches TV
Your book is open, but you keep following the television dialogue. Start with the rain excerpt on this page. In the app, with active Oasis access, set the rain at a low level. Read a few lines before adjusting it again. If the rain draws too much attention, turn it down.
Start with one simple sound
Try gentle rain, a calm river, or brown noise on its own first. Listen for a few minutes before adding anything else. Starting small makes it easier to find a background that feels comfortable rather than distracting.
Keep the mix light
Pair rain with a quiet fire, or a river with a little brown noise. Two or three sounds are often enough to shape the background without turning the soundscape itself into something you need to pay attention to.
Let it fade into the background
Your mix does not need to overpower everything around you. Keep the volume low enough to soften nearby television, traffic, or café chatter, then stop adjusting once the soundscape begins to disappear behind what you are reading.
Save your settings
Once the balance feels right, name your mix and save the volume and position of every sound. It stays on the iPhone where you created it and remains available offline after downloading whenever you want to return to it.
Frequently asked questions
What sound should I start with?
Gentle rain, a calm river, or brown noise are all simple starting points. Begin with one sound, then adjust or add another depending on your surroundings and personal preference.
Can Oasis block out a television, traffic, or café noise?
Oasis does not remove outside noise. A steady background can, however, partially mask irregular sounds and make them less noticeable at a comfortable listening level.
Can I use my reading soundscape offline after downloading?
Yes. Download every recording in your mix first. Your saved soundscape can then play offline on the device where you created it.
Does Oasis guarantee better focus?
No. People respond differently to background sound. Oasis gives you tools to shape your listening environment, but it does not promise a particular effect on concentration.
Build a background that works for your reading.