Modern Sleep Learning (Part 2)

The last point—easy to remember mental pictures—raises the question: could dreams be supplying this aspect of remembering for the material heard during sleep?

Sleep-learning advocates explain that sleep-tapes achieve involuntary duplication or repetition of a desired specific mental picture, with cumulative and powerful effects.

Devices employ two techniques: one utilizes a tape machine; the other employs a record player or phonograph. In the case of the latter, the record player should have all four speeds, 78, 45, 33/2 and 16 RPM—because the available records come in these different speeds.

The record player must also be able to repeat the records over and over automatically; if it is the type record changer that automatically shuts itself off, the shut off lever must be taped down.

Tape machines are preferred to record players. The magnetic tape equipment of today allows the student to record and play back his study material immediately on the same instrument. Tape allows the absolute minimum of undesirable noise. Whereas a record can become worn and scratchy, the tape has an unlimited noise-free life.

Anything available on records is easily transferred to tape, and, since tape operates on a principle of organization and reorganization of magnetic particles on the tape ribbon, when there is no further need for the study material presently recorded, tape can be easily erased by recording over the original material.

An endless tape cartridge of varying time lengths, depending on the study time of the material to be learned, allows continuous repetition of the material. These nocturnal messages are heard through a "pillow speaker" which rests under the pillow and, by controlling the volume, will repeat the message for your ears only. For those who toss in bed, or who are slightly hard of hearing, a speaker of the bone conduction type is also available, which operates as an under the pillow speaker, but sets up audible vibrations that will be carried to your ears at any reasonable distance from the speaker.

Any model of tape recorder may be used. However, an organization of sleep-learning researchers is preparing equipment which has been designed specifically the recording is not as it should be, simply record over the unwanted portion, for sleep-learning.

The automatic electric timer is essential to sleep-learning, for it sets the tape machine to switch on and off automatically while the learner sleeps. Without it, modern sleep-learning would be impossible, for the student would be required to be awake to switch the mechanism on and off. The timers simply plug into a wall outlet, and the recorder is plugged into the timer.

Beginners are reminded to hold the microphone about ten inches from the mouth and to speak in a normal, assured, positive voice when recording. It is advised that the recording level be monitored or checked immediately to determine the clarity.

One distinct advantage of tape is the lack of added expense for errors. If the advertising industry must be thanked for the development of the endless tape cartridge. These were originally devised to repeat sales messages over and over. Cartridges offering a mobius loop are coated on both sides and offer twice the recording and playback time.