Abstract:
A matrixed and premixed counseling and sound therapy program format for single media players, which provides, and enables user-selection among, a multiplicity of differing music or other sound therapy tracks each separately premixed with a common, or substantially equivalent or redundant counseling track. The system may be applied to more than one substantially different counseling program each based on a common redundant counseling track. The program format is applicable to a diversity of therapeutic, self-improvement, training and educational programs.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to sound program formats for media players, and in particular to pre-mixed counseling and sound therapy program formats for single media players. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The advantages and effectiveness of recorded counseling relating to various medical, psychological and personal enhancement issues have been widely known for many decades. More recently, music therapy has become a burgeoning health care field in which music and other sounds have been shown to substantially enhance patient tolerance and management of a wide range of physical and psychological disorders. Simultaneous combinations of counseling and music or other sounds can be particularly effective. Prior art premixed recorded combinations of counseling and music or other sounds have been used in various therapeutic, self-improvement, training and educational programs delivered to a user by a single media player. Such combinations have been recorded and stored on single media players in such a manner as to provide non-redundant counseling content, which ostensibly has been sufficient and optimal in terms of information delivery. Therefore it is not surprising that such prior art premixed combinations have not been recorded in such a manner as to provide, and enable users to select one among, a multiplicity of differing music or other sound tracks each separately premixed with a common, or substantially equivalent, and therefore redundant counseling track. Further, once a music or other sound track has been premixed with a counseling track and stored on a single media player, neither such counseling track nor such music or other sound can later be separated or remixed in other combinations using such single media player, and thus the above described user preference relating to multiple music or sound therapy options cannot be addressed by prior art premixed recorded combinations. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    In one aspect, a method to provide a matrix of premixed counseling and content tracks, configured for single media player includes providing a menu of a plurality of sound therapy tracks comprising a plurality of content tracks each separately premixed with a redundant counseling track; selecting a sound therapy track from the menu; and playing the selected sound therapy track on a single media player. 
         [0004]    In another aspect, a system to provide spatially enhanced content sound includes at least one unmodified content track; at least one modified content track derived from an unmodified content track processed by at least one of (i) reverberation, (ii) time delay, (iii) low-pass filtering, (iv) phase shifting, (v) polarity inversion, (vi) attenuation; and at least one spatially enhanced content track comprising at least one of (i) a modified content track, or (ii) an unmodified content track summed with a modified content track derived from a sample of such unmodified content track. 
         [0005]    In yet another aspect, a system to provide spatially enhanced counseling sound, configured for a single media player includes at least one unmodified counseling track; at least one modified counseling track derived from an unmodified counseling track processed by at least one of (i) reverberation, (ii) time delay, (iii) low-pass filtering, (iv) phase shifting, (v) polarity inversion, (vi) attenuation; at least one spatially enhanced counseling track comprising at least one of (i) a modified counseling track, (ii) an unmodified counseling track summed with a modified counseling track derived from a sample of such unmodified counseling track. 
         [0006]    In yet another aspect, a system provides a matrix of premixed counseling and content tracks, configured for a single media player, includes a menu of at least two groups of counseling tracks, each such group comprising a plurality of content tracks, wherein each content track within a group is separately premixed with a common counseling track, wherein common counseling tracks are substantially different for each group, wherein the common counseling track for each group is redundantly comprised in each counseling track within the corresponding group; selecting a counseling track within a group from the menu; and, playing the selected counseling track using a single media player. 
         [0007]    Implementations of the above aspect(s) may include one or more of the following. The modified counseling track can introduce differing spatial qualities to the spatially enhanced counseling tracks. The unmodified counseling track can be summed at varying ratios with the modified counseling track, wherein such varying ratios are controlled in at least one of a recording or playback process to introduce differing spatial expansion to the spatially enhanced counseling track. The unmodified counseling track can be onverted to a monaural sound track at varying monaural mix ratios, wherein such varying mix ratios are controlled in at least one of a recording or playback process to introduce differing spatial convergence to the unmodified counseling track. The player can provide a displayed menu or a non-displayed menu. At least one content track or counseling track can be substituted by a spatially enhanced content track. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment, a premixed counseling and content track matrix is configured for single media players (meaning single track players of all types including but not limited to iPods and other MP3 players, CD players, computers, playback programs, and wired and wireless transmission devices such as cell phones and the Internet, in each case, however, such players and devices being limited to those not comprising simultaneous multiple sound track mixing or playback functions that are not frequently provided in consumer versions of such players and devices). Such matrix provides, and enables user-selection among, a multiplicity of differing music or other sound therapy tracks each separately premixed with a common, or substantially equivalent, and therefore redundant, counseling track. Within this context, sound therapy tracks are referred to as “content tracks” each premixed with common counseling track. A matrix of such premixed tracks are derived from a recording process of separately premixing a single, and therefore redundant, counseling track with each one of a plurality of differing content tracks. The resulting matrix of premixed tracks, or “format”, is digitally stored on a single media player and is comprised in a displayed or non-displayed menu of such player, whereby each such premixed track may be separately played by such player and is referred to as a “sound therapy track”. The expression “single media player” refers to a media player capable or playing only a single sound track at any given time, such as an iPod and the like. More specifically, in the above recording and single player storage and playback processes, matrixed tracks M consist of a number “n” of content tracks A, each separately premixed with a common, or substantially equivalent, and therefore redundant counseling track B 1 , constituting matrix tracks M=(B 1 A 1  . . . BAn). In a similar manner, a plurality of groups of such matrixed tracks may be generated, wherein each group is based on a substantially different counseling track that is common, and therefore redundant, within the corresponding group. Such matrixed tracks and groups of matrixed tracks are derived from a recording process, stored on a single media player, and comprised in at least one displayed or non-displayed menus within such player. In order to provide users with choices, a variety of content tracks can be premixed with a given common counseling track, typically 2&lt;A&lt;100. In the preferred embodiment, content tracks A 1 , A 2  and A 3  are each separately premixed with common counseling track B 1  and constitute first group “ 1   g ” of matrixed tracks M 1   g =(B 1 A 1 , B 1 A 2 , B 1 A 3 ); content tracks A 1 , A 2  and A 3  are each separately premixed with common counseling track B 2  and constitute second group “ 2   g ” of matrixed tracks M 2   g =(B 2 A 1 , B 2 A 2 , B 2 A 3 ); and content tracks A 1 , A 2  and A 3  are each separately premixed with common counseling track B 3  and constitute third group “ 3   g ” of matrixed tracks M 3   g =(B 3 A 1 , B 3 A 2 , B 3 A 3 ), collectively providing matrixed sound therapy tracks Mt=(B 1 A 1 , B 1 A 2 , B 1 A 3 )+(B 2 A 1 , B 2 A 2 , B 2 A 3 )+(B 3 A 1 , B 3 A 2 , B 3 A 3 ). 
         [0009]    The matrixed tracks of various embodiments of the present invention may be applied to a diversity of therapeutic, self-improvement, training or educational programs, in which at least one of such A content tracks may be substituted by an alternative A track not comprised strictly of music, such as but not limited to voices, tones, noise, binaural beat frequencies, nature sounds, or tinnitus masking sounds such as DTM sounds, wherein such alternative A track may further comprise music components. The matrixed tricks of various embodiments of the present invention may further be applied to a diversity of therapeutic, self-improvement, training or educational programs, in which at least one such common, or substantially equivalent, B counseling track may be substituted an alternative B track not comprised strictly of counseling, such as but not limited to voices, tones, noise, binaural beat frequencies, nature sounds, or tinnitus masking sounds such as DTM sounds, wherein such alternative B track may further comprise music components. 
         [0010]    Advantages of embodiments of the system of the present invention may include one or more of the following. The system enables the derivation of a matrix of sound therapy tracks configured to provide, and enables user-selection among, a multiplicity of differing content tracks each separately premixed with a common, or substantially equivalent, redundant counseling track. The system further enables any number of groups of such premixed sound therapy tracks (or matrixed tracks), wherein each such group is based on a substantially different common and redundant counseling track, and wherein such groups of tracks are recorded and later stored in at least one menu in a cost-effective, easy to operate single media player. Such matrixed track format is applicable to a diversity of therapeutic, self-improvement, training and educational programs, wherein at least one of such A music tracks may be substituted by a first alternative track not comprised strictly of music, and such common, or substantially equivalent, B counseling track may be substituted a second alternative track not comprised strictly of counseling. The system enables a health care professional or patient/user to listen to a desired counseling program in combination with any of multiple content material options, such as multiple music therapy material options, in accordance with the patient&#39;s/user&#39;s needs or preferences, and to do so using commonly available, low cost, non-simultaneous multiple sound track players such as MP3 players, iPods and the like. The resulting premixed counseling and content track matrix format for use with a single media player provides, among other benefits, substantially expanded user-controlled sound therapy content flexibility and practicality, and thereby facilitates enhanced sound therapy efficacy. The system enables users to select one among, a multiplicity of differing music or other sound tracks each separately premixed with a common, or substantially equivalent, and therefore redundant counseling track. Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn proportionately or in scale and, unless otherwise indicated, are merely intended to conceptually illustrate the structures, processes and functions described herein. Designated letters and numbers in each of the following drawings correspond to like designated letters and numbers in the remaining drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a chart of a prior art premixed counseling and content track, which provides non-redundant counseling and constitutes prior art sound therapy. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a chart of an example of a premixed matrix of counseling and content tracks configured for a single media player, and which provides redundant counseling in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a chart of an exemplary first, second and third group of premixed matrixes of counseling and content tracks configured for a single media player, wherein each such group is based on a substantially different counseling track, and wherein each content track within a group is separately premixed with a common counseling track, and which provides redundant counseling in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a prior art process for recording, storing and playing counseling and content tracks. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram of an exemplary process for recording, storing and playing premixed matrix of counseling and content tracks in accordance with specific embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram of an exemplary process for recording, storing and playing multiple groups of premixed matrixes of counseling and content tracks in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a block diagram of an exemplary process for generating spatially enhanced content sound in accordance with specific embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a block diagram of an exemplary process for converting stereophonic content sound to monaural content sound. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a block diagram of an exemplary process for generating spatially enhanced counseling sound in accordance with specific embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a block diagram of an exemplary process for converting stereophonic counseling sound to monaural counseling sound. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]      FIG. 1  is a chart of a prior art premixed counseling and content track, which provides non-redundant counseling and constitutes prior art sound therapy, and in which counseling track Bp 1  is premixed with content track Ap 1  to provide prior art sound therapy track Bp 1 Ap 1 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  is a chart of an example of a premixed matrix of counseling and content tracks configured for a single media player, which provide redundant counseling, in which counseling track B 1  is separately premixed with each of content tracks A 1 , A 2  and A 3  to provide matrix tracks B 1 A 1 , B 1 A 2  and B 1 A 3 , respectively; counseling track B 2  is separately premixed with each of content tracks A 1  A 2  and A 3  to provide matrix tracks B 2 A 1 , B 2 A 2  and B 2 A 3 , respectively; and counseling track B 3  is separately premixed with each of content tracks A 1 , A 2  and A 3  to provide matrix tracks B 3 A 1 , B 3 A 2  and B 3 A 3 , respectively. The example shows premixed matrix tracks M=(B 1 A 1  . . . BAn). 
         [0023]      FIG. 3  is a chart of an example showing first, second and third groups of premixed matrixes of counseling and content tracks configured for a single media player, wherein each such group is based on a substantially different counseling track, wherein each content track within a group is separately premixed with a common counseling track, which provides redundant counseling, in which content tracks A 1 , A 2  and A 3  are each separately premixed with common counseling track B 1  and constitute first group “ 1   g ” of matrixed tracks M 1   g =(B 1 A 1 , B 1 A 2 , B 1 A 3 ); content tracks A 1 , A 2  and A 3  are each separately premixed with common counseling track B 2  and constitute second group  2   g  of matrixed tracks M 2   g =(B 2 A 1 , B 2 A 2 , B 2 A 3 ), and content tracks A 1 , A 2  and A 3  are each separately pre-mixed with common counseling track B 3  and constitute third group  3   g  of matrixed tracks M 3   g =(B 3 A 1 , B 3 A 2 , B 3 A 3 ), collectively providing matrixed tracks Mt=(B 1 A 1 , B 1 A 2 , B 1 A 3 )+(B 2 A 1 , B 2 A 2 , B 2 A 3 )+(B 3 A 1 , B 3 A 2 , B 3 A 3 ). 
         [0024]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a prior art process for recording, storing and playing counseling and content tracks, in which program input P 1 , consisting of counseling track Bp 1 , constitutes signal S 1  applied to a first input of recorder R 1 . Program input P 2 , consisting of content track Ap 1 , constitutes signal S 2  applied to a second input of recorder R 1 . Recorder R 1  internally mixes input signals S 1  and S 2 , stores the resulting sound therapy track Bp 1 Ap 1 , and provides corresponding output signal S 3  applied as input to player PL 1 . Player PL 1  stores and plays track Bp 1 Ap 1 , which is comprised in menu MM 1   p  of PL 1 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram of an exemplary process for recording, storing and playing premixed matrix of counseling and content tracks in accordance with specific embodiments of the present invention, in which, in a first step, program input P 3 , consisting of counseling track B 1 , constitutes signal S 4  applied to a first input of recorder R 1 . Program input P 4 , consisting of content track A 1 , constitutes signal S 5  applied to a second input of recorder R 1 . Recorder R 1  internally mixes input signals S 4  and S 5 , stores the resulting sound therapy track B 1 A 1 , and provides corresponding output signal S 7  applied as input to player PL 1 . Player PL 1  stores and plays track B 1 A 1 , which is comprised in matrix menu MM 1  of PL 1 . In a second step, program input P 3 , consisting of counseling track B 1 , constitutes signal S 4  applied to a first input of recorder R 1 . Program input P 5 , consisting of content track A 2 , constitutes signal S 6  applied to a second input of recorder R 1 . Recorder R 1  internally mixes input signals S 5  and S 6 , stores the resulting sound therapy track B 1 A 2 , and provides corresponding output signal S 7  applied as input to player PL 1 . Player PL 1  stores and plays track B 1 A 1  and B 1 A 2 , which are comprised in matrix menu MM 1  of PL 1 , and in which counseling therapy is provided redundantly. 
         [0026]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram of an exemplary process for recording, storing and playing multiple groups of premixed matrixes of counseling and content tracks in accordance with specific embodiments of the present invention, in which, in a first step, program input P 6 , consisting of counseling track B 1 , constitutes signal S 8  applied to a first input of recorder R 1 . Program input P 7 , consisting of content track A 1 , constitutes signal S 9  applied to a second input of recorder R 1 . Recorder R 1  internally mixes input signals S 8  and S 9 , stores the resulting sound therapy track B 1 A 1 , and provides corresponding output signal S 14  applied as input to player PL 1 . Player PL 1  stores and plays track B 1 A 1 , which is comprised in matrix menu MM 1  of PL 1 . In a second step, program input P 6 , consisting of counseling track B 1 , constitutes signal S 8  applied to a first input of recorder R 1 . Program input P 8 , consisting of content track A 2 , constitutes signal S 10  applied to a second input of recorder R 1 . Recorder R 1  internally mixes input signals S 8  and S 10 , stores the resulting sound therapy track B 1 A 2 , and provides corresponding output signal S 14  applied as input to player PL 1 . Player PL 1  stores and plays track B 1 A 2 , which is comprised in matrix menu MM 1  of PL 1 . In a third step, program input P 6 , consisting of counseling track B 1 , constitutes signal S 8  applied to a first input of recorder R 1 . Program input P 9 , consisting of content track A 3 , constitutes signal S 11  applied to a second input of recorder R 1 . Recorder R 1  internally mixes input signals S 8  and S 11 , stores the resulting sound therapy track B 1 A 3 , and provides corresponding output signal S 14  applied as input to player PL 1 . Player PL 1  stores and plays track B 1 A 3 , which is comprised in matrix menu MM 1  of PL 1 . Tracks B 1 A 1 , B 1 A 2  and B 1 A 3  above constitute a first group  1   g  of matrixed sound therapy tracks, in which counseling therapy is provided redundantly. In a fourth step, program input P 10 , consisting of counseling track B 2 , constitutes signal S 12  applied to a first input of recorder R 1 . Program input P 7 , consisting of content track A 1 , constitutes signal S 9  applied to a second input of recorder R 1 . Recorder R 1  internally mixes input signals S 9  and S 12 , stores the resulting sound therapy track B 2 A 1 , and provides corresponding output signal S 14  applied as input to player PL 1 . Player PL 1  stores and plays track B 2 A 1 , which is comprised in matrix menu MM 1  of PL 1 . In a fifth step, program input P 10 , consisting of counseling track B 2 , constitutes signal S 12  applied to a first input of recorder R 1 . Program input P 8 , consisting of content track A 2 , constitutes signal S 10  applied to a second input of recorder R 1 . Recorder R 1  internally mixes input signals S 10  and S 12 , stores the resulting sound therapy track B 2 A 2 , and provides corresponding output signal S 14  applied as input to player PL 1 . Player PL 1  stores and plays track B 2 A 2 , which is comprised in matrix menu MM 1  of PL 1 . In a sixth step, program input P 10 , consisting of counseling track B 2 , constitutes signal S 12  applied to a first input of recorder R 1 . Program input P 9 , consisting of content track A 3 , constitutes signal S 11  applied to a second input of recorder R 1 . Recorder R 1  internally mixes input signals S 11  and S 12 , stores the resulting sound therapy track B 2 A 3 , and provides corresponding output signal S 14  applied as input to player PL 1 . Player PL 1  stores and plays track B 2 A 3 , which is comprised in matrix menu MM 1  of PL 1 . Tracks B 2 A 1 , B 2 A 2  and B 2 A 3  above constitute a second group  2   g  of matrixed sound therapy tracks, in which counseling therapy is provided redundantly. In a seventh step, program input P 11 , consisting of counseling track B 3 , constitutes signal S 13  applied to a first input of recorder R 1 . Program input P 7 , consisting of content track A 1 , constitutes signal S 9  applied to a second input of recorder R 1 . Recorder R 1  internally mixes input signals S 9  and S 13 , stores the resulting sound therapy track B 3 A 1 , and provides corresponding output signal S 14  applied as input to player PL 1 . Player PL 1  stores and plays track B 3 A 1 , which is comprised in matrix menu MM 1  of PL 1 . In an eighth step, program input P 11 , consisting of counseling track B 3 , constitutes signal S 13  applied to a first input of recorder R 1 . Program input P 8 , consisting of content track A 2 , constitutes signal  10  applied to a second input of recorder R 1 . Recorder R 1  internally mixes input signals S 10  and S 13 , stores the resulting sound therapy track B 3 A 2 , and provides corresponding output signal S 14  applied as input to player PL 1 . Player PL 1  stores and plays track B 3 A 2 , which is comprised in matrix menu MM 1  of PL 1 . In a ninth step, program input P 11 , consisting of counseling track B 3 , constitutes signal S 13  applied to a first input of recorder R 1 . Program input P 9 , consisting of content track A 3 , constitutes signal S 11  applied to a second input of recorder R 1 . Recorder R 1  internally mixes input signals S 11  and S 13 , stores the resulting sound therapy track B 3 A 3 , and provides corresponding output signal S 14  applied as input to player PL 1 . Player PL 1  stores and plays track B 3 A 3 , which is comprised in matrix menu MM 1  of PL 1 . Tracks B 3 A 1 , B 3 A 2  and B 3 A 3  above constitute a third group  3   g  of matrixed sound therapy tracks, in which counseling therapy is provided redundantly. 
         [0027]      FIG. 7  is a block diagram of an exemplary process for generating spatially enhanced content sound in accordance with specific embodiments of the present invention, in which content source A IN constitutes unmodified content signal S 15 . S 15  is applied as input to reverberation module RV 1  having reverberation adjustment AD 1 . VRI provides output signal S 16 , which is applied as input to time delay TD 1  having time delay adjustment AD 2 . TD 1  provides output signal S 17 , which is applied as input to low-pass filter LP 1  having low-pass filtering adjustment AD 3 . LP 1  provides output signal S 18 , which is applied as input to phase shifter PS 1  having phase shift adjustment AD 4 . PS 1  provides output signal S 19 , which is applied as input to phase inverter PI 1  having phase inversion adjustment (in/out) AD 5 . PI 1  provides output signal S 20 , which is applied as input to attenuator AT 1  having attenuation adjustment AD 6 . AT 1  provides output signal S 21 , which constitutes a modified content signal, and which is applied to a first input of summer SM 1  having summing ratio adjustment AD 7 . Unmodified content signal S 15  is applied to a second input of summer SM 1 . SM 1  provides output signal S 22 , which constitutes a spatially enhanced content signal A′. 
         [0028]      FIG. 8  is a block diagram of an exemplary process for converting stereophonic content sound to monaural content sound, in which spatially enhanced content signal A′ comprises left (L) and a right (R) stereophonic signal S 23  and S 24 , respectively, applied to a first and second input of summer SM 2 , respectively. SM 2  has monaural mixing adjustment AD 8  and provides monaural (M) output signal S 25 . S 25  constitutes a further modified spatially enhanced content output signal A″. 
         [0029]      FIG. 9  is a block diagram of an exemplary process for generating spatially enhanced counseling sound in accordance with specific embodiments of the present invention, in which counseling source B IN constitutes unmodified content signal S 26 . S 26  is applied as input to reverberation module RV 2  having reverberation adjustment AD 9 . VR 2  provides output signal S 27 , which is applied as input to time delay TD 2  having time delay adjustment AD 10 . TD 2  provides output signal S 28 , which is applied as input to low-pass filter LP 2  having low-pass filtering adjustment AD 11 . LP 2  provides output signal S 29 , which is applied as input to phase shifter PS 2  having phase shift adjustment AD 12 . PS 2  provides output signal S 30 , which is applied as input to phase inverter PI 2  having phase inversion adjustment (in/out) AD 13 . PI 2  provides output signal S 31 , which is applied as input to attenuator AT 2  having attenuation adjustment AD 14 . AT 2  provides output signal S 32 , which constitutes a modified counseling signal, and which is applied to a first input of summer SM 3  having summing ratio adjustment AD 15 . Unmodified counseling signal S 25  is applied to a second input of summer SM 3 . SM 3  provides output signal S 33 , which constitutes a spatially enhanced counseling signal B′. 
         [0030]      FIG. 10  is a block diagram of an exemplary process for converting stereophonic counseling sound to monaural counseling sound, in which spatially enhanced counseling signal B′ comprises left (L) and a right (R) stereophonic signal S 34  and S 35 , respectively, applied to a first and second input of summer SM 3 , respectively. SM 3  has monaural mixing adjustment AD 16  and provides monaural (M) output signal S 36 . S 36  constitutes a further modified spatially enhanced counseling output signal B″. 
         [0031]    The techniques described herein may be implemented in hardware or software, or a combination of the two. Preferably, the techniques for converting the counseling tracks, and content tracks (such as music therapy), into a matrix of sound therapy content that can be played by a single media player are implemented by computer recording programs. Such techniques may also be implemented in a more manual fashion using audio mixers whereby a matrix of such counseling tracks and content tracks are premixed and recorded. Each such premixed counseling and content track can be stored on a storage medium or device (e.g., flash memory, CD-ROM, hard disk or magnetic diskette) that is readable by a general or special purpose programmable microcontroller, microprocessor or digital signal processor. 
         [0032]    The system enables sound therapy matrixes in which counseling, music and/or other sound formats substantially enhance patient tolerance and management of a wide range of physical and psychological disorders, such as stress and stress-related disorders, cancer and other life-threatening conditions, pre-natal care and birthing management, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic or acute pain, addictions issues, depression or anxiety, relationship challenges, hospice care needs, grief and loss, and trauma management, among others. 
         [0033]    When used to deliver music therapy, the system enables an enhancement of the positive effects of music therapy on patients. Clinically, patients are more likely to perceive that they received a higher quality of care. The use of such enhanced music therapy preoperatively can be an excellent noninvasive technique, can reduce hospital stay time, and can offer patients additional comfort in stressful clinical environments. Music therapy has been clinically shown to reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure, heart and breathing rates, and relax muscular tension. 
         [0034]    While the foregoing discusses matrixed combinations of counseling tracks and content tracks based on music therapy or other sound formats, the present invention is not so limited. For example, learning to play a musical instrument is another form of music therapy wherein the principles of the present invention may be applied. The user can choose from a matrixed menu a particular form of music that reflects the mood that he or she is currently feeling, or would like to feel. The system can then play, in a simple to operate manner, the corresponding premixed counseling and selected music tracks. In this example the counseling track would consist of an instructional track that teaches one how to play such instrument, to arrive at an overall sound therapy program that enhances the quality of life for the user. 
         [0035]    The above-described embodiments of the present invention are merely meant to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. The appended claims encompass such changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention.