Tag: Voice

Sleeping With ASMR

You may remember the explanation of the origins of the term “sandwich breath” in one of the blog items previously. Here, in the comments, we have someone who refers to it. So I think it is safe to say that the ASMR community are all over this video already.

Neurological Exam Video

The introductory section tells us that the client is “Rachel”. Straight away, we get the feeling that we are back in the world of student videos of which we have seen the odd one before.

The participants who are unable to take it completely seriously, the background noise, the loud start to the video as if the medical professional is trying to project to an opera house, the participants in casual clothing. The location appears to be some kind of meeting room, rather than a hospital bed, we have a long table and chairs. In the background someone is tapping away on a laptop keyboard (the keys are quieter than expected for a desktop version). There is also the continuous noise of air conditioning which we know and dislike.

It is just shy of sixteen minutes. Ashley continues quite loud but Rachel has a much better voice. Fortunately, Rachel gets to contribute or we could pack our stuff and head home.

The camera person is a bit fidgety with a finger intruding into view occasionally – so far, so normal student video. At least the keyboard noise dissipates fairly early on.

Strangely where one would anticipate use of a tuning fork for sensing vibration someone raided the canteen and came back with an actual fork left over from lunch and is using the handle. As if Rachel was likely to get any sense of vibration from it. That’s probably one of the stranger pieces of student adaptability that I have seen this far. Many of the commentators also point this out.

The T-Shirt with Alpha Omicron Pi on it, is not much of a clue to location with many universities having one of these in both the United States and in Canada.

Then there is the use of a spoon as a reflex hammer, which I would think just would not work. However, it is attempted here, which is surreal to watch. However if you are using this video for sleep it is likely that you will not be watching as such.

Ashley Carmichael is the channel.

There are six videos on this site which leaves five more for review.

All of them are posted four years ago which fits with requirements for a programme of study.

KINE 305 Introduction Video

Here Ashley self-reports attending Cal State St Marcos, and being in her fourth year there. Given the videos are all posted in the same year it is probable that all of them are connected with that course of study.

This university, of course, has its own website, which refers to KINE305 as being a course in Movement Anatomy.

California State St Marcos, as usual, has its own YouTube channel. This is exactly in line with our expectations: having lots of university promotional videos.

It looks like Ashley did a Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science.

This is useful info but not a useful video for ASMR purposes. However, at least it confirms that the video is not a construct put together by a professional ASMR artist.

Mock Client Exam Video

Here we find that the client is called “Chris” and he really seems to have a very boomy voice. Either that or the recording equipment is trying too hard. There certainly is a lot of background noise, air conditioning again, I think.

There are no comments with this video so apparently no ASMR fans this time and I think there is a good reason for this. Rachel had the better voice in the first video and of course this time no Rachel.

The location looks domestic with another building visible through the window. Doors to what appears to be a cupboard are directly in view.

At intervals, the air conditioning starts to sound like a 1950s vehicle that has been revved rather manically and is flailing to recover. I guess if you live in conditions that require air conditioning you acclimatize to the constant noise, but it isn’t great for ASMR purposes.

Axial Exam Video KINE 305

The client is “Olivia”. It again appears to be a meeting room, however at least the air conditioning is a bit more under control than in the previous video. Ashley is a little quieter here (mostly) which is quite welcome. Olivia really has nothing to say and so I am not clear if she would have a good voice in ASMR terms.

Some people are talking away in a neighbouring room which provides a muted background to the sound at intervals.

Again, there are no comments so I assume no ASMR devotees. There are one hundred and forty nine subscribers though, I notice.

Orthopedic Exam Video

Here we have Chris again, who must sing bass, I think. He could make mahogany vibrate with that voice. It is back to a domestic setting, a kitchen this time. Here we discover that this is Christopher Carmichael (so reasonable to assume – brother). Again, Ashley seems to need to speak to us without the aid of microphone; her voice is really loud here.

At intervals the air conditioning goes all Apollo-space-program-rocket-launch. I think someone may need to replace some bearings or something like it.

All told, the video is not that great for our purposes.

Client Exercise Video

This is designed for someone called “Mike”, presumably a client or as I more usually refer to them “patient”.

It starts loud, but at least the air conditioning has been taken round the back and shot through the head.

We’re in a domestic setting again, a dining room potentially. The kitchen is visible (well an oven anyway).

It’s just that bit too loud, sadly, but I am in no doubt that “Mike” found it efficacious.

That is the last for Ashley on this particular YouTube channel, However Ashley has an alternative YouTube Channel I notice.

I’ve no idea why that should be (perhaps Ashley misplaced the password to access the other one). There is just one video on that channel which is three years more recent than the videos on the previous channel.

AT Final Project

This is just over half a minute so blink and you’ll miss it. Sadly, it decides to go with music as a backdrop and worse still funky loud music, eek and no no no.

That’s all the videos available. Only one video was worthy of consideration and that was really a stand out amongst this set. It was helped a great deal by “Rachel”. If I could work out who “Rachel” is I would stand some chance of finding her channel wherein there might be some great material.

The overall playlist of videos covered so far on the Procrastination Pen is here:

The videos weeded out because over time they are just not as good as the others is in this archive list:

I keep this in case subscribers to the Procrastination Pen have personal favourites that they want to hear.

The playlist of videos requiring age verification is here:

I can’t be bothered to stop my listening to log on, this interrupts the experience. You may not mind this in which case this list is for you.

I hope that you find the playlists restful and I hope you get plenty of sleep.

If you liked this blog article why not follow this blog.

Until next time.

Photo by François Bonnet on Unsplash

Sleeping With ASMR

I’ve noticed when waking from a playlist-accompanied sleep that YouTube is not always respecting the use of shuffle and repeat functions. Recently I can wake up to some completely unknown (and non-ASMR related) video, usually accompanied by loud adverts.

I’m not certain what is causing this because the issue kicks in whilst I have been asleep. However, I am embarking on a weeding of the main playlist to try to ensure it contains only quality videos now. Some do not seem to have stood the test of time. I will keep monitoring in the hope that this resolves the issue. Perhaps a problematic video is the cause of the problem.

If anyone has seen this before (and better still resolved it), do please get in touch.

Today’s video is this one:

Lung Examination – Jessica Nishikawa

At just less than fourteen minutes not far off the normal length for videos we have seen on the way to creating the Procrastination Pen playlist.

Jessica Nishikawa initially starts a bit loud (well the video is designed as an educational vehicle) but has a good voice for our purposes. I think the patient might be called Makata (probably nothing like that spelling). There is a mountain in Hawaii called Makana so I would guess that is a much more likely name. I’ll stick with that as the spelling from this point onwards.

There is of course the background air conditioning noise that we are used to by now but it is not as oppressive as some we have heard.

Some of the comments are not study-related but there are no obvious comments from ASMR aficionados. Given how diligent such people are in seeking out material it is unlikely this is a brand new find, however.

The channel is Jessica Nishikawa, there are twenty-six videos on the channel which is a few too many to cover in any one blog post.

The old trick of narrowing down the videos to cover by choosing any available playlist is not going to work. There is only one playlist which does not appear to be on the same subject. You can see what I mean:

A quick visual review of the available videos though reveals that only a subset of them feature Makana as the “patient”. This seems an adequate way to focus down the videos for this review.

The next video to feature Makana is this one:

JVP Exam – Jessica Nishikawa

Like the previous one posted seven years ago and at not much over two minutes is quite a brief one. As a professional video of course, it includes notes: “29 Oct 2015

Jessica Nishikawa demonstrates the JVP examination.

Subscribe at    / jessicanishikawa 

Twitter @JessNishi”

This is consistent with the last one and also deserves a place in the Procrastination Pen playlist, I think.

The next video featuring Makana as the “patient” is this one:

Heart Exam – Jessica Nishikawa

A little halting to start, but it soon settles down. Again, there are several non-medical comments. Any video poster on YouTube must have to get used to such comments (or deny comments altogether, which on reflection, seems rather sensible).

The notes are similar for all the videos so I won’t document them for this one. This video is five minutes long, which isn’t exactly huge. It remains consistent with the last one. In fact, like all professionally-produced videos we have seen, if you like one of them it is quite a strong indication that you are going to like the remainder.

And that’s it for videos featuring Makana. However, we have now proven that the channel is rather a good source of relaxing videos and so I have every belief we will be back here again.

The Jessica Nishikawa playlist on the Procrastination Pen is here:

The overall playlist of videos covered so far on the Procrastination Pen is here:

The videos weeded out because over time they are just not as good as the others is in this archive list:

I keep this in case subscribers to the Procrastination Pen have personal favourites that they want to hear.

The playlist of videos requiring age verification is here:

I can’t be bothered to stop my listening to log on, this interrupts the listening experience. You may not mind this in which case this list is for you.

I hope that you find the playlists restful and I hope you get plenty of sleep.

If you liked this blog article why not follow this blog.

Until next time.

Photo by Shona Macrae

Sleeping With ASMR

I came across this one initially from here:

Physical Examination #2 (ASMR)

This is on Channel ASMR Exams which as the channel name suggests the video has been edited to enhance the ASMR effect.

However, it was obvious that the video originated in a medical school somewhere.

The comments however give it all away: “I’ve solved the mystery of these two. After some intense digging, I found that her name is Jan Victoria Scott, and he’s an impulsive improv actor named J. Chachula (first name near impossible to find). Dare I dig deeper? Okay. I have discovered “J” to be his nickname, his real name is “Julian Chachula Jr.” He owns/directs/teacher an improv group known as “The Flying Machine Theatre Studio“, and he (alike Vicki Scott) is from Raleigh, North Carolina, or areas nearby it. His parents are Cuban immigrants, and he is okay with Spanish. Victoria Scott just finished teaching her last class at Duke University in Summer 2017, and she’s going to move onto either retirement or other things. She lives in (more specifically) South Shore, and she’s a heavy supporter of “Conquer Paralysis Now“. She graduated with a Bachelor of Health Science degree in 1981, and earned the Master of Health Sciences degree in 1991. She taught this education program for 20 years.”

That is very helpful, this should mean that the original is going to be available via Duke University.

However a search on YouTube reveals that there is no such video (perhaps it was taken down a very long time ago). So for our purposes we are stuck with professional ASMR channels who have retained the video. In essence this is a cheat, however it looks like there are no alternatives.

The video has a title page Duke Health The Complete Physical Exam. Duke Health still has a YouTube channel. This has three-hundred-and-sixty-eight videos at the date I checked them but this one isn’t one of them.

Returning to the video – Vicki has a very good voice for our purposes and there is a good interaction between Vicki and “Mr Allen” (probably misspelled). At in excess of forty-five minutes this is a long exam and a long video for ASMR however it might be a good length if you’re really struggling to get to sleep and the dreaded YouTube adverts keep kicking in and snapping you back awake every time you finally get to doze.

I notice Vicki uses “it looks symmetric” which must be grammatical but I would have said “looks symmetrical”.

She also uses the term “stop breathing” and “breathe” whereas I would have expected “hold your breath”. “Stop breathing” if feasible being a lot more final in its effects. I’ve seen this phrase used before in other examination videos (no doubt some that will feature on this blog) so I have no doubt it is correct despite my misgivings.

There is some humour here so it is nicely relaxed (which you may have noticed is not true of a number of the student videos where some participants look like they are on the way to the gallows).

For those (like me) who had no idea about an otoscope, it’s a device used for examining the ears.

I think Vicki Scott may have a voice on a par with the quality of Hollie Berry and that is fighting talk ASMR-wise. It is definitely worthy of inclusion in the playlist – it makes some of the existing ones in the playlist seem a bit lacklustre by comparison (perhaps it is soon time for some judicious weeding).

Inguinal nodes – another mystery term – these are lymph nodes which can be felt in the groin area in healthy people.

The video gives credit to the participants including Physician Assistant Vicki Scott, MHS, PS-C and Mr Allen J Chachula with copyright set at 2003 so twenty years ago. This gives credence to the comment above about the participants (together with some of the information found elsewhere on the Internet).

Some of the comments seem a bit nasty. This is a tiresome attribute of a number of videos I’ve looked at recently – be nice people. It is best probably to ignore comments if it is just to get to sleep. Some videos I notice hide all comments and judging by this are none the worse for it.

The videos I can find for Vicki include the above one.

This one:

Duke PA Program Complete Physical Exam PART ONE

Which is on channel Natural Massage. This is just a bit longer than twenty-five minutes which is a more usual length for edited ASMR videos (well those not involving looping in any case). It has the same title as the previous one but starts with an introduction that we did not see before. In essence it is substantially the same but including some parts missing from the previous video. Therefore, many of the prior comments remain valid. Despite the repetition I think I can include it in the playlist although it may suffer a future weeding effort as that list starts to get more unwieldy.

This one

ASMR Duke PA exam part 2 for night time

Which is effectively a black and white version. The channel is ASMR Clips. The content of course will be familiar it’s just a black and white version. It is just over twenty minutes long so if anything a better length than the previous two. However I’m debating the relevance of it given we have two previously which surely must be enough for the ASMR material we need. At the moment therefore I am not going to add this one to the playlist. Let me know if you disagree and I’ll add it in there.

This one

ASMR Duke PA exam part 1 for night time

Which is also in black and white and on the same channel as the above video. This one is twenty five minutes and by now I am really, really familiar with this material. There is nothing new here that I can perceive so this one will not be in the playlist either.

As you can see these are not even found on one channel and one set are simply black and white variants of the earlier (colour) videos.

Still it is helpful to know that there is some background to the video even if the originating organisation no longer host it.

In fact there are sufficient number of channels hosting this video that it must be something of an ASMR legend.

The Duke University school of medicine is here:

https://www.youtube.com/@dukemedschool

perhaps at some future point I will check it out for ASMR material.

I have not created a playlist for Vicki Scott – ostensibly there is just one video but in different edits.

However I have added the two colour videos to the overall playlist of videos covered so far on this blog, which is here:

if you liked this blog article why not subscribe to this blog.

Photo by Aleksandar Cvetanovic on Unsplash

Sleeping With ASMR

This one is a bit different in that the subject is chiropracty, (a subject I haven’t checked into before).

Hips, Legs, TMJ, Deviated Nasal Septum, Neck and Shoulder Pain- Dr. Rahim Chiropractic

The “patient” here – Daniela seems to be very fond of talking. It is not that restful – at least to start with. Dr Gonstead, the chiropractor here, is much calmer and easier to listen to.

“Dr. Rahim Gonstead Chiropractor” is the channel. Checking the whole channel has become the habit now. If I find one video I look to see if there is a greater resource worth mining. After all why just leave it to chance that I’ll find lots more ASMR videos in the future.

Perhaps if anything he is a little on the quiet side (probably only in contrast with “the patient” in this case though). Wait awhile though – it gets better. For example, later Daniela’s mother is talking and she has a great voice.

Examining this channel there are in excess of five hundred videos as at today’s date. I think they’re being used as a business promotion vehicle and so this may explain the sheer number. Still, I am very impressed.

There is no way I can feature that number of videos in a single blog post – I think the longest post so far was twenty three videos (and I felt that was a bit long). I’m sure that I can return to Dr Rahim in the future and pick up some of the other videos.

It turns out that Daniela – for that is the lady who is featured in the video above – has a playlist on this channel dedicated to her. This consists of eight videos which is a much more workable number. This first one is the longest. Some of the subsequent videos include chiropractic treatment which is not that pleasant to watch – I’m going to be exercising a strong censorship on such things. I’ll include them in this blog post though in case other people are still keen to view.

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes – Daniela

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4nw79kfDE25x__XIZk9-It2bMcNeCmm_ is the original playlist, it includes the above video and the following:

Hips, Legs, TMJ, Deviated Nasal Septum, Neck and Shoulder Pain – Part 2 – Dr. Rahim Chiropractic

Not sure about the intro music although it’s better than some of the Warwick Medical School Videos.

Dr Gonstead starts a little loud for me but it soon settles down. Daniela does not seem to talk as much, which is a bonus. Her mother really has a much better voice. Some of the thuds are a bit shocking but not so much that I want to delete it from the playlist. To be honest, the reactions are more disturbing than the joint noises in any case, best not to look.

Given how much pressure Dr Gonstead puts on at intervals I am somewhat relieved he is professionally qualified. It obviously looks more dramatic than it is and fortunately it sounds ok. If you’re of nervous disposition probably best to listen rather than watch.

I think the funky table/chair is fascinating although the motor powering it could sound a lot less like a power tool for me.

I’m not sure what the vibratory tool is he uses on Daniela’s jaw but it is zero on the ASMR scale as far as I am concerned.

I think I’m going to start excluding those where the vibratory tool is used from the playlist – I can’t see how anyone could sleep with that sounding.

Hips, Legs, TMJ, Deviated Nasal Septum, Neck and Shoulder Pain – Part 3- Dr. Rahim Chiropractic

This starts off with lovely, calm walking – nothing in the way of popping and crunching noises so a brief respite. I’m not sure if I’m being taken in but the “patient” here does seem to be progressing rather well.

Unfortunately, we get the vibrator tool again which is way too loud. And the motorised couch thing ditto. Outside of that I’d say this is excellent. Another one not to include in the playlist therefore.

Head Shoulders Knees and Toes, Mother gets adjusted also – Part 4 – Dr. Rahim Chiropractic

This is actually quite relaxing to start with. Perhaps because the sessions have been ongoing the relationship is more chilled, a lot less talking. This is the second longest video of the set. Perhaps it is because we have seen a few now but I am less disturbed by all the manipulations than at the start. (I still don’t like the motorised couch though).

More with the jaw vibration tool (which makes vacuum cleaning seem relaxing – I’d love to edit that bit out).

TMJ here is temporomandibular joint.

He also adjusts Daniela’s mother who has a great voice but a less good squeal. A great ASMR candidate if she didn’t make such loud noises on manipulation, once or twice I was sure she could wake the dead. (Not helped by extra vibratory tool application). Another one not to include in the playlist.

Daniela’s Back, Neck, TMJ, Deviated Nasal Septum, Elbow and Wrists HELPED – Dr. Rahim Chiropractic

Daniela is back to the chatty Daniela. It would seem that she and Mum did not keep a follow-up appointment and, as a consequence, things have reverted a little. The initial exam is great ASMR-wise. The manipulations are not that off-putting. Daniela is a little loud at intervals but the jaw vibration tool excludes this one from the playlist sadly.

Back, Knees, Ankles, Neck, TMJ and Arm PAINS HELPED *Round 2* Dr. Rahim Chiropractic,

It starts out as an explanation of Daniela’s condition (assisted by X-Rays) so this is not so much an exam. However, have patience – the exam proper follows that discussion. We still have the mobile table sounds and any number of joint pops. They probably work for someone – for me they’re just a distraction. Sadly, it’s back with the vibration machine and that is just so loud. Again, this video won’t be in the playlist

Daniela and Mom’s FINAL visit with Dr. Rahim Chiropractic

Nearly there, this has been a long post and an even longer time spent reviewing videos. It seems a heel lift is the answer, it’s just persuading the patient to use them. Nice quiet discussion at the start and it all seems so positive (if you’ve taken the time to trawl through the others).

I’m not sure if it’s tired eyes but to me the video seemed lower quality. But in practice I just get to listen to them and if you’re using them for sleep as well, I would guess that you’re in the same boat. This one is a bit vocal in places – more than even in previous videos. The result is that there are less chilled ASMR-style moments. In addition there is copious use of the vibratory tool – so good only if you skip past that. I’m not clear how you’re supposed to do that if you are half asleep.

I think the quality of the playlist is going to be the main appeal of this blog so if people find material in the playlist that they’d like excluding let me know and I’ll edit those videos out.

I may even start a process of doing this at intervals myself – quality being more important than quantity in my view.

Best Reactions to CrunchY CrAcks! Dr. Rahim Chiropractic

No No No No. Definitely not playlist materal.

So just one video makes it to the playlist so I will not create a new playlist for Dr Rahim Gonstead.

The overall playlist of items featured on this blog is here:

If you liked this blog article why not subscribe to this blog.

Photo by Eugene Chystiakov on Unsplash