Sound masking in open-plan spaces using natural sounds

A system for generating sound masking, comprising:

• a system for establishing acoustic criteria for the space that specifies minimum and maximum output levels at a set of specified frequencies;
• a system for mixing sound samples to create an audio output stream for use as sound masking when broadcast over at least one speaker using a power amplifier;
• and
• a system for processing the audio output stream, wherein the system for processing includes:
• a spectral analyzer that analyzes the audio output stream to determine if the minimum and maximum output levels at the set of specified frequencies are met;
• and
• an equalizer that level adjusts the audio output stream to ensure that the minimum and maximum output levels at the set of specified frequencies are met.

A computer program product stored on a computer readable storage medium, which when executed by a computing system, provides sound masking, comprising:

• program code for establishing acoustic criteria for the space that specifies minimum output levels at a set of specified frequencies;
• program code for mixing sound samples to create an audio output stream for use as sound masking when broadcast over at least one speaker using a power amplifier;
• and
• program code for processing the audio output stream, wherein the processing includes:
• program code that analyzes the audio output to determine if the minimum output levels at the set of specified frequencies are met;
• and
• program code that level adjusts the audio output to ensure that minimum output levels at the set of specified frequencies are met.