ChatterBlocker for Mac1.1.4

Outstanding app. Sure wish an update would occur.

This is the quintessential sound mask app for your working duties. Definitively worth the money. Highly recommended.

The link to the developer is now: http://chatterblocker.com/ And the current version number is 1.1.4, direct download link: http://chatterblocker.com/downloads/ChatterBlocker_Demo_1.1.4.dmg

I work at home and do a lot of writing. My housemates consist of several sometimes noisy adults and a couple of rambunctious kids. Chatterblocker allows me to maintain my sanity. I've also got Sonic Mood which is designed more for setting a peaceful, tranquil environment rather than blocking noise. Each has its own purpose and both work beautifully for their intended functions. Chatterblocker uses about 18 or 19% CPU and Sonic Mood uses about 22% which my Macbook Pro w/4 Gigs of RAM can handle with applomb, including while using other apps with CB or SM running in the background. And both come with stellar support. Both Chatterblocker and Sonic Mood have really enhanced the quality of my life.

Oh dear. I was a longtime fan of Sonic Mood. That is a very nice program with a lot of features, good customer support, and regular updates. I do recommend people look into it. At the same time, I was immensely impressed by ChatterBlocker from the moment I started it up. Although SM is nice in the background, CB literally put me in a more tranquil mood almost immediately. I was highly skeptical before trying it, but as some other reviewers here have also pointed out, it has a nice user interface and good options to work with. I bought a license this morning. The sounds and the ease of use were the selling points for me. I hate to knock it, but SM's instruction manual is very lengthy and almost menacing. CB is a lot more straightforward. I simply don't have either the time or inclination to wade through an instruction manual.

I've just tried the demo and it works. I have to say that the background is nice and I really started to think why not to buy this. But then I noticed that after selecting (mixing) two simple soundtracks and two or three effects this app takes more then 12 percent of my cpu. Choosing one soundtrack and one effect is ok, takes about 5-6%, but mixing more takes much more power of your cpu, 12, 15, 20, 25 and even more. 5%, or at least less then 10 is ok for me, but no more :( That's why I'm giving only 3/5 in overall - I found it useful, but it eats too much my cpu

I compared ChatterBlocker with SonicMood. Both are similar, yet offer different experiences. Under MUPromo, bith were the same price. I chose ChatterBlocker because it gave me a little more choice to single out the sounds I wanted, rather than a melange. ChatterBlocker also allows the choice of combined sounds, maybe not quite the range, as well as instruments, and respective volumes for each. Working in home office, I doubt I will use the voice chatter, but I can see how for corporate settings this would be good. I have to contend with 50,000 HP mach leaf blowers, and endless neighborhood barking that make me feel like I am living in a dog pound. Uh-Oh - there goes another screaming leafblower. Time to scream out the window "Use a ***** rake!", or simply up the master volume on ChatterBlocker. ChatterBlocker masks most of this and saves my sanity!

LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT! It helped me through 2 weeks on a critical project in a chatty office environment. It's surprisingly customizable, making it worth more than the standard NATURE SOUNDS CDs or other meditational music. I showed my wife, and she fell in love with the CONCENTRATION music setting coupled with the CYPRUS GOATS sound effect. There is a little something for everyone. I hope they continue to update the program with additional sounds. OR even if they offered an expansion pack of sounds to buy, that would be great! I've got it running right now: the Voice, Music, Nature Sounds 2 setting is the one that helps me through the day!

Hmmm...I installed the version I just purchased and when I tried to use it it said that it needed to be reinstalled. Have asked The Sound Guy for help.

I had never considered this kind of application before. I think I'll go ahead and buy it.

I dont know... how is this different than Pzizz?

I bought this application a few minutes after its first try. Sounds are crystal clear and its commands are very handy and intuitive. This allows customizing new sound combinations a snap. You can then use a program like "Audio Hijack" to make your personal audio CDs and enjoy your relaxation ambient even when you are not at your computer. Of course there's room for some improvements in the future but it's very reliable even as it is.

You know, this may be just what I need (using headphones) to help me focus on my work, wihtout having to force other poepl into relative silence. Will definitely check this out.

Works great in our office, where there are often people using the phone in a nearby cube while I'm trying to concentrate on programming.

Okay now, I purchased a license, and as others have stated you are allocated more sound selections including a hilarious one or two. Since turnabout is fair play my wife has stated that there is no Voice selection for: Incessant Apple-motorcycle-car-droning-because-I’ve-had-enough-already. Oh well. Sure wish when I click the close button it would not simply close ChatterBlocker, but rather simply close the window.

Construction in the building--what more can I say! Can't wait to give this one a try!

Strangest tool I've ever seen. But its just perfect. Never believed that it could work. Perfect!

I does replace noise with other noise? Not sure if I’m going for this one.

This is a very well-designed and useful item of software that is good especially in keeping unwanted comments from your roomie disturbing you while you try to work - or play games. AviP

What a great idea!

An interesting idea but not real practical for my laptop.

I'm not sure about it, I think I'll have to try it a bit more...

I need this!

Hopefully this will help my ADHD and distractions. Has potential. I believe I will use the demo as a trial to see if it helps or drives me bonkers.

This seems really great. Too bad it doesn't seem to work on the windoz side as my wife could really use it in her noisy office.....

Sounds like a great solution for those like me who do a lot of laptop work in cafes.

I've tested this for just a few minutes now and love it. I think it will really help me stay focused on my projects(and not be distracted by OTHERS wandering though my studio, please god!)

How is this any different than playing your own music?

Looking forward to getting more focused. Hopefully this will help....

This would be great to have! I'm often forced to do work in our tiny apartment with both cats and wife making distractions!

I have used an earlier "soundscaper" and found it useful. I think I will try the demo of this to see if it helps me concentrate also.

I tried it. The best thing is that it does not require a headphone necessarily, as what most noise-cancellation things do.

I tried this out the first time I saw it on MacUpdate and was very impressed with how effective it was.

Very unusual. Could be a good companion to Pzizz, another incredible sound app.

I tried it and liked it. I think I will also use it when going to sleep.

Some really excellent amibient sounds, here. Masks annoying backround sound/noise quite effectively. And easy to use, too. I WILL go for this one! For the last word in truly HEAVENLY mellifluous ambient sound, there's SonicMood, also available here at MU, which I've been using, blissfully, for some time.

please let this work when my mother in law comes over!

Great concept!

I'd love to try this but am totally put off by this application needing a pkg installer.

I have downloaded demo... it works... works very good

Being in a small office with one other person who often has to be on the phone... Chatterblocker literally saved the relationship and enabled me to keep working on my book regardless what's happening around me.

I think, this is a very usefull app. The noise in our office is terrible, I'll give it a try!

This is a great way to make people know about great softwares. Thanks!

Demoing this one just from the positive comments.

I prefer the "force other people to maintain relative silence" ;-)

This sounds like a fantastic piece of software that I would never have found without MU!

I'll have to check this out. My workplace (bedroom) is not that noisy, but it has it's moments.

Although iSerenity.com and www.blackholemedia.com/noise/ are cheaper, ChatterBlocker may be a good complement to Pzizz and Ocean Waves.

Interesting sale today.

Why does the installer need root privs? That seems to be overkill for a program that plays sounds...

Sounds good, and it is noisy where i work so will give it a try.

I just bought this after 10 minutes of testing and i can recommend it. Useful, easy to use and produces interesting soundscapes. The full version has much more sound effects and music loops than the demo!

Well until noise cancellation this will be a good second place

Maybe it's just me being ADD, but this software is an almost perfect example of how my head feels when I'm feeeling overwhelmed and can't focus: A multitude of chatter, noise, that makes it all but impossible to work. Same goes for white/pink noise machines. How can people stand that? I much prefer music or silence. To me, noise is noise. I understand the concepts behind chatterblocker, it's just that they don't work for me. But hey, that's just more proof that the ADD brain is different;-) F451 > ;-) Timbo13 > This software sounds just as annoying as a bunch of chinese people chatting. Believe me, I've tried both the software and working in a room full of fellow chinese exchange students;-) Both are very distracting...

First try show that's it's relaxing. I will certainly try more

Interesting!

lol. I work in a noisy Chinese office and don't speak much Chinese... I'm wondering what kind of effect this would have for me.

This software is a blast. I once sat up in a hotel developing "white noise" loops to drown out noisy neighbors. This is much more fun and much quicker. Great for travelers.

Oh wow, this is a must for open plan offices!

Three words: noise cancellation headphones. Sheesh.

MU promo..thanks! I'm the winner :) and this is the second time.. I love this site, thanks a lot

wow, finally I got my forgotten app!

sounds nice but wonder if it will annoy or interfere with others in the office.

I hope this works...

This looks like a fantastic app and I can't wait to try it out. If it works as good as described, then I'll be snapping up this Promo deal later today!

looks very useful- i think i will test this app

Perhaps, perhaps I could get this app. Studying in my dorm is damn difficult sometimes. Yelling, talking, music, and games can be distracting. Anything like this would be extremely helpful.

You know, this may be just what I need (using headphones) to help me focus on my work, wihtout having to force other poepl into relative silence. Will definitely check this out.

I would love to have something like this that really works.

Nowhere in the Advanced section does it have a Voice selection: Sister-in-law who cackles above 100 decibels at a fever pitch when around her sister (my wife)...but I'll give it a try anyway.

Intriguing approach to 'psychoacoustics'. I think this might be useful for combating writer's block and so forth, but I also am skeptical of new age approaches to environment like this. Would I only be adding to the noise pollution by playing this in public? In any case, maybe it's worth a try; to each his own. The options here for customizing sounds to fit the environment are its biggest draw.

I could really use this. I've wanted an app like this for a while. question is, do I have the money?

"I was told I could listen to the radio at a reasonable volume from the hours of 10 to 11.."

Hahaha, wonderful!

I use this software at the office and it is great for toning down noise from people talking, construction, and other distractions. The registered version has some extra goodies as well, like a few meditation tracks, which is nice. I also like the Ocean Waves app listed on MU. For a simulation of waves, it's very effective.

Where does MU find this stuff?

Interesting idea. I am also curious as to what it's like...

I'm curious as to how this works. I could use it a lot of times.

Sound extreme useful to me. I must go try it in my current noisy client office.

How would this work??

I can hardly wait to demo this at work! If it does what it claims, it may be worth a zillion, trillion dollars!

Sounds like an interesting idea, a mallet over the other persons head might be more effective but this is probably safer :)

I have this and use it at the office often. The registered version allows for some extra tracks, a few guided meditation tracks. This is a nice little piece of software. I also use OceanWaves, which helps as well.

sounds interesting....

Love this little app. It's simple, but does the job. Creating relaxing background noise. There was something similar called 'Forrest' years ago. But this is more stable, and has more features.