The Swan by Bob Burns

Title: The Swan

Author: Bob Burns

Format: DVD

Source: http://lifelinehypnotherapy.com/The-Swan(2875521).htm

Price: 29 Great British Pounds (roughly US$46 at the time of this review)

Rating: Good

Last month, I had the pleasure of taking a group of people who'd never done street hypnosis, training them to the best of my ability, and then taking them to the streets to practice with complete strangers. Now, when you're doing that, sometimes you get the person who excitedly runs over to your chair, shouting, "Do me! Do me!" More often, you get someone who is a little unsure of the whole premise. They are not sure whether to be scared of your power or doubtful of your claims. Oddly enough, that happens sometimes in the office just as it does on the street. In fact, one reason to do street hypnosis is to keep those skills sharp for when you need them in the office.

In that situation, you need an ice-breaker, what Anthony Jacquin calls a "set piece"—a bit of interaction that doesn't resemble stereotypical hypnosis, but which can get your foot in the door. It's important that a set-piece be fun—something that can be undertaken as a game, with no expectation—but also something that will be amazing to your volunteer. It serves to give you information about where the client is, while also giving you time to establish and build rapport. Most importantly, a good set piece gives you that "hypnotic wedge," that bit of leverage you'll use to develop effective hypnosis.

So what's going to help you when you need a good set piece?

Enter The Swan.

I won't give away the procedure, but suffice it to say that Bob Burn's Swan is an excellent set-piece that allows you to develop dissociation conversationally, thus facilitating an easier hypnotic interaction for the rest of the session or demo.

Perhaps because the phenomenon is elicited conversationally, eyes-open, and definitely without trance, Bob Burns asserts that it is in no way hypnosis. To his credit, he says that some people will disagree with him. Of course, whether The Swan is hypnosis or not depends entirely on your definition of hypnosis. That's a can of worms Burns wisely side-steps on the video, and I'll be side-stepping it here as well.

The process is presented in a well-made video with good production values. The first few minutes are just Bob Burns in front of a green screen giving a brief explanation of hypnosis, and the rest of the video switches between his green screen explanations and video of him performing the process with various volunteers. Though the DVD is only about half an hour long, the process is explained and taught thoroughly and clearly. After just one viewing, I felt ready to go out and play with it.

I also tried it out on myself. It's a funny situation to realize that your arm has become dissociated to the degree that it's not responding to your suggestion to re-associate. Needless to say, it did come back—but that made me realize just how effective this technique can be.

Now, having read a few online comments about The Swan before I watched the DVD, I was expecting something earth-shattering that would change everything about how I use hypnosis forever. Well, I suppose that some reviewers may have found it to be that, or perhaps they can be forgiven for hyperbole.

I won't say that The Swan is the best thing since sliced bread, but I will say it's a solid and elegant technique that definitely belongs in any hypnotist's tool box, alongside such standards as the lemon test, magnetic fingers, buckets and balloons, postural sway, and Chevreul's pendulum. Just as each of those has its own special virtues, The Swan has a special niche in the hypnotist's repertoire and an important role to play in any hypnotic interaction.

Bob Burns is offering the DVDs at a very reasonable price, so I see no reason any hypnosis practitioner should hold back. Order yours today!

Full Disclosure:

Kelley Woods was kind enough to send me a review copy of The Swan; to the best of my knowledge, Bob Burns is not aware that she did that.

Usually in Full Disclosure, I have to mention that I am friends with the author, but this time that's not the case. Readers of HypnoThoughts may be aware that Burns and I have interacted online, but anyone who has read his comments concerning my intelligence and character will realize that we are not friends.

I do not believe that our online interactions have biased this review in any way.

UPDATE:

After posting this review, I decided to try out The Swan with my next several clients, and I was quite pleased with how easy it is to implement and how well it works.

One reader of the review asked if an American viewer would have any trouble understanding Burns' Scottish accent in the video. I found it quite clear and intelligible.

Also, Bob Burns read this review, and he was so amused by the full disclosure statement that it is no longer accurate; we've shared apologies and re-discovered mutual respect and admiration. 

MicroBeatMini

Title: MicroBeatMini, the Ultimate All-in-One AudioStrobe Light & Sound Mind Machine

Author: Innovex

Format: Audiostrobe decoder / L&S Machine

Source: www.microbeatmini.com

Price: $299

Rating: good

The MicroBeatMini (mBm) is a fascinating innovation in the world of audio-visual stimulation machines. All other "mind machines" have consisted of goggles, headphones, and a box they plug into—the box being the brains of the operation, the part that allowed you to select various brainwave frequencies or programs to experience. As an add-on to the typical pre-loaded programs, most L&S machines can serve as AudioStrobe decoders, allowing them to take any AudioStrobe mp3 or CD signal introduced through an auxiliary port and output the necessary sound and light signals. (If you're not clear about what AudioStrobe is, you can read about it here.)

The mBm cuts out the middleman: rather than generating and storing its own BWE programs, it just serves as an AudioStrobe decoder, plain and simple. Here's how it works:

You play an AudioStrobe file on your computer, CD player, or mp3 player. (Be sure it's at 320 bit rate—the highest quality.) Instead of plugging in head phones or speakers, you plug in the MicroBeatMini. (It looks like a pair of space-age super goggles that would be at home on one of the X-men.) Then you plug in the head phones to the goggles. Thus, it's entirely an output device, but it's also a completely self-contained unit that you wear on your face.

In keeping with that economy of design, all the controls are right there on the goggles: audio volume controls, a brightness button, and a "mode" button that switches the lighting between green, red, white, and any combination thereof. That's right—unlike the older photic goggles, which came in one color each, the mBm has a total of sixteen (16!) LEDs implanted in a mirrored, concave surface, for an unprecedented light show. So by dropping the pre-loaded content, mBm was able to really step up the quality of photic stimulation.

One of my favorite things about the mBm is the flexibility in the audio output. In keeping with its all-in-one theme, the mBm comes with a pair of discrete ear buds that can actually be stored in the goggles unit. No more fighting the inevitable cord tangle that comes with every other L&S machine I've ever used! For those who don't like ear buds, there is a head phone jack, and the mBm comes with a pair of light-duty Koss head phones that blow away the bargain basement head phones shipped with some mind machines. Of course, audiophiles might prefer even fancier headphones, like these.

Another nice accessory is the removable rubber shield that prevents bleed-over. As with the Laxman, this keeps the flashing lights from annoying my wife if I feel like using the MicroBeatMini in bed at night. For those who find the rubber a bit humid, the shield is easy to remove and re-install.

The MicroBeatMini runs on internal rechargeable batteries, much like an iPod; in fact it recharges with a USB cord that shares a port with the data input. It can take up to two hours to fully recharge. Having no on/off switch and no power saver mode, it loses power any time the input cord is attached. This arrangement has two disadvantages. First off, you can be either recharging it or using it; because both cords use the same port, it can't recharge while in use. Second, you can't store it with the input cord plugged in. Now, if you're a very organized person who always disassembles the unit and puts all of the cords back in the carrying case each time, that is not a problem. (By the way, the mBm comes with an excellent carrying case, complete with side pockets, that easily fits the unit, all the accessories, and the manual.) However, if you're like certain people I know who are genetically incapable of remembering to unplug a machine or stow the cords, this set-up is disastrous, especially when you consider that some of the necessary cords are not exactly available at your corner electronics store. So I'd say that aspect is my least favorite element of the mBm.

Although the mBm cannot come with any preset programming, the package does include a complimentary AudioStrobe sampler CD with some very enjoyable tracks. Now, if you rip that CD to mp3s, remember to do it at top quality (320 bit rate), or the photic signal won't come through, and you'll be wondering why the heck your machine isn't working. You'll also get a chance to discover, as I did, how polite and helpful the mBm customer service folks are.

Of course, the sampler CD is just the beginning. There are plenty of AudioStrobe recordings out there, and you can even get software to create your own (as I will discuss in upcoming reviews). There are also smart phone apps that will interact with your AudioStrobe device.

As a personal-use device, the MicroBeatMini is elegant and self-contained. Yes, it relies on an audio output device, such as a computer, phone, tablet, or CD/mp3 player, that must be purchased separately, but seriously, who doesn't have something like that these days?

As a device to use with clients, the mBm has a few minor most drawbacks, notably that it cannot charge while in use and must be disconnected while not in use. Fumbling with electronics during a session does not make the best impression on clients. On the other hand, operation during a session is simple—just hit play on your iPod.

My favorite use for the mBm is in conjunction with computer software packages such as Mind Workstation (which I will review in an upcoming post). It plugs right into the head phone jack on my PC, making it ideal for working software.

So, all-in-all, compact, efficient design combined with unprecedented photic quality make the MicroBeatMini a great product for the price.

FULL DISCLOSURE: The makers of MicroBeatMini were kind enough to provide me with a unit to review.

Laxman Light & Sound Machine

Title: Laxman "Innertainment" System

Author: Neurotronics

Source: http://www.marksgs.com/ (in the U.S.)

http://www.neurotronics.eu (in Europe)

Price: around $600 to $650

Rating: Excellent

The Laxman is the first of several L&S machines I'll be reviewing. Each one has its strengths and weaknesses. If you're unclear on what L&S machines do or what they are, please read this introduction.

The name of the Laxman is—I'm guessing here—a combination of "relax" and "walkman" (as in the original personal tape player, the predecessor of the iPod). In format, it's not unlike an over-sized iPod with goggles in addition to ear buds. Made in Germany, the chrome-and-white-plastic device has Apple-inspired styling; it is without a doubt the L&S machine most likely to be mistaken for a fashion accessory. This is a step forward aesthetically from the older mind machines, some of which look like Commodore computer accessories meant to withstand a plane crash and others of which resemble, well, um, a walkman straight out of 1985.

The goggles are also different from those of the past. Most mind machine goggles resemble cheap sunglasses with LEDs glued inside. The Laxman goggles, which rely on the Ganzfeld effect and can be used eyes-open or eyes-closed, resemble swim goggles, complete with a rubber shield. The great thing about this is there's no bleed over from the flashing lights to annoy your spouse in bed. In fact, the Laxman is pretty much the only L&S machine my wife has been willing to try out, so perhaps all that fancy styling is worth it, despite the fact that almost no one walks around wearing an brainwave tuner.

Ultimately, though, what matters most is how the machine works, and fortunately, the Laxman delivers a lot of functionality. It comes loaded with a number of ready-made sessions that are full-on experiences with beautiful lights in a whole rainbow of colors, bwe tones, nature sounds, and ambient music. Some have themes like a walk on the beach while others are more abstract. You can also download additional sessions for free or for pay, including Audiostrobe sessions and even hypnosis sessions with suggestions in English or French. If creating your own experiences appeals to you, you can program frequencies with the device interface or design a whole experience by using the free LaxEdit software. (More on that software later.) Finally, the device can serve as a stand-alone mp3 player (with an internal SD card, like your smart phone) or accept an auxiliary audio input. This is great if you want to add brain entrainment to your favorite hypnosis recordings, guided meditations, language lessons, or even audio books. The device runs on two AA batteries or USB/DC power, though the process for running on external power is unnecessarily arcane.

Belying the device's Apple-esque styling, the interface is fairly old school, reminding me of the hand-held video games of my youth. To be honest, I prefer that to Apple's iPod wheel interface, which seems to never do what I want anyway. Separate buttons turn the Laxman on and off; provide navigation, selection, play, and pause; and control volume, brightness, and contrast. The interface is simple enough that you can easily learn to operate the basics without seeing the buttons, an important feature in a device meant to be used while you're wearing goggles!

So, to sum up the plusses and minuses of the Laxman, both as a personal device and as an accessory in the hypnotist's office:

On the plus side:

The light shows are beautiful. The Ganzfeld goggles provide perhaps the best-looking photic stimulation I've experienced; a full rainbow of color versus the older machines that boasted a single color frequency. As mentioned before, the swim-goggle styling with the rubber seals make you look a lot less scary while using them.

The pre-loaded sessions are, for the most part, really well done. (I didn't care for the one that's all didgeridoo noises, but to each his own.)

The device is very versatile and easily adaptable.

It uses regular batteries, so you don't have to sit around waiting for it to charge when you need to do a session. On the flip side, the external power requires a slightly odd sequence to connect it, making it harder to use during a client session.

On the minus side:

The carrying container, though sturdy and attractive, is too small to hold the manual, which means I promptly lost the book. Fortunately, it's downloadable.

The manual, though clear and concise, was translated into English by someone who didn't speak English. It could have used an edit by a native speaker.

It comes with ear buds, rather than head phones. Any true audiophile will have some good head phones (like these), and of course, for sanitary reasons you'll want to use head phones, not ear buds, with your clients.

Unlike every other L&S device I've used, the Laxman provides no easy way to hook up multiple goggles so that several clients can enjoy the benefits at once. (Most other goggles use a 3.5 mm jack, like head phones, so splitters are easily attainable.)

The LaxEdit software proved problematic for me. It was not intuitive to use and crashed repeatedly when I was trying it. I quickly became too frustrated to bother with it, which is too bad because I would love to create custom sessions for myself or my clients.

Ultimately, most of the disadvantages of the Laxman are minor annoyances, vastly outweighed by the delightful excellence of the audio-visual experience. Of all the L&S machines I've tried, the Laxman is the one I keep by my bed for personal use and take with me when I travel.

In the introduction to brainwave entrainment, I wrote that my first introduction to these devices came with the suggestion that they produce profound, drug-like experiences. I must admit that has only happened for me once, and it was with the Laxman. Though I can't say for certain that it was like a drug-induced hallucinatory trip—as I'm possibly the only member of my generation who has never done illicit drugs—I can't help but think that what the Laxman did for me must be awfully close to a great LSD trip, without all the scary side-effects.

In short, the Laxman definitely gets the thumbs-up from me. In fact, I'm going to stop typing now and go on an "innertainment" adventure right now.


Full Disclosure: The American representative for this product was kind enough to provide me with a review model to evaluate.

What is Brainwave Entrainment, and Does It Really Have Anything to Do with Hypnosis? A Brief Introduction

I still remember vividly that day in the early 90s when a student in the college freshman composition class I was teaching came by my office and said, "Sir, you've got to try this. It makes you feel like you're on drugs without any side-effects."

He handed me a little vinyl bag containing some headphones, some funny-looking goggles, a box full of electronic circuitry, and a power cord. Curious as to what it would feel like to do recreational drugs—something I've always avoided because I've observed the damage addiction can cause—I hooked it all up, turned it on, and put on the blinky-light goggles and the headphones.

About forty-five minutes later, I took them off, profoundly disappointed that I really didn't feel much of anything. The lights had seemed an awful lot like what I see when I stare at the inside of my eyelids anyway.

That was my first encounter with Brainwave Entrainment.

Now, the idea behind BWE is that by modifying our brainwaves, we can enter into different states of consciousness that may be beneficial to us. I won't go into great detail here because there is a lot of information on this topic on the web, and I'd rather let you learn about it from experts than from me.

After the electro-encephalogram (EEG) was invented in the early twentieth century, scientists were able to measure brain waves, and they began to categorize the waves numerically. Beta waves, associated with normal waking awareness, fluctuate from 13 to 40 Hz. Alpha waves, associated with visualization, relaxation, and creativity, range from 7 to 12 Hz. Theta waves, said to indicate meditation, are a bit lower on the scale, 4 to 7 Hz. Below 4 Hz lies the Delta brainwave state, associated with deep sleep. Highly agitated states are said to be associated with the over-40 Hz Gamma waves.

The theory behind light and sound machines (i.e. the headphones and the blinky goggles) and BWE audio recordings is that by flashing lights or playing tones at certain frequencies, the machines induce your brainwaves to synchronize with the input, thus causing states of relaxation, meditation, or even sleep. Advocates often trumpet brainwave entrainment as a way to get the benefits of meditation without the years of practice; teenagers caused a big scare a few years ago by claiming that mp3s with entrainment tones could simulate the effects of various drugs, a practice called "i-dosing." Quite a few hypnotists include entrainment tones in their recordings or live sessions because it is simple to do, and the worst case scenario is that they have no added benefit.

Now, an awful lot of hypnosis books like to start with a discussion of brainwave states, often with very scientific looking charts, because it makes what we do appear more exact and scientific. Many want to associate hypnotic trance with the Alpha or Theta states. However, as has been pointed out by some critics, a client having an abreaction or a stage volunteer dancing may very well be experiencing Gamma waves or other brain wave frequencies. Ultimately, beyond a little scientific window-dressing, measurable brainwave states are really not an integral part of most hypnotherapy.

Ultimately, I find that L&S machines are far from being necessary in my practice. Nonetheless, I've encountered the rare client who says, "The only thing that ever got me in hypnosis is one of those machines." Rather than argue definitions of hypnosis with the client, I give them the hypnosis they want, the hypnosis that works best for them. I also find that I enjoy using L&S machines, even if I'm not convinced that they always do what they claim. (I'd love to put them on someone wearing a brain scanner and just read the results to see how well they match.) In fact, I often find that an L&S machine, even one set for deep trance, can keep me in a light, focused trance state that is ideal for self-hypnosis and shamanic trancing; of course, beating on a shaman drum while trancing has the same effect on me.

Because the next few reviews are going to discuss brainwave entrainment technology, both hardware and software, I want to take the rest of this article to just cover a little bit of terminology.

Binaural beats, monaural beats, and isochronic tones are all different forms of auditory entrainment. Detailed and technical descriptions are easily available on the Internet.

Audiostrobe is another term that will come up. Most L&S machines can read an Audiostrobe file—it is essentially a uniform protocol that allows machines made by different companies to reproduce the same (or very similar) light shows along with identical music and BWE tones, much the way that any CD player can play any CD, or any mp3 player can play any mp3, even if the CD or the mp3 were not produced by the same company as the player.

Now, the reason Audiostrobe works is actually pretty simple. The video information is encoded as a sound at a supersonic frequency; in other words, it's too high-pitched for the human ear to hear, kind of like a dog whistle. However, any Audiostrobe-ready L&S machine can "hear" the tone and "play" it as flashing lights in the goggles. In order for the video programming to come through, the mp3 must be created at top fidelity.

Now, this format would be the basis for a whole new art form, except that the creators of Audiostrobe want a big slice of licensing pie any time someone uses their idea, and creators of software for Audiostrobe design also want hefty licensing fees. Industry insiders informed recently that a court ruling determined that anyone can use the idea and the technology; only the use of the term Audiostrobe requires licensing. Of course, a little searching on the Internet will turn up information on how to create your own license-free video programming for any device that is Audiostrobe ready, but it's not an easy process. More on that in a later article.

And that's about as technical as I want to get. Stay tuned for reviews of some really fun hardware and software for brainwave entrainment.

Zoom Q3HD--A Great Camcorder for the Bootstrapping Hypnotist

Product: Q3HD

Company: Zoom

Category: camcorder

Source: Amazon

Price: around $300 plus accessories

Rating: Good

Being able to record video is important for the modern hypnosis practitioner for a number of reasons. First off, marketing: You want to be able to film short advertisement and instructional videos, put them on YouTube, and embed them in your website. Second, security: A lot of practitioners today record every session for security purposes, so that there is a record of what happened. Finally, fun: If you do any street hypnosis, stage shows, or educational talks, you want to be able to record what happened.

For all of these purposes, the Zoom Q3HD video recorder fits the bill as an excellent, affordable camcorder.

The Zoom brand is built for musicians, so the optics, while okay, are not the main focus of the Q3. It's really the microphones and audio recording quality that make the Q3 HD shine, both for the intended market (musicians) and our market (hypnotists).

Ask any street hypnotist what the biggest complaint about their videos is and they'll all say, "People want to be able to hear what I'm saying." That's why the Zoom camcorder is ideal for hypnotists.

It's small and portable, just a bit bigger than your smart phone. It's unobtrusive in an audience or office, and it's easy slip out and use for street hypnosis. (The one disadvantage for street work is that it doesn't look like a camcorder, so you don't get the effect of having a camera crew following you around, which can enhance your credibility and make volunteers more compliant.)

The Q3HD runs on batteries or AC power. Unfortunately, the AC adapter is not part of the standard issue; it comes with the accessory pack, though it can be purchased separately on eBay for about $10.

The camcorder comes with 128 mb of onboard memory and 2-Gig SD card to insert in the memory card slot. Both are really jokes when you consider how big video files are, though the 2-Gig card contains the necessary software. The unit will accept up to a 32-Gig card, which will hold between 7 and 17 hours of video, depending on what quality you pick. You'll probably want a multi-terabyte external hard drive to store your video, especially if you are recording client sessions.

(Note that your state may have laws about filming clients. You should always get consent before filming. Be sure to practice ethically and legally.)

Video files can be transferred to permanent storage in several ways, including a removable card or a USB connection. The videos are in QuickTime format, so you will probably want to download AVC (Any VideoConverter), a free video format converter.

So, if you are a bootstrapping hypnotist who wants the advantages that video can give you, the Zoom Q3HD is an affordable way to enter the world of video.

Full Disclosure: The Zoom company did not provide me with a product to review.

Sweet Fruit from the Bitter Tree by Mark Andreas

Title: Sweet Fruit from the Bitter Tree: 61 Stories of Creative & Compassionate Ways out of Conflict

Author: Mark Andreas

Format: Softcover Book (available for Kindle)

Source: http://amzn.to/MsEZKR

Price: $9 to $20

Rating: Excellent

One of the popular presuppositions of NLP states that "the person with the most flexibility controls the system."

Mark Andreas's new book, Sweet Fruit from the Bitter Tree: 61 Stories of Creative & Compassionate Ways out of Conflict, could be considered 61 stories that illustrate that point.

The subtitle summarizes this book beautifully. It's all accounts of ways that people handled conflict without resorting to force or violence.

Some of the tales are hilarious, others deeply moving. They come from a variety of sources. Some were collected by Mark Andreas himself while others are reprints from other publications. Cumulatively, they serve a fascinating function; people who read these stories will inevitably start thinking about more creative ways to approach conflict in their own lives. Similarly, the stories can't help but foster a desire for compassion.

The author does not interject himself much, mostly letting the tales stand on their own. Nonetheless, by nature of having been raised within the NLP community, Mark Andreas's collection includes stories from some of the big names in that tradition, and several of the tales illustrate applications of NLP principles.

Even so, the variety keeps the reader hooked. On one page there may be a brief tale of someone cleverly diverting muggers in Glasgow, but on the next starts a lengthy account of how microlending is actually counteracting poverty. Some stories are as short as a paragraph, while other are full article length. Most of them bear re-reading.

A number of the stories mention faith as an important element in creativity and compassion—yet the book is not weighted in favor of any one religion. It shows that whether people are turning to Shiva, Christ, Allah, Yahweh, or their own intuition, there is strength in silence, courage in compassion.

This book makes for an entertaining read, but it's also an excellent resource of stories to tell clients and groups. It belongs on any hypnotist's bookshelf.

Headphone Review: VocoPro HP200

Item: HP200 Headphones

Company: VocoPro

Source: www.VocoPro.com

Price: $80

Rating: Excellent

When I acquired my VocoPro Hero-Rec Basic system, I knew I would need some good headphones to use with it, so I decided to review VocoPro's HP200 Headphones.

When I first tried them out, my initial thought was "Wow, the sound is incredibly clear." Then the bass kicked in, and I did apply a little equalization to pull some of it out. Still, I was simply thrilled with the clarity and quality.

These are not truly "over-the-ear" headphones, but they nonetheless provided excellent isolation. While listening to music, I was quite oblivious that my wife was walking around behind me, calling my name, and trying to get my attention for a list of honey-do's. I know they're good headphones if my wife hates them.

And that was at 30% volume!

In addition to great sound and sturdy construction, the VocoPro HP200 features interchangeable cords: one cord has a stretching spiral shaped (like the old phone cords), while the other sports an inline volume control. Either of the cords works with the custom 1/8" female to 1/4" male adapter, providing you with lots of flexibility.

I love putting these headphones on my head for a session, or putting them on my client's head and knowing that my customer is getting a top-notch audio experience.

The VocoPro Hero-Rec Basic--Most of my Audio Wish List in One Machine

Item: Hero-Rec Basic

Company: VocoPro

Format: karaoke machine

Source: http://www.vocopro.com/

Price: $800 msrp--may find it for less elsewhere

Rating: Good

In my last review, I discussed SHARM, an excellent piece of software I plan to use in all of my upcoming recordings, so today I'd like to shift gears and talk about my favorite hardware solution to a hypnosis office's sound equipment needs: the VocoPro Hero-Rec Basic.

Now, technically, the only sound equipment a hypnotist needs is a voice. However, for a deluxe office, it's nice to have equipment that will do the following:

provide background music

mix your voice in with the background music

enhance your voice

output that mix either through the air and through headphones

record the session in real time for reinforcement

deliver the recorded session as either an mp3 or a CD

Before I got the VocoPro, I cobbled together a system that could do all of that, basically out of spare parts, used outdated equipment, and extra gear from my music career. I might someday write an article on how to do that—it works if you're patient, willing to buy a little here and there to build up, and like to tinker with tangles of wires and so on. Or you can get it all (or nearly all) in the VocoPro Hero-Rec.

Now, over in Britain, companies like Hypnoke and Hypnocom have made systems specifically designed for hypnotists, and I applaud them for it. Unfortunately, import/export laws make it nearly impossible for either of those companies to ship their products to the United States—so instead, we use a karaoke machine.

That's right—a high-end karaoke machine like the ones made by VocoPro will do nearly everything a hypnotist needs, and it does it really well. Let's take those points one at a time:

First, you probably want some soothing background music. The Hero-Rec lets you play your music from any one of many sources: it has a disc player for CD or DVD; an eight-inch stereo input for an iPod, Zune, or laptop; a USB slot for a thumb drive; and an SD slot in case you use a card. Heck, you probably won't need to, but you can run a TV set through the VocoPro or use it as an FM radio (nice if you like to listen to NPR between clients). My preference is to put the music I want on a USB thumb drive and set it on repeat.

Second, you want to be able to mix your voice in with the music. The Hero-Rec Basic is more than equipped for this, with four input channels that are hybrids to accept either quarter-inch or XLR inputs. (Think guitar cords or mic cords.) The Hero-Rec comes with two wired, hand-held microphones to plug right in, and they are actually pretty good sounding mics. Fancier units come with wireless mics and built-in receivers.

(Personally, I don't like using a hand-held microphone during a session. I get tired of holding it or of staying close to it if it's in a mic stand. So I use the wireless headset I have for music gigs. Still, if I didn't have that, I wouldn't hesitate to use the Hero-Rec mics. They're that good.)

Third, you want to enhance your voice just a bit. Because Hero-Rec caters to the karaoke market, the reverb and delay in the unit are well done, with plenty of editable parameters. You can of course leave off the effect and just use your voice's dry signal if you prefer. Personally, I enjoy that "Voice of the Almighty" sound that the effects provide.

Fourth, if you're like me, you want to be able to play background music during the intake and then have the voice/music mix playing through two pairs of headphones: one set for your client and one set for you. Well, the Hero-Rec Basic has both modes. A powerful speaker provides playback, but you also have an eighth-inch headphone out jack. (You will need your own signal splitter.)

Of course, now that you are sounding so smooth and professional in your client's headphones, you may want to record the session for your client to take home as reinforcement. Once again, the Hero-Rec Basic has you covered, providing one-button recording to an SD card.

The fifth and final step is to deliver that session recording to your client, and this is where you'll need something besides the VocoPro machine. Okay, sure, you could keep a supply of really small SD cards bought on clearance and just record each client session to a new card, but more realistically, you'll want to take the SD card over to your computer to either upload the mp3 for your client or to burn a CD of the session. There's just not much way around this.

Another bonus feature of the Hero-Rec is that if you need a PA system for a show or public presentation, you have an easily portable but very powerful one right there. It even comes with a remote control for operation from stage.

So, are there problems with the Hero-Rec? Not really. The first unit I had came with a noisy fan, but the company happily replaced the unit. I might enjoy having a switch to go from headphone to speakers, but again, that's not really a big deal. The fidelity isn't quite good enough to handle Audiostrobe recordings (if you're into that kind of thing).

Perhaps the one feature I would love most would be disc-burning capability. That feature would make this truly a one-stop shop for hypnotists.

I noted with interest the Voco-Pro also has a small device called the Carry-Oke. It appears to have most of the features a hypnotist needs, in one small hand-held unit, for a price that's closer to the new hypnotist's budget. I'd love to review that product, but I haven't actually put my hands on one.

For now, though, you really can't go wrong with the Voco-Pro Hero-Rec Basic. It's an investment that helps take your office experience from plain to deluxe. The high-quality craftsmanship means you'll be using it for years. And it looks very professional in your office, which never hurts as a bit of social proof. All in all, this is the dream machine for the American hypnotist.

Full Disclosure: The makers of the VocoPro Hero-Rec Basic were kind enough to provide me with a review model.

Where Have I Been?

Hello, Faithful Readers,

I apologize that I've had to let this blog languish a bit. I spent 2012 as a student in the inaugural year of the Hypnosis Practitioner Training Institute. No sooner had I graduated with honors in January 2013 than I was requested to create a new History of Hypnosis course for HPTI, so the last six months have been completely taken up with that.

Now I'm happy to get back to reviewing some of the wonderful products on my list. I hope you enjoy the reviews and share links to them with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Once more into the breach,

James Hazlerig