432 Hz: Between Fascination and Disillusionment

Article, Sonic Tool

The debate surrounding 432 Hz is one of the most persistent in the world of sound. Some call it the “frequency of the universe,” while others see it as just an alternative to the standardized 440 Hz. As Creative Director of Flower of Sound, I’ve explored this tuning extensively using my modular synthesizers and other gear, drawn in by the idea of a more “natural” frequency. But over time, as I delved deeper into research and comparisons, I felt the need to look beyond the allure and clarify what is fact and what is mere speculation.

The Myth of 432 Hz and Its Appeal

Many claim that 432 Hz is linked to the golden ratio, sacred geometry, and the natural vibrations of the universe. Some believe it was used in ancient times and that it resonates better with the human body. However, there is no accredited scientific research proving that it has any acoustic, biological, or therapeutic superiority over other tunings.

This doesn’t mean that 432 Hz lacks artistic or subjective value—some musicians find it inspiring, and it certainly has a different feel. But turning a musical choice into an absolute truth is where the problem begins.

440 Hz: The Standardization and the False Myths;
The London International Conference (1939)

440 Hz was proposed as the international tuning standard at the London International Conference in 1939 and was later officially adopted by ISO 16 in 1955 (and reaffirmed in 1975). The goal was to establish a reference pitch that would facilitate instrument tuning and orchestral harmonization worldwide.

A widespread myth suggests that the Nazis imposed 440 Hz to “disharmonize” the population. This is false: the decision was made by an international group of engineers and musicians, with no involvement from the Nazi regime. While the crimes of Nazism remain among the darkest in human history, this particular accusation is one of the few that cannot be attributed to them.

The Role of Industry in 440 Hz Standardization

Over time, 440 Hz became the default standard for synthesizers, digital keyboards, and music production software. Companies like Yamaha, Roland, Moog, and Korg adopted this frequency as their factory default, making it the norm in commercial music production.

Cymatics: Sound Shapes and the Role of Frequency

Many associate 432 Hz with the field of cymatics, the study of how sound waves create patterns in materials such as sand and water.
At Flower of Sound, we conducted tests with various frequencies, including 432 Hz, to observe the shapes generated by sound. (Read more on Cymatics at the bottom of this article9).

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Our Chladni plate experiments for creating geometric patterns at various frequencies, shown here at 16x speed

Verdi and the Lowered “A”: A Practical Matter, Not a Mystical One

Another frequently mentioned point is Giuseppe Verdi’s alleged preference for 432 Hz. In reality, Verdi advocated for an A at 430 Hz, and his reasoning was purely practical: a lower pitch would make operatic singing less strenuous. There is no historical record linking his request to any mystical or spiritual beliefs.

Giuseppe Verdi is often mentioned in discussions about 432 Hz, with claims that he preferred this tuning for his compositions. In reality, Verdi’s interest in lowering the pitch standard was primarily driven by practical concerns related to vocal performance rather than any mystical or esoteric reasoning.

Verdi opposed the continuous rise in orchestral pitch, a trend that was becoming widespread in his time. Many conductors and orchestras were tuning higher to achieve a brighter, more brilliant sound, but this put immense strain on opera singers, making it increasingly difficult to perform their parts as written.

Did You Know?

Verdi requested that his Requiem be tuned to 435 Hz, following the French 1859 standard, known as the “diapason normal.” In a later letter, he expressed a slight preference for 432 Hz as a potential standard.
During his lifetime, tuning practices varied greatly. Some Italian theaters, including La Scala in Milan, had raised the pitch to as high as 451 Hz, making it significantly more demanding for singers.
Verdi was one of the few composers to mention 432 Hz. In one of his letters, he discussed tuning around 870 Hz (which, when divided by two, results in 435 Hz), but also stated that 864 Hz (twice 432 Hz) was acceptable, as it had been recommended by the Government Commission for ease of calculation.
In 1880, Verdi supported the adoption of 432 Hz as a tuning standard in Italy, but only for practical reasons, not because of any belief in its supposed mystical or harmonic properties. His focus was entirely on preserving vocal health and ensuring that orchestral pitch remained at a reasonable level for singers.

Ultimately, Verdi’s advocacy for a lower tuning was not about numerology or cosmic resonance, but about making music more accessible to singers and preserving the integrity of vocal performance in operatic settings.

Personal Experience: Between Fascination and Disillusionment

After years of experimenting with 432 Hz, I can say that I’ve gone through different phases: from initial enthusiasm to the realization that most claims surrounding it are based on personal interpretation rather than concrete data.

This does not mean that 432 Hz is uninteresting. On the contrary, sound is a constantly evolving universe, and every tuning opens up new creative possibilities. However, it’s essential to distinguish exploration from myth. Subjective perception is powerful, but it should not be mistaken for a universal law.

A Question of Honesty and Respect

Let’s be real for a moment. What holds more value: a clickbait website selling you the “miraculous power” of 432 Hz, or a single person in tears, deeply moved by their favorite song made with the standard, ‘boring’ 440 Hz?

What’s more powerful: a synth line, perfectly tuned to 440 Hz, that gives you goosebumps, or a live concert, whether an intimate gathering or a massive festival, where 99% of the instruments are tuned to 440 Hz?

Are all these people “fools” for feeling genuine emotions when they listen to music, even if it’s tuned to 440 Hz?

Let’s be honest: spreading myths is easy, but respecting people’s intelligence takes effort.

The simplest thing I could have done would have been to write a sensationalist article, structured around some multiple of 8, because, of course, 8 Hz is the Schumann resonance except, no, it isn’t.

Schumann resonance isn’t fixed at 8 Hz; it varies constantly due to changes in the Earth’s ionosphere, atmospheric conditions, solar radiation, and geomagnetic activity.

It fluctuates, sometimes sitting around 7.8 Hz, but also rising above 8 Hz, making it impossible to pin down to a single magic number. Yet, this doesn’t stop people from throwing it into the mix whenever they need to sell an idea that sounds scientific but isn’t.

It would have been easy money and a total betrayal of intellectual honesty.

But I won’t do that.

Because I’ve been there. I bought into the myth, fascinated by the idea that 432 Hz might hold some deep truth. I wanted to believe it.

But once I started digging deeper, testing it for myself, and looking for solid proof, I saw it for what it was a beautifully packaged illusion.

And let’s be clear: we won’t fall into this trap—not for 432 Hz, and definitely not for the 8D audio scam either.

Let’s get this straight there are only three dimensions. Unless, of course, you take a heroic dose of psychedelics, the kind that makes you dissolve into the cosmic fractal of your own consciousness,

where time folds in on itself and your ego melts into the all-encompassing void.
In that case, sure, dimensions might feel infinite but even then, I doubt you’ll be thinking about 432 Hz.

Tired of Being Played?

If you’re sick of being fed nonsense, you’re not alone.

The real power of sound isn’t in some mystical number it’s in the intention behind it, the emotions it triggers, and the way it connects us to something bigger ourselves, each other, and the moment we’re in.

So let’s stop chasing myths that distract from the real magic of music.

Flower of Sound’s Perspective

In an age of overwhelming and often unverified information, Flower of Sound aims to be a reliable source for those seeking a serious and informed approach to sound.

If 432 Hz inspires you, use it.
If you prefer 440 Hz, that’s equally valid and practical.
What matters is the quality of the sonic experience, not an arbitrary number.

Curiosity is essential, but so is critical thinking. The real magic of sound doesn’t lie in a single frequency but in its ability to evoke emotions and create meaning through music.

Written by
Claudio Vittori