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The BrainMaster is designed primarily for clinical and
home EEG biofeedback. It is also ideal for experimenters and developers.
BrainMaster SDK (software development kit) is free, while the WaveRider SDK
costs $. BrainMaster publishes a line-level interface, to invite third parties
to develop total software solutions for the BrainMaster, such as the NeuroCare
Pro, Brainwave Animation, and BioExplorer.
System Feedback & Setup
The WaveRider gives audiovisual feedback for EEG, EMG (muscle tension), EKG
(heart rate), and GSR (arousal/relaxation). It also has an integrated, i.e.,
ready for consumer use, feel.
WaveRider has additional modalities, which the
BrainMaster does not have. BrainMaster offers HEG (hemoencephalography), which
is a new modality. BrainMaster did not see the value in using the older,
peripheral modalities, as these are not as important as EEG. Note that
Neuropathways ($10,000+) and NeuroCybernetics ($8,000+) are also EEG only, and
these are only 1 channel. BrainMaster systems have 2 channels of EEG.
The BrainMaster is ready for consumer use in its setup and feel. BrainMaster
has improved their software considerably over the years, while the WaveRider
software has improved somewhat, but not radically. BrainMaster has introduced
approximately 100 improvements per year, almost entirely from field requests.
User Friendly for Novices & Training Support
Novices to biofeedback will find that WaveRider's preconfigured templates
train a wide range of states (attention/focus, light relaxation,
trance/meditation, sleep, etc.). The user or trainer simply chooses the
appropriate protocol and begins the session. As the user progresses, s/he can
easily select more challenging levels. WaveRider comes with a book of lesson
plans that correspond to these protocols. The lessons begin with these
templates and progress to authoring unique configurations through modification
of these templates.
Both the WaveRider and the BrainMaster are good for
novices.
BrainMaster systems include built-in setups for alert, deep, focus, peak,
relaxed, and sharpness enhancing training. BrainMaster offers many training
courses, and they teach at least once a month, to clinicians and other
professionals. Their courses offer BCIA and other credentialed CEU's
(continuing education units).
For Advanced Users
WaveRider allows advanced users flexibility in configuring the monitoring and
feedback parameters. If you need to, you can easily get under the hood and
change digital filters, musical instruments, and a lot more.
The WaveRider is indeed very flexible for its sound
feedback. However, the BrainMaster now offers 127 MIDI voices, coherence
training, fully selectable protocols with 8 frequency components in each of
the 2 channels, and now autothresholding, additional wave file outputs, stereo
MIDI sounds for 2-channel training, and both amplitude and pitch variation in
the MIDI voices.
Auxiliary Applications & Peripheral Equipment
Several auxiliary applications and peripheral equipment already exist for
WaveRider. Squares, Soden, MidiGlasses.
And the BrainMaster has Animations, freeware games,
MIDIFlash, Interactor Cushion, and now HEG, the MINI-Q, and interfaces for
NeuroCare Pro and the NeuroGuide software. More is on the way. BrainMaster has
Paul Swingle's subliminal sounds for EEG modification, and Steve Padgitt's
extensive animation library with cartoons, puzzles, and slide shows.
FINAL NOTE:
We think the WaveRider is a fine product, well designed, and for some users it
is the best choice. The key is matching the product to the user. If the user
really wants a WaveRider, they should get one. If they need a BrainMaster, a
WaveRider is not a good alternative.
Certain hobbyists, music aficionados, and experimenters would be happier with
the Waverider. Most neurofeedback professionals, home trainers, and a great
many other experimenters, hobbyists, and general researchers, deserve a
BrainMaster.
We do not believe that any neurofeedback device should be sold casually to
someone of only moderate interest. Neither of these products are for the
nonthinking, "click and go" mentality. They both deserve a discriminating,
thoughtful user.
The WaveRider is a consumer-oriented product, and it is well done.
If your primary interest is to make interesting sounds and music with EEG and
body signals, then it is fine.
The BrainMaster is an FDA registered device for clinical use, with usefulness
in many other areas including brain-controlled systems, virtual reality, and
entertainment.
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