Neuroelectric oscillations reflect rhythmic shifts in neuronal excitability states. In natural settings, important stimuli often occur in rhythmic streams, and when oscillations align with these rhythms, their high excitability phases coincide with events, amplifying input responses. Attention can use these oscillatory states for sensory selection in 'rhythmic mode' by entraining to relevant input streams. In 'continuous mode', attention increases gamma synchrony. The review discusses evidence for early sensory selection via oscillatory phase-amplitude modulations, their mechanisms, and perceptual consequences. Neuroelectric oscillations are linked to various cognitive functions. Theta oscillations relate to spatial information in the hippocampus, alpha to internally-directed processes, and gamma to feature binding and attention. Delta oscillations, traditionally linked to sleep, are central to sensory selection. Oscillations control neuronal excitability, amplify sensory inputs, and are used by attention. They operate in different modes based on task demands. Delta oscillations, though associated with sleep, are crucial for sensory processing. They control neuronal excitability and are modulated by attention. Gamma oscillations are linked to attention and sensory selection. Cross-frequency coupling links low-frequency oscillations to high-frequency ones, enabling coordinated modulation. Oscillatory mechanisms enhance sensory processing. Auditory and somatosensory inputs differ in their effects on cortical responses. Auditory inputs trigger robust action-potential responses, while somatosensory inputs modulate ongoing oscillations. Modulatory inputs enhance auditory processing by resetting oscillation phases. Attention uses oscillations for selection. Gamma oscillations are associated with attentive visual processing. Delta oscillations, though linked to sleep, are used in attentional selection. Attention enhances gamma synchrony and modulates delta phases. In rhythmic mode, attention aligns with input rhythms, enhancing responses to attended events. The system's oscillatory mode reflects task demands. Rhythmic mode uses entrainment to enhance attended inputs. Continuous mode suppresses low-frequency oscillations, increasing gamma synchrony. These modes affect behavioral performance, with rhythmic mode being more efficient. Theoretical frameworks suggest that attentional processes involve oscillatory entrainment. Dynamic attending theory posits that attention can be an oscillatory process. Attentional modulation affects oscillations, influencing cognitive ERP components. Future research should explore the generality of rhythmic processing and cross-frequency coupling. Eye movements and artifacts in EEG recordings need careful analysis. The role of oscillations in perception and their modulation by attention remain important areas of study.Neuroelectric oscillations reflect rhythmic shifts in neuronal excitability states. In natural settings, important stimuli often occur in rhythmic streams, and when oscillations align with these rhythms, their high excitability phases coincide with events, amplifying input responses. Attention can use these oscillatory states for sensory selection in 'rhythmic mode' by entraining to relevant input streams. In 'continuous mode', attention increases gamma synchrony. The review discusses evidence for early sensory selection via oscillatory phase-amplitude modulations, their mechanisms, and perceptual consequences. Neuroelectric oscillations are linked to various cognitive functions. Theta oscillations relate to spatial information in the hippocampus, alpha to internally-directed processes, and gamma to feature binding and attention. Delta oscillations, traditionally linked to sleep, are central to sensory selection. Oscillations control neuronal excitability, amplify sensory inputs, and are used by attention. They operate in different modes based on task demands. Delta oscillations, though associated with sleep, are crucial for sensory processing. They control neuronal excitability and are modulated by attention. Gamma oscillations are linked to attention and sensory selection. Cross-frequency coupling links low-frequency oscillations to high-frequency ones, enabling coordinated modulation. Oscillatory mechanisms enhance sensory processing. Auditory and somatosensory inputs differ in their effects on cortical responses. Auditory inputs trigger robust action-potential responses, while somatosensory inputs modulate ongoing oscillations. Modulatory inputs enhance auditory processing by resetting oscillation phases. Attention uses oscillations for selection. Gamma oscillations are associated with attentive visual processing. Delta oscillations, though linked to sleep, are used in attentional selection. Attention enhances gamma synchrony and modulates delta phases. In rhythmic mode, attention aligns with input rhythms, enhancing responses to attended events. The system's oscillatory mode reflects task demands. Rhythmic mode uses entrainment to enhance attended inputs. Continuous mode suppresses low-frequency oscillations, increasing gamma synchrony. These modes affect behavioral performance, with rhythmic mode being more efficient. Theoretical frameworks suggest that attentional processes involve oscillatory entrainment. Dynamic attending theory posits that attention can be an oscillatory process. Attentional modulation affects oscillations, influencing cognitive ERP components. Future research should explore the generality of rhythmic processing and cross-frequency coupling. Eye movements and artifacts in EEG recordings need careful analysis. The role of oscillations in perception and their modulation by attention remain important areas of study.