Freesound Forums
Reducing Noise Pollution in My Office and Home
Started September 30th, 2009 · 6 replies · Latest reply by Timbre 15 years ago
Hello! I didn't know where to post this, but I'm trying to come up with a solution to block unwanted noise from the outside. Mostly it's leaf blowers, engine noise, garbage trucks, compressors. So, a lot of low frequencies and some high frequency noises, too.
I want to try two approaches: 1) some kind of interior window, maybe plexiglas, that I can remove easily and don't have to build into my office window on a permanent basis; and 2) some sound effects or music I can play over my headphones that will be soothing. I work as a copy editor, so I can't listen to singing while I work because it distracts me. I was hoping some kind of water or pink noise recording could be helpful.
Just like to get input from the forum folks, and see if you have had any success with blocking noise or if you have a recommended sound file that I could use to mentally block out the street noises.
some kind of water
How about a mountain stream looped:
http://www.freesound.org/samplesViewSingle.php?id=76691
Is the office double glazed ? That could reduce a lot of noise coming through a window.
Maybe it's just too unpractical, but I always figured you should be able to keep out a lot of outside noise in an area by constructing a box inside a box (like double glazed) but the space inbetween the walls is sucked to a vacuum. As we all know sound can't travel through vacuum (but it can through the bolts and beams and stuff that holds the construction up, so it won't be perfect), so any sound hitting the outside wall should just stop there.
Anybody know maybe this sort of thing is used somewhere already? I know in highschool we'd put a ringing bell inside a vacuum in physics class, it worked there. Would be cool if someone could build a studio surrounded by vacuum walls.
Benboncansome kind of waterHow about a mountain stream looped:
There are several similar sounds around here. Do a search for words like "rain", "water", "flowing", "ambiance".
Here are two packs that I have put together:
Flowing water:
http://www.freesound.org/packsViewSingle.php?id=5096
Rain:
http://www.freesound.org/packsViewSingle.php?id=5162
Since there are several varieties of timbre and ambiant noise, so there's certainly something you could use.
Another thought is to search the web for "massage" music. That's quiet, soothing music that massage therapists often use to create a calming effect.
My favorite artist in this genre is Llewellyn. You can download his music here:
http://amiestreet.com/music/llewellyn/
Load up your iPod and enjoy.
