Dealing with a neighbor's loud audio 'animal-repellent' that you can hear, even though you aren't supposed to be able to. [more inside]
posted by empath on Nov 24, 2009 - 16 answers

What's a good digital camera for someone that wants to do long exposures, macro photography, and has roughly $500 to spend? [more inside]
posted by hjo3 on Nov 17, 2009 - 21 answers

How do I muffle or deal with an incredibly loud noise so I can sleep? [more inside]
posted by Dormant Gorilla on Nov 10, 2009 - 37 answers

How best to handle noise complaints against us, when I feel we are being reasonable? Since the first complaints we have been dialing down the noise in every way we can think of, but apparently it's not enough and we don't even know which neighbor is complaining, so we can't speak to them directly. [more inside]
posted by marble on Nov 8, 2009 - 49 answers

Speaker noise when metal USB plug touches my computer case and other electrical problems. [more inside]
posted by archagon on Nov 1, 2009 - 8 answers

There is a laud/noisy colleague in the cubicle farm office. Any suggestions how to deal with the situation? [more inside]
posted by neworder7 on Oct 29, 2009 - 15 answers

I understand that noise can become overwhelming rapidly to those in the autism spectrum or with ADD/ADHD syndromes due to increased sensitivities of all the sense perceptions, but I have also heard of research that suggests a certain measure of white noise and some kinds of music can help both ADD and autism spectrum young people focus their brains. [more inside]
posted by bonsai forest on Oct 26, 2009 - 13 answers

I'm looking to buy a Manhattan apartment (most likely co-op, not condo). What should I be looking for (or avoiding) to minimize my chances of hearing a lot of noise from my neighbors?
posted by sunflower16 on Oct 13, 2009 - 4 answers

My fiance and I are in the midst of buying a condo. Offer accepted, inspection went great, still collecting all the documents related to the condo association. Yesterday, we got a three page document that is the "noise abatement policy." We are not happy. But should we suck it up and still buy the place? [more inside]
posted by bibbit on Oct 13, 2009 - 36 answers

Why are electric baseboard heaters so noisy only in the dead of winter? [more inside]
posted by Eicats on Oct 6, 2009 - 4 answers

I have very low threshold for certain sounds. I can't handle noise, especially I find high pitch female or children voice unbearable. I also have trouble with neighbors walking around, the high bass thuds etc. [more inside]
posted by neworder7 on Sep 28, 2009 - 17 answers

Quick, Easy, Cheap (or Free!) DIY Soundproofing? [more inside]
posted by turgid dahlia on Sep 27, 2009 - 17 answers

It's the buzz buzz buzz in the drum of the ear, or, making my amplifier a tinfoil hat to stop GSM noises from my phone. [more inside]
posted by Halle on Sep 23, 2009 - 8 answers

Having learned that there's a name for the Wilhelm Scream, now I have to know if there's a name for another sound effect; most commonly known as the TIE fighter sound. Name? [more inside]
posted by bartleby on Sep 22, 2009 - 16 answers

Makeshift earplugs??? [more inside]
posted by kestrel251 on Sep 18, 2009 - 13 answers

I live in a rental apartment and would like to block out noise from the apartment above me. I have a ceiling fan, ear plugs, etc., but would prefer not to have to use those things. Is there some kind of insulation or paneling that I can glue or tack on without having to rip up the ceiling? (Please don't respond with suggestions about talking to my neighbors. I'm specifically looking for information about soundproofing the ceiling.)
posted by zembla3 on Sep 8, 2009 - 12 answers

The noise level coming from the church across the street is driving us crazy. Help! [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 3, 2009 - 32 answers

I have a problem with hearing bass music vibrating through my windows and walls into my home. It literally echos through my every vein and makes me feel insane. Is this a sign of age? Is something wrong with me? [more inside]
posted by czechmate on Aug 29, 2009 - 21 answers

Where can I find a recording of the cry or call or shriek or squeak of the common European mole, Talpa Europaea?
posted by misteraitch on Aug 27, 2009 - 3 answers

I am a piano student will be renting an apartment on my own soon. I was wondering what are the anti-noise laws in Australia (Sydney) regarding practicing musical instrument at home. [more inside]
posted by neworder7 on Aug 22, 2009 - 16 answers

I've just moved into a lovely apartment in Frankfurt, Germany, only to discover that my neighbor likes to play loud techno music on his stereo at 1 a.m. I don't speak German. Help? [more inside]
posted by doctorpiorno on Aug 14, 2009 - 16 answers

What kind of bird is making this annoying noise (mp3 file; alternate link here) behind my Manhattan apartment building? And what can I do about it? [more inside]
posted by Tin Man on Aug 7, 2009 - 24 answers

My computer's PSU is rattling, is that a major problem or just an annoyance? [more inside]
posted by DetonatedManiac on Jul 31, 2009 - 9 answers

Should a hot water pump be this noisy? [more inside]
posted by damn dirty ape on Jul 28, 2009 - 6 answers

Macbook pro sound problem. Some sounds only heard through headphones. [more inside]
posted by theyexpectresults on Jul 22, 2009 - 6 answers

How can I get my neighbor to stop playing Stand By Me on repeat at ear-splitting volumes? [more inside]
posted by YoungAmerican on Jul 12, 2009 - 23 answers

My bed sounds like a banjo made of metal being strummed by Edward Scissorhands whenever I turn over. Could someone else with the same model of bed tell me if this is a feature and not a bug? [more inside]
posted by winna on Jul 10, 2009 - 4 answers

How might I disable or muffle the beeps that my appliances make (when buttons are pressed, when cooking cycle is finished) without risking my life or that of the unit? The toaster-oven is the most egregious offender, but the microwave is problematic too.
posted by xo on Jul 1, 2009 - 3 answers

Shouldn't the cops take this seriously? Loud parties and underage drinking. [more inside]
posted by fifilaru on Jun 7, 2009 - 20 answers

What can I do about young people in our condo/townhouse complex? [more inside]
posted by k8t on Jun 7, 2009 - 63 answers

Advice on noisy neighbors. My family just moved. Our immediate neighbors are elderly and hard of hearing, and so the TV volume is quite blaring in the evening, grating for us, but hard on our 2 year old. They seem like nice people though cant understand why our 2 year old needs to go to bed at 8. Wondering the best approach to this? Buy them so wireless headsets? They might not like the gesture nor be able to adapt to the intrusion of this new device. On our end we have tried white noise, but the windows need to stay open with the heat.
posted by dougiedd on Jun 2, 2009 - 14 answers

I am a female college student who has decided to live with 7 males around the same age. Help me cope with this radical change and make it through the year without flipping my lid or regretting my decision! [more inside]
posted by rachaelfaith on May 31, 2009 - 31 answers

What sort of free online resources are there for quality audio samples? [more inside]
posted by philip-random on May 27, 2009 - 6 answers

Am I overly sensitive to my neighbor's noise? If not, what magic words can I say to my landlord? [more inside]
posted by motsque on May 25, 2009 - 32 answers

How can I make a book with sounds for a baby? [more inside]
posted by gwpcasey on May 15, 2009 - 4 answers

I was reading this Cracked article and it raised an interesting point. "Bling" comes from the sound of gold or diamonds sparkling... except light doesn't make any noise when it reflects off something. That association is surely older than hiphop, but how much? Where did it come from?
posted by borkingchikapa on May 14, 2009 - 21 answers

Large conference room; polycom Soundstation VTX1000. Sounds great if you're in the room...lousy if you're calling. Help! [more inside]
posted by FloryTric on May 12, 2009 - 5 answers

My next door neighbor has a terrible hardcore band that has started jamming weeknights. Not super late, but until ~10pm, which is very late when you're trying to get a six year old to bed. It's more than loud enough to keep her awake, and even watching TV would be difficult. Going with the assumption that he's a dick and won't stop, what can I do, if anything? I'm in Toronto, in a live/work (legal) studio space, where I *think* the noise laws are between 7am and 11pm.
posted by glider on May 5, 2009 - 42 answers

2003 Dodge Neon is emitting a High-pitched squeal [more inside]
posted by longsleeves on Apr 28, 2009 - 4 answers

My downstairs neighbor's ceiling fan is making my apartment vibrate. What can I do? [more inside]
posted by cgs on Apr 28, 2009 - 5 answers

How do hotels soundproof their rooms? [more inside]
posted by amicamentis on Apr 20, 2009 - 16 answers

Why is TV snow in black and white? [more inside]
posted by abc123xyzinfinity on Apr 8, 2009 - 6 answers

my Sennheiser HD595 leak sound. is this normal? my coworkers are going nuts. [more inside]
posted by krautland on Apr 3, 2009 - 16 answers

How late is too late to expect to be able to make a moderate amount of noise in my apartment? [more inside]
posted by youcancallmeal on Mar 9, 2009 - 31 answers

I need to be able to blow my nose. Very loudly. [more inside]
posted by backseatpilot on Mar 6, 2009 - 12 answers

buzzing noise in Dragon Naturally Speaking, but not on other programs. Using VMWare fusion to run DNS on my Mac, and recording/listening through a Dinex USB headset with microphone. Any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by omnigut on Feb 17, 2009 - 3 answers

When our pool equipment runs, it triggers the sound of a leaky pipe in a wall adjacent to our hot water heater. By triggering the valve on the hot water heater when the water to the house is off, I can stop the noise. How can I fix this? [more inside]
posted by pokeedog on Feb 15, 2009 - 5 answers

How do I avoid annoying the neighbors while I practice a musical instrument? [more inside]
posted by realpseudonym on Feb 15, 2009 - 25 answers

Nissan Altima filter: I have a '97 Altima. There is a noise coming from(I believe) the rear left tire. [more inside]
posted by Epsilon-minus semi moron on Feb 11, 2009 - 11 answers

Why is my shower pump suddenly starting up when the shower is off but hot water is used elsewhere? Can it be stopped? [more inside]
posted by tulipwool on Feb 8, 2009 - 3 answers