What is Bass Noise?

We are often asked what is bass noise and how can bass noise be soundproofed? Bass noise is low frequency noise and in music is generally emitted by bass drums and bass guitars but other musical instruments such as cellos can also generate bass notes. Examples of typical bass noise can be heard from machinery such as generators, compressors and diesel engines or a football being kicked against a wall. Volumes of bass noise may not be loud but can still be easily heard and is recognised by the low ‘thump, thump’ type noise that seems to make everything bounce and shake in the immediate vicinity. We have all heard a young person in their car passing by with their volumes to maximum with the ‘music’ booming out even though all the windows may be closed and it is the low frequency ‘boom, boom’ that overrides the rest of the music and is the first thing we hear when the vehicle is coming down the street. The noise will easily transmit through the structure of any building and like all other types of noise, is more easily heard at night when it is most annoying for those that want to sleep.

So what exactly is bass noise? All noise is transmitted to the ear via frequency waves. High frequencies such as a whistle or soprano singing have short wavelengths whereas low frequency sounds have long wavelengths. The best way to describe wavelengths is to imagine ripples on a pond surrounded by a wall. If a small stone is thrown into the pond, after the initial splash, small ripples will emanate from where the stone went in and these ripples will gradually diminish the further they go and will stop when they come into contact with the wall. If there are reeds around the edge of the pond, the ripples will quickly dissipate among them and also disappear. However, if a large stone is thrown into the pond, much larger ripples will appear after the splash and will carry much further before they disappear and when they hit the surrounding wall will bounce back so there will be ripples in both directions. There will also have to be many more reeds around the edge of the pond to absorb these larger ripples and stop them from bouncing back. This is how low frequency sound waves work. They are much larger longer waves that will bounce off any hard surfaces more easily than higher frequency noise and will also more easily transmit through walls and the lighter the density of the wall, the more easily sound will travel through it.

All noise is usually regarded as unwanted sound and bass noise is perhaps the most difficult noise to insulate against because it takes thicker sound absorbing materials and more mass to stop it so if you have a neighbour that like to listen to loud music, it is more likely the low frequency notes that you hear first and are the most annoying so what can be done about it? The first thing is to have a quiet chat with them because they probably unaware they are disturbing you. Negotiation is so much better than confrontation so invite them round for a cup of tea or maybe something a bit stronger then raise the subject. The neighbour will most likely be surprised they were causing a nuisance and will take care in the future to keep their volumes down. So much cheaper and easier than having to install soundproofing but if soundproofing is an option, then more information on how to go about this can be found on our domestic web site www.keepitquiet.co.uk