Active Noise Cancelation (Silence Machine)

[trikster2]

I asked about this a month or so ago and got zero comments.

The idea is to use active noise cancelation to reduce the sound of your roaring monster.

Saw on /. today that someone will be making a device to do just that:

New Scientist Silence Machine article

Now my question is: Do you need a device or could it be done in software? That is could an audigy with a 5.1 speaker system generate an anti-delta scream?

 

[tallest1]

I remember seeing a machine do that on Beyond 2000 years ago. However, I don't know if such a thing is possible in the average John Doe's computer.

Bump for ya though

 

[vicwang]

I started a thread on this a while back and got some great feedback. Unfortunately, the consensus seemed to finally be that it's just not practical.

The Thread

 

[panhead49]

it is very possible.....but not practical as said............it has been done along time in engine exausts...and other fields.....i dont know how mainstream it is,....just how could you get your hands on the technology to run your "sound cancelling device"(audigy or sound blaster)...dont know....it would be easy to do .....but would not be practical ....as said...

 

[spanner]

Its not practical for small sound sources and no it cannot be done by PC speakers because the cancellation speaker needs to be relatively close to the source i.e near the fans, hard drives etc. It makes much more sense to buy quiet components to start with.

 

[WarCon]

I mentioned this in some thread some time ago (more than 8 months ago, because I was using a delta fan). Funny what being driven insane by noise will make you think of. Wonder if that UK scientist has a delta fan on his computer too.............