New Neighbors

[yumdrum]

I live in a pretty well built two story townhome. I have my control room with converted walk-in closet/vocal booth on the second floor. Up to now I have been blessed with very cool neighbors. Had a single guy who was never home for a few years, then he had to go off, get hitched and move in with his new wife.

He ends up renting his place. The new renters are an early 40's single mom her 5 year old son,dog and her parents. Yes I went from one cool mid 30s dude next door to grandma and grandpa turnitdown.

I met my new neighbor the very first night she was in. Last Friday night about 9:30pm a knock at my front door. FIRST NIGHT! She tells me to use "ear buds" after 9:00 because she gets up at 5:00 AM! Helluva introduction.

Man, I wasn't even using my monitors, just my computer speakers

I know bass waves go through the best of walls but these puppies are filled CBS from the ground up. It was not even any where that I would have given it a second thought.

The neighbors on the other side never complained or said anything in the 6 years i've been here.

I'm the kinda person that likes to get along, but now there is tension between us from the start and I feel like this is stifling my creative process.

Tracking shouldn't be an issue as I do most of it in an iso booth in the garage. But I am a night person like all of you and can't properly mix if the level is too low, and I've tried headphones but the translation sucks.

I know the legal noise ordinance varies between municipalities, but on average does anyone know what the acceptable db level is?

Thanks for letting me vent.

[yumdrum]

Originally Posted by moracspace

I know the legal noise ordinance varies between municipalities
Doesnt matter disturbing the peace is distubing the peace.If she decides to call the cops anytime of day or night and they agree with her than you are shit out of luck.My entire family are cops cept me of course F*** the police.

Hmmm, I just heard recently on my local news about a guy who had neighbors complaing about the noise constantly so the Police finally brought out a db meter and it was below the limit so there was nothing they could do.

I also thought daytime vs. nightime hours applied somehow?

[Greg Curtis]

I hear what you're saying, but, I'll play devil's advocate:

I'd hate to have to listen to a guy mixing all night when I have to get up at 5am. Listening to a mix happen can be pretty awful if you are not involved. (Same word or phrase over and over again until you EQ it right, etc...) I know that I drive my wife crazy when I have to work at home.

Also, it sounds like they are not in the best situation economically, with 3 generations living under one roof. Give them the rest they deserve.

It seems as if your walls aren't as good as you thought.

Either mix in your garage, work somewhere other than your home, or during the day.

[yumdrum]

Originally Posted by Greg Curtis

I hear what you're saying, but, I'll play devil's advocate:

I'd hate to have to listen to a guy mixing all night when I have to get up at 5am. Listening to a mix happen can be pretty awful if you are not involved. (Same word or phrase over and over again until you EQ it right, etc...) I know that I drive my wife crazy when I have to work at home.

Also, it sounds like they are not in the best situation economically, with 3 generations living under one roof. Give them the rest they deserve.

It seems as if your walls aren't as good as you thought.

Either mix in your garage, work somewhere other than your home, or during the day.

Man, I thought I would get some sympathy here of all places.

Dude, if you heard the level I was mixing you would not be defending them. This is just a case of someone bitching at the slightest of sounds. And at 9:30pm on a Friday night? C'mon paleasee!

Wish I could mix daytime, but I work a day gig.

Anyway I did speak with local code enforcement and the cop didn't really have a db level for me but said as long as it's before 10:00pm on a weekday and 11:00pm on a weekend AND if they can't hear it from more than 50 feet outside the premise than I have no worries. You can't hear boo squat!

What really cheeses me is that she didn't even give it any time. FIRST night in. Not let's wait a day or two and see. make some small talk and ease into it. That's pretty friggin' rude in my book. Nippin' things in the bud is only successful when tactfully applied.

Also, as far as the financial situation. I own, don't rent but rentals are somewhere in the $1,800 per month range and she is a corporate attorney, so pretty sure that's not the case. Apparently she Just got divorced (gee wonder why)

Also, just found out that she knew about the music prior to moving in. The realtor advised the owner that she spoke with another neighbor who mentioned I play drums. And she was concerned about the noise. So she had preconceptions and was specifically listening for it.

And the saga continues....

[heyman]

Go take a dump on her front step..

Welcome to the neighborhood.

dfegad

[yumdrum]

Originally Posted by heyman

Go take a dump on her front step..

Welcome to the neighborhood.

dfegad

Nice Shitty Neighbors referencedfegad

[John Suitcase]

I had a downstairs neighbor at a condo I owned who was batshit crazy about noise. When I was moving in, doing some painting, etc, she would leave me notes about her having the flu, and how I was making her sick with the noise. Then later, if I sat on the futon wrong, she'd have the manager at my door with a complaint. Then, I started getting fined by the HOA, $100 per incident, some of which happened while there was no one home at my place. I'd get calls from her (I gave her my number when we first moved in, when I was trying to play nice), once when I was in San Francisco. She's yelling at me "What the hell are you doing up there? I can't sleep!" and I'm like "Lady, I'm 800 miles away. It ain't me!"

Anyway, after two years of insanity, she moved out. The new people never complained once.

So, my point is that you may have to just wait it out. Tell the owner of the place your side of the story before she tells him hers. Be nice to her, if the cops come, be nice to them, and demonstrate what you're up to. Don't be stupid and start a war, that's no fun. I'd bet she'll move on before too long, or adjust and settle down.

[boyinthebox]

I am sorry to hear about your troubles with your neighbor. I *luckily* have never had to do any research regarding rules or legalities in dealing with noise complaints, so I am not much help there. I feel your pain though, I finally found a place that I can rock out at 1 am any night of the week without so much as stirring the neighbors' families or children. I don't want to move ever again for fear of this issue, especially now that I am spoiled and take for granted the fact I can be just about as loud as I want to anytime. I feel really bad for you! This story at least put that back in perspective for me! Thank you for that. I should buy the neighbors' a big present regardless if they *hear* me or not. For what its worth, I may suggest talking to her and reasoning with her that this is how you make a part of your living, and see if you can work something out. In general, getting the police involved with measuring db levels won't end pretty for your relationship with your neighbor, and the fact remains: you may be stuck with her for awhile. I wish you the best in dealing with this situation.

[yumdrum]

Thanks for the great suggestions and sympathetic ears. You guys are always there. I have decided that the next time I see her to be the bigger person and ask her how the levels have been lately, and take it from there. It takes so much more energy to be angry than it does to be at peace. I have faith that it will work out in the end. Just needed to blow off some steam! Thanks.

[boyinthebox]

Originally Posted by yumdrum

I have decided that the next time I see her to be the bigger person and ask her how the levels have been lately, and take it from there. It takes so much more energy to be angry than it does to be at peace. I have faith that it will work out in the end.

I think that is a great plan for what it's worth. If you are pro active and concerned, and you show that you are not just being loud to interupt her/her families lives, she may change her tune. Hopefully things work out for you, I wish you the best. I would reccomend communicating with her like you said, just be sure to keep your cool! Being calm, civilized, and professional will carry you much further and hopefully things will settle themselves and you can get back to work!

Cheers.

[heyman]

F@ck THAT...!!!

She just moved in. Here's what you do..

Draw some black circles under your eyes..
Gargle with some tootpaste, let it foam in your mouth..

Bang on her front door

Stagger around in circles talking to yourself with the foam coming out of your mouth when she answers the door ..

[Spookym15]

That sucks. I would run out and get a dB meter just to keep watch. I think it is usually 90-100db. You should be mixing at about 80dB. It is hard to get use to at first but once you do your mixes may even get better as a result. Maybe put a few bass traps in your room if you already have them put some more up. I would try to talk to her, see what her schedule is and then if there is any way try to work around it. I really never have any issues, but I do mix on the quiet side.

Or say screw it and work any ways if she calls the police and you have not done anything wrong it is not your problem. I am a fan of making people happy, while keeping myself happy. Listening to someone mix sucks to no end.

I wish you luck with it. This is a great place to vent

[christmasjones]

I live in a house and i have a crazy neighbor that "work's at night" so I'm NOT to play my drums during the day (like i can play them at night when the other neighbors are sleeping...). We play nice for 4-5 months. One night we have a few friends over and next thing i know the cops are at the door because of a noise complaint. We were literally watching a movie in the living room having a few drinks...

Next weekend the exact same thing This continued for about 4 weeks until one night she came over to our house at 2 in the a.m. Hmm...someone's not at work

I played drums in my parents house for 8 years with out one complaint. I guess you just have to deal. Some people are just ridiculous.

[yumdrum]

Originally Posted by heyman

F@ck THAT...!!!

She just moved in. Here's what you do..

Draw some black circles under your eyes..
Gargle with some tootpaste, let it foam in your mouth..

Bang on her front door

Stagger around in circles talking to yourself with the foam coming out of your mouth when she answers the door ..

I like the way your sick and unstable mind thinks!thumbsup

[Jules]

You have rights too..

But a drag that she is in your face about it..

Keep us posted..

[boyinthebox]

Originally Posted by heyman

F@ck THAT...!!!

She just moved in. Here's what you do..

Draw some black circles under your eyes..
Gargle with some tootpaste, let it foam in your mouth..

Bang on her front door

Stagger around in circles talking to yourself with the foam coming out of your mouth when she answers the door ..

Hilarious. Well if all else does fall through, at least heyman has a backup plan for you! thumbsup

Cheers.

[heyman]

I had a buddy of mine that spent a fortune on a home theatre system for his house in the early 90's...

Laserdisk
Surround sound
World class speakers and a Power amp that was louder than ...


Anyway, I am over there watching Terminator 2 and he had the thing cranked to about 5... It was so loud that the police dept got over 100 calls from people in the neighborhood complaining of hearing guns shots.

They actually thought somone was firing off Live ammunition.

[lowfreq33]

Really this is an issue of perspective. Let's say that you work an overnight shift and sleep during the day. Would it be fair for you to complain about the noise her children make while playing in the daytime? From your perspective, of course it is, you work hard and need your sleep. What we're dealing with here is the supposition that the entire western world rises at 7 and goes to bed at 10. Which is clearly not true. I think you have an unreasonable neighbor on your hands, and the worst thing you can do is to acquiesce to her unreasonable level of sensitivity. If you're truly listening at a reasonable volume, the next time she complains you should tell her to call the cops and let them come out with a db meter. If it is too loud the worst thing that will happen the first time is they'll tell you to turn it down. At least at that point you'll have a reference as to what is a legal and reasonable volume. I live in an area where everyone has subs in their car, and their kids run down the street at all hours screaming obscenities. Fine with me, as long as they don't complain when I'm mixing at 2 in the morning at 95 db. The first time they complain about me you can bet there will be a call made about every late night party or subwoofer workout they ever have. The nice thing is there seems to be an unspoken understanding about this, and so far, no problems. It seems to me that as an owner you should have a bit more say than a renter, especially since she was aware beforehand that you might have a bit of music going on. It might be smoother for you to try and work things out one on one, but don't be afraid to resort to the authorities, especially if you know you're in the right.

[Kris]

Heyman, LOVE your advice!!! I've got a shitty neighbor too... Across the side street and 3 houses down!!! If they hear ANYTHING at all when they are outside, or get home from work, they call the cops!

The first week I moved into my place, I was doing some construction; had the door open and a boom box blaring inside. The guy came over and cussed me out! I put my hand out and introduced myself to him as his new neighbor.

(The guy has long hair... He doesn't deserve it... I'd love to shave him bald and shit on HIS doorstep!)

I am really soundproofed so I don't have much to worry about, but I damn sure can't have a window open.

Good luck with your shitty neighbor!!! Try not to start a feud though... No good can come of that really.

[yumdrum]

Originally Posted by lowfreq33

Really this is an issue of perspective. Let's say that you work an overnight shift and sleep during the day. Would it be fair for you to complain about the noise her children make while playing in the daytime? From your perspective, of course it is, you work hard and need your sleep. What we're dealing with here is the supposition that the entire western world rises at 7 and goes to bed at 10. Which is clearly not true. I think you have an unreasonable neighbor on your hands, and the worst thing you can do is to acquiesce to her unreasonable level of sensitivity. If you're truly listening at a reasonable volume, the next time she complains you should tell her to call the cops and let them come out with a db meter. If it is too loud the worst thing that will happen the first time is they'll tell you to turn it down. At least at that point you'll have a reference as to what is a legal and reasonable volume. I live in an area where everyone has subs in their car, and their kids run down the street at all hours screaming obscenities. Fine with me, as long as they don't complain when I'm mixing at 2 in the morning at 95 db. The first time they complain about me you can bet there will be a call made about every late night party or subwoofer workout they ever have. The nice thing is there seems to be an unspoken understanding about this, and so far, no problems. It seems to me that as an owner you should have a bit more say than a renter, especially since she was aware beforehand that you might have a bit of music going on. It might be smoother for you to try and work things out one on one, but don't be afraid to resort to the authorities, especially if you know you're in the right.

I agree with everything you've said here. I still have not seen her since the "confrontation" but I have not really altered what I have been doing too much. I know if she has the audacity to call authorities she won't have a leg to stand on, but I hope it doesn't come to that.

Thanks for your input.