Phase inverters

[Ed]

Is there a cheap phase inverter that can be used to cancel noise from adjoining cubicles in an office atmosphere? There is supposed to be 'white noise' introduced into the area but there isn't. The talking is distracting.<p>Can anyone assist?

[keymaker]

Download "Madman Blues"
It's by Jone Lee Hooker<p>Get a big set of huge speakers
Power them with at least 1000 watts each<p>No more talking!

[russlk]

I am not familiar with noise canceling techniques, but I think it would be very difficult in an open cubicle when you can not predict where the talking (noise) is coming from. You would do better to get a Walkman and some good tapes.

[viveguy]

What you want is noise masking.You can try running some 'white noise' through a pair of small speakers. This is a common technique used in industrial environments. Just take a radio and tune it between stations to get the noise.
Cancellation systems are very complex and marginally effective.<p>Regards,
Al Sekeet

[Chris Smith]

"Cancellation systems are very complex and marginally effective"?

Complex Yes, marginally effective no. <p>You can go all the way to 100%, with complex Canceling systems. <p>Even the Japanese have built in systems to their noisy Refrigerators that all but cancel the pump noise, and this is "generic" canceling techniques. <p>With work, and phase timing, sound can be completely canceled.