I live in a 20 story hi-rise and the owners have decided to update it. They are cutting off the concrete balconies and replacing them with metal and glass. The downside is that from 8 am to 6 pm I hear the constant sound of jackhammers and concrete saws. The highest sound level I've had to deal with is around 120 db but the background noise is usually 70 - 90 db.
 
If anyone needs the sound of demolition for a project, I'm you man. I was going to sample some of the noise but I'm already sick of it and it will be going on until new years 2016. I can't do any recording during the day so I will have to do everything at night.
 
I wonder if noise cancelling headphones would help?

No Joy...but you've already come up with a genius solution.
 

If you can't fight em, join em!!
 

 

ampfixer
If anyone needs the sound of demolition for a project, I'm you man. I was going to sample some of the noise but I'm already sick of it and it will be going on until new years 2016. I can't do any recording during the day so I will have to do everything at night.
 
I wonder if noise cancelling headphones would help?

WOW ... dude .... get your microphones ready, get out there, record the crap, and with different inflections and filters (adda pillow around the microphone -- stuff it in your pants -- cover it with your mouth ... you get the gist), and you will have a zoo of sounds ... then you go into the study, transpose it all to the computer, and then you start a "FAUST" with it, and playing at different speeds, and then you record the weirdness and cleverness ... and call it "Lou Reed's Faust imitation" and sell it!
 
NEVER EVER WASTE AN OPPORTUNITY!

WHAT? I CAN'T READ YOU! SCREEN SHAKING TOO MUCH. CAN"T THINK. MUST FIND CONE OF SILENCE!

ampfixer
WHAT? I CAN'T READ YOU! SCREEN SHAKING TOO MUCH. CAN"T THINK. MUST FIND CONE OF SILENCE!

 
"FAUST" is a German totally electronic weirdness thing in the late 60's and 70's, and in one of their albums, there is nothing but special effects, and one of the funniest pieces is a metal pipe, let's say 12 to 18 inches falling on the ground ... at different speeds and special effects and it is hilarious.
So, start twisting the "noise" in your head and make some music!
 
It's really fun stuff, and you will have a riot just flipping buttons and twisting knobs to create that nutzy stuff.

I preferred Faust when they were using a cement mixer actually. 

I feel your pain. Last year in Ho Chi Minh City I lived on the 6th floor of a 7 story building, then they made it 8 stories. Stripped the concrete off to expose the reinforcement bars, knocked walls down, dust everywhere.

Connect your best mic, set input echo to on, turn up your monitors,  press the phase reverse...  Silence..
 
ok, maybe not, but it would be nice.
 
 
 
 
Alternative, record continuously during the day.  Play it back continuously during the night.  Move into a hotel before your neighbours find out where it's coming from.