Background Noise

Well, my work room is a spare bedroom on the first floor apartment.  So usually, I get to listen to the two that live there fight over everything under the sun. 

Apparently, one sleeps all day and the other spends all day playing video games.  Sound like very productive people, don't they

-Fred

Radio-Usually listen to WPR (Wisconsin Public Radio), weekend evenings I enjoy listening to their old time radio programs..."The Shadow", "Fibber McGee & Molly" stuff like that. If I pull a real late nighter, BBC World Report. Otherwise, the programming during the day is somewhat interesting (I actually learn something), if the programming isn't interesting or I'm in the mood for music I tune into a couple of the local rock stations.

Video/Television/Computer-we eliminated cable TV, so I don't watch too much TV from the workshop anymore. What I do occasionally is watch TV programs on the internet or play DVD's of old war flicks.

I have to have background or 'white' noise...without it the ringing in my ears from tinnitus from hearing loss (from years of working around jet engines and other loud noises even with hearing protection will eventually reach out and get'cha) becomes distracting. The noises in my head...make them stop!

Sometimes, I'll chat on the phone while working catching up with old friends. 

Hmmm... when I do listen to something I either rock out with my MP3 collection on my PC or watch Military or History channel recordings from the DVR.

HawkeyeHobbies

I have to have background or 'white' noise...without it the ringing in my ears from tinnitus from hearing loss (from years of working around jet engines and other loud noises even with hearing protection will eventually reach out and get'cha) becomes distracting. The noises in my head...make them stop!

I have the same problem, in my case I was a soundman all my adult life. I have two TV's, one for viewing and one to watch the crazy stock market.

I've got a stereo and usually have some Classical music or Dan Gibsons Nature music on.  Although on occasion ZZ Top, AC/DC, Dire Straits or Led Zep have been known to make an appearance.

Seriously debating getting another computor to put down there so I can watch CDs and go on line - Cat 5 for LAN is already installed. 

HawkeyeHobbies wrote:

Radio-Usually listen to WPR (Wisconsin Public Radio), weekend evenings I enjoy listening to their old time radio programs..."The Shadow", "Fibber McGee & Molly" stuff like that. If I pull a real late nighter, BBC World Report. Otherwise, the programming during the day is somewhat interesting (I actually learn something), if the programming isn't interesting or I'm in the mood for music I tune into a couple of the local rock stations. Video/Television/Computer-we eliminated cable TV, so I don't watch too much TV from the workshop anymore. What I do occasionally is watch TV programs on the internet or play DVD's of old war flicks. I have to have background or 'white' noise...without it the ringing in my ears from tinnitus from hearing loss (from years of working around jet engines and other loud noises even with hearing protection will eventually reach out and get'cha) becomes distracting. The noises in my head...make them stop! Sometimes, I'll chat on the phone while working catching up with old friends.

Yeah, mine ring too, probably from spending most my early '20s working in concert sound reinforcement.  Turns out, for me, rock 'n roll wasn't really worth it.  I get a certain perverse pleasure, though, knowing what's going to happen to those jerks with the bizillion-watt car systems sitting next to me at the stop light drowning out my Mozart.

I listen to a lot of NPR and classical music when not scoffing at some of the History channel's programs.  I also really like the old movies on Turner Classic Movies: no commercials and some wonderful pictures.

A bit of trivia: I was the head sound engineer on the last live drama to air on NBC Radio.  It's strange to me that I don't have more interest in golden age radio shows.

Bruce

Glad that I am not the only one with Tinnitus here.  I too always need to have some kind of white noise to drown out the ringing, especially when I try to sleep.  Mine stems from severe ear infections as a child.

What I usually listen to when I am modelling is the CD series "Checkflight"(Corsair, ME-109, Zero, and P-51), "Round Sounds", and "Supersonics".  Nothing inspires my building more than hearing a WWI warbird singing it's musical song.

My Gosh! I was hoping to get a varied cross-section of tastes with this thread!

Wow!

I have a %50 hearing loss (in one ear) from a situation similar to Daywalkers'. But Tinnitus....I don't have that, but my boss does and I feel for him based on his description. Geez, that's bad news, guys!

Yes, I have a boom box by the bench, but worthwhile AM reception is lousy, and I can't rock to FM while concentrating either. Running a cable downstairs for a spare TV is no biggie....and an IT pal told me I could split off for both a monitor and a keyboard for reasonable cash to have PC near the bench!

I will have to have the Yanks on this summer....fill in with some Modern Marvels on History....TCM old films....and when nothing else is on....Old Time Radio from Internet Archive....lots of choices now that I don't need to buy another PC.

But very glad to hear about your own favorites! Thanks for the responses! (Sorry about the Tinnitus!)

Nam 

 Depends on the day of the week, and time of day.

 If I'm in the shop during the weekday afternoons, the TV is on, so I can watch The Andy Griffith Show, followed by Seinfeld.

 Weekend mornings, it's PBS on TV for the New Yankee Workshop, and This Old House.

 If TV viewing is no good, it's stereo time for my local rock station, or CD's.

  Camo

For me, it's either Classical (any), Opera, Relaxation, 50's + 60's Rock-n-Roll. Depends on the mood. Sorry all you youngsters out there. I was trained in Classical Piano.

Jim

I usually listen to my iPod on shuffle.

Sometimes I'll listen to my Sirius Satellite Radio on either the Bruce Springsteen Channel or the Pure Jazz  Channel.

Music...usually Pink Floyd...or something else rather mellow.  Can't stand the hard stuff while I'm modeling, but when I'm driving, well that's another story...

Does the ringing in my ears bother you?

I have it too and I have to have something on all the time. I sleep with the fan on year around. The UFO chan...er...... History channel is usually on when I build. If it gets on my nerves I flip to TruTV and watch cops beat on people. A good WWII flick on HC usually gets my building inspiration going though.