RECORDING DEVICE FOR NOISY NEIGHBORS
Are the upstairs neighbors making your life difficult day by day with constant noise? Well, you don't have to keep enduring this torture. Buying the right noise recording device can help you listen, record, and report a noisy neighbor.
Audio recording isn't just for recording music. You can use it to listen to noisy neighbors and generate audio files as evidence of your misery living underneath the most inconsiderate neighbors.
It could be anything from loud machinery and slamming doors to noisy parties and loud music that incessantly runs into the night, disturbing your well-needed sleep.
See Also: Our Comparison Chart Of Noise Recorders
What's the answer to all the trouble you're experiencing because of loud domestic noises coming from your neighbor's house? You can talk to your apartment manager about the excessive noise that's disturbing your peace. But, you don't have to go half-prepared.
Right before you set up a meeting with your landlord or apartment manager, hear and capture the excessive noise that's evidence of the disrespectful neighbors around you. You can play the recordings that you gathered through your equipment.
WHAT QUALIFIES AS A NUISANCE NOISE?
It's not easy telling the apartment manager or landlord that your upstairs neighbors are constantly yelling at their pet, child, or about any other thing in the house. You have to keep evidence such as recordings to show the authorities about the disturbance you're facing.
You can use different types of equipment for recordings, including a mic, headphones, a recorder, etc. Most people have a hard time realizing how nuisance noise is different from common noise. In simple words, they don't know when to complain and record the noises coming from their neighbors' homes.
When the noise coming from your neighbors starts at unusual times or causes too much distress that you start imagining if they even care about you, it's called nuisance noise. It can cause different reactions such as disturbance, annoyance, or emotional distress.
The primary responsibility to address noise complaints falls on district councils and government agencies. While environmental noise occurs due to a nearby industrial plant or traffic, domestic neighbors cause community noises. Here's a precise categorization of nuisance noise types:
- COMMUNITY NUISANCE NOISE
It refers to unwanted sounds and noises that are outside the workplace. While they can be indoors or outdoors, the source of the community nuisance noise is out of your control. That's because the sources generally include noisy neighbors.
- OCCUPATIONAL NUISANCE NOISE
It refers to unwanted noises and sounds that occur in the workplace. It could result from broken machinery, damaged equipment, or noisy activities.
- CONSUMER PRODUCT NUISANCE NOISE
You may have heard the annoying sound that a blender makes when it's not preparing your favorite milkshake, right? Well, annoying and distressing noise from consumer products is called consumer product nuisance noise.
Before you're ready to take the complaint to a higher authority, you must learn to identify the noise.
FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A MICROPHONE TO RECORD NOISY NEIGHBORS
It would be best to consider several factors when planning to buy a noise recording device to gain the required data as evidence of your loud neighbors.
Here's the list of considerations you must make before purchasing a device that you think will help you the next time excessive noise disturbs your sleep.
RANGE
Obviously, you can't ignore the issue of range. Sometimes, noisy neighbors can be right above you, while other times, they may be on the other side of the street but still loud enough to wake you up at 3 AM!
For your information, there are several legal factors that you must consider. When the noise source is out of range, the device you plug in for use might not efficiently measure and record noises.
Even when the noise comes from the floor right above you, sound barriers like insulation material can be an obstacle to recording evidence. The best buy-in is a sound recorder that captures loud conversations like shouting and chanting along with airborne noises a couple of feet away.
With a good range, you will instantly have the recordings stored as digital data on your computer right in front of you. Our devices have the optimal range listed on the product page under the specifications drop-down tab.
CLARITY
Another main factor that you must pay attention to is the sound quality of your recordings. You don't want to prove the presence of noisy neighbors by walking in the apartment manager's room and playing indistinctive noises. To make sure that the neighbor noise is heard and perceived clearly, you must ensure that the generated audio files are high quality.
Buy a device that captures noise from a few feet away. On top of that, make sure the device can store recordings clearly as if you're standing next to the source of the noise.
BATTERY LIFE
Battery life is an essential factor for recording neighbor noise. You can't wait around every night for hours, hoping that the noisy neighbors will start banging loud music. You can get a voice-activated noise recorder or keep one active all night.
But for that, you will need a noise recorder with a battery life of 16-20 hours at minimum. That way, you can easily let the voice recorder sit on the window or somewhere where you can hear the noise clearly.
COMPATIBLITY WITH YOUR RECORDING DEVICE
The microphone you choose must have specifications written in the manual or the packaged box, at the very least. This will save you the trouble of unpackaging the mic at home and realizing that it's incompatible with your recording device.
Once you're clear about the specifications of your recording device, make sure you find a high-quality microphone that integrates with it.
For example, a microphone that works best at recording human vocals won't be good at picking up a guitar or kick drum noises even if they're right above you. So, pick a specific product based on your need and purpose.
BACKGROUND NOISE CANCELLATION
If you have ever roamed the electronics market for the right noise-cancellation headphones, you already know what we're talking about here.
It will be tough to pinpoint the noise in your recordings if your microphone picks up every sound it receives, ranging from traffic and house banter to birds and wind. So, make sure that the microphone you choose effectively records high-quality sound.
CONDESNER MICROPHONES VS DYNAMIC MICS
If you're a musician or a music enthusiast, at the very least, you'll already know the difference between the two. Condenser microphones are very different from dynamic microphones. Besides, to make sure that you have enough recordings to prove to your apartment manager, you must learn the fundamental differences between the two types of microphones.
Typically, sound recorders have a built-in microphone. It's fitted inside as a tiny device that performs the central role of capturing sounds. To report a noisy neighbor, buy a sound recorder with a built-in dynamic microphone.
Your best bet at capturing loud noises is entirely possible because recording noisy neighbors can be like recording a live concert. Here're the qualities of a dynamic microphone:
- Easily withstands high sound pressure
- Most commonly used for live performances
- Captures sound in nearly all directions (omnidirectional)
- Suitable for live settings and loud sounds
On the other hand, a condenser microphone is a complete opposite of a dynamic microphone. It's not suitable for low frequencies but rather higher frequencies and quieter sounds. A condenser microphone focuses on delicate sounds with high sensitivity features.
Such microphones are set up and used in recording studios or classified cardioid. You must do your research beforehand and ask all related questions to make the most viable purchase.
EASE OF USE
Ease of use is something that you can't ignore at all. You can't deal with complicated controls and buttons if you have no previous experience with such equipment.
On the other hand, working with complicated controls and a complex button system can take away the right opportunity to record the neighbors being loud or arguing with another neighbor.
WARRANTY AND SUPPORT
All the voice recording equipment, including microphones, recorders, and more from SpyCentre Security, come with US-based customer support and a 1-year manufacturer's warranty. You will require protection as a consumer when declaring the device's features that you utilized for recordings.
Plus, high-grade sound recorders can cost quite a lot. So, getting a warranty in case something goes wrong with the equipment will help recover your investment.
USB POWER BANK SOUND RECORDER
Measuring only 3.7 inches long, this fully functional USB Power Bank Audio Recorder offers an extended battery life of over 336 hours or approximately two weeks. The standby battery offers 150-day support non-stop and is voice-activated with a single click.
The standby support of this device is for over 5 months, and that too with voice activation enabled! It also comes with the ability to store up to 576 hours of high-definition audio recordings, US-based customer support, and a 1-year manufacturer's warranty from SpyCentre Security.
MAGNETIC MINI NOISE RECORDER
The Magnetic Mini Noise Recorder comes with a magnetized body that allows for it to be attached to any metal surface for placement. Being so tiny has its advantages, allowing for easy placement in a pocket, on a counter, and more.
It offers the same great features as larger and more noticeable voice recording equipment, like a date and time stamp, voice-activated recording, and playback through the device. The recorded files can be downloaded to a Windows or Mac computer.
What I really like about this device is the one-hour charge time and the fact that it can be left plugged into a powered USB port and still record, removing the issue of battery life. But should you not have a USB port handy, this little Starbursts recorder can work for up to 28 hours on a full charge.
VOICE RECORDER SPY PEN
The tiny pen-size voice recorder that's a pen has a data capacity of 8 Gigabytes that stores up to 288 hours. It has a battery life of over 31 hours for continuous use or 30 days standby time while in voice-activation mode.
You can charge it fully in two hours, and the best part is that it writes, allowing for this covert spy pen to blend in naturally anywhere. A quick counter wise turn at the top of the pen allows for fast recording at a moment's notice, even when caught off guard.
PRO USB FLASH DRIVE AUDIO RECORDER
This ordinary-looking and fully functioning flash drive voice recorder is an elite product and must-have for anyone trying to make recordings. This device boasts a 25-day standby battery life while in voice activation. Each recording can be time and date-stamped, and the included 8GB memory can store up to 288 hours.
You can quickly download your recordings to a Windows or Mac computer and, best of all, leave the device plugged into any powered USB port for unlimited battery life while recording.
CORDLESS WIFI SECURITY CAMERA WITH MICROPHONE
The Cordless WIFI Security Camera with Microphone efficiently records noises and minimizes useless video and audio capture, resulting in higher battery efficiency. Rated to be mounted outdoors, this 1080P high-definition video camera has a mount allowing for easy placement anywhere.
Quickly and securely capture that noisy neighbor or barking dog with audio and video, including time and date stamps. Video recordings can even be seen from the comfort of your home via the free CamSCPro app available for iPhones or Androids.
The built-in battery can run for up to 3-4 months, thanks to advanced artificial intelligence that helps reduce useless recordings. This surveillance camera can support up to a 128GB SD card and includes a wide 110-degree field of view.
It comes with US-based customer support and a 1-year manufacturer's warranty directly from SpyCentre Security. So, what are you waiting for when the product offers both video and audio surveillance?
Zetta Max IR Surveillance Camera 160° Field of View
The Zetta Max IR Surveillance Camera with a 160° field of view is an excellent choice for dealing with noisy neighbors. Its ultra-wide angle ensures you can capture nearly everything happening in a large area, perfect for monitoring shared spaces like hallways, courtyards, or parking lots. With this expansive coverage, you're more likely to record any disruptive behavior without frequently repositioning the camera.
This camera also excels in low-light and night-time recording, thanks to its built-in infrared (IR) technology. Noisy disturbances often happen after dark, but with the Zetta Max, you won't miss a thing. The IR sensors enable clear footage, even in complete darkness, giving you peace of mind that all activities are being captured, regardless of the time of day.
The Zetta Max is also easy to set up and discreet, making it ideal for surveillance in sensitive situations like dealing with noisy neighbors. Its compact design allows it to be placed inconspicuously, so you can monitor it without drawing attention. The camera is also equipped with motion-activated recording, ensuring you only capture when there's activity, which conserves storage space and makes reviewing footage more efficient.
This camera supports up to a 256GB SD card that can store up to 200 hours of high-definition video with audio. Its battery can last up to 12 hours, or it can be left plugged in for indefinite recording 24/7. Videos are time- and date-stamped; you can download the footage to a Windows or Mac.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
CAN I RECORD NEIGHBOR NOISE?
Neighbor noise disputes are a never-ending issue. So, is it legal for you to record noisy neighbors? Well, it is technically allowed to record noisy neighbors to prove your poor living experience as long as you're not invading their privacy.
HOW DO YOU RECORD AUDIO THROUGH WALLS?
Recording nuisance noise through the walls is all about the sound recorder's quality that you've purchased. If it's a highly-quality microphone with the proper compatibility and features, it will be highly efficient in recording audio through walls.
HOW TO MAKE APARTMENT NOISE COMPLAINTS?
Once you record the neighbor noise, take the recordings to your district council or apartment manager to deal with the issue. District councils are more authoritative and second-stage in dealing with such matters.
Approach the police if you want additional support or if the local government fails to help.
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