How to reduce noise of direct drive compressor?

[jmgtp]

If anyone has a direct drive you know just how unbearably loud they are. I bought a condo with a 2 bay and I can see this becoming a problem for the neighbors. Short of building a sound proof compressor room or replacing it with a dual stage is there anything that can be modified to drop the noise level? I'm not sure exactly what the noise is from either: the air intake? the mechanical noise of a single piston? If I put my hand over the air intake it does seem to muffle it ever so slightly.

Ideas?

[Weatheralls Auto]

A non restrictive air filter may help some, but not alot I do not think.
It is the nature of the beast.

[pocket-rocket]

A house we looked at before getting this one had a workshop with a compressor in it. He did exactly what you suggested. He built an big box around it and lined it with that egg crate looking foam. I had thought about doing that to mine, even though it isn't direct drive or really that loud (you can talk over it without having to yell, just have to raise your voice some- I was shocked). Just be sure to leave some spot open for ventilation, and maybe even put a furnace filter there to keep dust out of it.

[jmgtp]

I think an enclosure might be the only real solution other than replacing the compressor.

The layout of this place is pretty good for the auto enthusiast. Its a townhouse with a big 2 bay. Behind the garage, separated by a wall, is the basement which runs the length of the garage backwall. Ideally, what I want to do is knockout the backwall on one garage bay (non structural wall) to make the garage bigger by using some basement space. Then I'd have to build a new wall inside the basement to act as a 'furnace room.' I was thinking of putting the compressor in the furnace room and adding some insulation to further reduce the noise.

Even so, I think it will still be a bit on the loud side. You can't talk over this thing, in fact you dont want to be in the same room as it without ear protection. I don't close until next month so I got time to mull it over.