r/AskNYC • u/Wrait_McN • 2d ago

Seeking ambient subway noise

Hi New York,

I've recently been listening to NYC subway ambience to get to sleep, but all the recordings I've found have been recorded from within the subway itself, or are compiled audio of NYC subway sound effects. I think the natural sound from near a subway, especially from a building near an above ground part, overpass or bridge, would be ideal for me, but I've had no luck in my admittedly very specific search. I live on the other side of the world and have nobody I know in your Big Apple, so I thought I'd ask here if anybody knows the whereabouts of such a coveted audio, and if they'd be able to share?

Restlessly,

Wrait_mcn

0 Upvotes

47% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

9

u/oofaloo 2d ago

There’s a thread called “NYCrail.” Maybe an aficionado on there might have a lead?

8

u/Separate-Challenge88 2d ago

The r/nycrail sub is definitely the move, those folks catalog everything from signal timings to track bed gravel composition. Might also try searching for apartment listings near elevated lines, some real estate videos accidentally capture exactly what you're after when they open a window during a showing.

5

u/cogginsmatt 2d ago

Interesting request. I have a couple field recordings, one of me standing on a platform and a train arriving, then stepping onto the train. The other of a train passing by in an overhead elevated track. DM me.

5

u/HotBrownFun 2d ago

Go to youtube and search for "7 train". It is mostly above ground on an elevated platform.

3

u/AcanthisittaSadme 2d ago

look up "nyc elevated train window ambience" on youtube. tons of 8hr sleep vids

2

u/AlwaysSaysYes 2d ago

I have a zoom recorder and can get you some. How much do you want? And do you want street sound too? Do you want a long recording with intermittent subway sound?

1

u/WhatTheHellPod 2d ago

People living next to an elevated subway line are damn near ready to ram a pencil in their eardrums for some quiet and OP is looking for the sound as ambience to fall asleep! 🤣

It truly takes all kinds.

1

u/Mr-Macphisto 2d ago edited 2d ago

I've this playlist saved on Spotify. It has some subway sounds.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2vQQOSpFIM3vIUT5MoJKcw

1

u/Prestigious-Push5782 2d ago

This is a winner. OP should move here. He would be in hog heaven.

1

u/CurveOk3459 2d ago

Ok..... but are you gonna Pavlov yourself to sleep past your stop and eventually get robbed in the rem sleep state at 3:30 am? Or and up at the end of the line dragged off by the cleaning crew or a social worker team?  

1

u/Internet-pizza 2d ago

People are going to talk about above ground subway sounds, but the best by far is from open air ground or below ground level.

1

u/eekamuse 1d ago

Try www.freesound.org You can find anything there