The quietest place on earth
Go Deeper.
Create an account or log in to save stories.
Like this?
Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Minnesota has received a lot of attention lately for nationally acclaimed buildings like the new Guthrie Theater, the new Minneapolis Public Library, and the Walker Art Center. One building in Minneapolis has even made the Guinness Book of World Records -- twice.
The building was first put on the map as Sound 80 Studio, where Bob Dylan recorded "Blood on the Tracks." This year, Guinness labeled it as having the "world's first digital recording studio." In 2005, Guinness called one of its rooms the "quietest place on earth."
MPR's Cathy Wurzer took a tour of this building with Steve Orfield, founder and president of Orfield Labs. He talked about his psychoacoustic research, which examines how people perceive sounds. The research involves such noise-generating products as motorcycles, dishwashers and artificial heart valves.
Turn Up Your Support
MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all.
Dear reader,
Your voice matters. And we want to hear it.
Will you help shape the future of Minnesota Public Radio by taking our short Listener Survey?
It only takes a few minutes, and your input helps us serve you better—whether it’s news, culture, or the conversations that matter most to Minnesotans.