Abstract: A method of neutralizing noise for an air compressor includes routing sound waves exiting an air intake of an air compressor along two separate paths, with a length of a first path being about one-half the wavelength of the sound waves and the length of the second path being negligible relative to the wavelength of the sound waves. In a first state, sound waves in a first path close a first valve to prevent the sound waves from exiting the first path while the a second valve in the second path remains open to permit inflow of ambient air through the second valve. In a second state, sound waves in the second path close the second valve to prevent the sound waves from exiting the second path while the first valve in the first path remains open to permit inflow of ambient air through the first valve. The method includes alternating between the first state and the second state in response to the repeating sound waves generated by the air compressor.