A method for actively cancelling noise, the method comprising: receiving an electronic reference signal from one or more microphones that receives a first acoustic input from a first sound source and a second acoustic input from a second sound source, wherein the one or more microphones are coupled to a motor vehicle or aircraft; selecting one of a plurality of recorded sound signatures stored in a database, wherein the plurality of recorded sound signatures comprises a group of representative sound signatures of noise sources that are anticipated to be cancelled or damped; determining whether the selected recorded sound signature matches or substantially matches a portion of the electronic reference signal; based on a match between the portion of the electronic reference signal and the selected recorded sound signature, separating the portion of the electronic reference signal from the electronic reference signal as a separated signal; determining whether there are any sound signatures remaining in the database to be compared to the electronic reference signal and, if there are sound signatures remaining in the database, selecting one of the remaining sound signatures; generating a source-separated reference signal based on the separated signals obtained by the match between the portion of the electronic reference signal and each selected recorded sound signature such that the source-separated reference signal represents the acoustic input of one of the first sound source or the second sound source; generating an electronic correction signal based on the source-separated reference signal, wherein the electronic correction signal comprises a phase-shifted compensation signal configured to reduce a power of a third acoustic input from the one of the first sound source or the second sound source in an area within the motor vehicle; and converting the electronic correction signal into an acoustic correction signal in the area within the motor vehicle or aircraft by an acoustic actuator. receiving an electronic reference signal from one or more microphones that receives a first acoustic input from a first sound source and a second acoustic input from a second sound source, wherein the one or more microphones are coupled to a motor vehicle or aircraft; selecting one of a plurality of recorded sound signatures stored in a database, wherein the plurality of recorded sound signatures comprises a group of representative sound signatures of noise sources that are anticipated to be cancelled or damped; determining whether the selected recorded sound signature matches or substantially matches a portion of the electronic reference signal; based on a match between the portion of the electronic reference signal and the selected recorded sound signature, separating the portion of the electronic reference signal from the electronic reference signal as a separated signal; determining whether there are any sound signatures remaining in the database to be compared to the electronic reference signal and, if there are sound signatures remaining in the database, selecting one of the remaining sound signatures; generating a source-separated reference signal based on the separated signals obtained by the match between the portion of the electronic reference signal and each selected recorded sound signature such that the source-separated reference signal represents the acoustic input of one of the first sound source or the second sound source; generating an electronic correction signal based on the source-separated reference signal, wherein the electronic correction signal comprises a phase-shifted compensation signal configured to reduce a power of a third acoustic input from the one of the first sound source or the second sound source in an area within the motor vehicle; and converting the electronic correction signal into an acoustic correction signal in the area within the motor vehicle or aircraft by an acoustic actuator.