Hey guys, I was just wondering if anyone would know how to go about sound proofing my basement. It's hard to get practice in when you have 4 other people screaming at you to stop. My room and drum kit is in the basement. So, does anyone know how to sound proof a basemen? Or, should i just get an electric kit? Which one would be cheaper? Any help would be appreciated.

-EML.

Well for sound proofing a basement whats a good estimated price? because if its over like 400-600 that's a little too much.

-EML.

I'm "sound proofing" my garage, after extensive planning, research, contacting tradies, it's looking like it's going to cost around 20k aussie. I wouldn't expect much less in US dollars.

I'm sorry but no amount of eggcartons, mattresses, carpets, or blankets is going to act to ISOLATE your basement sonically. (I use the phrase sound isolation because sound proof is a misnoma)

Well as a currency conversion it would only be like ~$19,000 U.S.

I think one Aussie dollar buys 95 US cents at the moment.

WOAH DUDE, are you searious? It would cost me $19,000? That's crazy.

-EML.

Do you have any info on the sound tech article (link) or is it available only from a magazine subscription?  Thanks.

I just had a baby, and so I turned to craigslist and got a complete Roland TD-7 set for $450. Now I can play all night with headphones (playing along to my iPod), and it doesn't bother anybody.
If you are playing in your basement, someone directly above you might be able to hear you, but in that case you'll only have to insulate the floor right above your head (instead of isolating an entire room).

My advice:  Do both.  Do a cheapie soundproofing of your practice space and buy a used electronic kit.  Otherwise, you'll drive your family/roomates nuts.

Low budget soundproofing can contain the noise well enough that the neighbours in the next building aren't bothered by the sound of an acoustic kit, but the people in the next room?  Forget it.

Without any   soundproofing, even the e-kit will likely be enough to drive your family/roommates nuts.  Try smacking your bass drum pedal into a block of wood repeatedly.  That's about the sound your e-kit will make.  It's pretty annoying after a while.

If you're interested, I can give advice about cheapie soundproofing, but I guarantee it won't be good enough for an acoustic kit.

What you really need is a freestanding shed or garage that you can soundproof well enough.  That can be done fairly cheaply. 

Personally, I've done a very cheap job of soundproofing half my garage.  I use an e-kit in there with real cymbals and nobody even knows when I'm playing.  When my sweetie is away (including one night a week for band practice), I play the acoustic kit in the basement with brushes or rods.  The bass drum is completely stuffed with pillows , the other drums are damped, and the basement has zero soundproofing.  So far, the neighbours aren't complaining.

I built a studio in my basement two and a half years ago.  It was a new construction home with the basement being built around the studio (two walls concrete foundation, with HVAC and electrical modified as necessary during construction).

The room is 12'X20' and I estimate that I spent about $5,000 $3,250 extra for materials and labor.  This number is in addition to what it otherwise cost to finish the room (I.e., the $5,000 is for second interior wall, sound board, extra layer of drywall, second door with weather stripping, specialty lighting, etc.).  I hung and caulked the soundboard myself.  Keep in mind the house was designed around this room, I started with a hole in the ground and was able to build and direct when the walls were still bare studs.  If you needed to move HVAC, plumbing, gas lines, etc. expect the cost to increase substantially.

Here's a thread that details the construction of this room.

http://www.drummercafe.com/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,2/topic,15238.0

(I'm actually kind of disappointed that the pictures didn't show up.  I have kept them hosted specifically for this thread.  Anyone know why they are red X's now?)

Corey

EDIT:  My photo host switched hosting software (or servers or something) and I didn't make the switch.  Sorry about the red-X's in that thread.  I'll have to rebuild it when I get time.   

EDIT:  After reviewing my build thread I saw that the total cost of my project was $3,250 so I editted it to correct the cost.