Please help me keep the lows in my own house

[catalin gramada]

Bitumen membrane...?

 

[silky smoove]

Bitumen membrane...?

This along with mass loaded vinyl are actually pretty poor isolators in terms of a performance to cost ratio. Nothing beats drywall in that regard.

 

[doran.dragic]

I didn't read the whole thread so please excuse me if I'm suggesting what has already been suggested.

You stated that you don't want to play over headphones and I can understand that, but you didn't give us a reason. If you don't like to wear headphone that's perfectly OK but if you're concerned by the lack of the physical feeling that a real amp would give you you could try out a bass platform like the one Eich Amplification (and other manufacturers probably as well) makes.

 

[Riff Ranger]

It's great that you had a reasonable neighbor who didn't immediately default to calling the cops. I always tell people that the best method for mitigating sound isolation is to do it socially. Go have a conversation with any neighbors who could be affected by the sound involved (easier said than done during a global pandemic). Bake them some cookies if you want to REALLY sell it. Give them your phone number and ask them to call you before calling the cops if the noise gets out of hand. Work out an arrangement for times that are acceptable to play at full volume and promise not to exceed those times without discussing it with them first. It's a hassle, but it's free, will introduce you to your neighbors and might even make you some new friends. We all want to play at whatever volume we want, whenever we want, but it's frequently just not possible without huge expenses and efforts.

I look forward to meeting more people when we have less pandemic. It seems like a GREAT neighborhood. I want to keep it this way.

 

[Downunderwonder]

I had my wife walk around outside when I first got set up in this garage to let me know where to stop with volume and lows, but I'm guessing between switching amps and tweaking EQ that overall obnoxiousness must have crept up. I will confess to wishful thinking about the volume and low end not getting obnoxious, but if not for wishful thinking, I would never have picked up the bass.

I'm glad a neighbor spoke up sooner rather than later, because it's horrifying to think about how much of a disturbance I likely have already caused in my ignorance.

Maybe creep happened, but also the escaped bass can resonate in the structures around in a much more obtrusive fashion than what you hear right outside the garage.

If I was you I would enlist the neighbours once you get a HPF and a small amp on low volume. See what you can negotiate for sessions per week. If you find nobody even heard your 15 min of HPF low volume before you knocked on their door you're good to play anytime before 10pm!

Drums. Nah.

 

[DJ Bebop]

It's great that you had a reasonable neighbor who didn't immediately default to calling the cops. I always tell people that the best method for mitigating sound isolation is to do it socially. Go have a conversation with any neighbors who could be affected by the sound involved (easier said than done during a global pandemic). Bake them some cookies if you want to REALLY sell it. Give them your phone number and ask them to call you before calling the cops if the noise gets out of hand. Work out an arrangement for times that are acceptable to play at full volume and promise not to exceed those times without discussing it with them first. It's a hassle, but it's free, will introduce you to your neighbors and might even make you some new friends. We all want to play at whatever volume we want, whenever we want, but it's frequently just not possible without huge expenses and efforts.

Yep!
Years ago, I was out in my back yard, playing a little radio ('member those ) on a Saturday afternoon about 2 pm and my neighbor called the police on me. The police showed up, saw what I was doing, shook his head, and told me about the complaint. I asked who, he said he couldn't tell me but at the volume, I was playing my radio it would have to be someone behind me because as he said: "it's not that loud." So I yelled out loud, "all you would have to do is, ask me to turn it down." The cop said " that's what I'm talkin' about," and left.
Good times

 

[Riff Ranger]

I didn't read the whole thread so please excuse me if I'm suggesting what has already been suggested.

You stated that you don't want to play over headphones and I can understand that, but you didn't give us a reason. If you don't like to wear headphone that's perfectly OK but if you're concerned by the lack of the physical feeling that a real amp would give you you could try out a bass platform like the one Eich Amplification (and other manufacturers probably as well) makes.

I didn't read the whole thread so please excuse me if I'm suggesting what has already been suggested.

You stated that you don't want to play over headphones and I can understand that, but you didn't give us a reason. If you don't like to wear headphone that's perfectly OK but if you're concerned by the lack of the physical feeling that a real amp would give you you could try out a bass platform like the one Eich Amplification (and other manufacturers probably as well) makes.

Something similar was suggested, but I like Jorg's work, so good to know about this specific option.

I didn't want suggestions of headphones or turning down only because those options had already occurred to me and I wanted to see if there were options I didn't know about. Some commenters have misinterpreted that to mean that I would never consider the easy options that had already occurred to me, which seems to miss the entire point of this thread

Why I dislike headphones could start an entirely new thread, but the short version is probably typical: it doesn't sound the same as an amp, it doesn't feel as good (though I can live without the thump if I have to), and I find them uncomfortable. I still have a decent set of headphones and I do use them if I get a hankering for a plugged in sound at odd hours, but I would much rather play through an amplifier if it's not causing a disturbance.

 

[agedhorse]

In a perfect senerio, Low frequencies need to be redirected and cancel them selves out
One can only wonder how to achieve this senerio with minimal funds .

You can wonder all you want, but that's not going to be any more effective in practice that doing nothing (except what we mentioned earlier)

I understand about your Marshall Stacks assumption, I guess. But, still, you are attaching the info about the proper fire proof building materials onto what I said. Makes it seem to other people, that I suggested using non-fire rated, sub standard materials. Which I didn't. I actually stated I hired a sound contractor to build it correctly. Maybe you got me confused with someone else. Thanks.

I was referring to the types of materials needed to attain sufficient low frequency attenuation.

My flame spread statements/cautions were separate and applies to any building material used for acoustic treatment (and other applications too, but I was just addressing this because of specific incidents that affected our industry... the Ghost Ship warehouse fire is another with tragic consequences).

Ok, let's flip the question around. We know it won't be perfect, but what is the most sound absorption you can make for $500? OP will need to be willing to turn down, unwillingness is a non-starter. Tape on the cymbals - free, a couple old moving blankets on the garage door - cheap, other things that won't make it perfect, but may get the SPL down to the point where the neighbors won't mind if it happens before 8:00pm. Basically, showing some effort will go a long way. Well, assuming the band doesn't suck. Heh.

 

[DJ Bebop]

I had my wife walk around outside when I first got set up in this garage to let me know where to stop with volume and lows, but I'm guessing between switching amps and tweaking EQ that overall obnoxiousness must have crept up.

 

[DJ Bebop]

You can wonder all you want, but that's not going to be any more effective in practice that doing nothing (except what we mentioned earlier)


I was referring to the types of materials needed to attain sufficient low frequency attenuation.

My flame spread statements/cautions were separate and applies to any building material used for acoustic treatment (and other applications too, but I was just addressing this because of specific incidents that affected our industry... the Ghost Ship warehouse fire is another with tragic consequences).

Ghost Ship warehouse fire - Wikipedia

 

[LetItGrowTone]

A wave, even one that is inaudible or almost so, can travel through the air, enter a structure, and because of the way resonance works can get loud again. This depends on the dimensions and damping inside the other structure!

 

[DJ Bebop]

A wave, even one that is inaudible or almost so, can travel through the air, enter a structure, and because of the way resonance works can get loud again. This depends on the dimensions and damping inside the other structure!

 

[Riff Ranger]

SO! … ten pages in, I think I have some answers, haha. Thank you to those who read carefully and replied constructively (especially @agedhorse; I don't know where you find time for my garage issues, but I hope it's useful or at least fun for you).

We rent, we have no basement, and we have no room for a bass barn or bunker, so major construction wouldn't work even if I had the budget.

While the idea of adding subs to control the bleeding through cancellation intrigues me, that's also beyond my budget, space, and know-how.

It doesn't sound like bass traps, insulation, blankets, or other "Band-Aids" will make enough of a difference to justify their effort or expense, though I might insulate the garage door for the usual reasons.

I might spring for a high-pass filter (now that I'm about to go Class D, might as well hop on that train, too).

I will try the new combo (whoever suggested the Traynor: I went with the SB-112, haha!) on the stand at much lower volume and see how that goes. Headphones remain an option; I just really don't like them.

I would like to reach out to the neighbors personally, but that will have to wait until the pandemic gets under control. By then, maybe the brief period of disturbance will have been forgotten, haha/groan.

 

[alembicbones]

Hi Riff,

I hope you find a good solution to your issue. I thought I would give you my situation. I regularly would play my amplified bass in my basement. My wife and daughter were fine with it but I had to keep things within reason. I got plenty of time playing loud with my bands so I got to enjoy moving air. Then COVID set in and everything is just happening at home. All three of us were in the house, but for sanity sake, I needed to keep playing bass. To keep the peace, I went to headphones. Years ago, I played in a band where everything went through the phones so I was kind of used to it. I have a Phil Jones amp with a headphone out and started to use it. The result was a little underwhelming.

After doing a little research, I came across gear made by Two Notes. The first was the Le Bass pre amp pedal and the second was the Torpedo C.A.B. M+ cabinet simulator. Wow do these pedals do the job. It ran me about $600 total for both and I am loving it. The pre amp is super versatile and the cab simulator can cop a myriad of tones. The experience in the cans is great. On top of this, I can play loud at any time and not bother anybody. Once things get back to normal, I think I will still use this rig a lot, especially in the studio.

Best,
Bones

 

[DJ Bebop]

SO! … ten pages in, I think I have some answers, haha. Thank you to those who read carefully and replied constructively (especially @agedhorse; I don't know where you find time for my garage issues, but I hope it's useful or at least fun for you).

We rent, we have no basement, and we have no room for a bass barn or bunker, so major construction wouldn't work even if I had the budget.

While the idea of adding subs to control the bleeding through cancellation intrigues me, that's also beyond my budget, space, and know-how.

It doesn't sound like bass traps, insulation, blankets, or other "Band-Aids" will make enough of a difference to justify their effort or expense, though I might insulate the garage door for the usual reasons.

I might spring for a high-pass filter (now that I'm about to go Class D, might as well hop on that train, too).

I will try the new combo (whoever suggested the Traynor: I went with the SB-112, haha!) on the stand at much lower volume and see how that goes. Headphones remain an option; I just really don't like them.

I would like to reach out to the neighbors personally, but that will have to wait until the pandemic gets under control. By then, maybe the brief period of disturbance will have been forgotten, haha/groan.

May I suggest since you're going class D and see the need for an HPF:

Just a thought...

 

[VolverseLoco]

I am truly moved by this thread, actually, a little frightened as to what I would do if I got 'THE DREADED NOTE'. So living in Las Vegas, a 24hr town, I was seeing if all that nighttime party allowed/overlooked non-sense extended out to my non deed restricted residential neighborhood. All of this stuff is taken from the Clark County website here pertaining to noise problems and the ordinance. This first thing they instruct the person who is making the complaint to try to work it out with their neighbor, me I guess, but then they warn that person with:

So hopefully that is enough to put the fear in them from even coming to my house.

Next we define the hours of when noises can occur at certain levels:

Now we have a cute chart for reference. I suppose the bass guitar dB readings, at normal practice levels by yourself right where you are playing, not a full out sonic assault, would maybe be between the city traffic and the lawnmower ? Maybe?

Readings must be taken at the neighbors house:

Sound pressure levels shall be measured at all property lines at a height of at least four (4) feet above the ground surface.

And here is the truth table:

And last but not least, we are allowed to let 'er ripp for a tiny bit each day covered my this clause:

The levels specified may be exceeded by ten decibels (10dB) for a single period not to exceed fifteen (15) minutes in any one day.


So I just bought this:

And I will keep it down, really down till I can build a case for myself, in preparation for battle, should it come down to that if I ever do receive "The dreaded note!"

 

[Riff Ranger]

May I suggest since you're going class D and see the need for an HPF:

View attachment 4032802

Just a thought...

I think the D-800+ is exactly what I need, but I would have to move a lot of gear before I could make it a reality.

 

[Riff Ranger]

OH! and drums are out, though I would have guessed bass would pose much more of a problem. My most musically inclined kid seems like more of a keys and electronics guy right now, anyway.

 

[Honkey tonk]

You can wonder all you want, but that's not going to be any more effective in practice that doing nothing (except what we mentioned earlier)


I was referring to the types of materials needed to attain sufficient low frequency attenuation.

My flame spread statements/cautions were separate and applies to any building material used for acoustic treatment (and other applications too, but I was just addressing this because of specific incidents that affected our industry... the Ghost Ship warehouse fire is another with tragic consequences).

I do apologize , right or wrong but I kinda view roofing felt as a poor man's MLV

 

[4andnomore]

Rehearsal space is probably your best bet if you need to crank it that loud.