Basement, probably already asked but, i couldn't find anything i understood

[hungcg]

I just moved into a house i bought with my wife. I have been playing guitar for a little while now. i'm not looking to build a fancy studio and don't reallly care about acoustics too much at this point but my neighbors are already complaining so i want to sound proof my whole basement for their sake. my basement, has cement walls so i think thats fine, the windows i can cover so thats no problem but i feel the ceiling is the biggest leak, that and the stairs but i will also take care of that. basically, i'm 20 yrs old and have a house payment, plus all of your other bills, which makes me BROKE....how can i sound proof the ceiling cheap and fast, so i don't have neighbors jumping me at night or something.

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

It's very simple.... YOU CANNOT.

Soundproofing is not cheap - to isolate enough sound level to avoid disturbing the neighbors will likely require the room-within-a-room concept.

Too bad about the lack of funds, but it costs money to get around the basic principles of acoustics and sound transmission.........

Bruce

 

[Fret]

Unfortunately Blue Bear is absolutely right, but here are a couple of sites to give you a better idea.

http://www.acoustics101.com/room_itself_gateway.htm#The Room Itself

http://www.saecollege.de/reference_material/index.html

 

[gervis]

steal a semi tractor trailer
rob a mattress factory
bury all your equipment in mattresses

 

[gnarled]

I bet your biggest 'leak' is your windows, not the ceiling. I think you'd probably make big gains by treating the windows alone. If that doesn't work, screw the neighbors - thats my approach, but I'm just rent a house so I don't have to worry about having a good long-term relationship.