Sound Frequencies While Playing Drums?

Question

I am interested in soundproofing my bedroom, I am curious as to what frequency levels are present while playing. My issue is that I found a good product, it tells me what range of frequency this blocks out but I don't know the level that I am outputting to be blocked.. If this is too confusing heres my email: [e-mail] Any help greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

It depends greatly on the type of drum. A bass drum will produce frequencies below 20Hz that are too low to be heard by humans (although they can be felt!), whilst cymbals and snares produce frequencies up into the ultrasound region.

Generally to absorb a sound frequency you need an object or air space that is comparable in size to a wavelength of the sound. The wavelength of a 20Hz thump from a bass drum is about 16 metres, or 52 feet, so you can see why it is difficult to soundproof against it. Higher frequencies are easier to soundproof against.

It is only the bass and large toms that produce the low frequencies, so for the sake of the sanity of family/neighbours perhaps you could get some electronic drums and headphones to practice with in place of the big drums, coupled with soundproofing for the snares and cymbals?

Answer 2

Depends on the drums. But they produce a lot of low frequency energy, which is almost impossible to block with soundproofing. Bigger the drum, the lower the frequencies.

Don't the specs on the drums mention a frequency range, or a range of notes?

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