I live on the 3rd floor of my apartment and people downstairs are just about to lose it cos of me practicing my "L R Kick" triplets.
I want to know if there is an intelligent, makeshift way to soundproof the floor to minimise the noise of the Kick drum.
PS : I already have mute pads on the all the heads.
I was thinking what if I put 2 yoga mats underneath it? would that be any good?
Do they have problems with the snare, or is it really just the kick? I'd be willing to bet that half the problem is from the pedal stomping rather than the actual kick drum sound. Actually, I just realized you said you already have mute pads on, so it's probably a little more than just half the problem. They probably can't really hear much of the actual drum kick sound, they just experience shake, shake, shake. I see people suggesting electronic drum kits; however I feel these will do you no good as most good ones use real kick pedal apparatus with a mallot that strikes a stopper pad/sensor. Also, an electronic drum kit is essentially nothing more than mute pads with sensors, so if you have a problem now an electric kit won't solve it.
If you have high enough ceilings you could do a quick and dirty drum riser by placing masonry cement bricks next to each other in maybe a 9 brick x 9 brick pattern. Maybe more, idk, but if you look it up the VERY best thing for blocking sound is cement brick. Just as good as noise cancelling foam, if not better. Also, I believe, better than attempts to "float" the floor.
While it's not floating, it will probably help with the direct transfer of the vibration of using the pedal as well but if you could suspend yourself with cables that'd be ideal ;).
Of course, I don't know how crazy you are willing to get, but you could conceivably enclose the entire bass drum and kick pedal apparatus in a sound-proof enclosure, with some sort of access panel/door that lets your leg in so you can press the pedal.
However, since I don't really think the problem is in the sound transfer so much as the vibrations caused when playing, your best bet would be the cinderblock riser. If that's too heavy for your floor, then your gonna have to either move or drive your neighbors to move out. :) Hope this helps.
It is the vibration that bothers. Electronic drums will not help. If the raiser is not an option, consider reducing muffling the vibration between the pedals and the floor. I had this problem even though I was using a practice pad-set. My solution was to get a set of excersice mats (http://www.greatmats.com/products/home-sport-play.php?kmas=1&kmca=Shopping+PLA&kmag=Exercise:+Sport+&+Play+Mats+2x2+Ft+x+7/8+inch&kmkw=%27%27excercise+mats%27%27&kmmt=p&gclid=CjwKEAiAiZK1BRD509nPsYiUk2YSJAAMoAwCKuVZt0iivm-enwwoduv_h9CQVoE--dq--hnOJpvvkxoCAqjw_wcB), a cardboard, and a ribbed area rug (http://www.americanfloormats.com/ribbed-entrance-mats/) underneath the set and that stopped the vibrations from the double pedal. I had hardwood floors so I put the excersice pads first. Then to cardboard box folded flat and on top of that, the rug on top of that. That worked for me.
Facing those problems, I'd be looking at buying an electronic set of drums, or at least a kick and snare to start with. Another advantage is that they can be set up in another part of the flat, maybe bathroom, which is probably over your neighbour's bathroom, not used too often.The mats would then be quite useful, but most of the noise will be in your headphones. Cheap? Not necessarily, but cheap-er than moving or bust-ups ! And the kit can supplement your original when doing gigs.
I just bought a sweet 4 X 6 rubber mat thats 3/8 thick. It only cost $85. Wood frame building so I hear everything above me. It sucks being a drummer trying to be quiet, it just goes against everything we do. Oh nelly! If it doesn't work then at least I have a heavy duty mat for weightlifting or maybe use it when I buy a house for the basement.
