How to Quiet Drums For Practice – 7 Steps That Actually Work

If your goal is to get better at playing drums, then the best thing to do is practice whenever you have the time. However, practicing can be very difficult if your neighbors and family members complain about the noise coming from the drums.

Luckily, there are things you can start doing immediately to quiet your drums down a bit, so you don’t have to worry about disturbing your neighbors.

If you follow the steps below carefully, I guarantee that you’ll be able to play your drums without annoying anyone. Meanwhile, you’ll actually become a good drummer.

How to Quiet Drums For Practice

1. Invest in Silent Drumhead Pads

Investing in some silent drumhead pads is one of the most effective things you can do, as these pads will help diminish the noise while you’re playing your drums. They’re extremely light and work effectively when it comes to reducing unwanted noise.

If you’re looking for high-quality drumhead pads, I highly recommend that you check out the Aquarian Drumhead Super Pads.

These pads are designed for quiet practice. They come in different shapes and sizes, which will give you the ability to get the right size for your drum set. The price of these pads is very affordable, and they’re able to fit any set with a rubber border. After applying them to your drums, you’ll instantly notice the difference in the noise level.

2. Use a Low-Volume Cymbal Set

You must be wondering why I haven’t mentioned cymbals, but I’ve got you covered. It’s a known fact that cymbals usually make a lot of noise, so if you’re able to quiet those down, then most of your work is already done.

The best way to decrease the noise is to invest in a low-volume cymbal set. There are many different cymbal sets on the market, but the one I find to be the most successful and worth the investment is the Zildjian L80 Low Volume Cymbal Set.

The cymbals in this set are about 70 percent quieter than regular cymbals. They’ll surely decrease the amount of unwanted noise you make when you’re practicing. You can also use this set continuously, for a long period of time, without damaging the symbols. The only downside to this product is that it’s a bit expensive.

3. Relocate the Drumset

A simple but effective thing you can do to reduce noise is reposition your drum set. By doing this, you can help to get rid of echoes, vibrations and reverbs. What I suggest doing is moving the set to one corner of the room to keep the sound concentrated within one area.

You might be wondering if this step is necessary, but moving your drumset to a specific area in your room, especially near a window, will keep the overall sound level down.

The effectiveness of this method will depend on the dimensions of your room. For the best result, it’s best to try out a few locations and then choose the one that best suits your needs.

4. Install a Thick Carpet Padding

Sound-dampening the floor on which you’ll be placing a drum set is another thing I recommend that you do. You’ll need to place a thick carpet on the floor in order to combat some of the soundwaves coming from the drum set and help reduce the vibration created by the bass.

There are many different types of carpeted padding that are available solely for the purpose of soundproofing, but our top pick is the Premium Grip Rug Pad. These rug pads are extremely durable and slip-resistant, which makes the application process much easier.

5. Attach Acoustic Foam Panels

Acoustic foam panels are a special kind of soundproofing foam that’s usually made of polyether, extruded melamine or polyester.

These soundproofing panels will help reduce the amplitude of sound waves by increasing air resistance. This is why they so effective, and why you often see them in recording studios. In any location, you can attach some foam panels to your walls in order to help reduce echoes and reverbs.

You don’t have to fully cover every wall; covering parts of them and the corner of the room will do just fine. If you’re low on cash, it’s best to cover the wall that’s closest to the drum set.

6. Invest in Sound-Absorbing Curtains

If you’ve relocated your drum set closer to your windows, one of the best things you can do is invest in a soundproof curtain. This type of curtain won’t completely soundproof your room or window, but they’ll help sound-dampen it.

For the best results possible, I recommend getting some curtains that will cover the entire window from top to bottom. For this, I suggest getting a set of NICETOWN Blackout Curtains. These are perfect if you’re looking for inexpensive noise-reducing curtains. They’re one of the best sets on the market, so they’ll do a pretty decent job of making sure your room is free from noise and echoes.

7. Fill the Room With Furniture and Other Items

Another simple thing that can help muffle the noise of your drums is to fill your room with soft cushions, a bookshelf filled with books, decorations and carpeting to cover the floor. I’ve personally arranged the furniture in my room to combat noise.

Conclusion

I hope this guide will help you quiet your drums so you can practice without bothering your family or neighbors. Applying the seven steps above, in conjunction with each other, will surely help you dampen the sound level within your practice room.

Thank you for taking the time to read this article. If you have any questions, feel free to let us know by leaving a comment down below.

Here’s another article you might like: Cheap Ways to Soundproof a Room For Drums 2019.

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