Guys that practice in upstairs bonus rooms, I have ?'s

[Devilinside]

Ok selling my current home and have 2 choices, buy an existing home in a desired area that will have neighbors or build on 2acres on land I already own where there are no neighbors but my brother.

May seem obvious to build, but buying a home would put me in town and closer to everything, but I have no way to know if my band could practice in bonus room without disturbing neighbors. My band practices at reasonable levels but sound carries. It's nearly impossible to find a place to practice besides my home in the town I live in. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[RJF]

I say build. 2 acres is extremely small as is, but it still beats those 1/4 acre lots or whatever they are that the townies live in.

 

[Chris6870]

Build on 2 acres. You can build it the way you want. In town stinks. You can't pick your neighbors.

 

[Mudder]

I would build because you get what you want in a house. I suppose it would depend on how long a commute it is and how much you like to hang out in town.

 

[Devilinside]

Yeah I keep thinking build, but it certainly is nice for shopping,food, etc... To be minutes from everything but yeah y'all are prob right. Building is just such a stressful ordeal I guess that's the payoff though

 

[Heritage Softail]

If you have the typical angled ceiling in your bonus room, the drums will bounce down off the angled ceiling and just sound strange. I hated it. Like playing in a pipe. Unless you go all out sound baffling.... Or electronic drums. Drummers are the source of volume wars anyways....

Done both options you mentioned. The best one for me was the house on land land and then adding a detached garage. Kinda like what Mailman Dan has.

Keeps the noise and potential party away from the kids. It just isn't cool to be doing your Slayer cover with Barney on in the background.... Just sayin...

 

[Devilinside]

If you have the typical angled ceiling in your bonus room, the drums will bounce down off the angled ceiling and just sound strange. I hated it. Like playing in a pipe. Unless you go all out sound baffling.... Or electronic drums. Drummers are the source of volume wars anyways....

Done both options you mentioned. The best one for me was the house on land land and then adding a detached garage. Kinda like what Mailman Dan has.

Keeps the noise and potential party away from the kids. It just isn't cool to be doing your Slayer cover with Barney on in the background.... Just sayin...

Ha ha!
Yeah no kids and not having any but yeah I see your point.
I'm planning on doing a full basement if I build so that's prob a good route

 

[LP Freak]

I have a upstairs bonus room and I'd say it's not the best place for a band to rehearse if you're worried about the neighbors. The basement is a much better choice.

 

[mjtripper]

build - and do acoustic treatment while you are at it.

 

[Devilinside]

I have a upstairs bonus room and I'd say it's not the best place for a band to rehearse if you're worried about the neighbors. The basement is a much better choice.

So would you say that neighbors would still hear rehearsal if practicing on a 1/2 acre lot in a bonus room playing at lower volume

 

[Erock]

Your neighbors are going to hear a full band IMO. Depends if they are cool or not. You can hear a loud stereo on these 1/2 acre lots. I can hear the girl playing piano next door if I'm in my garage. A basement helps a lot, but it's still audible without soundproofing. I had a bonus room on 2 acres with trees, and never got one complaint or mention of noise from my neighbors. My vote goes to building, plus living next your brother is a bonus.

 

[RG955TT]

Rehearse in basement with full band but e drums and you cant hear it at all outside. I would say its a little more than 1/2 as loud as real drums and amp volumes the way we play. E Drums really make a huge difference at rehearsals and you can control all of the volume thru the PA (2 x JBL 15" powered 2 way cabs and 2 floor monitors also powered) and really hear the vocals.

 

[crankyrayhanky]

Keep in mind people suck

 

[Devilinside]

Yeah basement seems the way to go. Keep in mind building, there are no neighbors and no way I'd have any other than my bro so I could practice at any level.

 

[craftm1]

Build, my studio/man cave is in a bonus room and there's no way either of my bands could ever rehearse there. But it works for recording but not whole bands at the same time.

 

[threadkiller]

My bonus room is great for practicing but you can clearly hear me outside. A whole band would be easily heard next door. Doubt it would be loud but they would hear it. I'd build.

 

[ejecta]

Been where you are and as a guitar player who likes to play at volume. Build. I did. Best decision ever. Do a finished basement with poured concrete walls and build a room in a room down there for playing with a band and or loud guitars you'll not even bother your wife. I didnt even go as far as room in room but just did heavy blown insulation and my wife can be in our bedroom up stairs at the opposite in of the house. The closer you come to that end of the house you'll hear the band more but it's not bad. Hearing us outside? Not by much if any.

 

[souldigger]

I'm about to be in a similar situation and I'm leaning heavily towards building or at least buying with a descent unfinished basement so I can build out the room within a room setup. It's nice to be closer in, but hey that's what a monthly run to Costco is for.

-JD

 

[LP Freak]

I have a upstairs bonus room and I'd say it's not the best place for a band to rehearse if you're worried about the neighbors. The basement is a much better choice.

So would you say that neighbors would still hear rehearsal if practicing on a 1/2 acre lot in a bonus room playing at lower volume

We'll I guess it depends on what you call lower volume. The bass and kick carry.

 

[Devilinside]

Thanks guys for all the great info!!