Funny thing: I have seen two websites like this now, both registered after I wrote the article. So did I have the idea first? I don't know, but I like to think I beat them to the punch.

Also, both of these site advertise using foam, and not felt. I started with foam only construction; let me assure you, the felt serves a purpose. It works better than felt alone, so make your own everyone!

It's nice to see I'm not the ONLY one having problems with the noise made by the Rock Band drums.

My old, intolerable hag of a landlady has been complaining constantly. So, I've been engineering some sound-dampening mechanisms myself.

Here are some things I tried which have worked:
1) Instead of felt pads, I went to a fabric store and bought some remnants of really hairy fabric. The hairs are probably one to two inches long. Makes my drums look all plussshhhhh... I think these probably work a little better than felt because the hair breaks up almost all sound; you can barely hear the pads when you hit them.

2) I cut up an old yoga mat and put that underneath the hairy pads to further absorb shock.

3) The easiest and most effective thing I found was to replace my drumsticks with a lighter-weight pair. The sound of a strike on the pad is determined by the pad and the mass of the drumsticks. So, if you get an extremely light-weight pair, it diminishes the sound considerably. I picked mine up at a music store. They say "Latin Percussion Inc" on them. I don't think they're meant for playing actual drums, but they work fine for the game.

4) Another thing I did was to suspend a large, heavy piece of fabric -- a mover's quilt thing -- above my drum set. I think this might help a little, but I'm not certain



The only thing I haven't figured out is the bass pedal. Even though it doesn't make much audible sound, stomping on it still sends sound waves through the floor. My neighbors don't like that either. I've tried putting a carpet and another piece of yoga mat under the entire drum kit, but it doesn't seem to help.

The only ideas I have for the bass pedal involve elevating the kit by placing it on some sort of pedestal. The pedestal would have to be supported by some sort of stiff but noise dampening supports. (I've heard tennis balls can be used for this purpose, but I haven't tried them). Still, this is getting pretty complicated. I'm almost ready to give up!

Anybody got any ideas about the bass pedal?

-vfxdude2

i went with the Staples mouse-pads last night. Michaels near me didn't have the self-adhesive foam.

worked like a champ...on 3 of the 4 heads. of of the heads got screwed up, the grey rubber cover came up under one of them and now i have a giant air bubble underneath it. i am going to take apart the head and try to flatten it out tonight.

BTW, Blairbryngelson did NOT BUY anything from that website. that's his OWN website that he's selling RB drum covers from.

those drum pads better work or I'm gonna kill my next door NEIGHBOR WHO HAS GH3

Why would you kill your neighbor who has GH3 when the drum pads are for Rock Band? I'm confused.

I went and did this as well, except I used a small plate as a circle which happened to fit just inside the pads

It still shows some of the colour around the edges.

Worked like a charm! I'd like it just slightly quieter yet, i am thinking two foam pads of 2mm (so to make it 4) might work a little better.... but for now, great mod.

Great mod! Works as advertised.

For those trying to find the materials Hobby Lobby, JoAnns, and Michael's stores all stock the materials and circle cutter. All three were getting low on controller colors in my area.

Thanks again.

This works great and i love it. I play the drums so much now I added a cup holder on the stand

Thank you for this.....Tried it out today and WHAT a difference. I did not use the circle cutter just made a cardboard template and cut out the foam that way. Really makes no difference in the sensitivity of the drums but what a difference in the noise! Thanks!

Nice mod i helped a friend with his set and they came out good. If anyone is in the uk grab some [url=http://www.viagogo.co.uk/Concert-Tickets/Festivals/Reading-Festival-Tickets]Reading festival tickets[url] they have a good line up