Downstairs Neighbor Complaining About Noise, Even When Recording Direct

[melveyr]

I moved into a really old building with paper thin walls and floors. I have been playing the Wurli direct out of consideration for others, but that is still too much for them. She said she can hear the notes even tho im not amped!

Has anyone encountered this problem before? Should I wrap the wurli in a lead blanket?!

-Ryan

[bourniplus]

You might try de-coupling the legs from the floor, with foam, felt or other similar soft material

[melveyr]

You might try de-coupling the legs from the floor, with foam, felt or other similar soft material

Good idea... I'm actually researching techniques that e-drum users use because even those are 'silent' they send vibrations through the floor. They use tennis ball platforms or mattresses with a wooden platform on top to isolate. I will report back to the group if i have any success!

[pianotuner steveo]

That's just about the craziest thing I've ever heard. I use some of those square foam interlocking pads for my keyboard in my basement to keep the dampness of the floor away. I wonder if something like that would be enough?

[rhodesworks]

Besides de-coupling from the floor be sure to have air space away from the walls and lay something deadening across the top. Id also keep the piano in an area of the home away from over her bedroom. If you have a decent relationship with her ask if you could hear from her apartment while someone else plays to get an idea of how much sound is actually coming through.
You might also use a stand instead of the legs and put weather striping between the piano and the stand.

[DocWurly]

I used to have this same problem. Wood floor from the 1880's acted like a big resonating soundboard and drove my downstairs neighbors crazy even when I wore headphones. 

I have no solutions, just chiming in that this is a real thing and your neighbors probably aren't crazy to find it annoying.  They are hearing it louder than you are.

Also, hi Ryan!!