Hello!
I just purchased a home with a 2-level unfinished basement. I play and teach drums and want to sound proof the lower level basement and include an entrance door from the 1st level to the lower level. The lower level has an outside entrance door.I'm a novice at this but would like to have information on how to soundproof and a time estimate on how long this would take...?also what is recomended for proper ventalation...anyone?

 

Sound-proof is a very relative term. There are lots of techniques, each with varying costs, difficulty, and effect.

(1) Insulation is the least effective sound control, but the cheapest. Special sound insulation is a bit better than regular thermal insulation.
(2) A double layer of drywall isn't bad.
(3) You can also buy sound-rated drywall.
(4) For walls, two walls built a few inches away from each other, with insulation in between, is effective.
(5) A wall with staggered studs (alternating one side and the other, on plates wider than the studs) is almost as good.
(6) You can use metal "Z" channels to partially isolate the wood from the drywall. It's pretty effective.
(7) If you want something NASA would use, you need to line the walls with these cones that protrude into the room.
(8) If money is no object, you can buy an electronic system of active noise cancellers. They generate waves in opposition to the sound waves to be cancelled.

Use two or three of solid core doors with thresholds and dead air space between them.

All of the above in combination would be the most effective.