Your questions, answered.

Booking a studio for the first time can feel like a big step. Here's everything bands ask us before they book: what it costs, what's included, how the day runs and how to get the most out of it. Still have a question? Get in touch and we'll happily talk it through.

Pricing and booking

How much does it cost to book studio time?

A full recording day at Location Recordings starts at £380. That's 9:30am to 5:30pm in the studio with one of our house engineers and access to everything in the room: the Audient ASP8024 Heritage Edition console, Pro Tools HDX, 3 drum kits, over 30 guitar amps, 4 bass rigs and more than 200 microphones. Add multi-camera 4K video or a livestream for £100 each, or both for £580 in total. A 25% non-refundable deposit secures your date.

How much does a 2-hour studio session cost?

We don't offer short recording sessions, and that's deliberate. By the time a band has set up, settled in and found its groove on the first song, a two-hour slot would be over and you'd be packing up. Recording is booked by the full day so you get real, usable takes. Mixing and mastering are different: those can be booked by the half day.

Do you offer package deals or discounts?

Yes. We offer discounts on bookings of 3 or more days, which suits EPs and albums. We also prefer to look at your whole project, from tracking through mixing to mastering, and can put together a package price for it. Contact us with what you're planning and we'll send you a quote.

What's included in the studio fee?

  • A full day, 9:30am to 5:30pm (other times can be arranged)
  • One of our house engineers for the whole session. We don't do dry hire.
  • The studio set up and ready for your line-up before you arrive
  • All our drum kits, amps, bass rigs and microphones
  • Your recorded files to take away on the day, or sent to you digitally

Mixing and mastering are booked separately, by the half or full day, or as part of a project package.

Your session

What should I expect during my first studio session?

When you arrive, the studio is already set up for you. We'll know your line-up and instruments in advance, so you can walk in, unpack and plug in. Then:

  1. We set levels and line-check every instrument and mic.
  2. We sort your headphone mixes. After the coffee, this is the most important part of the day: if you can hear yourselves properly, you'll play better.
  3. We hit record.

If you'd like us to guide the session or act as producer, we're happy to. If you know exactly what you want, we'll leave the creative calls to you and focus on capturing it.

How long should I book a studio for my project?

A good, well-rehearsed band can expect to record 3 or 4 songs, with overdubs, in a day. As a rough guide:

  • A single or two: 1 day
  • An EP (4–6 songs): 2 days
  • An album: 3 days or more, which also qualifies for our multi-day discount

Then allow extra half or full days for mixing and mastering. Tell us what you're planning and we'll suggest the right amount of time.

How should I prepare before going to a recording studio?

  • Rehearse until you can play every song tight without thinking. Studio time is for capturing performances, not learning them.
  • Fit fresh strings a day or two before, and new drum heads if yours are tired.
  • Know your tempos. If you'll record to a click, practise with one first.
  • Bring rough demos or phone recordings so we can hear what you're aiming for.
  • Decide the order you want to record songs in, starting with your strongest.
  • Bring spares: strings, picks, sticks, cables, batteries.
  • Tell us your line-up and any special requirements when you book, so the room is ready when you arrive.

Choosing a studio

What makes a good recording studio?

Three things matter more than anything else: a room that sounds good, an engineer who knows it inside out, and an atmosphere where you can relax and play. Great gear helps, but it's the combination that gets great performances. Our studio is a single open room with no glass between band and engineer, so communication is instant and the session feels like playing live together.

What equipment should a professional recording studio have?

At a minimum: a quality recording system with enough inputs to record a full band at once, a wide choice of good microphones, accurate monitoring, and well-maintained instruments and amps for when yours aren't quite right. Here's what you'll find at Location Recordings:

  • Audient ASP8024 Heritage Edition analogue console
  • 64-input Pro Tools HDX system
  • More than 200 microphones
  • 3 drum kits, over 30 guitar amps and 4 bass rigs
  • 8-camera 4K video and livestreaming system
  • 32-channel mobile rig for recording gigs and concerts

What's the difference between a home studio and a professional studio?

Home studios are brilliant for writing and demoing, and plenty of great records start in a bedroom. A professional studio gives you what's hard to get at home: a treated room big enough for a full band to play together, enough inputs and quality mics to capture every instrument at once, and an experienced engineer, so you can focus on performing instead of running the tech. It's the difference between recording parts one at a time and capturing a band playing live in a room.

How do I choose the right recording studio for my music?

Listen to work the studio has done, ideally in your genre. Check what's included in the price, how long a day really is, and whether an engineer is provided. Think about how you want to record: all together live, or part by part. And go with somewhere you'll feel comfortable. You'll play better. Our recent work is on the homepage, and you're welcome to visit the studio before you book.

What questions should I ask before booking a studio?

  • What's included in the price, and is an engineer included?
  • How long is a day, and can we start early or finish late?
  • What gear can we use, and what do we need to bring?
  • How many songs can we realistically record in a day?
  • Is mixing and mastering included, or extra?
  • How and when do we get our files?
  • Is there a deposit, and what's the cancellation policy?
  • Can we hear examples of your work?

Most of those are answered on this page. If anything's still unclear, just ask.

Ready to book?

Studio days start at £380. Tell us about your project and we'll come back to you with availability and a quote.