Hiring a podcast studio in London: a checklist

Recording in a proper studio makes a podcast sound and look more professional than a kitchen table ever will. But studios vary a lot in what they include, and the hourly price is only part of the picture. Use this checklist to compare like with like before you enquire.

Audio only, or video too?

Decide this first, because it changes everything else.

Audio-only shows need a quiet, treated room, good microphones and a clean recording. They are usually the cheaper option.

Video podcasts need cameras, lighting and a set that looks good on screen, as well as the audio. Some hosts want video for short clips even when the main show is audio.

As an example of how this affects price, London Podcast Studios in Whitechapel lists, at the time of writing:

• Studio 1, audio podcast: £49 an hour plus VAT
• Studio 2, audio and video with 2 cameras: £79 an hour plus VAT
• Studio 2 with 3 cameras: £109 an hour plus VAT

How many cameras?

For video, the number of cameras decides how many angles you can cut between.

• One camera gives a single wide shot. Simple, but static.
• Two cameras usually means a wide shot plus a close-up, or one camera on each speaker.
• Three cameras lets you cover each of two speakers plus a wide, which makes for a much livelier edit.

Ask which camera angles are set up as standard and whether you can change them.

Is an engineer included?

Some studios include someone to set levels, run the recording and keep an eye on sound. Others hand you the room and leave you to it. If you have never run a mixing desk, an engineer is worth asking about. Check whether they are included in the hourly price or charged separately.

Editing and file delivery

Recording is half the job. Ask:

• Do you get raw files, or an edited episode?
• Is editing offered, and how is it priced?
• What format are the files (for example, separate audio tracks per microphone, or one mixed file)?
• How are files delivered, and how quickly?
• How long does the studio keep a copy?

Separate tracks for each speaker make editing much easier later, so it is worth asking for them.

Guests and capacity

Count everyone who needs to be in the room: hosts, guests and anyone producing. London Podcast Studios lists its studios for up to 4 people. If you have a bigger panel, check before you enquire.

Also ask whether a guest can join remotely, and how their audio is recorded.

Soundproofing and the room itself

A podcast studio should be quiet. Ask how the room is treated for sound, and whether outside noise (traffic, trains, neighbours) can be heard at certain times. For video, look at photos of the set: is the background something you are happy to see on every episode?

Regular recording: hourly or membership?

If you record every week, a membership can be simpler than paying by the hour. London Podcast Studios lists a podcast membership from £399 a month plus VAT at the time of writing. Ask what a membership includes (how many hours, which studio, whether video is covered) and compare it with your actual recording schedule.

Some general workspaces also have a podcast room. Kozmik Work Space in Archway, for example, lists a podcast studio among its facilities, which can suit members who already work there.

What to ask before you hire

• Is the session audio only, or audio and video?
• How many cameras, and which angles?
• Is an engineer included, or extra?
• Do I get separate tracks per speaker?
• Is editing offered, and at what price?
• How and when are files delivered?
• How many people fit, and can guests join remotely?
• Is the price with or without VAT?
• Is set-up time inside the hired hours?
• What is the cancellation policy?

Find a studio

Browse studio spaces across London or look at what is available in Whitechapel. Prices are as listed at the time of writing; always check the listing for the latest.

Planning a new show and not sure what you need? Tell us what you need — it's free, and we'll help you find the right room.