Questions about recording studios

Is owning a recording studio profitable?

Is owning a recording studio profitable? In general, yes. Clients are willing to pay a premium for quality services. Revenue can be very high while the cost of making that revenue is relatively low. The caveat here is that the cost of opening a recording studio can be extremely high, sometimes upwards of $5000 just for the basics or a professional studio. If you can afford the startup costs and afford to not make a profit for a little bit, much like any other business, you can make great profits by owning a recording studio.

How much does it cost to record a song in a studio?

The question of how much does studio time usually cost is always a difficult question to answer. This is much like asking how much does it cost to eat a meal in a restaurant. There are so many variables to consider, it can be almost impossible to give a simple answer. Many studios operate on a hourly rate. The average recording studio charges from $30/hour to $65/hour for vocal recording. Full band recording can be much higher – from $75/hr to $200/hr or more. For recording vocals, I think preparing to pay at least $50 per hour should be your starting point

Why is studio time so expensive?

Studios are professional environments. Working with an audio engineer is expensive because audio engineers are experts in their field, much like surgeons or lawyers. There is a long learning period for engineers, which allows them to command such a high price. Additionally, often studios can charge a premium of they have top quality, expensive gear.