How much do I charge per hour for the studio? After many years I reckon it's the same as asking how long is a piece of string? If you want to record an hour of music you're going to need significantly more than just an hour of studio time. You have to consider what instrument (Acoustic guitar or piano), microphone choice & placement (Valve, ribbon, Condenser or Dynamic), recording setup (band of musicians playing live or layered seperately at different times) and then after the recordings there's the editing, compiling of all the seperate instruments & tracks (fixing mistakes & dodgy notes) and finally mixing all the sounds together for a finished product.
I have been recording since my first tape recorder in 1986, my first multi track in 1992, my first computer in 1995 and my first digital recorder in 1997 and I've been in enough sticky situations to bless me with the experience in how to get the best from the recording studio. It is as much about the user as it is about the equipment itself

I work towards set goals & budgets tailored around what the client wants. I do full live recording sessions for bands as well as individual singers and instrumentalists who wish to add other instruments and sounds to their own solo performances. I have a rather large collection of instruments in the studio which all helps with the recordings: 22 acoustic & electric guitars, 8 electric guitar amps (4 fenders, 2 marshalls, Vox, Music man), Silly amount of effect pedals & Efx units (35), 70's P Bass & Bass amp, mandolin, papoose, Baratone ukelele, banjo, Yamaha Drum kit, a big bag of percussion toys, 3 Keyboards, midi modules & samplers, fully restored vintage Broadway upright piano & a fabulous working Hammond C3 with Leslie cabinet c/w foot pedals. If people are concerned about using these instruments I'm willing and able to knock a tune out of most of them which I'll gladly do at the drop of a hat if it's needed on a session at no extra charge. My basic philosophy is that once the studio is booked then all it's facilities are available even including catering (mine generally not Sinead's).

So in conclusion how much do I charge should really be: I want to record 3 songs/ tunes/ a full album/ a demo and I want it to sound like The rolling stones/ Planxty/ Justin Timberlake/ nothing of this world. How much time will it take and how much will it cost? The basic rate is €360 for an 8 hour day or €45 an hour but we do offer special deals for block bookings and reduced off peak rates so the best thing is to ring and we can discuss how to best organise and budget for a recording session.