Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the studio located?
Premium is located just minutes north of downtown Austin, TX in the Hyde Park area.

How long has the studio been open?
Premium opened its door for business in January of 2005.

Before I decide to book some time, can I take a tour of the studio?
Sure! Email Andrew to make an appointment.

Can I book the studio by the hour?
We prefer to book the studio at a "day rate", but we are willing to book hourly sessions if necessary.

How many hours is considered a "day"?
A 10 hour session is a full day.

Can we bring in our own engineer?
Of course! We have enjoyed having engineers from all over the country work at Premium. In many cases, it would still be necessary to hire an assistant engineer at a nominal cost to ensure that the session runs smoothly. Please contact us for more details.

Do you require a deposit to secure a booking?
We are fortunate to have a good relationship with our client base. Many have come back again and again. Ultimately, this is usually not an issue. We require a 50% deposit of the anticipated final bill before the start of the first session.

How far in advance do I need to book time?
We are generally booked one month in advance. For example, if you would like to book time in the middle of October, we recommend securing your date by the middle of September. However, don't be afraid to contact us if you need to book something on short notice. There are usually days here and there that are available!

Is the studio sound-proofed? Will we have to stop recording loud instruments by a certain time of night?
Yes, the studio is well isolated from the outside. You will NOT have to stop recording drums, or loud guitars by a certain time of night due to noise.

Who is responsible for paying for the piano to be tuned?
We keep our Yamaha grand piano regularly maintained, so it is rarely the case that the piano is so far out of tune that it is unusable. However, for some intensive piano sessions, we recommend having the piano tuned on the morning of the session. Generally, if the client has booked 3 days or more, the studio will cover the cost of tuning. However, if the client would like to book only a half-day of piano recording, and would like the piano tuned on the day of the session, the client is required to cover the cost.

Where should I buy tape?
In Austin, one place to try is Pro Tape. They are located at 4120 Commercial Center Dr, Suite #500. Their phone number is 512-443-3911. Please do not wait until the day before your session to attempt to buy tape. While they usually keep a good stock of 2" and 1/2" tape, we recommend that you buy your reels at least a couple weeks in advance.