How To Budget Out A Project And The Hidden Cost Of Studio Time

I remember my first time recording, I heard the hourly rate of the studio I thought, “Oh wow! I bet I could do 10 songs in an hour!” Once I stepped into the studio, it was easy to see how I miscalculated. 

It’s important to know the difference between hourly and flat rates. About 70% of our studio time at Blue Sky is flat rate work, as we’ve found most people prefer flat rate. It’s an all-inclusive deal that lightens the stress and helps create a different vibe for each project. But there certainly are pros to hourly. If your arrangement is simple or you play with a band, hourly could be better. Remember with hourly, though, not preparing is costly. If you come in with half-baked ideas and no real direction, hourly can add up quickly. 

Remember it’s better to do fewer songs well than a lot of songs poorly. In the day of releasing singles, the pressure is off to make that perfect album. So instead of selecting 20 great songs (Double Disc anybody?), pick your 10 best songs. By doing this, you’re drastically helping cut down your cost in the studio.

Studio musicians can be a game-changer for the quality of a project, but remember to factor them into your cost. While places like Blue Sky Studios has many musicians on-call at a moment’s notice, remember that professional talent will also add up if you’re not prepared for it.

If you’re having a hard time nailing down your budget for a project, Blue Sky Studios can help you figure it all out. Contact us today for more insight into the cost of studio time and how we can help meet your budget.