Deep Cut Studios

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about our services.

What does a session cost?

Studio A with an engineer is AED 350 per hour with a four-hour minimum, so a half day is AED 1,400 and a full ten-hour day is AED 2,900. Studio B, the smaller vocal and overdub room, is AED 220 per hour with a two-hour minimum. Rates include the engineer, the house mic locker and backline; nothing is charged extra for setup within your booked time.

Is an engineer included or do I bring my own?

Every booked session comes with one of our staff engineers, and that is included in the hourly rate. If you bring your own engineer or producer, the room-only rate is AED 240 per hour in Studio A and we still keep a runner on site. Outside engineers get a 30-minute free orientation on the desk and patchbay before the clock starts.

What gear do you have?

Studio A runs a 32-channel analogue console into Pro Tools Ultimate with Apogee conversion, and the mic locker includes a U87, a pair of C414s, an SM7B, Coles ribbons and a full drum kit set. There is a Yamaha C3 grand in the live room, Fender and Ampeg amps and a Rhodes. Full gear list is on request and specific requests should be flagged when you book.

How do I book and what deposit do you take?

Tell me the date, how many hours and whether you need drums set up, and I will hold the room. We take 50 percent by card or transfer to confirm, with the balance due on the day before the files are released. Weekend and evening slots book two to three weeks ahead, weekday daytime is often free at short notice.

What is your cancellation policy?

Cancel more than 72 hours before the session and the deposit is refunded in full or moved to another date. Between 72 and 24 hours we hold the deposit as credit valid for ninety days. Inside 24 hours, or a no-show, the deposit is forfeited because the room cannot be resold that late.

Do you mix and master as well as record?

Yes. Mixing is AED 900 per song including two revision rounds, and stem mixing from files recorded elsewhere is the same price. Mastering is AED 300 per song or AED 2,200 for a ten-track album, delivered as DDP plus streaming-ready WAVs. Attended mix sessions in the room are billed at the Studio A hourly rate instead.

When do I get my files, and in what format?

Rough mixes go out the same night by download link. Full session files and 24-bit 48kHz WAV stems are delivered within three working days once the balance is settled, and we keep your session archived for twelve months at no charge. Tell us if you need 96kHz or a different sample rate before tracking starts.

Can I record live band takes with everyone in the room?

Yes, Studio A takes a five-piece comfortably with full isolation on the drums and a separate vocal booth for a guide or a keeper. Book a full day for a live band session so there is time for setup and tone before the first take. Drum setup and tuning takes about ninety minutes and is included in your booked hours.

Who owns the recordings?

You do. We claim no publishing, master rights or producer points on a hire session, and the engineer's contribution is covered by the hourly fee. Credits are appreciated but not required. If you want an engineer credited as producer with points, that is a separate written agreement made before the session.