How much does it cost to hire a podcast studio in London? | Outset Studio
Shoreditch podcast studio at Outset Studio Hoxton
Studio Hire  ·  London & Manchester

How much does it cost to hire a podcast studio in London?

Most podcast studios use a standard setup: two people, a table, and microphones. This works until your format doesn't fit the space.

Outset's studios in London Bridge, Shoreditch, and Manchester Northern Quarter range from 420 to 800 square feet to accommodate changing production needs — solo, panel, or recurring branded sets. The space adapts to each session.

Audio sessions start at £84 per hour. Video from £108. Here's what you're paying for, and what you're not.

Audio podcast studio hire: what it costs

For audio-only recording, Outset charges £84 per hour all-in: no extra room or equipment fees.

What's in the room when you get there

  • Each studio is acoustically treated and sized for ideal conversation
  • Professional broadcast microphones for all speakers
  • Monitoring headphones
  • Audio interface and recording are pre-configured
  • A walkthrough on arrival, so you know exactly how everything works
  • Recording direct to your own device, or via the studio system

Sessions are booked by the hour. For longer shoots, half-day and full-day rates are worth asking about. They tend to make more financial sense once you're recording multiple episodes in a single sitting.

Standard hire is self-service. You control levels, framing, and in-session decisions. For technical help, add an engineer.

Video podcast studio hire: what it costs

Video sessions start at £108 per hour. The uplift covers the camera configuration, lighting, and the additional preparation time a video session requires before you press record.

On top of everything in the audio package, you get

  • 4K cameras, positioned and ready
  • Professional lighting setup
  • Multi-camera angles, depending on the studio
  • Recording to your preferred format

The studio matters: London Bridge has Studio A (750 sqft) and Studio B (500 sqft); Shoreditch is 420 sqft; Manchester NQ is the largest at 800 sqft. All handle both audio and video.

If the brief calls for a branded set, a panel of five, or anything that needs room to look good on camera, Manchester NQ or London Bridge Studio A are the ones to consider.

Optional add-ons: what they cost

The base hire rate includes the studio and standard equipment. You can add extra services to your booking for additional support, tailored to your session's needs.

Add-on Price
Studio engineer£24/hr
Extra 4K camera£25/session
Flexible reschedulingfrom £21/session
Teleprompter£60/session
Live stream / edit live£50/session
Secure file transfer and storage£30/session

A studio engineer can be added for technically complex sessions, such as connecting a remote guest from another country, managing panels with multiple audio or video feeds, or handling bespoke production requirements. The engineer handles technical troubleshooting, monitors audio and video levels, and manages the recording process, so your team can focus on content. For basic two-person sessions, most clients run the setup smoothly without extra assistance.

Pricing in London and Manchester

Rates are the same in all locations; only room sizes vary.

London Bridge — Studio A
750 sqft
Suited to larger productions and panel formats
Get directions →
London Bridge — Studio B
500 sqft
The better fit for two- to three-person recordings
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Shoreditch, Hoxton
420 sqft
Compact and well-configured for solo hosts and interview formats
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Manchester Northern Quarter
800 sqft
The largest single studio, regularly used for video podcast series and panel productions
Get directions →

For teams that record in both cities, Outset is the only studio group running consistent kit and setup across London and Manchester. You can record the same series in SE1 one week and NQ the next without any loss of continuity. No recalibrating. No explaining the setup twice. See all London podcast studios at Outset here.

How far in advance do you need to book?

Tuesday to Thursday mornings book fast. For a one-off, a week or two's notice is usually fine. For recurring or multi-day sessions, book early to secure your dates. Check availability here.

If your session needs a branded set, a live stream, or a remote guest, contact us before booking to confirm the setup requirements.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a minimum booking length? +
Book by the hour; there's no minimum, but an hour is typically the shortest realistic session. Remember to factor in setup, recording, and file transfer time.
Do I need to bring my own equipment? +
No. The studio provides everything required for a standard audio or video session: microphones, headphones, cameras, lighting, and recording setup. Bring your content, your guests, and any episode-specific materials. If you have a preferred microphone or piece of kit you'd like to run alongside the studio setup, mention it when booking.
Can I get a quote before booking? +
For simple hourly sessions, the pricing above is what applies. For larger productions, multi-day shoots, or anything with specific technical requirements, get a quote here and the team will come back to you.
What happens if I run over time? +
If your session overruns, charges apply if there's another booking after yours. For unpredictable sessions, book extra time.

Ready to book your session?

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Michael Olatunji
CEO & Co-Founder, Outset Studio

Michael is co-founder of Outset Studio, the podcast and video studio with spaces in London Bridge, Shoreditch, and Manchester Northern Quarter.