1. Are your sessions just for professional singers and musicians?
2. What are the costs of recording at the Beehouse?
3. How much time does it take to record?
4. I am under 16. Can I book at the studio?
5. What kinds of recordings can be made at the studio?
6. What is the technical setup at the recording studio?
7. Where exactly is the recording studio?
8. I am ready to book my session date, what shall I do?
9. What can I expect once I arrive at the studio?
10. Does the studio have disabled access or disabled facilities?
11. Will I be working with a professional recording engineer?
12. What non-musical facilities do you have at the studio or nearby?
13. How many recording artists can you accommodate in one session?
14. Can you tune my vocals?
15. Can I be involved in the recording and/or production process if I wish?
16. Can I stop overnight at the studio itself?
17. Can I extend my session if I want to go on?
18. What happens if I need to cancel a session and re-schedule it?
19. Does the studio ever cancel sessions?
20. Can I book the use of a musician or a singer for a track?
21. Can I have a video of my track?
22. Who owns the material I record at the studio?
23. Can I eat at the studio?
24. Are dogs allowed in the studio?
25. What happens to my recording masters?
26. What do I take away from the studio with me?
27. Can I pay for my session after it finishes?
28. Where can I see studio reviews?
29. What are the Terms and Conditions of using the studio?

30. Recording Experience-Related Questions

i. I have bought a Recording Studio Experience Voucher. What happens next?
ii. I would like to book a particular date when I buy my voucher.
iii. Will I get my CD to take home with me?
iv. How many tracks can I record?
v. Do you provide backings or shall I bring my own?
vi. Can I be involved in the recording and / or production process if I wish?
vii Are recording vouchers refundable?
viii. I have bought a voucher as a surprise gift for someone and don't want them to find out.
ix. How long is the voucher valid for?
x. I have changed my mind about what I want to record. What should I do?


1. Are your sessions only for professional singers and musicians?

The music industry covers a very broad spectrum. We work with a wide variety of professional and semi-professional artists as well as those who are just starting out. We like to think we can contribute to everyone's development. The Beehouse has the facilities, and more importantly the expertise, to work with a great diversity of recording artists. For those that come just for a bit of fun and a try out we have a special range of experience recording days

2.What are the costs of recording at the Beehouse?

Recording at the Beehouse entails working with a highly skilled recording engineer and producer, we do not "dry hire" the facilities, as we value the quality of our output. Essentially, professional recording fees of the main studio are at £60 per hour reducing to £50 an hour or less for quantity. You can see these prices on our prices page. However, for initial work (pre-production) and rough mixes, some demo work, pre-production and arrangement, Henry's Machine Room can be hired with engineering and production assistance at experience rates, i.e. £40 per hour, with a minimum 3 hour booking. Recording studio experience prices can be viewed here. The typical experience is a 5 hour day at £250.

Please check these prices on our website as they may vary over time. For a definitive quote, particularly on professional or semi-professional recording or pre-production, it is a good idea to contact the studio.

All things being considered. our reviews show that we work efficiently and rapidly on both recording and production work. Therefore, if you're unsure, the best idea is to book in for a day to test the water and see what you achieve.

3. How much time does it take to record?

Much depends on how ready you are, and how much of a perfectionist you are. Also critical is the amount of production required, and the genre you are recording in. A well practised song sung with just a guitar or single instrument for accompaniment can often be recorded and mixed well in an hour or so. For a production including bass, drums, keys, maybe strings or synth lines and possibly backing vocals, a good first mix can take a five hour day. For the best band recordings we prefer to isolate sounds and this sometimes means recording instruments individually, for the most control over the final product, so again this may be one track in five hours. If you are singing to backings in an experience day, some artists manage as many as ten tracks or more in the session, although four or five is more reasonable. Again, if you contact the studio and explain your budget, they may be able to price and plan accordingly.

4. I am under 16. Can I book at the studio?

Yes. Our sessions are suitable for all ages - staff are CRB checked. However you must be accompanied by a parent or guardian throughout your session.

5. What kinds of recordings can be made at the studio?  

We provide facilities for solo vocalists, band recordings, duos, instrumental music, music production, mixing, remixing and even choral recordings. We also offer songwriting experiences and songwriter workshops as well as music production days when you can record and develop tracks using music production techniques and software. We also offer comprehensive location recording of live events and even have facilities to do this on site at the Workhouse (Prices on application).

6. What is the technical setup at the recording studio?

For a full technical description or all our recording and production facilities, please click here.
 
7. Where exactly is the recording studio?

Our address is - The Beehouse, Y Dolydd (The Llanfyllin Workhouse), Llanfyllin, Powys, SY225LD. We are situated in the unique countryside on the borders between Wales and Shropshire. The Beehouse is approximately 14 miles from Oswestry, 26 miles from Shrewsbury, 11 miles from Welshpool, 42 miles from Telford and 74 miles from Birmingham.
 
8. I am ready to book my session date, what shall I do?

If you have a specific date for your session, give the studio a call on 07792293407 to book your session. If you have a voucher, please keep the number handy. If you do not have a voucher, you may either pay the full amount or a reservation fee which tends to be £120 per day. You should receive email confirmation of a booked date. Once booked, you may subsequently request a local map to help you to find us. You can also in due course let us know in a little more detail what you will be hoping to do in your session, and we will send you directions if required.

9. What can I expect once I arrive at the studio?

Once you arrive at the studio you will be introduced to our studio engineer / producer who will introduce you to the studio, and discuss its capabilities, and go through the aims you have for your day. The Beehouse succeeds in maintaining an informal, yet creatively commercial atmosphere. You may be given some help with microphone technique, if required, and, for newcomers, more help and instruction will follow, depending on what you have chosen to record. The recording atmosphere is systematic and quite focused, and you will find we all enjoy our work very much, which helps to move things along in a very satisfying way. At various intervals vocalists will come out of the recording booth into the main control room to hear what is happening in context and to allow you to direct how you would like things to go.

10. Does the studio have disabled access or disabled facilities?

Yes. There is ground level access throughout the studio facility, and a ramp which can be made available for the entrance. There is wide door access to all rooms and a WC which can be accessed through a ground floor room. A disabled WC is projected at the time of writing, please enquire.  We cater for people with disabilities routinely, so please don't hesitate to ask questions and let us know how we can make your use of our facilities easier. There is parking directly outside the studio where required. For a full access statement, please click here.

11. Will I be working with a professional recording engineer?

Yes. Philip Lane, who is our principal engineer producer, has the experience of thirty years' in the music and recording business. To quote a recent customer "He seems able to play any instrument he chooses....., intuitively knows what rhythm and instruments to go for and seems to have an almost encyclopaedic memory for sound......a joy to work with, and his arrangements and production underline his amazing talent." Jane, who works alongside him has fifteen years' music and production experience, a very specific musical skillset and a prolific lifelong capacity for songwriting and arrangement. The combination of skills is sufficient to meet nearly every recording or production requirement.

12. What non-musical facilities do you have at the studio or nearby?

The Beehouse is purpose-built within the Llanfyllin Workhouse (Y Dolydd) which is a Grade II listed building. We have public access Wi-fi, UMA wireless facilities for Blackberries and similar mobile phones (signal available). Customers will be provided with tea, coffee or squash but we recommend you bring your own sandwiches/packed lunch if your session is for more than a couple of hours over a lunchtime period.

We have male and female staff, and a number of languages are spoken.

The Beehouse Recording Studio has a full HD video suite based around the Canon 7D.

Should you wish to stop over you can make use of the Bunkhouse, and or there are a number of excellent places to stay and eateries at a distance of half a mile.

There is also a leisure centre with a swimming pool at the same distance.

The studio has credit card facilities, plus a large flat easy access car park bringing you up to the door.

There is an occasional bar at the weekend in the Workhouse and a regular hum of activities at the weekend..

Llanfyllin is well worth a visit, or you can get the bus to Welshpool, Oswestry or Shrewsbury nearby of the A490.

For more information on amenities, please click here.

13. How many recording artists can you accommodate in one session?

We can comfortably accommodate up to 10 artists at one time. However the Hen Party/Stag Party/ or Corporate Party Packages can be booked for a party of up to 15 by prior arrangement as this will usually incur an extra charge.  

14. Can you tune my vocals?

Yes. Vocal tuning software is available for that additional polish which is sometimes requested on a singer experience.  

15. Can I be involved in the recording and/or production process if I wish?

You may be as involved as you like in the recording and/or production sides of your session. Many artists find this element very rewarding. Or just leave it all up to the technicians, if you prefer.  

16. Can I stop overnight at the studio itself?

With some notice you can book a bed in the bunkhouse which is very reasonable. This is on-site. Alternatively you can book in at any of a number of bed and breakfasts and hotels. The closest of these are in Llanfyllin at a distance of 1/2- 1 mile. There is a considerable and very economical range of choice in the area.  

17. Can I extend my session if I want to go on?

Normally yes, although prior notice of your intention to extend is preferable in case we have other engagements. We try to be flexible where possible.

18. What happens if I need to cancel a session and re-schedule it?

Simply call us on 07792293407 or email us to re-schedule your session. Ideally, this should be done the day before your session. If you do not let us know about a cancellation until after your session has started, you may forfeit the session, unless you can demonstrate that your delay in contacting us was unavoidable. We try to be flexible, but the late cancellation of a session means we are unable to re-book the hours lost. So please let us know as soon as you are physically able to do so.

19. Does the studio ever cancel sessions?

Very rarely and only in extreme circumstances, for example if the studio were to experience a loss of power or services. The studio would endeavour to give prior notice in the event of this happening.

20. Can I book the use of a musician or a singer for a track?

Yes you can. We can provide a wide range of male and female singers, accompanists, guitarists, bassists, pianists, violinists and other musicians, but please arrange this as far in advance as possible, and bear in mind that if you have already booked when you make this request you may have to re-schedule if the guest artist is not available.

21. Can I have a video of my track?

Yes you can. This costs £100 for a studio shot video. You can either buy the video through the website in advance, or pay on the day with a few days' advance notice. We also offer more extensive location shoots by arrangement.  

22. Who owns the material I record at the studio?

If you bring complete tracks to the studio and record them as you have written them, the ownership is yours of course. However if a producer at the studio adds harmonies, melody, lyrics or instrumentation then there is usually some recognition of this fact in the royalty split agreed. If you take part in a songwriting day, the same applies. We have forms available at the studio where royalty splits can be agreed where relevant.

With tracks recorded at the studio free of charge, the studio becomes the Rights Holder for the purposes of PPL. For more information about the rights in your music please consult PPL and PRS.

There are also royalties attached to any video shot at the studio by studio staff. This is also the domain of PPL (or VPL as it is known).  

23. Can I eat at the studio?

We do not encourage food and drink in the studio itself, due to the risk to equipment, however there are many benches and tables outside, and some throughout the Workhouse where you may sit if you wish. There are also a cafe, places to buy sandwiches, several pubs, one bistrot, a chippy and a hotel in the town. It is a good idea to take a break part way through your recording to relax, and in fact this is also important for recording staff.

24. Are dogs allowed in the studio?

Please ask in advance if you wish to bring a dog with you. Visiting dogs are generally welcome at the Beehouse providing they are kept on a lead, and are well-behaved, but there may be occasions when there may be issues. Dogs are not allowed into any of the studio buildings themselves out of consideration for those with allergies. Guide dogs are of course welcome.

25. What happens to my recording masters?

All masters are backed up onto raided servers, however there is no guarantee that they will be stored forever or remain intact or undamaged. For a modest fee we can back them up to customer flash drives. We certainly recommend that our professional customers keep back-up copies. We don't tend to keep Recording Studio Experience material after the experience, unless it contains original material, but you receive a CD copy of what you have recorded. If you record your own original material, we keep this for a limited period, and the same applies as for professional material, so we cannot guarantee the integrity of your master forever.

26. What do I take away from the studio with me?

Everyone generally takes away a minimum of a CD copy of the day's work, once bills are settled.

27. Can I pay for my session after it finishes?

Initial payments, reservations and voucher purchases are usually paid up front. If you have a balance to pay after your session it must be settled in cash or by credit payment or other instant payment type before the copy of your work is handed over.

28. Where can I see studio reviews?
Here is where you can see Beehouse Recording Studio Reviews.

29. What are the Terms and Conditions of using the studio?  

The terms and conditions of studio use and / or vouchers can be viewed here.

30 i) I have bought a Recording Studio Experience Voucher. What happens next?

You will receive an email confirming your purchase. Your voucher will then be sent out to either you or your recipient by either post or email along with a letter outlining the experience you have chosen.
 
30 ii) I would like to book a particular date for my recording session when I buy my experience voucher.

This shouldn't be a problem as long as it isn't too short notice. Just give us a call on 07792293407 when you are on the point of buying your voucher to check availability for your specific date.

30 iii) Will I get my CD to take home with me?

Yes, normally your CD or MP3 will be produced ready for you to take home at the end of your session. Occasionally if extra work is required to be added to the CD it may be sent on after the session.
 
30 iv) How many tracks can I record?

You can record as many tracks as you are able to fit into your booked session. This varies immensely depending on whether you are singing to backings, writing an original tracks etc.
 
30 v) Do you provide backings or shall I bring my own?
You can select backings from our extensive in-house catalogue, or request more unusual tracks to be ordered in. This may sometimes incur a charge. Occasionally bespoke tracks can be developed, although this can be quite time-consuming. You may also bring your own backings if you prefer.

30 vi) Can I be involved in the recording and/or production process if I wish?
You may be as involved as you like in the recording and/or production sides of your session. Many artists find this element very rewarding. Or just leave it all up to the technicians, if you prefer.  

30 vii) Are recording experience vouchers refundable? 

No. Once purchased vouchers are unrefundable except within the standard 7 day cooling off period. However, they are transferable to other people or studio experiences.

30 viii) I have bought a voucher as a surprise gift for someone and don't want them to find out.

We are used to this and are very good at not giving the game away. Firstly, do let us know you intend the voucher to be a surprise. The voucher and letter will be sent to you and you will then be free to pass it on to the recipient when it suits you (Birthday/Christmas etc) The letter will contain all the information they will need to then book their session on a day that suits them.

30 ix) How long is the voucher valid for?

The voucher is valid for 12 months from the day of purchase. Unfortunately once this time frame has passed the voucher cannot be refunded. However, your voucher can be extended at the discretion of the studio, usually for a fee of up to £50.

30 x) I have changed my mind about what I want to record. What should I do?

Just call or email us at The Beehouse Recording Studio to discuss or alter your recording preferences. Vouchers are entirely flexible so you can choose what you want to record.