How To Find Inexpensive Audition Studios

By David H. Lawrence XVII on September 3, 2016 in Articles

Hey there!

There are a number of studios that offer what are called “talent rates,” at usually around a dollar a minute: $10 for ten minutes, $20 for twenty minutes, and so on. This is usually for stopping by, doing an audition and sending it off. These rates are for VO talent that either have yet to install home/portable equipment, or are at the wrong end of town, or can’t get to your agency when a last minute audition comes in. Aside from recommending using Rehearsal® Pro on an iPhone or iPad, use the following studios if you need a place to record an audition for a reasonable price.

And please email me if you know of any others I’ve missed, or if you have corrections to the list.

Call ahead to make sure these offerings are accurate, and that the studio is available – don’t just show up. Be prepared to pay for your time before leaving the session, and ask if they’ll accept credit cards or if you need to bring cash/check.

Unless explicitly stated otherwise, you should assume that the time is inclusive, meaning it covers your time on mic, any necessary quick edits, and emailing/delivery of files. Manage your time on-mic to leave time for the other parts of the process!

These are in alphabetical order and grouped geographically, rather than in any particular order of recommendation.

BURBANK

Dave & Dave Recording Studios

Dave & Dave Recording Studios
4207 W. Burbank Blvd
Burbank, CA 91505
(818) 508-7578
copy@everythingVO.com
$10/script upt to 15 minutes, $20/every 15 minutes thereafter

Mai Tai Studios

Mai Tai Studios
Kevin Cleland
2133 W. Olive Avenue
Burbank, CA 91506
(818) 563-2900
kevin@maitaistudios.com
$1/min (10-minute minimum)

North Hollywood Sound in Burbank

North Hollywood Sound in Burbank (additional location in Valley Village)
Rick Dasher
4207 W. Burbank Blvd
Burbank, CA 91505
(818) 848-0172
nhsound@yahoo.com
$35/30 minutes

The Voicecaster (VO 'n' Go)

The Voicecaster (VO ‘n’ Go)
1832 Burbank Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91506
(818) 841-5300
casting@voicecaster.com
$10/10 minutes

CULVER CITY

L.A. Voiceover

L.A. Voiceover
Deon Vozov
10220 Culver Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90230
(310) 363-0330
beheard@lavoiceover.com
$20/15 minutes

HOLLYWOOD / WEST HOLLYWOOD

Bell Sound

Bell Sound
Marilyn
916 N Citrus Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 461-3036
bellsound@bellsound.com
$40/30 minutes (additional 15-minute increments for $20 each)

Buzzy's Recording

Buzzy’s Recording
Cheyenne
6900 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 931-1867
info@buzzysrecording.com or cheyenne@buzzysrecording.com
$20/20 minutes
Appointment times depend on engineer availability, and they don’t do auditions regularly.

Garden of Sound

Garden of Sound
7600 Melrose Ave Suite L, 2nd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 230-8249
scheduling@gardenofsound.com
$15/15 minutes

Outlaw Sound

Outlaw Sound
1608 N. Argyle Ave
Hollywood, CA 90028
(323) 462-1873
info@outlawsound.com
$50/30 minutes (additional 15-minute increments are $25 each)
You didn’t hear it from me, but Trader Joe’s is a block away and validates 1 hour of lot parking.

MANHATTAN BEACH

Waterfront Sound

Waterfront Sound
Steve Gregan
3770 Highland Ave #101
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
(310) 802-0123
steve@waterfrontsound.com
$50/30 minutes

NORTHRIDGE

Deyan Audio Services

Deyan Audio Services – Northridge (additional location in Tarzana)
Jamie Dupras
17150 Halsted St.
Northridge, CA 91325
(818) 343-6131, ext #4
team@deyanaudio.com
$2/minute (no minimum)

ORANGE COUNTY

Costa Mesa Studios

Costa Mesa Studios
Nick Fainbarg
711 W 17th Street Suite D10
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
(949) 515-9942
nick@costamesastudios.com
Call to inquire about pricing, but probably in the $20-$60 range for something under 30 minutes.

Creative Media Recording

Creative Media Recording
Tim Keenan
11105 Knott Avenue, Suite G
Cypress, CA 90630
(714) 892-9469
info@creativemediarecording.com
$50/30 minutes

Hybrid Studios

Hybrid Studios
3021 S. Shannon St.
Santa Ana, CA 92704
(714) 850-1499
info@hybridstudiosca.com
$65/hour
The studio requests as much lead time as possible so they can arrange for an engineer and fit you into their schedule at the discounted audition rate.

David

13 Responses to How To Find Inexpensive Audition Studios

Tina Toner May 31, 2012 at 9:33 am #

I assume Sessions and Songwritting are mostly for recorded music rather than VO?
Is that common?

- David H. Lawrence XVII May 31, 2012 at 11:03 am #
  
  No, it’s for VO – it’s doubtful you’d even get a guitar tuned and leveled in just 10 minutes, let alone recorded. I’m sure they simply make extra money by offering this VO-only option.
  
Catherine campion September 12, 2012 at 6:15 pm #

Garden of sound offers similar rates: http://gardenofsound.com/wordpress/?page_id=24

- Laura September 3, 2016 at 9:32 am #
  
  Similar rates to what?
  
  - David H. Lawrence XVII September 5, 2016 at 2:44 pm #
    
    Those listed in the charts for the individual studios, some as low as a dollar a minute.
    
Dorene January 23, 2014 at 10:32 am #

Good morning!

Are there “audition” studios in Orange County that you would suggest? Thanks!

Tansy September 3, 2016 at 9:39 am #

David, thanks for putting together this extensive list. Very helpful if we’re traveling around the country, as well as LA :-) That was no small feat!

Karen Rose Richter September 3, 2016 at 10:53 am #

Thanks, David! When you hear of any in NV, UT, ID, WY, CO, NM, or AZ, I hope you’ll post as well, though I doubt it’ll be in time for this upcoming 2.5 week road trip coming up this Labor Day. I know, picky, picky. LOL!!!

Dale September 5, 2016 at 2:28 pm #

Great information, as always.

Karen Rose Richter September 6, 2016 at 4:52 pm #

Here might be another studio for your list. I just saw this one posted in another thread: Absolute Pitch located in Bethesda, MD.

James Kananen September 27, 2016 at 5:23 pm #

Thanks for listing Bad Racket in Ohio Studios. We have the best rates and do all sorts of voice over work. We also offer video services. So if you’re ever in Cleveland, Ohio, give us a ring.

Veleka December 28, 2018 at 12:58 am #

David, I think iAudition is no more.

- David H. Lawrence XVII December 28, 2018 at 12:06 pm #
  
  Thanks, Veleka! Taken care of.

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