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What is your availability like?
Monday to Thursday are generally the busiest evenings of the week however, we do run a waiting/cancellations list. If you let us know what sessions you require, we give you a call the moment the booking becomes available. There is no obligation for you to take it.
Friday to Sunday availability is much better. It does pay to try and book 10 days or so in advance, so you get the room and time you want.
Day time sessions are also easier to find for you, but again booking 7 to 10 days in advance is recommended.
What are your session times?
We don't set any session times, so you can start and finish at whatever time that suits. There is no maximum limit to the length of session you can book. However, for full band bookings we set a 3 hour minimum session time.
Our opening hours are 10am to12 midnight every day except Saturday when the opening times are 10am to 8pm.
What is the sound proofing like in the studios?
The sound proofing is excellent. We can confidently say that the standard can only be rivalled by professional recording studios. This means that you can write songs without being disturbed by your next door neighbour! The studios were designed by Recording Architecture, a specialist firm with years of acoustic design experience. As a result this also means that the sound inside all our studios is outstanding for its clarity at all frequencies.
What's the storage situation like?
We run a flexible storage system and you only pay when your equipment is with us. The charge is set by the calendar week. Availability is generally good, however, if you are going to be leaving your gear after the session please let us know in advance so we can check that we have the space.
What's the access like?
Load in can be arranged for splitters or any large vehicle. Storage and studios are all on the ground floor with no steps and full wheel chair access. Return of gear outside opening times can be arranged for a fee.
Do you do block bookings / lockouts?
Yes, we have several different types of block booking to suit your individual needs. We offer discounts of up to 20%. Please contact us and we will find the block booking that is best for you.
Lockouts are currently available in 3 of our studios. They run from 10am through to 10pm. We generally require a confirmed advanced notice of 48hrs.
How much is a session with or without full backline?
Every session is different so this is a hard question to answer. We have put together 3 options
- least expensive studio and least expensive with full back line;
- mid price studio with mid price back line;
- best studio with top of the range back line.
Prices are per hour and exclusive of VAT. Backline would consist of full drum kit and cymbals as well as guitar and bass rigs.
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Studio cost per hour |
Backline cost per hour |
Studio and backline per hour |
| 1 |
£11.00 |
£5.05 |
£16.05 |
| 2 |
£14.50 |
£7.80 |
£22.30 |
| 3 |
£17.00 |
£11.00 |
£28.00 |
VAT is currently set at 17.5%
If I need help with the PA is there anybody I can ask?
All the staff are trained in live engineering and will be able to help you with vocal, backline, playback and the basic recording that we have in all our rooms. If you require a sound engineer to sit in on your session, there is an additional charge. This will need to be booked well in advance and is not always available. As we get accustomed to your requirements PA wise, you will find that the desk will be set up for you as part of our studio preparation. Any technical difficulties with backline or the PA are dealt with as soon as we are notified.
Can I record in the room?
All of the studios are equipped with tape cassette recorders which are connected to the desk for both playback and recording. The recording is not demo quality, but having said that, most bands get good results. And if it's just a record of a song or ideas you're working on, then it's perfect. You can also record on to different formats such as DAT and mini disc. There is an additional fee for this equipment.
In addition all our rooms have special audio and visual links so it 's possible to use one room as a control room and one room as a live room. We do have a number of mobile recording units that use our studios, so if it's pro quality you are looking for, we will be able to give you some contact numbers. .
What's the backline like? Is it in good condition?
All of our backline is checked on a weekly basis and we do everything we can to ensure that the equipment is in full working order. If you do encounter a problem please let us know as soon as it occurs and we will take a look. If it can't be fixed there and then we will immediately replace the equipment with something equivalent or superior, at the same charge as the original item.
Can I get a cup of tea and a snack?
We have a tuck shop which is always open serving various hot drinks, cool drinks, soup, chocs, crisps, flapjacks, muffins, nuts and an extensive range of pot noodles. We are always updating our stock and looking to improvements so if there is anything you think we should stock please let us know and we will see what we can do.
Do you have strings and things for sale?
We have everything you need to make sure that your session is not interrupted for too long, if you forget, break or run out of anything. Our spares shop is more comprehensive than extensive. We stock Ernie Ball bass and guitar string sets and individual strings; Martin Acoustic strings sets; Dunlop picks; Remo drum skins; Vic Firth sticks; gaffa tape, mini discs, batteries, guitar straps, ear plugs, capos, string winders, slides, foot switches, cassette tapes and DAT tapes. We are always updating our stock and looking to improvements, so if there is anything you you need, please let us know. We are also able to offer competitive discounts for quantity, and can make special orders for most equipment from headphone amps to flight cases.
Do you have a notice board?
The notice boards are by the sofas in the reception area and cover most things that you would expect. If you are not coming down to The Joint and want to put an ad. up, simply contact us via this site, or put up a notice on the site itself by clicking on 'community notice board'.
Are there any discounts or special rates if I just come in on my own?
We have a variety of different solo session rates. For example we currently have special rates for solo drummers, singers, pianists and guitarists. These are heavily discounted and generally available at the quieter times.
Can I use your rooms for other types of rehearsals?
Of course. We have accommodated actors, dancers and even the martial arts. We cannot move the pas out of the rooms, and we don't have sprung floors, but the rooms are large and several have mirrors. They are certainly ideal for performers to practice a song and dance routine, and the air conditioning in all rooms is a bonus. Plus we have full wheelchair access and a shower!
Where are you?
We're 2 minutes walk from King's Cross Thames Link exit. Please click on 'Contact Us' for more information.
Do you have a cancellation period or charge?
THE CANCELLATION NOTICE FOR BANDS ON BLOCK BOOKINGS IS 6 days. (Please call for more details)
THE CANCELLATION NOTICE FOR BANDS ON LOCKOUTS IS 4 days. (Please call for more details)
ALL OTHER BOOKINGS REQUIRE A 48 HOUR CANCELLATION NOTICE PERIOD.
All time is counted back from the start time of your rehearsal. If you cancel at or after the cancellation period we will charge the full cost of the rehearsal room hire booked. When you are cancelling you must ensure that you speak to a member of staff and obtain a cancellation number. We do not accept cancellations over the answerphone or by email. Your cancellation number is a record of the phone call and your proof that the cancellation was made, so keep it safe.
WE HAVE A CANCELLATION WAITING LIST FOR REHEARSAL SPACES. THE MORE NOTICE OF A CANCELLATION YOU GIVE US, THE BETTER THE CHANCES WE CAN FILL YOUR REHEARSAL SPACE. IF WE DO REBOOK YOUR ROOM, YOU WILL BE CHARGED AN ADMINISTRATION FEE. HELP US TO KEEP YOUR COSTS DOWN BY GIVING US AS MUCH NOTICE AS POSSIBLE OF ANY CANCELLATION.
Can we still smoke in the studios and building?
Smoke-free legislation from the 1st July 2007 covers all workplaces and leisure facilities including rehearsal studios. Please click on 'Contact Us' for more information.
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