Deborah McCabeA friend recently asked if we knew of any reputable recording studios in Philadelphia, and we couldn’t help but laugh. We immediately recognized that familiar challenge of possessing talent but lacking the proper resources to fully realize it.
In response, we spend months exploring local studios capable of transforming rough demos into polished tracks. During our search, we focused on studios that offer clear guidance and equipment that ensures vocals sit perfectly in the mix.
If you’re in need of a studio today, read on to explore our top recommendations. Consider bookmarking this guide. You’ll undoubtedly find it invaluable down the line.
How much does it cost to rent a recording studio in Philadelphia?
Renting a recording studio in Philadelphia costs $35 per hour for a standard room with an engineer. However, rates vary depending on the engineer’s experience, studio size, and the inclusion of services like mixing or mastering.
1. Home Room Studios
Address: 2100 E Westmoreland St, PA 19134
Contact Details: +1 917-207-3196
Operating Hours: Monday-Sunday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 AM
If you are more into value and speed, Home Room Studios delivers. Their block rates make sense, as five- and ten-hour bookings reduce the hourly rate to approximately $50, which is ideal if you plan longer sessions.
The best part is how Castro, the main engineer, runs each session. He keeps things light but focused. He even guides, takes, and labels files.
But that’s not all; we also appreciate how the team here shapes and mixes the sound to be clean and full.
Above all, we appreciate that the booking process is quick and easy. Everything from prices to contact details is clear, so you can plan ahead without the back and forth.
Still, deposits are nonrefundable, which can be tricky if your schedule changes.
On the plus side, the rule is posted upfront, so you at least know about it before booking.
Back for a third session
“The studio and Castro himself are absolutely amazing! This is my second time going back with my group of friends and he outdoes it every time for us. He is so helpful with putting everything together and it truly is so much fun! We can’t wait to go back for our third session!”
– Jessica Holzworth, Google Review
Found my new home for quality sound
“Hands down the best in the game by far. Castro is definitely a student of the game with an ear for quality sound. Definitely my new home for recording heat. If you knew what I know it’ll be your new spot too”
– Carmen Pena, Google Review
2. The Boom Room
Address: 1300 N Front St, Philadelphia, PA 19122,
Contact Details: +1 424-279-3266
Operating Hours: Monday-Sunday: 8:00 AM – 1:00 AM
My cousin swears by The Boom Room, and we understand why, as it has been a steady presence since 2011. Recording runs $60 per hour with an engineer included. You get everything from the live room and the control room to the vocal booth and the posted gear.
If you make content, the video setup is a win. They offer up to five 4K angles with light switching, lighting, and simple on-screen graphics. Your set looks finished without heavy edits.
For bands, the rehearsal room is clutch. You can book online, and the two-hour minimum is easily kept. We like that you can rehearse and record in one place.
They also lean into community. Music Church brings creators together, turns ideas into songs, and shares credits and royalties. Plus, the studio doubles as an event space.
However, mixing or mastering beyond your booked time is billed at the same $60 rate, which can add up over time.
Kid-friendly energy in a cool nook
“Miss Margaret was great. She has lots of energy and keeps the little ones enthralled. It was so nice of the Boom Room to host this event. It’s a cool little nook.”
– Paul M, Google Review
A flawless studio that exceeds expectations
“The Boom Room is the absolute best! Talk about a place that absolutely exceeds your expectations!! The recording studio is flawless and the spot is just perfectly designed with everything you need! I could not recommend it enough!! Thank you Boom Room for the amazing experience! We will be back for sure!”
– Raluca Ratiu, Google Review
3. Repercussions Studios
Address: 1615 N American St 2nd Fl, PA 19122
Contact Details: +1 267-331-3384
Operating Hours: Monday-Sunday: Open 24 hours
Repercussions Studios is renowned for prioritizing the growth of its artists. Sessions here are producer-led, with Andrew Ha guiding takes and shaping direction. The A Room and its isolation room keep vocals and instruments clean.
From there, the mentorship vibe kicks in. You receive feedback that helps songs sound great on speakers, in cars, and on phones.
Their Creative Camp even stands out for focused work. Twenty hours with producers move ideas from sketch to finished track. You can also pair tracking with in-studio performance content.
Yet again, the Creative Camp requires a long block, which may not be suitable for quick demos. If you want to take a short test, plan a regular session instead, making expectations clear.
What balances that out is the overall setup’s solid foundation. The space is packed with quality gear and a well-treated room. You can tell they care about how you sound, not just how long you book.
Intentional and precise production
“I came here with “ The Chosen One EYE T”This is great studio‼️ Not only to record but create. George is a great producer‼️ He is very intentional and precise‼️Recording here is a must‼️ I can’t wait to come back and record on my own time‼️ #FEGM”
– Prophit, Google Review
A creative home with diverse Engineers
“A place to call home. I’ve been recording with Repercussions since 2018 and never left. Not only do I feel welcomed as an artist but I feel embraced as one! Working with the most diverse team of engineers has influenced me to become one. Spending most time creating with Andrew Ha has taught me many values of life and music. There’s only one repercussion at Repercussion Studios… that’s learning to love who you are and what you do!”
– Syimire Doughty (Syimire), Google Review
4. Retro City Studios
Address: 6120 Greene St, PA 19144
Contact Details: [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday-Sunday: Open 24 hours
If the plan is to track a whole record, start here at Retro City Studios. The API desk and big monitoring make decisions easy. Then, the 64-channel workflow keeps sessions moving smoothly.
The live room is spacious and lively, with tall ceilings that let the drums resonate naturally. Meanwhile, the three isolation rooms help control sound bleed without cutting off visibility between players. It feels like a space designed for full bands to truly lock in and play together.
What makes it even better is the analog path. You can go live to tape for warmth or slide into the B Room with an Apollo setup for overdubs and edits. It is truly nice to have both creative and precise options in one place.
However, the setup is more suitable for larger projects than quick demos. If you only need to take a short test, a smaller studio might make more sense.
Beautiful space with top gear
“Such a beautiful space to spend a few days recoding. They have all top notch gear and good snacks too. Jake was very knowledgeable and helped us a lot during our session. We couldn’t be happier with how everything turned out.”
– Tone Bandits, Google Review
Relaxed vibe and seamless mix handoff
“Lovely space with a relaxed vibe and an impressive gear list. Andy is a joy to work with and a great engineer to have at the helm of any project. He immediately understood what we were going for, captured it beautifully, and was super efficient in delivering the files for a seamless transition from tracking to mixing. Whenever I need to record something outside my home studio, Retro City is now my go-to spot.”
– Justin LaDeau, Google Review
5. Mt. Moon Recording
Address: 35 S 3rd St, PA 19106
Contact Details: +1 732-640-8180
Operating Hours: Monday-Sunday: Open 24 hours
If you write songs first and sort gear second, Mt. Moon Recording makes sense. Among recording studios in Philadelphia, it prioritizes vision and keeps sessions focused on what you want the song to convey.
From there, mixes keep that feel intact. Analog depth pairs with digital control, allowing songs to translate seamlessly on phones and in cars.
As for budget, pricing stays simple. Mastering is a flat $50 per song, and you can rent the room for eight hours with your engineer. Live recording with in-studio video is available too.
Beyond that, the studio offers full tracking sessions, gear rental, and mentoring from lead engineer and owner Justin Calalay. That means you’ve got flexible options, whether you just need a quick vocal take or plan a full indie-album day.
However, the bring-your-own-engineer rental needs an eight-hour block, which suits full tracking days more than quick tests. If you only need a short trial, book a standard session instead so you can keep costs tight and expectations clear.
Feels like working with a longtime friend
“Justin is absolutely incredible to work with! He thoroughly goes over your vision + expectations to make sure there’s no stone left unturned. You also don’t feel like you’re just another business meeting when stopping by. Working with Justin for the first time felt like working with a friend I’ve known for years, which is truly something I was looking for + is important to me since I was bringing more of my personal pieces in to be worked on. If you’re even considering working with Justin at Mt. Moon, do it!”
– Alexander Eadie, Google Review
Vintage space with expert engineering and acoustics
“Super cool aesthetic and location in Philly. Clean, vintage, analog-heavy space with plenty of toys to play with. Great acoustics and Justin clearly knows what he’s doing as far as engineering, mixing and mastering are concerned. Highly recommend!”
– Evan Sternbach, Google Review
