Questions
Good to know.
Everything people usually ask before their first session. Still stuck? Get in touch.
Does my session come with an engineer?
Yes. A trained audio/video engineer is there for every recording, so you never have to worry about the equipment or capturing your podcast.
Can I have a guest call in via Zoom or Riverside?
Yes. If your remote guest has a webcam or microphone we can call them in — you will see and hear them both in the studio and on your podcast. Just select "Remote Guest" when booking.
Do you offer mobile or on-location recording?
Yes. With our "Mobile (We Come To You)" option we bring the full Melrose setup — engineer, cameras, lighting and audio — to your home, office or event. Choose "Mobile (We Come To You)" when you book, or reach out and we will help plan it.
What are your rates and availability?
It depends on the package you are looking for. Rates, availability, and booking are all handled on this site — choose your location and book the time that fits.
What is your cancellation, refund and credit policy?
We have a strict cancellation and reschedule policy. Cancel at least 5 days before your start time for a full refund. Cancel or reschedule between 24 hours and 5 days before your start time for a full booking credit, not a refund. Cancellations within 24 hours, no-shows, and cancellations after the session begins are charged in full and receive no refund or credit. Paid add-ons such as editing are refunded if the work has not yet been performed. This policy applies no matter how often you book or the reason.
Do you price match cheaper studios?
No. We are a premium studio with top-of-the-line video, audio and lighting, and our engineers are highly trained with film degrees and podcast experience. Not all podcast studios are equal — please do your due diligence.
Can you hold a day and time for me?
The only way to reserve a time is to book it on our site.
How do I get my audio and video files?
Bring an external hard drive or SSD, or we send your files via a download link — Dropbox at our Los Angeles studio, Google Drive in New York and Austin. You will receive the link by end of day on your record day, and files are kept for 30 days, so download them as soon as you can.
What if we go over the time we booked?
We are fairly lenient, but if you go more than 20 minutes past your scheduled end time we begin charging per half hour. We may stop you a little early if another podcast is booked right after yours.
What is parking like?
At our LA location there is one parking spot for you in the lot behind the building (turn onto Harper Ave from Sunset), plus ample street parking and paid lots nearby. NYC is street parking only, with no dedicated spot. Our Austin studio has its own lot with ample free parking.
Can I have a tour?
Yes — tours are by appointment only. Pick a time on the "Free 15-min tour" tab in the booking calendar on your studio's page, or email, call or text us and we will get one scheduled for you.
What are your hours?
We do not keep set hours but can accommodate almost any booking time with advance notice.
How many people can the studio accommodate?
Our table is set for four, with room for two more people off-camera. This is not a film set and we are not set up for large crews.
Can I customize the studio for my show?
You are welcome to hang a sign on our wall or place one on the table, set small items on the table or shelves, bring mic flags for our Shure SM7Bs, and change the color of the background lights. Our furniture is permanent and cannot be moved, and we do not have a TV to display your logo.
Do you have a restroom?
Yes — a restroom shared with the building. It cannot be used as a dedicated hair/makeup room.
Do you allow pets?
No pets, including dogs. We follow ADA guidelines for service animals; emotional support animals do not qualify.
Do you provide water?
Yes — we keep a stocked fridge of complimentary refreshments for you and your guests.
Can I book audio only and bring my own cameras?
No. If you would like to shoot a video podcast at our studio, you must use our video services.