Recording Studio Rental London: Preparing for Your Session

Recording Studio Rental London: How to Prepare for Your Recording Studio Session in London (Checklist & Tips) 

At Ten87, we know that time in the studio is precious. Whether you’re recording your debut single, hosting a writing camp, or mixing a new project, preparation can make all the difference between a stressful session and a truly productive one.

As one of London’s leading recording studio rental spaces, we’ve worked with everyone from established artists like AJ Tracey and Laura Mvula to emerging independent creators who just need the right space to get their sound right. Our goal is to help every client make the most of their studio time – especially in our world-class Tottenham facilities.

Recording Studio Rental London – The Essentials to Bring

When you hire a professional recording studio in London, showing up prepared saves you valuable hours. Whether you’re booking a day hire studio like The Club or Studio B, or renting long-term at our Markfield Road or High Cross sites, having everything ready to go is key.

1. Pre-Production Files

Bring all stems, demo versions, and reference tracks neatly organised on a reliable storage device. Double-check that files open properly in your chosen DAW (Logic, Pro Tools, Ableton, etc.) and ensure you’ve backed up everything in the cloud or on an external drive.

If you’re collaborating with other producers or engineers, share file formats in advance so there’s no delay during setup.

2. Instruments and Equipment

While our studios come fully equipped with professional gear, including a vintage SSL E Series console, outboard processing, and a Yamaha U3 Piano, it’s always worth bringing your own instruments if they’re central to your sound.

Guitarists should bring spare strings and leads, vocalists should pack a pop filter and any preferred microphones, and drummers should check compatibility if bringing kits for full-band tracking sessions in The Club (which comfortably accommodates a 10-piece ensemble). 

3. Session Notes and References

Come with a clear vision. Create a quick outline of your session goals, track list, or recording order. Include any creative notes, lyric sheets, and mix references to help your engineer or collaborators understand your direction from the outset.

Setup, Soundcheck and Mic Placement

Once you arrive, allow time for setup and soundcheck – especially if you’ve rented a studio for a full day. Even though our team ensures every Ten87 space is ready to go, each project is unique.

Soundcheck:
Start by testing monitoring levels, headphone mixes, and signal chains. This is particularly important for full-band or live tracking sessions where each performer needs clarity and comfort.

Mic Placement:
For vocals, experiment with mic distance and angle to capture the right tone. In larger spaces like The Club, our team can advise on acoustic positioning to optimise recordings for warmth and clarity. If you’re recording drums, adjusting mic height or phase alignment can make a dramatic difference to the sound.

Setup Time:
Book extra time if you’re working with multiple instruments or vocalists. A well-planned schedule prevents rushed performances later in the day.

Creating the Right Studio Schedule

One of the biggest mistakes artists make when booking a recording studio rental in London is underestimating time. Sessions can fly by once creativity starts flowing, so plan your schedule with flexibility.

We recommend splitting your day into key phases:

• Setup & Soundcheck (1–2 hours)
• Recording & Overdubs (3–5 hours)
• Break & Playback (30–60 minutes)
• Mix or Wrap Up (1–2 hours)

If you’re using Ten87’s day hire studios, such as Studio B, our in-house engineers can help optimise your workflow – whether that’s capturing multiple vocal takes, fine-tuning instrument layering, or organising your stems for post-production.

Making the Most of Day Hire Studio Rental at Ten87

At Ten87, we’ve designed our day hire studios to meet the needs of today’s artists, producers, and engineers. Both The Club and Studio B are equipped with high-end monitoring, analogue-digital hybrid setups, and acoustically treated rooms that inspire creativity from the first take.

The Club

A cutting-edge recording space featuring a vintage SSL E Series console, modern recall systems, and space for up to a 10-piece live ensemble. Perfect for full-band tracking, writing camps, and live filmed sessions.

Recent clients: AJ Tracey, Laura Mvula, Biig Piig, Goldie, Red Bull, Dirty Hit, Universal Music, Sony Music, and Warner Music.

Studio B

An intimate, writing-focused room featuring a Juno 106, Rhodes Mk1, and Yamaha U3 Piano – ideal for smaller sessions, vocals, and production work.

Both studios include:

• 300 Mbps Wi-Fi
• Air-conditioning and anti-viral filtered fresh air
• 24-hour access, 7 days a week
• Security and CCTV monitoring

These amenities make it easy for artists to settle in quickly and focus entirely on their craft.

Recording Studio Rental London – The Advantage of Preparation

Preparation doesn’t just save time; it protects creativity. When your files are ready, your instruments are tuned, and your session plan is clear, you can focus purely on performance.

At Ten87, our engineers often say that the most productive sessions are those where the artist walks in ready to create – not troubleshoot. If you’re working with collaborators, share reference playlists in advance or use platforms like Splice or Dropbox to coordinate assets.

Remember: the less time spent setting up, the more time you have to make music.

The Ten87 Community: More Than Just Studio Hire

Since launching in 2014, Ten87 has grown to become home to over 150 recording artists across 50 professional studios in London. Our spaces aren’t just rooms with great acoustics – they’re part of a thriving creative ecosystem.

Many artists who start with a day hire at The Club go on to take long-term studios at Markfield Road or High Cross. These complexes offer:

• Private production studios with advanced acoustic design
• Flexible leases with all bills included
• Community perks like manufacturer discounts (Izotope, Roland, Spitfire Audio, SX Pro)
• On-site restaurant and listening bar
• 24/7 secure access

This hybrid approach allows creators to scale from short-term bookings to a permanent creative home within a supportive professional network.

Prepare, Perform, Perfect

Booking a recording studio rental in London is an exciting opportunity to bring your ideas to life. Whether you’re spending a single day tracking vocals or taking up long-term residency, the key to a great session is preparation.

Organise your files, know your goals, and let our world-class facilities handle the rest. From our flagship Markfield Road complex to the intimate vibe of Studio B, Ten87 provides everything you need to create, collaborate, and deliver your best work. 

Ready to book your next recording session in London?
Explore our day hire studios or learn more about our long-term recording spaces.

Contact Ten87 today to find your perfect recording environment in the heart of London’s most creative community.