A dedicated space for creators, makers, and storytellers in Hackney.
Step in and press record. Top-tier audio gear, flexible lighting, and a sound-treated environment ready for your next project.
Recording a podcast, a panel, or a video interview? See how booking works →
Pricing
Simple pricing. No hidden fees.
One rate, everything included — an engineer runs sound and cameras throughout, so you just turn up and talk.
Hourly
£150/hr
Ideal for a single episode, an interview, or a quick test session.
- Engineer included, start to finish
- 3 cameras, 4K
- Up to 4x Shure SM7B mics/guests
- Camera-cut edit with a stereo mix included
- 1-hour minimum booking
Half day
£499/4 hrs
Enough time for a full episode plus a proper break, or two shorter ones back to back.
- Everything in Hourly
- Best for a single long episode
- Saves £101 versus booking by the hour
Full day
£949/8 hrs
Enough time to batch several episodes, or one longer production with room to reset between takes.
- Everything in Hourly
- Best for multi-episode days
- Saves £251 versus booking by the hour
All rates include an engineer. We're not VAT registered, so no VAT is added. South Studio is open 8am–8pm; bookings need to fit within those hours unless arranged with us beforehand. Cancellations and reschedules — see the FAQ below.
In the room
Gear you'd actually want to use.
Treated for sound, lit for video, stocked with names you'll recognise. Everything is set up and tested before you arrive.
Microphones
4x Shure SM7B, on boom arms with shockmounts
Recording
RØDECaster Pro II, multitrack recorder and live camera switcher
Cameras
3x Sony FX3, 4K, one per host position
Lighting
Aputure LED lighting throughout, warm & adjustable, no harsh overheads. Complete colour control to match your brand.
Extras
Teleprompter, green screen backdrop, spare cables & adaptors available by special request
About South Studio
One room, treated properly, run by people who actually use it.
Turn up, plug in, hit record. We've handled the rest.
It fits up to four comfortably around the table, with a separate seating corner for anyone waiting their turn. An engineer runs sound and cameras on every booking, so you can just turn up and talk.
See pricing & what's included →Gallery
The room, in a few shots.
A first look at South Studio — real photography, shot on site.
In the building
A proper break, not just a room to record in.
Hackney Downs Studios has a shared breakout room with a pool table, comfortable seating and a kitchenette — good for guests waiting their turn, a pre-record chat, or just a proper break between takes. It's a shared space across the building, so a great opportunity to network with like-minded creative people.
Book South Studio
Check availability & book instantly.
Pick a day to see what's free, choose how long you need, then pick a start time. Payment is taken securely through Stripe as part of booking, and you'll get an instant confirmation.
Find us
Hackney Downs, and easy to get to.
- Hackney Downs Overground — 6 minutes on foot from the studio door.
- Hackney Central Overground — 12 minutes on foot, alternative option.
- Bus — routes 30, 38, 55, 106, 242, 253, 254 and 276 all stop at Amhurst Road / Hackney Downs Station, right by the studios.
- By bike — street bike racks nearby; bring a lock, we don't have secure indoor storage yet.
- By car — no dedicated studio parking on site. Paid street parking on Amhurst Road via the RingGo app (location code 79863) — worth checking current prices in the app before you travel. Free evening/weekend street parking is sometimes available too; check current signage, as we can't guarantee a space.
When you arrive, ring the bell for reception and our engineer will come and collect you.
Please allow time within your booking to get in, set up and pack down — that time comes out of your slot, not on top of it.
Full address and buzzer details are sent with every booking confirmation.
Where you'll be
Hackney Downs Studios — a proper creative complex, not just a room.
South Studio is inside Hackney Downs Studios, a converted print works now home to 200+ independent studios, workshops and small businesses built around a shared courtyard. You're in good creative company before you've even hit record.
There's a café-bar in the courtyard (Lardo) plus independent food and drink on site and around the corner — turn up early, stay after, no need to rush off.
More on Hackney Downs Studios →Questions
Good to know before you book.
Can I cancel or reschedule?
Yes. Free reschedule or cancellation up to 48 hours before your session. Inside 48 hours we ask for 50% of the booking value, since we hold the room for you and turn other bookings away. Inside 24 hours, the full rate applies. This isn't us trying to catch you out — it's just what actually holding a room costs.
How do I pay?
Payment is taken in full when you book. Acuity uses Stripe to process it securely, and we never see or store your card details. You'll get an instant confirmation.
What happens if we overrun?
If the room's free afterwards, we'll happily run you over at the same hourly rate, billed in 15-minute blocks. If someone's booked in after you, we'll need to wrap on time — so build in a buffer if you can.
Do I need technical experience?
No — every booking, hourly or day rate, includes a dedicated engineer running sound and cameras throughout, so you just turn up and talk. If you'd rather run the room yourself, mention it when you book and we can talk through it.
How do we get our files afterwards?
As standard, you'll get a camera-cut edit of your session — switched between angles, with a stereo mix — plus the raw individual multitrack WAV files and camera footage, all via download link within 24 hours. Want more than the camera cut — trimmed, colour graded, titles, that sort of thing? That's further editing and can be arranged separately at additional cost.
What about North Studio?
North Studio is our second room, coming later — not open for booking yet. It'll follow the same standard as South Studio once it's ready. Pop your email in below and we'll let you know first, before it's publicly announced.
Is there step-free access?
South Studio is at street level with no steps to the recording room. Let us know ahead of time if you have specific access needs and we'll make sure it's sorted before you arrive.
From the team
"We built Hemisphere because every studio we hired for our own shows felt like a spare room with a mic stand. South Studio is the room we wanted to book — treated properly, comfortable to sit in for a whole day, and run by people who'll actually pick up the phone."
Coming later
North Studio is on its way.
A second room, same standard. Join the list and we'll let you know first.