PIRATE.COM - Rehearsal & Recording Studios — Local services in New York

I come to the ridgewood studios to record often as it is usually less crowded and better than the bushwick location. However, the experience itself can be hit or miss. When im able to come in and everything is set up properly with no equipment missing I can usually have a productive time. However, oftentimes when I first come in there are issues with the studio such as equipment missing which can really be troublesome. Additionally, the studios themselves aren’t particularly sound proofed as noise leakage from neighboring studios can be a consistent problem especially when it comes to the bass. This is really frustrating when u record vocals and listen back to hear the bass of someone elses song appearing in the background from the studio next door. With that said, I think the biggest issues I have at pirate studios in general, are the other people using the facilities. I think much of the reason why things are missing or broken is because of those renting out the spaces, much to the detriment of others using the space later. I understand its really hard to mitigate these problems but maybe it would be better if there was more personnel.on site. Additionally, people are constantly talking in the hallways which can enter into recordings and when u ask people to quiet down they are always dismissive or mocking about it. Very odd considering most musicians I know would be more respectful to others but clearly not some of those who use these facilities. This is a shared space so I wish folks would be more considerate of others. Overall, im glad the studios exist, and the customer service reps are always very responsive and helpful (shout out to them!!) but there needs to be more oversight and policies put in place to help mitigate these issues. Perhaps hiring more on site staff and paying them fair wages would help with...

So while I think the idea behind Pirate Studios is amazing, I think things can be improved for the Recording Studios/Production Suites. I recently booked one of their studios, got there on time to find several equipment missing: a chair, pop filter, Microphone Mount, and Headphones, and the door wouldn't lock (some dude came in, and I legit got scared). I contacted support and they moved me to another "Pro suite" to which I appreciated because the space was great. Still, I had already wasted 15 minutes of my session on this. In the new suite, the microphone was beat up and producing unwanted noise. Had to swap the microphone----Again, trimming time off my session. Everything was going fine, until someone in a DJ suite was leaving their door opened and the sound was bleeding in (this defeats the whole point of me coming here to escape city noise -- I could just stay home and record there). I asked them to close the door to which they just ignored me. As a woman who was alone, I was feeling a bit unsafe to go confront them (also from the previous encounter with the door that wouldn't lock). I shook it off and just completed the session getting the best vocal takes I could giving the situation. I did tell support what was going on to which they said "I'm sorry about your bad experience". I had gotten a discount code which I may not use given the experience. So here is my suggestion to make the experience better: HAVE PEOPLE - STUDIO MANAGERS - ON SITE!! people that are regulating equipment and the misplacement of it, and also regulating noise, enforcing people to shut doors. If people treated the space with respect, it...

A fun place to practice but a terrible place to record. I booked one of the “pro recording studios” w vocal booth to record some voice over. I was skeptical so I also booked the same studio days before I had to record with talent to make sure it would work. The studio reeked of cigarettes, the headphones didnt work, the mic cradle was broken, and nothing was properly set up. I contacted support who offered another room which also had broken headphones, and an $80 mic instead of the $400 mic promised. No spares were available. I notified customer support and asked if the room could be fixed in the three days before my booking w talent and was told theyd put in a request but no guarantees. Despite this the room was in the same state the day of my recording. Thankfully I was skeptical and purchased my own backup headphones and mic.

I tried to use the “pro recording” vocal booth one more time in a pinch and the room wasn’t acoustically isolated and you could hear a band practicing in another room very loudly in the vocal booth. I contacted support and was offered another room that was quieter but had even more broken equipment and holes burned in the wall. Seems like a solid place to practice with your band, but there is nothing “pro” about the recording studios offered and apparently no ability for support to actually address any issues besides leading you to yet another room with broken equipment. Its a shame because its a great idea that could be really useful if they actually hired someone to check...