How to Actually Evaluate a Podcast Studio in Glasgow (Beyond the Marketing Hype)
The Problem: Everyone Is “Award-Winning” and “premium” or “premier” Now
Open Google.
Search podcast studio Glasgow.
You will quickly find multiple studios describing themselves as:
Premier
Premium
Elite
Award-winning
Broadcast-standard
Here’s the uncomfortable truth.
Those words no longer mean anything.
They are marketing shortcuts. Language designed to sound impressive without telling you what you are actually paying for.
I have been working in podcasting since 2005, back when most people still asked, “What’s a podcast?”. I co-founded Podcast Studio Glasgow in 2021, but long before that I watched this industry grow, mature, and then slowly drown itself in hyperbole. I have thousands of podcast episodes recorded and produced under my belt. I was even executive editor of the world’s first podcast magazine.
So let’s talk about how to properly evaluate a podcast studio using criteria that actually matter, not adjectives that don’t.
Red Flag #1: They Hide Their Equipment Specs
What they say:
“Broadcast-standard audio”
“Professional cameras”
“State-of-the-art equipment”
What you should ask:
Which microphones?
Which cameras?
Which mixer or audio interface?
If a studio will not tell you exactly what they use, one of three things is happening:
They are using consumer-grade equipment (like Rode Podmics) and hoping you won’t notice
They plan to upsell you on “premium” gear later
They simply don’t have “premium” gear
They’re relying on the fact that you don’t know the difference
What to look for:
Microphones: Rode Procaster, Electro-Voice RE320, Shure SM7B
Cameras: Blackmagic cinema cameras, Canon C-series, not webcams or entry-level DSLRs
Audio interfaces: Rodecaster Pro, Universal Audio, Focusrite
Video switching: Blackmagic ATEM or Rodecaster Video systems for live switching
Video ISOs: The option for you to receive synced video files from each camera
Why this matters
A studio recording made with a £300 DSLR can still be called “professional”. Technically, that is true.
In practice, a £2,500 cinema camera with professional-grade glass (lens) produces a completely different image.
You are paying for access to equipment. You should know exactly what you are renting.
Red Flag #2: Pricing Is Not on the Website
What they say:
“Contact us for a quote”
“Packages tailored to your needs”
“Let’s discuss your project”
What that usually means:
“We will decide what to charge you once we hear how desperate you sound.”
What to look for:
Clear, published hourly rates.
Visible on the website.
No enquiry forms required.
If pricing is hidden, it is usually because:
They want to lock you into packages you do not need
They price based on perceived budget rather than consistent rates
They introduce extra costs once you are emotionally invested
Reality check
Professional studios have fixed overheads.
There is no legitimate reason for pricing to be a mystery.
Equally, cheaper is never, ever better.
Let’s say it again: you’re paying to use the space and the equipment. A low price may often mean cheap equipment. And cheap equipment most certainly means a subpar end product.
Red Flag #3: Forced Package Deals
What they say:
“Our starter package includes six episodes”
“Best value when you book ten sessions upfront”
“We only work with committed podcasters”
“Book and consultation” rather than “book a session”
What is actually happening
They are solving their cash-flow problem, not your content problem.
What to look for
The ability to book a single session.
A studio that trusts its quality does not need to lock you in. You return because the work is good, not because you prepaid. A great studio lets you book via its website, confident in the knowledge that it knows what it’s doing.
Questions worth asking:
Can I book one session to test you out?
What happens if I need to cancel midway through a package?
Can I take my raw files and edit elsewhere?
If there is hesitation on any of these, contracts matter more to them than quality.
Red Flag #4: They Will Not Let You See the Space
What they say:
“We will send photos”
“Check out our Instagram”
“Book a consultation call first”
What you should expect
An open invitation to visit. No pitch required.
Why studios avoid this
The space does not look like the marketing photos
They want to sell you on a call before you see the reality
They are running multiple businesses from the same room
Studios confident in their setup will simply say:
“Come in. See the gear. Sit in the chair. No obligation.”
If you are spending £500 or more on a series recording, you deserve to know what the room feels like and whether the lighting actually works.
How does it work with us?
Almost every week, we get an email or a call from a potential client asking if they can pop in to see our studios before booking. We always say yes. We always find time in our busy calendar to fit them in. And 9 times out of ten, their response is “wow! This looks amazing”. And yes, that is us bragging.
Red Flag #5: Vague Post-Production Promises
What they say:
“Full post-production included”
“We will handle everything”
“Professional editing team”
What you should ask:
What does “editing” actually include?
How many revisions?
What is the turnaround time?
Can I take the raw files?
The trap
Post-production is often bundled to:
Lock you into their workflow
Make it harder for you to leave
Upsell revisions and rush fees later
What to look for
Clear options:
Raw files only
Basic editing with a defined scope
Full production, priced separately
Good studios give you a choice.
Controlling studios give you packages and insist that, somehow, it’s better for you in the longrun. At the end of the day, you know your budget better than us. You know your short, medium and long-term goals better than we do. We fit in with you, not the other way around.
Red Flag #6: “Award-Winning” With No Details
What they say:
“Award-winning team”
“Internationally recognised”
“Industry-leading producers”
“the most creative experts in the country”
What you should ask:
Which awards?
What year?
For which work?
Awards exist in every industry. Some matter. Many are pay-to-play “business excellence” badges that mean nothing.
What matters more:
How long they’ve been operating
Whether you can see or hear real client work
Google reviews from actual clients
If someone has been podcasting since 2005, they do not need to call themselves “premier”. The track record does the talking.
Red Flag #7: Too Much “Strategy”, Not Enough Recording
What they say:
“We will help shape your podcast strategy”
“Let’s workshop your format together”
“Discovery call required”
“Book your free consultation”
What is really happening
They are positioning themselves as consultants rather than a studio.
Why this matters
You came to record a podcast; you’re not necessarily looking for social media images. Yeah, we can offer them to you, but that would be up-selling. At this stage of your journey, you just want a professional studio to record it.
If you wanted a marketing agency, you would have hired one.
Some beginners benefit from guidance. Corporate teams do not need mandatory strategy sessions to book studio time. They need availability, clear pricing, and reliable equipment.
And a free consultation? Ok, nice option to have. If you need it. The best studios don’t gatekeep access. They allow you to simply book online, turn up and record.
What to look for
Studios that respect your time:
No mandatory consultations
No discovery calls
Clear availability and simple booking
What Actually Matters When Choosing a Podcast Studio
Forget “premium”. Forget “elite”.
Judge studios on this instead:
Equipment transparency
Do they list exact models?Pricing clarity
Are rates published without enquiry forms?Booking flexibility
Can you book a single session?File ownership
Do you get the raw files?Visit policy
Can you see the space before booking?No-pressure approach
Can you book without a sales call or a “free consultation”?Track record
How long have they actually been doing this?
The Truth About “Premium” Studios
The best studios do not need to call themselves premium.
✔ They show you the equipment
✔ They publish their pricing
✔ They let you book online
✔ They deliver on time
That is it.
When a studio leans heavily on words like “elite” or “award-winning”, it is usually compensating for something. New ownership. Empty calendars. Or marketing cargo-cult behaviour.
Professional studios act professionally. They do not rely on adjectives.
Evaluating Podcast Studio Glasgow Using This Framework
Since you’re reading this on our blog, here is how we stack up.
Equipment
3 × Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K
3 x Canon 5D Mark IV cameras
Canon professional lenses
Rode Procaster and Electro-Voice RE320 microphones
Rodecaster Pro (audio) and Rodecaster Video
Blackmagic ATEM Mini Extreme ISO for live video switching
Professional video lighting rig
Pricing
1 camera: £75 per hour
2 cameras: £95 per hour
3 cameras: £120 per hour
Live availability and online booking are available.
Flexibility
Book single sessions online
No packages required
Take raw files or use our post-production. Your choice
Visit Policy
Visit the studio before booking
Free 15-minute walkthrough
No sales pitch
Track Record
Studio operating since 2021, founded by a father and son team
Podcasting experience since 2005
Clients include comedians like Ford Keirnan and Susan Calman, and biotech firms like EnteroBiotix
Approach
Book online in under a minute
No consultation required
Does that make us “premium”?
We will let you decide after your first session.
Final Thought: Judge Studios by Actions, Not Adjectives
If a studio is good, you will know by:
How easy it is to book
How transparent they are about pricing and equipment
How much control do you retain over your content
Are their podcast recording sets covered in their branding and logos
How reliably they deliver what they promise
Everything else, “award-winning”, “broadcast-standard”, “elite”, is noise.
🟢 Ask better questions
🟢 Expect clear answers
🟢 Book the studio that treats you like a professional
