Idea Studios in Honolulu operates three recording rooms. Each room serves a different use case, has a different pricing model, and is booked through a different path. This is the breakdown.
Quick decision matrix
| If you need… | Book |
|---|---|
| Vocal tracking with an engineer handling the session, ready for release | Studio A or Studio B |
| Same as above, simpler setup, slightly different room sound | Studio B |
| Self-recorded session, you operate the room yourself, paid by the hour | Studio C |
| Multi-artist session with bigger crew | Studio A |
| Quick reference tracking, demo work | Studio C |
If you’re still unsure, the answer for working artists who want a finished release is Studio A or Studio B. The answer for solo producers and quick-tracking work is Studio C.
Studio A · Flagship engineered room
The flagship recording studio at Idea Studios in Honolulu. Dedicated mic booth with dual-door isolation. Full LA-spec build-out: double drywall, double frame, double doors, suede sound treatment.
Gear: Neumann U87, Yamaha HS10 monitors, QSC 18″ subwoofer, Universal Audio Apollo interface, iMac running the standard DAW chain.
Engineered sessions: every Studio A session runs on the track-per-hour pacing model. One finished track per booked hour. Two-hour minimum buys two finished tracks. Four-hour booking buys four. Mixed and walking out the door, not “rough mix two months later.”
Use case: vocal tracking for commercial release, multi-artist sessions, anything where the engineer needs to handle the work.
Booking: by direct inquiry. See the Studio A page and contact form.
Studio B · Engineered alternate
A second engineered room at Idea Studios in Honolulu. Different mic and monitor configuration from Studio A, same engineering standard.
Gear: Neumann TLM 102 in the booth, Yamaha HS7 monitor stack, Universal Audio Apollo interface.
Engineered sessions: same track-per-hour pacing as Studio A. Same delivery model.
Use case: alternate to Studio A. If Studio A is booked or your project specifically wants the TLM 102 vs the U87.
Booking: by direct inquiry. See the Studio B page and contact form.
Studio C · Self-serve, online booking
The self-serve recording room at Idea Studios. You operate the session yourself. No engineer on premises during your booking.
Gear: Neumann TLM 102, Yamaha HS7 stack, Universal Audio Apollo, iMac with the standard DAW chain. Same vocal-grade chain as Studio B, in a smaller room optimized for a single artist plus one guest (the 2-person occupancy cap is part of how Studio C runs).
Pricing model:
- Hourly: $50 per hour, two-hour minimum (smallest booking is $100)
- 6-hour block: $150
- 12-hour block: $250
Blocks are one consecutive day. Sessions cannot be split.
Booking flow: entirely online. Pick your time, complete Stripe Identity verification (government-issued ID + selfie), sign the Studio C Use Agreement, pay through Stripe Checkout. Doors unlock for your session.
Use case: solo producer work, demo tracking, reference vocal sessions, sessions where you handle the engineering yourself.
Booking: online at /book/. Read the Studio C page first if you want the full room details.
The “wrong room” cases
A note on which room is NOT the right answer:
- Studio C is the wrong room if your project requires more than two people in the room at the same time. The room is small. The occupancy cap is enforced.
- Studio C is the wrong room if you want an engineer running the session. You won’t get one. The booking is for the room only.
- Studio A and Studio B are the wrong rooms if you want $50 per hour pricing. Engineered sessions price differently because they include engineering work.
If your project needs more people, an engineer, or a different scope, Studio A or B is the answer.
How to decide if you’re new to the studio
If this is your first booking and you’re unsure which room fits, send an inquiry with a brief description of your project. We’ll point you at the right room. No upsell pressure: if your project fits Studio C at $100, we’ll say so.
For the Idea Studios story, the 287-placement catalog, or to book a session, the links are above.
