Here are the most common questions you might have. If the below doesn’t answer your query, then please feel free to email us using our contact page.
So, how does it all work?
Sessions are booked by the hour as follows:
LEARN: Music Production Lessons
RECORD: A straight forward recording session, if you already have your own song written or you have a backing track.
CREATE: Write, arrange and record from scratch with our producers
Sessions are pre-booked based on availability, so please either use our online booking system or contact us to find out the available slots. Our service is 100% flexible and pay-as-you-go, so you can have a session as often or as little as you like.
A 25% discount is offered on your first hour. This first session enables you to see how the process works, meet the producer and the team and it gives the producer a chance to put together a plan for you. Please see the price list for the fees and payment options.
Unlike some other studios, this is a pay-as-you-go service, so there is no commitment to long terms, no upfront fees and it’s not course based. As long as you adhere to our strict 48 hour cancellation policy, then you can change or cancel your session anytime up to 48 hours before.
Sessions can be taken in person at our Birmingham Studios in the Jewellery Quarter, or as an online session from the safety and comfort of your own home. Choose your type of session when making a booking.
Do you offer a free taster session?
No, but we do offer a free, 30 minute consultation. This is a good opportunity to visit the studios, see the facilities and discuss your project/track with one of our producers. The session is free of charge, but a £10 fee will be charged to anyone who cancels late or doesn’t show up for the session.
What is your cancellation policy?
Once a booking is made our 48 hour cancellation policy applies. A minimum of 48 hours is required to cancel or change your booking with us. The FULL LESSON fee will automatically be charged if you fail to show up for a lesson or if you cancel it (for whatever reason) late.Song Copyright and Royalties
Payment for studio time does not grant or remove any rights to songwriting, master recordings, or royalties, which must be agreed separately in writing between the parties involved. Royalties and song writing credits are based on creative contribution and ownership rights, and nothing to do with who pays for the studio time.
The customer/artist may be asked to read and sign a Session Agreement which details the creative contributions of all parties, studio fees, song and master ownership, and credits.
If the producer is creatively involved in your song, then they are automatically entitled to credit, details of which will be agreed via a session agreement.
How do I keep up to date with my bookings and payments?
Each customer has access to our bookings portal where you can view your past and future appointments, manage your payments, update your details and view/edit documents that are relevant to your sessions.
Where can I park when visiting Soundworks?
You can park your car on the street directly outside the studio. It is pay and display (Edit: Now via the Ringgo app) during daytime hours (up to 6pm) and free after 6pm Mon-Sat and Sundays. There is also the main Jewellery Quarter NCP Car Park available around 3 minute walk.
On road parking outside Soundworks is generally the preferred option and there is usually ample spaces available.
Why should I choose Soundworks?
We offer a truly unique and professional service. Each and every session is specifically tailored to suit the your style, preference, aspirations, and goals.
If you are taking lessons, this means we will identify and apply the best possible teaching method for you and provide the correct format for your learning. Your progress is constantly monitored and adjustments are consistently made to ensure you are on course. Plans are established, regular progress reports are issued and goals are set for you.
If you are taking recording sessions, we will create the perfect environment, mood and setting so you can be as comfortable as possible when recording takes or being creative. The possibilities for you are endless, with countless plugins, instruments, access to live musicians available, not to mention our producers with years of experience in both Music Production and customer service.
Full ISO level quality control is in place to ensure the highest quality of session and service is delivered each time every time.
We’ve done some amazing work recently with some huge, household names like JLR (Jaguar Land Rover) and the BBC, working as musical advisors on one of the UK’s longest running TV shows, but were equally comfortable working closely with individuals and helping them push their own musical boundaries.
Our producers are musicians first. They don’t just operate software or adjust settings — they are qualified musicians (in their own field) first and understand music from the inside out. Because they play instruments and perform themselves, they instinctively recognise feel, timing, dynamics and musical intention. That means better communication with artists, stronger creative decisions, and productions that serve the song — not just the technology.
Soundworks is a welcoming, family-friendly recording studio designed for musicians of all ages and experience levels. We work across all styles of music and pride ourselves on creating a relaxed, inclusive environment where everyone feels comfortable and supported. Our well-qualified team offers genuinely personalised service, taking the time to understand each artist and project, with warm, professional customer care at the heart of everything we do. Whether it’s a first recording or a polished production, Soundworks is a space where creativity feels safe, encouraged, and taken seriously.
Other benefits of choosing Soundworks and Progress Music Academy include our association with Marshall Amplification, our Trinity College Exam Centre endorsement, discounts through our links with local music stores, the use of all on-site facilities to include the rehearsal studio, taking part in our showcase events, all contained across our two sites, totalling over 3,000 square foot of space.
Do you take safety and Safeguarding seriously?
ALL of our producers are fully DBS checked (Enhanced) and follow a strict safeguarding and reporting procedure. A thorough vetting process & reference check is also performed prior to employment.
How do I pay for sessions?
ALL payments are processed via our secure online payment provider (Stripe). Customers are required to store their payment card details with our provider and individual sessions are automatically charged. Payments for session packs and other items are pre-confirmed in advance. Regular payments can be set-up. We do not accept in-store cash or card payments.
Will I have the same producer each time?
You will have the producer tutor 99% of the time, although we may change very occasionally due to absence, illness or availability.
Can I book sessions online?
Yes of course. You can use our online booking system here. If you are a new customer and booking online for the first time, we require payment upfront before we can confirm your lesson. If you are a regular or current customer you can use our Online booking system to check availability and confirm your next session
Our online booking system also allows you to log-in and manage your account, see your upcoming and previous sessions along with the ability to fill in specific documents to aid your work with us.
Do you offer discounts for purchasing sessions in advance?
Yes, we offer some great discounts for customers who would like to purchase session packs. Please see our price list page for full information. If you purchase a session pack, you still book each session individually as you normally would, you just receive the discount for your payment in advance.
Customers who purchase session packs will have priority over regular slots. Once started, session packs are strictly non-refundable and MUST be used within six months of purchase.
How do you handle your customer data?
Since the new EU GDPR Data Protection regulations came into effect, we have taken the opportunity to revise our policies. Our new Privacy Policy can be viewed here.