Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about our facilities, equipment, and booking process.

Our facility features Neumann U87 and AKG C414 microphones for vocals, paired with Universal Audio Apollo interfaces for pristine conversion. The control room includes Focal Twin6 Be monitors, Adam A7X nearfields, and Yamaha NS-10M for reference. We run Pro Tools Ultimate on Mac Studio with 64GB RAM, alongside Logic Pro and Ableton Live. Outboard gear includes Neve 1073 preamps, Empirical Labs Distressor compressors, and Bricasti M7 reverb. Our instrument collection spans vintage Fender amplifiers, Marshall stacks, and a selection of guitars and basses. The live room accommodates full bands with isolation booths for simultaneous tracking.

Rates vary based on room selection and engineer involvement. Our main tracking room with an engineer starts at £85 per hour, while the smaller production suite begins at £60 per hour for self-operation. Day rates (8 hours) offer better value at £550 and £400 respectively. Mixing projects are quoted per track, typically £150-300 depending on complexity and track count. Mastering starts at £80 per track with discounts for full albums. Block booking packages provide 10 hours for £750 in the main room. All rates include equipment use, though specific vintage pieces may carry supplemental fees. We require 48-hour notice for cancellations to avoid charges.

Absolutely. Many artists prefer their personal gear for familiarity and tone. Our technical team will integrate your equipment into our signal chain, whether that's guitars, synthesizers, drum machines, or outboard processors. We have ample rack space and patch bays to accommodate additional units. If you're bringing software instruments or plugins, our systems support most major formats including VST3, AU, and AAX. For vintage or sensitive equipment, please inform us in advance so we can prepare appropriate power conditioning and routing. Our staff can also provide guidance on which of your gear might complement our existing setup for optimal results during your project.

Yes, our post-production services are available whether you tracked with us or elsewhere. For mixing, we accept stems in WAV format at 24-bit resolution and work in stereo or surround formats. Our engineers have 12-15 years of experience across genres including rock, electronic, jazz, and classical. Typical mixing turnaround is 5-7 business days per track with two rounds of revisions included. Mastering uses analogue chain processing through Manley Massive Passive EQ and Dangerous Music compressor before final limiting. We deliver masters in multiple formats: CD-ready 16-bit/44.1kHz, hi-res 24-bit/96kHz, and streaming-optimized with appropriate LUFS targets. Remote collaboration is supported via file sharing and video calls.

Booking 2-3 weeks ahead ensures availability, particularly for weekend slots and extended sessions. Weekday daytime hours often have more flexibility with bookings possible within 3-5 days. For larger projects requiring multiple consecutive days, we recommend 4-6 weeks notice to block out the schedule. Last-minute availability does occur, so contact us even if your timeline is short. Once booked, we send confirmation with session details, parking information, and preparation guidelines. Changes to scheduled times require 48-hour notice. First-time clients should allow extra time before the session starts for facility tour, equipment discussion, and technical setup to maximize productive recording time.

We record at 24-bit resolution with sample rates from 44.1kHz to 192kHz based on project requirements. Native Pro Tools sessions are our primary workflow, but we can import Logic Pro X, Ableton Live, and OMF/AAF from other platforms. For stem delivery or import, we prefer WAV files though AIFF and FLAC are acceptable. All exports include metadata and proper naming conventions. When sending files, organize tracks clearly with tempo and key information noted. We can handle large session sizes through dedicated file transfer services rather than email. Final deliveries include high-resolution masters plus MP3 or AAC for reference, all properly tagged with ISRC codes if provided.

Street parking on Elm Park Road operates under controlled parking zones with 2-hour limits weekdays 8:30-18:30. The nearest car park is Chelsea Car Park on Dovehouse Street, roughly 400 metres away, offering day rates around £22. For loading equipment, you can briefly stop directly outside our entrance on the single yellow line outside restricted hours. Alternative parking exists on side streets toward King's Road, though spaces fill quickly. We recommend arriving 15 minutes early to account for parking search time. Public transport often proves more convenient: South Kensington and Sloane Square stations are both within 10-minute walks, with numerous bus routes serving King's Road including the 11, 19, and 22.

Our main tracking room handles full band setups with 280 square feet of live space plus three isolation booths. Standard configuration accommodates drums, bass, two guitars, and keyboards tracking simultaneously with separate headphone mixes for each musician. The drum area features acoustic treatment optimized for kit recording with 8-channel miking capability. Guitar and bass amplifiers can be isolated or placed in the live room for natural ambience. We provide 16-input monitoring with individual mix control, essential for ensemble performance. For larger groups or orchestral sections, we can arrange access to our partner facility with 600 square feet of tracking space. Pre-session consultation helps determine optimal setup and microphone placement strategy.

We maintain relationships with 20-plus session professionals across instruments and styles. Drummers, bassists, string players, and horn sections are available with rates typically £150-300 per session depending on musician experience and usage terms. Our engineers can recommend players suited to your genre and budget. For arrangements, we work with composers who handle orchestration, string charts, and horn sections starting at £200 per composition. Lead sheets, chord charts, and full scores can be prepared from your demos. Production services extend to programming, sound design, and additional instrumentation if your project requires elements beyond your band's capabilities. All arrangements and session work can be coordinated through us to streamline your project timeline.

Cancellations with 48 hours or more notice receive full refunds of any deposits paid. Between 24-48 hours, we retain 50% of the booking fee as we've likely declined other clients for your slot. Less than 24 hours notice or no-shows result in full session charges. For multi-day bookings, these terms apply to each individual day. We understand emergencies occur and evaluate exceptional circumstances case-by-case. Weather-related cancellations for travel from outside London are handled flexibly with rescheduling options. To modify session times without penalty, contact us at least 48 hours ahead. Deposits for block bookings are non-refundable but remain valid for 12 months, allowing you to reschedule within that window.

Our starter package includes 6 hours of recording time, mixing for one track, and mastering for £450 - a savings of £150 compared to hourly rates. This suits artists recording their first singles or demos. The EP package provides 16 hours of tracking, mixing for four tracks, and mastering at £1,400, covering most four-song projects from start to finish. Both packages include two revision rounds and file delivery in multiple formats. First-time clients receive a complimentary 30-minute consultation to discuss project goals, technical requirements, and realistic timelines. We also offer split-payment arrangements for projects over £1,000, with 50% due at booking and the remainder upon completion, making larger projects more accessible for independent artists.

About Havegi

Since 2012, we have been creating a space where musicians and producers bring their sonic visions to reality through precision equipment and dedicated expertise.

Havegi recording studio in London

Our Foundation

Havegi was established in London when three audio engineers recognized the need for a facility that prioritizes technical accuracy alongside creative freedom. We began in a converted warehouse in Shoreditch with a single recording room and a collection of carefully selected microphones and preamps.

Over the past decade, we expanded to include three fully equipped studios featuring analogue mixing consoles, vintage compressors, and modern digital workstations. Our facility now serves independent artists, established bands, podcast producers, and commercial clients across Greater London and beyond.

Each room in our facility was acoustically treated by certified specialists to ensure frequency response accuracy. We maintain equipment through regular calibration and invest in both classic gear and contemporary technology to provide versatile recording options.

Professional audio equipment at Havegi

What Drives Us

We operate on the principle that recording quality depends on three elements: accurate monitoring, appropriate equipment selection, and skilled operation. Our team includes engineers with backgrounds in classical recording, rock production, and broadcast audio who bring specific technical knowledge to each project.

Rather than following trends, we focus on understanding the technical requirements of each genre and artist. A jazz quartet requires different microphone placement than a metal band, and spoken word recording demands distinct acoustic treatment compared to orchestral sessions. This specificity guides our methodology.

We provide transparent session rates, maintain a calibrated signal chain, and offer pre-production consultations to align technical approach with creative goals. Artists receive uncompressed session files and detailed documentation of equipment used during their recording.

Technical Precision

We calibrate monitoring systems monthly and maintain signal paths to ensure accurate sound capture and reproduction throughout every session.

Equipment Knowledge

Our engineers understand the sonic characteristics of each microphone, preamp, and processor in our facility, selecting appropriate tools for specific recording situations.

Project Clarity

We discuss technical requirements, timeline expectations, and budget parameters before sessions begin, ensuring alignment between creative vision and practical execution.

Continuous Development

Our team attends industry training sessions, studies emerging recording techniques, and evaluates new equipment to expand our technical capabilities and service offerings.