Podcast Studio Dry Hire vs. Full-Service Production: Which Is Right for You?

Starting a podcast is easier than ever, but achieving a professional sound and look still requires the right environment. At Hvolbeck Studios in Westerly, RI, we offer two main ways to use our purpose-built podcast studio: Dry Hire and Full-Service Production. Which one fits your workflow?

What is Podcast Studio Dry Hire?

"Dry hire" means you are renting the physical studio space and the equipment, but you act as your own producer and engineer. At our Westerly studio, dry hire starts at just $80/hour.

Best for: Experienced podcasters who know how to operate recording equipment, set their own levels, and handle all their own post-production editing. If you just need a quiet, acoustically treated room away from the noise of your home or office, dry hire is the perfect, cost-effective solution.

What is Full-Service Production?

Full-service means our team handles the technical heavy lifting. You walk in, sit down at the mic, and focus entirely on your content and your guest. We monitor the audio levels, operate the video cameras (if you're doing a video podcast), and manage the files.

Best for: Businesses, brands, and creators who want broadcast-quality results without the technical headache. If you want a multi-camera video setup or need our team to edit the final episode and pull social media clips, full-service is the way to go.

Making the Choice

If budget is your primary concern and you have the technical skills, our Basic Studio dry hire gives you access to premium microphones and a great-sounding room. If your time is valuable and you want a polished, ready-to-publish product—especially for video—investing in a full-service package will yield the best return on your time.