Whether you’re hoping to create an original song, need audio for a TV ad, or are creating fresh web content, an audio production company can ensure sound quality. Learn more about how much it costs to hire an audio production company in this pricing guide.
Whether a TV ad is running in the background while you’re working around the house, you’re listening to a podcast while on a walk, or have the radio playing on your daily commute, you’re surrounded by professionally produced audio.
Everywhere we look, there is media and it is often accompanied by audio. This is actually a huge opportunity for businesses looking to enhance their brand and catch their audience’s attention.
Music, voiceovers, sound effects, and more can help communicate your message and set a tone.
There are countless reasons businesses hire audio production companies; for some, they hire experts to provide high-quality audio for radio and TV ads, while others need help with podcasting or generating website content.
This pricing guide can help you understand the costs associated with hiring an audio production company by breaking down the factors that impact pricing.
Audio Production projects reviewed on Clutch typically cost
< $10,000As seen in the chart above, most audio production projects on Clutch cost just a few thousand dollars. While the relatively low cost makes hiring an audio production company affordable for most businesses, the true price of hiring an audio production company depends largely on the scope of the project.
To appropriately budget for your project, you should consider what your goals are, how you will be using the audio, and the extent of the project.
How Much Does Sound Production Cost?
The average cost of hiring an audio production company on Clutch ranges between $100–$149 per hour.
How much time that an audio production company will spend on any given project, though, depends on what kind of audio you need, how long it is, and how much is involved in the process.
- Composition
- Arrangements
- Sound Design
- Recording and production
- Mixing
- Mastering
Generally speaking, audio production companies will follow a similar process to produce the audio, but it may vary slightly depending on the project. For instance, if you’ve hired an audio production company to produce a jingle for your radio ad, they will have to compose the music, record instrumentals and vocals, and then do any mixing or mastering that is needed to achieve the sound they’re looking for.
Similarly, a podcast would require recording. Then the audio engineer may add an intro song or background effects during the production process, but they wouldn’t need to compose the music and record it because that would have already been created.
With this in mind, more complex projects or those with an extensive list of deliverables will be more expensive than others.
Audio Production Services & Hourly Rates
Based on data collected by Clutch, how much an audio production company charges may vary depending on the service being provided or even what step in the process they’re working on.
This table breaks down some of the most common audio production services on Clutch and the associated hourly rate. As you can see, audio production companies may charge more or less for specific services.
Note: Price ranges above are in U.S. dollars
Audio Production Pricing Models
Most producers charge hourly rates, but companies may offer several different packages or payment models for you to choose from. Here are a few other pricing models that audio production companies may offer:
- Hourly Rates: Usually, audio production companies charge hourly rates, so your bill will be broken down based on the amount of time they spend working on your project.
- Project Rates: Some audio production companies will offer a flat fee for the project. Naturally, larger projects will cost more than smaller projects. Usually, these projects are thoroughly scoped and there are few iterations.
- Monthly Retainer: Companies that work with an audio production agency frequently and has developed a working relationship with them may have a partner on retainer. This means that they pay a flat monthly rate that goes towards the cost of services they have each month. For instance, an ad agency that is producing several ads for their clients may keep an audio production company on retainer.
Of course standard music producer fees depend on geographical regions and needs, but pricing structures and models can also serve as prime cost drivers.
Additional Audio Production Costs
One of the biggest reasons why companies hire audio production companies is because they usually have the equipment and resources needed to produce the audio on their own.
Usually, the cost to use this equipment is included in the price, but there is a chance that there is an additional fee to use certain equipment — especially if the audio production company will need to rent it.
For instance, you may have to pay extra for recording time in the studio or if they need to attend an event that will require them to travel with instruments, boom mics, other recording equipment, and staff.
To make sure this is accounted for, be sure to ask potential service providers what is included in the cost of the project before hiring them.
What Impacts the Cost of Hiring an Audio Production Company for Music and Recording?
- Type of audio production
- Equipment needed
- Experience
- Team size and skill
- Location
As discussed, the scope of the project will have a big impact on the overall cost. After all, producing an entire album or even several full-length songs would cost more than adding sound effects to a video. How it’s recorded and the amount of editing will also impact the cost.
However, labor is likely to be the biggest expense. How much an audio production company will charge for their services depends on their experience and the size of the team.
As you can imagine, companies that are well-known in the industry — such as those who have won awards for their work — are likely to charge more for their services.
Additionally, some audio projects require larger teams than others. A live recording, for instance, would require a full team of audio specialists on site. To produce songs, you would need musicians, songwriters, and audio engineers, but simply recording and editing commentary may just require one team member. The more people involved in your project, the more expensive it will be.
Finally, the cost of hiring an audio production company varies based on where they’re located. Usually, companies work with local audio production companies because they may need to meet in person for recording.
However, this does impact the overall price; generally, market rates in the United States are higher than those based in Eastern Europe or Southeast Asia. Browse rates in an area near you by reviewing the table below.
2024 Audio Production Pricing by Location
Browse hourly rates for Audio Production companies by popular locations.
Country | Average Cost per Hour |
---|---|
United States of America | $100 - $149 |
India | $25 - $49 |
United Kingdom | Unknown |
Canada | $150 - $199 |
Australia | $100 - $149 |
Phillippines | <$25 |
Ukraine | $25 - $49 |
Poland | $100 - $149 |
Spain | $25 - $49 |
Mexico | Unknown |
* Countries ranked by Clutch traffic
Budget for Audio Production Accordingly
There are a slew of reasons why companies may need high-quality audio, and an audio production company can deliver. They have the equipment and resources needed to create professional audio for ads, podcasts, web content, music, and more.
While it’s usually pretty affordable to hire an audio production company, project costs vary depending on the scope of the project. Additionally, companies may charge different hourly rates depending on the market rate of their area, their experience, and the size of the team.
If you’re planning to hire an audio production company, be sure to discuss your needs and what’s included in the contract to budget accordingly.
Browse top audio production companies on Clutch.
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