Studio Policies

Recording at Panama Sound is designed to feel focused, calm, and human.
These guidelines exist to protect that environment and ensure every session has the space it needs to work.

Studio Culture & Respect

Artists do their best work when they feel safe, respected, and unhurried.

Panama Sound is open to artists of all backgrounds and identities. We do not participate in projects rooted in harassment, dehumanization, or messaging intended to harm others. Respectful conduct is expected from everyone in the room.

If a session environment becomes disruptive or unsafe, the session ends.

Sessions & Booking

Sessions are booked in three-hour or six-hour blocks at a flat rate.

Sessions run continuously and are not split across multiple days. This protects creative momentum and ensures your time stays focused. If additional work is needed, another session can be booked.

All bookings begin with a brief introductory call to confirm fit and goals. A deposit reserves your date, with the balance due at the session end.

Load-In & Timing

Each session includes a complimentary 30-minute load-in window prior to the scheduled start time for moving gear and settling in.

Billable session time begins at the scheduled start or when active recording begins—whichever comes first. Sessions end at their scheduled time and cannot be extended.

Arriving late does not extend the session.

Cancellations & Rescheduling

Cancellations or reschedules made more than 72 hours in advance retain the deposit and move it to a new date.

Cancellations within 72 hours forfeit the deposit. This protects the focused time reserved for your project.

Technical Issues

If technical issues interrupt a session, the studio clock stops immediately. You are never charged for troubleshooting or maintenance.

In the rare event a session cannot continue, we will reschedule at the earliest convenience and your deposit will be fully protected.

During the Session

You may bring up to five guests, including bandmates or collaborators.

Short breaks are built in as needed. Long interruptions reduce momentum.

Respectful, professional behavior is expected. Disruptive or aggressive conduct ends the session without refund.

Deliverables

You will leave with a polished stereo mix of your work.

Additional exports or mastering can be arranged separately.

Your recordings remain private and are never shared without your permission.

Equipment & Personal Items

All studio equipment needed for the session is provided.

You’re welcome to bring personal instruments or tools. Please ask before adjusting studio equipment.

Food and drinks are permitted with care. Treat the space like someone’s home—because it is.

Health & Safety

If you’re sick, please reschedule.

No smoking or vaping indoors. Responsible alcohol use is permitted if it supports the session. Hard drugs are not allowed.

Pets and children are not permitted.

Preparation (Read This Once)

Come in knowing your songs and ready to move forward.

Bring what you need, arrive on time, and trust the process. You don’t need perfection—just commitment and presence.

The studio exists to support performance. The rest will be handled.

Questions?

If something isn’t clear, ask before booking. Calm sessions start with clear expectations.

Expectations

A session at Panama Sound is designed to move forward calmly and without friction.
The goal is simple: protect momentum so you can focus on the performance, not the process.

What to Expect

Sessions unfold in a natural arc—from settling in, to capturing performances, to listening back and shaping the result together.

There is no rushing, no clock-watching, and no pressure to perform perfectly. The work moves at the pace the song needs.

You’ll be guided when decisions matter and left alone when momentum is strong.

Session Lengths

Three-hour sessions are focused and energetic. They’re best suited for artists who arrive prepared with a clear goal, whether that’s finishing a song or capturing a live performance efficiently.

Six-hour sessions offer more space. They allow for exploration, layering, and refinement while still maintaining forward motion.

Both formats are designed to feel complete—not rushed, not open-ended.

Your Role

Arrive on time, bring what you need, and come ready to commit to your songs.

You don’t need perfection. You do need familiarity with the material and a willingness to move forward once something feels right.

If you have reference tracks or demos, they’re welcome—but not required.

Our Role

The studio handles the technical side quietly and efficiently so you don’t have to think about it.

You’ll receive guidance, feedback, and support when it serves the music. When the performance is working, we stay out of the way.

The Environment

The studio is comfortable, low-pressure, and focused.

Breaks happen as needed. Energy is protected. Decisions are made with care, not urgency.

You’ll leave with a finished result that reflects the performance you brought into the room.

One Thing to Know

Good sessions aren’t built on perfect plans.
They’re built on trust, preparation, and attention.

Preparedness

Preparing for a session at Panama Sound is simple.

You don’t need perfection.
You don’t need to optimize.
You don’t need to know how studios work.

You just need to arrive familiar with your material and ready to move forward.

What “Prepared” Means Here

Prepared artists:

• know their songs well enough to play or sing them without hesitation
• have lived with the material long enough to trust their instincts
• are open to committing once something feels right

That’s it.

What to Bring

Bring whatever you need to feel comfortable and focused.

If you have lyrics, demos, or reference tracks you care about, bring them.
If not, that’s fine too.

If something small gets forgotten, it rarely stops a good session.

Before You Arrive

Spend your energy getting familiar with the songs, not fixing them.

Rehearse until the structure feels natural.
Rest enough to show up present.
Eat something light.
Arrive on time.

You want to walk in grounded, not depleted.

During the Session

The studio will handle the technical side quietly in the background.

When decisions matter, you’ll be guided.
When momentum is strong, it won’t be interrupted.

Your job is to stay connected to the performance.

One Important Thing

Preparation isn’t about control.
It’s about confidence.

The sessions that work best aren’t the most planned — they’re the ones where the artist trusts themselves enough to commit.

If you bring that, the rest tends to take care of itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s included in a session?

Your session covers everything needed to record and deliver your music within the booked time.
There are no surprise add-ons or hidden fees.

How much can we accomplish in one session?

That depends on preparation, arrangement, and how quickly decisions are made.

Some artists finish more than expected.
Some choose to go deeper on a single piece.

The focus is always on momentum, not quantity.

Can sessions be split across multiple days?

No. Sessions happen in one continuous block to protect creative flow.

Can a full band record together?

Yes. The studio is designed for live tracking when that serves the music.

What gear do you use?

A carefully curated collection chosen for reliability, character, and musical results.

Specific tools matter less than how the room feels and how confidently decisions are made.
If you’re curious, you can explore the Studio Tour & Gear page.

Do you use pitch correction?

When it supports the song and you want it.

Nothing is applied by default.

Will my song be fully mixed?

You’ll leave with a polished mix ready to listen, share, and live with.

If deeper refinement is needed, that happens in a separate session.

What does “production support” mean?

Guidance is available when it’s helpful and invisible when it’s not.

The goal is to strengthen your vision, not override it.

How do I book?

Start by reaching out.
We’ll confirm fit, choose a date, and reserve it with a deposit.

Where is the studio located?

In the Richmond Annex neighborhood of Richmond, California — quiet, comfortable, and removed from traffic and distraction.