Scheduling and booking
Enquiries should be made directly through the studio. Let us know your requirements and we'll advise on price and availability. If you're happy to proceed, we require you to sign and date a copy of our booking agreement and arrange payment of a deposit.
A booking is confirmed once:
- The client has signed and returned a copy of the booking agreement, or acknowledged agreement to it by email.
- Any relevant deposits have cleared.
The studio reserves the right to decline any booking at its discretion.
Cancellation
All deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable.
If your plans change, please get in touch as early as possible.
Rescheduling
If a confirmed booking is cancelled and you'd like to reschedule, please let the studio know immediately. Where possible, we'll endeavour to find alternative dates, though we cannot guarantee replacement time will be available or that it will fall within a consecutive date range matching the original booking.
Session timings
A studio "day" is defined as 12 hours, running from 10am until 10pm. A full day is inclusive of the following:
- Setting up and sound checking before recording begins.
- Packing down at the end of the session.
- Any breaks taken during the day.
- Backing up to hard drives or other media.
We'll provide guidance on typical time allowances so you can plan your day accordingly.
Overtime
If you choose to work beyond the agreed session end time, an overtime charge of £60 + VAT is payable upon commencement of each additional hour. The studio's engineer or assistant will notify you 15 minutes before the session is due to end. It is the client's responsibility to allow sufficient time for packing down and backing up within the booked session hours.
Payment
Unless stated otherwise in the booking agreement, all invoices and account balances must be settled on or before the final day of the session.
- We do not accept card payments. Payment should be made by bank transfer.
- Invoicing details, including the name of any third party responsible for settling the invoice, must be confirmed before the session begins. The studio holds the party named on the invoice solely responsible for payment.
- Invoices not settled within 28 days of the due date will be subject to interest charges in accordance with the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998.
- The studio reserves the right to withhold all recorded materials, drives and media if fees remain unpaid. This includes any devices brought by the client for the purpose of removing recordings from the studio.
Client equipment and personnel
All equipment, instruments and media brought into the studio by the client are at the client's own risk. The studio accepts no liability for loss, theft or damage to client-owned equipment, however caused.
The client is responsible for ensuring that their equipment and media are compatible with the studio's systems and in good working order. The studio accepts no responsibility for the performance, reliability or failure of client-provided equipment.
Clients are responsible for arranging adequate insurance cover for their personnel, equipment, instruments and recordings. The studio strongly recommends that all clients hold appropriate insurance before attending.
Any equipment, instruments or materials left at the studio after the end of a booking will be held for a period of three months. If uncollected after that period and following written notice from the studio, the studio reserves the right to dispose of such items as it sees fit.
Recordings and session materials
All recordings, mixes and materials produced during a session are the property of the client upon receipt of full payment of all outstanding fees. Legal title to recorded materials remains with the studio until the fee has been paid in full.
The client is responsible for backing up and removing all recordings, session files and associated materials at the end of each session. The studio accepts no liability for any recordings or materials that remain at the studio after the session has concluded.
The studio will take reasonable care of any materials left in its possession pending collection, but accepts no liability for loss, corruption or damage to recordings left after the agreed session period.
Content of recordings
The client warrants that the content of any recording made at the studio will not infringe any third-party copyright or other intellectual property rights, will not be defamatory, obscene or otherwise unlawful, and will not expose the studio to any claim or liability.
The client agrees to indemnify and keep the studio harmless against any claims, costs, damages or expenses arising from a breach of this warranty.
Studio equipment and breakdown
The studio takes reasonable steps to ensure that all equipment is properly maintained and in good working order. In the event of a significant technical failure that renders recording impossible, the studio will offer either replacement session time or a proportionate fee refund at its discretion.
The studio accepts no liability for minor technical issues that cause brief interruptions of two hours or less. Where a session is interrupted for a short period and then resumes, the studio may offer a reasonable extension of time at its discretion.
The studio makes no warranty as to the suitability of its equipment for any particular purpose beyond general professional recording use.
Noise and conduct
All clients and their guests are expected to behave with consideration for other studio users, neighbouring properties and the surrounding environment. The studio is located within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and noise outside the building must be kept to a minimum, particularly in the evening.
The client is responsible for managing sound levels within the studio and ensuring compliance with the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 and any other applicable legislation. The studio's engineer will advise on safe monitoring levels where requested.
The studio reserves the right to terminate a session without refund in the event of persistent excessive noise, anti-social behaviour, or conduct that poses a risk to people or property.
Filming and photography
Clients wishing to film or photograph within the studio must seek permission in advance. Casual personal photography is generally welcomed; commercial or broadcast filming requires prior written agreement and may be subject to an additional facility fee.
Where permission is granted, any published material featuring the studio, its facilities or its branding must credit Chale Abbey Studios. The studio's name and visual identity may not be used in any commercial context without our written consent.
Accommodation
Where accommodation is included as part of a residential booking, it is provided solely for the use of those named in the booking agreement. Please enquire in advance if you wish to bring any additional guests (manager/label/photographer etc) as we may not be able to accommodate. The studio's accommodation is a working residential facility and guests are expected to treat it with care.
The client is liable for any damage caused to the accommodation or its contents beyond fair wear and tear. The studio reserves the right to charge for the cost of repair or replacement.
Checkout is by 10am on the final day of the booking unless otherwise agreed. Guests remaining beyond the agreed checkout time may be charged an additional night's accommodation at the full rate.
Liability
The studio's total liability to the client in connection with any booking — whether in contract, tort, breach of statutory duty or otherwise — shall not exceed the total fees paid by the client for that booking.
The studio shall not be liable for any indirect, consequential, economic or special loss, including but not limited to loss of profits, loss of revenue, loss of contracts, or wasted expenditure.
Nothing in these terms limits or excludes the studio's liability for death or personal injury caused by its negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other matter for which liability cannot lawfully be excluded.
Force majeure
The studio shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performing its obligations under these terms where such failure or delay results from circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, extreme weather, power failure, fire, flood, or action by any government or public authority.
In such circumstances, the studio will endeavour to offer alternative dates or, where this is not possible, a proportionate refund of fees paid.
Governing law
These terms and conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. Any dispute arising in connection with a booking shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
If any provision of these terms is found by a court to be invalid or unenforceable, that provision shall be severed and the remaining terms shall continue in full force and effect.