What to Look for When Booking a Recording Studio

When booking a recording studio, prioritise a skilled engineer with proven genre experience, well-maintained equipment suited to your sound, strong acoustic treatment, transparent pricing with no hidden extras, and a working environment where you feel comfortable and creative. Visiting the studio before committing your deposit is one of the best moves you can make.

Before reading on, our guide on how to choose a recording studio covers the decision-making fundamentals in detail if you want a broader overview first.

Here is the honest truth: booking the wrong studio is one of the most common and most avoidable mistakes musicians make. You can walk out of a session having spent £400 and come away with recordings you are ashamed to share. Or you can spend the same money in the right room with the right engineer and have a track you are genuinely proud of. The difference almost always comes down to knowing what to look for before you book.

Why the Studio Choice Matters More Than the Budget

The Real Cost of a Wasted Session

Studio time is not cheap. Even at the budget end of the UK market, you are spending real money the moment you walk through the door. A wasted session costs more than the hourly fee - it costs preparation time, travel, emotional energy, and the opportunity to have spent that budget somewhere better.

Poor acoustics leave your recordings sounding boxy and unprofessional no matter how well you play. An engineer who does not understand your genre may make creative decisions that actively work against your sound. Equipment that has not been maintained in years introduces noise, latency, and technical failures that eat into your session time. These are not rare horror stories - they are regular experiences for musicians who book on price alone.

Defining "Right" for Your Specific Project

The right studio is not necessarily the most expensive one. It is the one that matches your specific project. A bedroom-pop artist needs a different room and a different engineer than a rock band tracking drums live. A voice-over artist recording an audiobook needs near-silent isolation, not a live room with natural reverb. Defining what "right" means for your project before you start searching is the foundation of a sound booking decision.

1. The Recording Engineer - Your Most Important Factor

Ask any experienced session musician what matters most in a recording studio and they will give you the same answer: the engineer. Equipment can be hired, rooms can be treated, but a great engineer brings something that cannot be bought off a shelf.

Assessing Experience and Genre Fit

The Audio Engineering Society (AES) describes the recording engineer as the technical and often creative bridge between the artist's performance and the final recorded sound. That description understates it. A good engineer shapes your sound in real time - adjusting microphone placement, setting gain structure, managing the headphone mix - all while keeping the session moving and the artist relaxed.

Genre fit is non-negotiable. An engineer who specialises in classical orchestral recording will not instinctively know how to get a modern hip-hop low end right. Ask directly: "What genres do you work in most often?" and "Can I hear some recent work in my genre?"

Listening to Their Previous Work

Any engineer worth booking should have a portfolio of finished recordings you can listen to. Streaming links, SoundCloud profiles, or a dedicated portfolio page are all reasonable expectations. Listen critically for:

Clarity and separation between instruments
Warmth and depth in the mix
Whether vocals sit naturally in the music
How the low end translates (listen on both headphones and speakers)
Whether the overall sound matches the feel you are chasing

Questions to Ask the Engineer Before Booking

Engineer evaluation checklist:

Can I hear three recent recordings you engineered in my genre?
How many years have you been recording professionally?
Will you be the engineer on my session, or could it be a different staff member?
Do you also offer music production, or strictly engineering?
Have you worked with artists at a similar stage of their career?

The Music Producers Guild (MPG) represents professional record producers and engineers in the UK and publishes guidance on professional standards. An engineer who takes their craft seriously will welcome these questions, not bristle at them.

2. Studio Equipment and Gear Quality

The Signal Chain: Microphones, Preamps, and Consoles

The signal chain is the path your sound travels from the source to the recording. Every link in that chain affects quality. A professional studio should have large-diaphragm condenser microphones capable of capturing fine detail - the Neumann U87 is an industry benchmark, while the AKG C414 and Shure SM7B serve specific recording applications extremely well. Dynamic microphones from Sennheiser (the MD441 and MD421 are workhorses) should also be available for louder sources like guitar cabinets and drums.

Preamps matter enormously. Budget studios often rely on the preamps built into audio interfaces, which are functional but limited. Mid-range and professional studios invest in dedicated preamps from brands like Focusrite (the ISA range), Universal Audio, or API, which add colour, warmth, and character that is difficult to recreate in post-production.

Mixing consoles from SSL (Solid State Logic), Neve, and API are the gold standard. Even the presence of a high-quality digital console or summing mixer signals that the studio takes its craft seriously.

DAW and Software - What Are They Running?

The Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) is the software at the heart of every modern recording session. Pro Tools (by Avid) remains the industry standard in professional studios and sees wide use across film, television, and major label recording. Logic Pro is popular in mid-range studios and excels in certain genres. Ableton Live is preferred in electronic music and live performance contexts. Cubase is another professional choice with strong MIDI capabilities.

Ask which DAW the studio runs and, if you plan to take project files away for mixing elsewhere, confirm compatibility. A studio still running an outdated DAW version on an ageing computer is a yellow flag.

Outboard Gear, Plugins, and Backline

Equipment Tier	Typical Gear
Budget studio	Entry-level interface preamps, small-diaphragm condensers, basic plugin bundles, minimal outboard
Mid-range studio	Dedicated preamps (Focusrite ISA, Universal Audio), large-diaphragm condensers (Neumann, AKG), SSL or API console, modest outboard compression, comprehensive plugin library
Professional studio	Full SSL or Neve console, classic outboard (1176 compressors, Pultec EQs, Neve 1073 preamps), extensive microphone collection, high-end monitors (Genelec, Yamaha NS10), treated live rooms

Backline availability - drum kits, guitar amplifiers, bass amplifiers - is worth checking if you are recording a live band. Transporting a full drum kit is expensive and time-consuming. Studios that maintain a well-tuned house kit and a selection of amplifiers save you significant effort.

3. Acoustic Treatment and Room Quality

What Good Acoustic Treatment Actually Looks Like

Acoustic treatment is what separates a room that captures sound accurately from one that colours and smears it. Good treatment is not just about soundproofing (preventing sound from escaping) - it is about controlling what happens to sound inside the room. Look for:

Acoustic panels: Absorb mid and high-frequency reflections
Bass traps: Absorb low-frequency build-up, usually in corners
Diffusers: Scatter reflections to create a more natural, even sound
Floating floors and decoupled walls: Isolate the room from external vibration and sound

A room with bare parallel walls and no treatment produces flutter echo - a harsh, metallic smear on transient sounds like claps and snare hits. You can test this by clapping sharply in the room and listening for ringing or smearing after the initial sound. A well-treated room should sound "dead" or controlled, not reverberant.

Live Room vs. Vocal Booth vs. Control Room

Understanding the different spaces in a professional studio helps you know what to ask for. Our guide to understanding recording studios breaks this down further, but here is the essential breakdown:

Live room: The main recording space where the performance happens. Larger live rooms can accommodate full bands with drums. Room acoustics here are designed to complement the source material - some rooms are lively and reflective, others are dead and dry. The choice depends on the genre.
Vocal booth (isolation booth): A small, heavily treated room designed for recording vocals or single instruments in complete isolation from other sound sources. A good vocal booth eliminates bleed from other instruments and gives the engineer a clean, dry signal to work with.
Control room: The room where the engineer sits, containing the mixing desk, monitors, and the DAW workstation. The control room must be acoustically calibrated so the engineer hears an accurate representation of the recording.

A Quick Acoustic Assessment Before Booking

You do not need a sound-level meter to get a feel for a room's acoustic quality. During a pre-booking visit:

Stand in the centre of the live room and clap once - listen for excessive ringing or muddiness
Check corners for bass traps; bare corners handle low-frequency energy poorly
Look at the ceiling and walls for treatment panels - foam tiles alone are insufficient; proper broadband panels are a better sign
Ask what the RT60 (reverberation time) of the room is - professional engineers know this number for their live rooms
Listen to a reference track through the control room monitors and judge whether it sounds how you know it should

4. Genre Fit and Studio Specialisation

Why Genre Expertise Is a Practical Issue

A studio that primarily records indie rock bands may not have the isolation, sample libraries, or low-end monitoring necessary for credible hip-hop production. A studio specialising in classical and acoustic music may have exquisite room acoustics but no drum booth, no amplifiers, and an engineer who has never set up a click track for a heavy band. Genre expertise is not snobbishness - it is practical readiness.

Matching Your Sound to the Right Room

Before searching, write down two or three artists whose sound you are trying to reference. When you contact a studio, share those references and ask directly whether they have worked in that territory. A confident answer with relevant examples is a strong signal. Hesitation or a vague "we can do anything" response deserves further probing.

Studios that list past clients and their genres on their websites make this easier. Platforms like Music Studio Finder let you filter studios by type and read detailed listings, which speeds up this matching process considerably.

Questions to Ask About Genre Experience

Which genres make up the majority of your bookings?
Can you share three releases in my genre that were recorded here?
Do you have the specific backline my project needs (a vintage tube amp, a particular drum kit configuration)?
Have you worked with session musicians in my genre if I need additional players?

5. Pricing, Rates, and What's Included

Recording Studio Rates in the UK (2026)

Studio pricing in the UK varies significantly by location, equipment level, and what is included. The table below gives realistic benchmark ranges based on the current UK market. For a full breakdown, read our dedicated guide on recording studio cost in the UK.

Studio Tier	Typical Hourly Rate	Half-Day Rate (4-5 hrs)	Full-Day Rate (8-10 hrs)
Budget / project studio	£15-£30/hr	£60-£120	£100-£200
Mid-range studio	£30-£60/hr	£120-£250	£220-£450
Professional / large format	£60-£150/hr	£250-£550	£450-£1,200+

Rates are indicative estimates for the UK market in 2026 and vary by region, city, and studio. London studios typically sit at the higher end; studios in cities like Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, and Leeds span all tiers.

Hourly vs. Day Rates vs. Project Rates

An hourly rate suits short, focused sessions - overdubbing a single guitar part, recording a vocal, or doing a quick mix revision. Day rates become better value the moment your session is likely to run beyond four hours, as most studios offer a full-day rate that is meaningfully cheaper per hour than booking by the hour.

Project rates (a flat fee for a complete EP or album) are available at many studios and shift the risk from you to the studio - they have an incentive to work efficiently. If the studio offers a project rate, ask exactly what it covers: tracking days, mix sessions, revisions, and file delivery format.

Hidden Costs to Watch Out For

Engineer overtime: Sessions that overrun are often charged at a premium rate. Confirm the overtime rate before you book.
Equipment hire add-ons: Some studios charge separately for specific microphones, backline hire, or plugin licences.
Mix revisions: "One mix included" is common at budget studios. Additional revision rounds may be charged per hour.
File format and delivery: Ask whether WAV, AIFF, or stem exports are included or billed separately.
Parking: In city-centre studios, parking is rarely included and can add £10-£20 per day.

Mixing and Mastering: In-House vs. Outsourced

Many studios offer in-house mixing and mastering as an upsell. This is not inherently a problem, but it is worth evaluating separately. Ask to hear examples of mixes done in the control room you will be using. If the in-house mixing does not match the quality level your project demands, it is entirely reasonable to record at one studio and mix elsewhere - or to mix remotely with a specialist engineer.

The Musicians' Union (MU) advises musicians to read all service agreements carefully before committing to bundled packages, as these can sometimes lock you into arrangements that reduce your flexibility.

6. Studio Location, Accessibility, and Facilities

Travel Time and Transport Links

A studio that takes 90 minutes to reach by public transport will wear your band down before you have played a note, especially on an early morning session. Factor travel time into your total session cost - if you spend three hours travelling to save £20 on the room rate, the maths does not work in your favour.

Our guide on how to find a recording studio near you covers the practicalities of location-based studio searching across the UK.

Parking, Load-In, and Equipment Logistics

If you are bringing instruments - particularly a drum kit, guitar cabinets, or a large keyboard rig - confirm that the studio has:

Dedicated parking close to the entrance (free or affordable)
A ground-floor entrance or a goods lift for heavy equipment
A loading bay or clear drop-off zone
Trolleys or equipment dollies available

Struggling with a 35 kg bass amplifier up three flights of stairs is not the mental state you want before a tracking session.

Studio Hours and Availability

Standard studio hours in the UK run roughly 10am to 10pm, with some studios offering overnight rates for artists who prefer working late. Confirm:

Whether you can book outside standard hours and at what cost
How far in advance the studio is typically booked out (a useful sign of its popularity)
Whether the engineer you want is available on your preferred dates, not just the room

7. Reviews, Reputation, and Word of Mouth

Where to Find Honest Reviews

Google Business reviews remain the most accessible and hardest to fake at scale. Search the studio's name followed by "reviews" and look at both the rating and the written content. A one-line five-star review with no detail adds less signal than a three-paragraph account describing a specific session experience.

Music Studio Finder listings include studio profiles where you can assess amenities, equipment lists, and contact details, which supplements review research with factual information.

Other useful sources: local music Facebook groups, Reddit communities like r/WeAreTheMusicMakers, music school notice boards, and direct word of mouth from bands who have recorded in the area.

How to Interpret Studio Ratings

Do not anchor on the average star rating alone. Look at:

The total number of reviews (five five-star reviews means less than 47 five-star reviews)
How the studio responds to negative reviews - professionally or defensively
Whether the negative reviews share a pattern (multiple mentions of equipment problems, poor communication, or unexpected charges)
The recency of reviews - a five-star review from 2019 tells you less than one from this year

Red Flags in Reviews to Watch For

Multiple independent mentions of equipment failures during sessions
Complaints about the engineer being dismissive or distracted
References to being charged more than quoted
Reviews mentioning a poor acoustic environment or noisy external intrusions

8. Booking Terms, Contracts, and Policies

Deposits, Cancellation Policies, and Overtime

Professional studios ask for a deposit - typically 25-50% of the session cost - to secure your booking. This is standard practice. What varies is the cancellation policy, and this is where artists frequently get caught out.

Before you pay a deposit, ask in writing:

How much notice do I need to give to receive a full or partial deposit refund?
Is there a rebooking option if I cancel with sufficient notice?
What is the overtime rate if the session runs long?
Are there any minimum booking durations?

Always confirm cancellation and overtime policies in writing before paying a deposit. A verbal agreement is not protection if a dispute arises later.

Who Owns the Recordings? Understanding Licensing

In the UK, copyright in a sound recording is generally owned by the person who made the arrangements necessary for the recording to be made - which is usually you, the artist, unless a contract says otherwise. PRS for Music manages performing rights for music in the UK and provides guidance on rights ownership.

A professional studio will not claim ownership of your recordings. Some studios do include clauses in their terms allowing them to use session recordings for promotional purposes (website samples, social media). Read this clause carefully. If you do not want your work used in studio marketing without your consent, request that the clause be removed or amended.

What to Confirm in Writing Before Your Session

Session date, start time, and duration
Engineer's name and confirmation they will be present for your session
Total agreed cost and payment schedule
What is included (gear, backline, engineer time, rough mix)
File delivery format and timeline
Cancellation and rescheduling policy
Any agreed extras (session musicians, specific equipment hire)

9. Studio Vibe, Comfort, and Working Environment

Why Atmosphere Affects Performance

Recording is a vulnerable act. You are capturing your performance in its rawest form, often in front of strangers, under time pressure. The working environment has a direct effect on the quality of what you record. A studio where the engineer makes you feel rushed, judged, or unwelcome will produce a tighter, more anxious performance than one where you feel genuinely at ease.

UK Music annual reports consistently highlight artist wellbeing as a factor in creative output. The best studios understand this intuitively - they pace sessions well, encourage breaks, and communicate clearly throughout.

Visiting the Studio Before Booking

I would always recommend visiting any studio in person before committing to a session, particularly if it is your first time booking or you are spending a meaningful amount. During a visit, pay attention to:

Whether the staff seem genuinely interested in your project
Whether the spaces feel clean, well-organised, and professionally maintained
The general vibe - are you comfortable in this room?
Whether the engineer takes time to understand your project or seems in a hurry to end the conversation

Many UK studios listed on Music Studio Finder offer studio tours or introductory visits at no cost. It is always worth asking.

Amenities: Lounge, Kitchen, Parking, Wi-Fi

These feel like minor details until you are six hours into a session and have not eaten. Ask about:

Whether there is a comfortable waiting or lounge area for band members not actively recording
Kitchen or catering facilities (kettle, microwave, fridge)
Reliable Wi-Fi for file sharing and streaming reference tracks
A private room or booth for the artist between takes

10. Red Flags to Avoid When Booking a Studio

Equipment That Has Not Been Maintained

Gear degrades. Microphone capsules develop crackling, console faders become noisy, patchbays develop intermittent connections, and monitor drivers blow. A professional studio maintains its equipment proactively. During your visit, ask when the console was last serviced and whether the studio has a maintenance schedule for its gear.

Engineers Who Do Not Listen

The best technical engineer in the world delivers a poor session if they override your creative instincts without explanation. An engineer should listen to your reference tracks, ask questions about your sound, and make recommendations - not impose their preferences. If an engineer dismisses your references or immediately starts telling you what you should be doing differently without understanding your project, that is a warning sign.

Studios With No Portfolio or Testimonials

Every studio that has been operating for more than six months should be able to show you work they have produced. No portfolio means either the studio is genuinely new (which is not automatically a problem, but warrants extra scrutiny) or the work does not meet a standard they want to share. Either way, proceed carefully.

Pricing That Seems Too Good to Be True

Pricing at 40-60% below the market rate for your area is occasionally a genuine bargain - a new studio building a client base, or a home studio with low overheads. More often it reflects compromised acoustics, poorly maintained gear, or an inexperienced engineer. It can also signal a bait-and-switch: low headline rates padded out by add-on charges once you are in the room.

Red Flag Alert - 8 warning signs to avoid:

No audible portfolio of finished recordings

Engineer cannot name specific genres they specialise in

Gear is visibly dusty, uncalibrated, or producing noise

No written cancellation or overtime policy

Overly aggressive upselling during the booking enquiry

Rooms with bare walls and no visible acoustic treatment

No client testimonials or Google reviews

Ambiguous answers to direct pricing questions

11. Green Flags - Signs You Have Found the Right Studio

Green Flags - 8 positive indicators:

Engineer shares a confident, relevant portfolio with examples in your genre

Studio provides a clear, itemised quote with no vague extras

Rooms are clean, well-treated, and professionally maintained

Staff welcome a pre-booking visit or studio tour without hesitation

The studio has a strong recent review history with specific, detailed testimonials

Contract is transparent: ownership rights stay with you, cancellation terms are fair

The engineer asks questions about your project before talking about themselves

The vibe feels creatively supportive - you can imagine making your best work here

The Complete Recording Studio Booking Checklist

Use this checklist before confirming any studio booking. Tick every item, and only book when you are satisfied with the answers.

Engineer portfolio reviewed - listened to at least three recent recordings in your genre
Genre fit confirmed - engineer has stated experience in your specific style
Equipment list assessed - microphones, preamps, console, DAW, and monitors meet your project needs
DAW compatibility checked - project files can be transferred if needed
Acoustic treatment verified - live room, vocal booth, and control room are all treated
Room types confirmed - you know which rooms are available and when
Pricing is fully itemised - hourly or day rate, engineer fee, extras, and delivery costs are clear
Hidden costs asked about - overtime, revisions, parking, file delivery confirmed
Mixing and mastering decision made - in-house or external, and cost confirmed
Booking terms received in writing - deposit amount, cancellation policy, overtime rate
Ownership rights confirmed - you retain copyright in the recordings
Studio visited in person - or a virtual tour completed at minimum
Reviews researched - Google, platform listings, and direct word of mouth checked
Location logistics sorted - travel time, parking, and load-in confirmed
Session schedule agreed - start time, breaks, and end time confirmed in writing

Once you have ticked every item, you are ready to book with confidence. Before the session itself, read our studio session prep checklist to make sure you arrive prepared.

20 Questions to Ask a Recording Studio Before You Book

Take this list to your studio enquiry - by email, phone, or in person:

Can I hear recent recordings you have made in my genre?
Will the same engineer be with me for the entire session?
Which DAW do you record in, and what version?
What microphones do you have available for vocals?
What preamps are in your signal chain?
Do you have a drum kit available, and when was it last tuned and maintained?
What is your cancellation policy if I need to reschedule?
What is your overtime rate if the session runs long?
Is mixing included in the rate, or billed separately?
How many free mix revisions do I receive?
Do I retain full copyright and ownership of the recordings?
Can I take away the raw session files (stems)?
What is the RT60 of your live room?
Is there parking available for a van or estate car?
Do you have a load-in bay for heavy equipment?
Can I visit the studio for a tour before booking?
Do you work with session musicians, and can you recommend anyone?
What is your noise floor in the control room?
Are there any additional costs not included in the quoted rate?
What format will the finished files be delivered in, and how?

Here is the video resource that covers many of these questions in practice - worth watching before you make contact with your shortlisted studios:

How to Find and Compare Recording Studios in the UK

Finding the right studio used to mean relying entirely on word of mouth, trawling through Google Maps, or calling venues listed in the back of music magazines. That process has improved significantly. Music Studio Finder is the UK's dedicated platform for discovering, comparing, and contacting recording studios across Scotland, England, and beyond.

Each listing includes studio type, available rooms, equipment details, and direct contact information, so you can research and shortlist without making a dozen speculative phone calls. Studios like Anvil Recording Studio Edinburgh, Post Electric Studio, and Red Barn Studios Ltd all have detailed listings on the platform, making comparison far more straightforward than searching blind.

For a step-by-step approach to narrowing down your options by location, our guide on choosing the best recording studio near you walks through the process from initial search to confirmed booking.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I book a recording studio for?

This depends on your project, but as a rough guide: a single vocal with one or two overdubs typically needs two to three hours. Recording a full live band tracking session for a single song needs four to six hours. An EP of four songs tracked live will generally need two to three full days. Always add a 20% buffer to your estimated session length - sessions almost always take longer than planned.

Do I need to bring my own instruments and cables?

Confirm with the studio before your session. Most professional studios provide a house drum kit, a selection of amplifiers, direct inputs for bass and guitar, and a full cable stock. Some studios charge for specific instrument hire. Always bring your own guitar or bass in addition to whatever the studio provides - your instrument has your playing feel built into it. Bring your own leads as a backup regardless.

What is the difference between tracking, mixing, and mastering?

Tracking is the recording of the original performances - capturing the raw audio. Mixing is the process of balancing, processing, and blending those recorded tracks into a cohesive stereo (or surround) output. Mastering is the final stage: optimising the mix for loudness, tonal balance, and delivery format across streaming, vinyl, or CD. These are three distinct disciplines, and many artists use different engineers for each stage.

How much does a recording studio cost in the UK?

In 2026, budget studios in the UK typically charge between £15 and £30 per hour. Mid-range studios run from £30 to £60 per hour. Professional large-format studios charge from £60 to £150+ per hour. Full-day rates offer better value for longer sessions. London studios sit at the upper end of each tier; studios in cities like Edinburgh, Manchester, Glasgow, and Bristol span all price points.

Should I book an hourly rate or a day rate?

If your session is likely to run four hours or more, a day rate almost always offers better value per hour. Day rates also remove the psychological pressure of clock-watching, which tends to improve the quality of performances. Ask the studio how they structure day rates and whether the engineer's time is included.

Can I visit a studio before I book?

Yes, and you should always ask. Most professional studios are happy to arrange a brief tour or introductory visit. This gives you a chance to assess the acoustic quality of the rooms, meet the engineer, check the condition of the gear, and get a feel for the working environment before committing any money.

What is a vocal booth and do I need one?

A vocal booth (also called an isolation booth) is a small, acoustically treated room designed to capture vocals or single instruments in complete isolation from background noise and other sound sources. The heavy treatment produces a clean, dry signal with no room ambience, which gives the engineer maximum flexibility in post-production. If you are recording lead vocals, a spoken word project, a podcast, or a voice-over, a proper vocal booth is strongly preferable to recording in the live room.

How do I know if a studio engineer is right for my genre?

Ask to hear at least three finished recordings they engineered in your genre. Listen for how the instruments sit relative to each other, how the vocals are treated, and whether the overall sound reflects the aesthetic you are chasing. Pay attention to how the engineer talks about music in your genre - genuine enthusiasm and specific technical knowledge are reliable signs of real experience.

What happens if I need to cancel my booking?

Cancellation terms vary by studio. Some offer a full refund with 48-72 hours' notice; others retain the deposit regardless of notice given. Always read the cancellation policy before paying your deposit and confirm it in writing. The Musicians' Union advises artists to treat studio booking agreements as legal contracts and to seek clarification on any clause they do not fully understand.

Do I own the recordings made in a studio?

In the UK, the copyright in a sound recording belongs to the person who made the arrangements necessary for the recording - which is normally you, the commissioning artist - unless a written contract assigns those rights elsewhere. A professional studio will not claim ownership. Some studios do include clauses allowing them to use recordings for promotional purposes. Read every clause of the booking agreement before signing, and remove or amend any clause that limits your control over your own recordings.