Separate recording from editing
Podcast recording starts at €85 per hour including VAT, approximately €70.25 net before tax. That hour includes the engineer during recording; it does not automatically include the episode edit. Editing depends on raw duration, voice count and the required intervention. A structured interview can be simpler to edit than a shorter conversation with repeated restarts. When comparing proposals, ask what will be reviewed, what will be removed and how many versions will be supplied. A low figure without a defined scope cannot explain the project’s final cost.
Use a bounded example
Two recording hours cost €170 including VAT at this rate. A 30% deposit on that amount would be €51, leaving €119 for that item. If editing is added, the total changes and the deposit is calculated against the complete accepted quotation. This example excludes video, external performers and licensed music. Two recording hours are not a promise of a particular finished duration: tests, breaks and retakes take time. Ask for each item’s unit, quantity, net amount and tax so the calculation can be checked.
The format affects the work
A continuous conversation needs different decisions from a narrated piece with music and documentary inserts. Choose the format before setting the schedule. For a series, create a repeatable outline and stable file names so each delivery is understandable without investigation. Nominate one person to approve the episode and agree how other participants will contribute comments. The 2 included review rounds cover the booked edit, not a completely new structure. A running-time target is helpful, but should not force removal of essential information merely to meet an arbitrary number.
Prepare guests and permissions
Confirm availability, name pronunciation and each participant’s authorisation before booking. A remote guest’s connection and equipment need testing; an informal call should not be assumed to provide suitable source audio. Music requires a licence covering podcast use. Keep the permissions and explain to guests where the episode will appear. Collect only personal details needed to organise the session. For a company project, check whether internal communications or confidentiality reviews apply. Those approvals can affect the schedule even when they do not increase recording time inside the studio.
Check what follows recording
Ask whether delivery includes WAV, MP3, separate tracks or only the finished episode. Transcription, host upload, RSS feeds and social clips are not automatic parts of recording. Each task needs an owner and scope. Download the final files when supplied; working materials are retained for 6 months. If another provider publishes the content, obtain their requirements before work begins. Do not rely on a specification remembered from an old project. Platforms can change, and suitable formats also depend on your editing and archival workflow.
Book with room in the schedule
Coordinate guest travel and avoid consecutive interviews with no breaks. Enquiry hours are Monday to Friday, 10:00–19:00 Madrid time; session availability is confirmed in writing. Questions are answered within 2 business days. Free cancellation up to 7 days beforehand returns the deposit under the terms. The B2B 15-day payment period applies only when expressly agreed. Finally, check that you have the full price, deliverables, first delivery date and revision rules. Those details make the production decision easier to assess.
Final checklist
- Estimated raw duration
- Participant count
- Defined editing scope
- Agreed files and versions
- Permissions and approval owner
- VAT-inclusive total and deposit calculation
| Item | VAT-inclusive amount |
|---|---|
| Recording · 2 hours | €170.00 |
| Deposit · 30% | €51.00 |
| Balance for this item | €119.00 |
Add every editing task as an identified item before calculating the final total. Check who supplies each file, who approves it and when it is needed. This short record is particularly useful for a series: it lets you compare episodes without confusing a change of scope with an unexplained price change.
Podcast production. Contact and booking. Preparing files for mixing.