Lounge Studios, Throne Room Photo Studio

Amazing studio. 10/10 staff. Clean space & overall incredible experience

I booked a two-hour solo recording session at Lounge Studios to create a special recording for the 50th anniversary of my parents’ wedding a meaningful and emotional occasion for our family. Upon arrival, I was warmly welcomed by the staff and prepared to test the advertised “amazing” Steinway grand piano they had on location. Unfortunately, I was immediately disappointed when I played the first few notes. The piano produced a thin, metallic resonance, and the sustain pedal (the only one typically used for holding notes) was ineffective. It was clear the piano was very old and had not been properly maintained for recording quality work. Over time, pianos can suffer from string fatigue, where the strings lose tension and elasticity, leading to a harsh, brittle tone. Additionally, the action felt uneven, and the sustain pedal mechanism seemed worn, failing to properly lift the dampers and creating a weak sustain. Given the instrument’s condition, I decided not to proceed with the recording and requested a refund for the $200 I had paid. Diagnosing the issue took over an hour and fifteen minutes. It then took four days and multiple follow-up calls before I finally received only a partial refund something I found disappointing and unprofessional for a studio of their size and reputation. To make matters worse, Lounge Studios did not have a backup keyboard or any alternative instrument available to help salvage the session. While the front desk staff were courteous, the owner was not. I was especially disheartened when the engineer later remarked over the phone that my piano skills were “limited” and that I “did not know how to use a sustain pedal,” a comment that felt belittling and deeply unprofessional. Overall, I cannot recommend Lounge Studios unless you visit in advance and personally test every instrument. This experience was disappointing, especially given the importance of the occasion.