From intimate vocal booths to full band rooms and ADR-ready post houses, Wilmington’s studio scene has grown into a versatile, coastal hub for creators. As vocal coaches who regularly help singers, podcasters, and voice actors get studio‑ready, we’ve curated this guide to the best recording studios in Wilmington, NC and nearby—focusing on the spaces that treat voices well, offer reliable engineering, and make it easy to get in, get great takes, and get out with files in hand.
Below you’ll find options for every project: singer‑songwriter demos, full‑production releases, podcast and VO sessions, even film/TV ADR. For each studio we note location, contact info, specialties, and what it’s best for so you can match the room to your goals and budget. We verified every listing and included a few short‑drive picks for extra flexibility.
Need help getting studio‑ready? Our Wilmington voice lessons program can prep your songs, keys, and mic technique before you book.
Updated: August 29, 2025. Rates and amenities change often—confirm details when you book.
Full‑service music recording studios in Wilmington
Shoreline Studio
1536 Castle Hayne Rd, Wilmington, NC 28401; (910) 297‑4504
A true engineer’s room with musician comfort, Shoreline pairs a large live room with a roomy, well‑tuned control room and serious analog front‑end (API, Neve, UA) feeding Pro Tools HD. It’s run by longtime Wilmington engineer/musician Tommy Brothers, and even offers live video capture for performance‑style sessions—great when you want release‑ready audio and visuals from the same date.
- Best for: Full‑band tracking, vocal sessions, live performance videos.
- Highlights: Pro Tools HD; big mic/amp locker; treated rooms; optional video capture/edit.
- Rate note: Rates by request; call or email to book.
Ice Cube Recording Studios
801 Greenfield St, Wilmington, NC 28401; (910) 260‑7616
A high‑energy, late‑hours studio known for quick turnarounds and a collaborative vibe. Artists praise the personable engineering team and consistent results; online booking makes it easy to lock time, even for night sessions. If you’re building modern pop/hip‑hop or need a rapid record‑mix cycle, this spot moves at the speed of ideas.
- Best for: Vocal tracking, hip‑hop/R&B, fast‑moving single or EP sessions.
- Highlights: Online scheduler; seven‑day schedule with late nights; strong review history.
- Rate note: Rates provided via the booking link; confirm at scheduling.
Studio 1515 (1515 Universe)
1122 S 13th St, Wilmington, NC 28401; (910) 632‑0720
An indie‑artist hub that pairs recording/mixing with custom beats and content strategy. Expect a modern production flow, beat catalogs, and the option to book consults or studio time directly from the site—useful if you’re a self‑releasing singer/rapper who wants both tracks and rollout help.
- Best for: Vocal production, custom beats, developing artists.
- Highlights: Online booking; production services; content/brand support.
- Rate note: Contact for current hourly and project rates.
Cape Fear Studio
75 S Kerr Ave, Wilmington, NC 28403; (910) 343‑1881
A long‑running, full‑service studio with in‑studio and on‑location recording, plus transfers, consulting, and disc duplication—handy if your project includes archival media or you need physical copies. Old‑school service and flexibility make it a solid pick for ensembles and organizations.
- Best for: On‑location recording, acoustic ensembles, transfer/duplication add‑ons.
- Highlights: In‑studio and remote recording; CD/DVD duplication; consulting.
- Rate note: Call for a quote; scope varies by session or service.
Karen Kane Music Productions & Wilmington Recording Studio
1536 Castle Hayne Rd #17 (office alt: 7107 Northbend Rd), Wilmington, NC 28401; (910) 681‑0220
Veteran producer/engineer Karen Kane brings decades of album credits and also teaches audio engineering—ideal for singer‑songwriters who value coaching as much as capture. Sessions are appointment‑only, with mixing/mastering available if you’re finishing a record.
- Best for: Singer‑songwriters, small ensembles, voiceover; mentoring/education‑friendly sessions.
- Highlights: Production, recording, mixing/mastering; audio‑engineering instruction.
- Rate note: Contact directly for current rates and availability.
Low Tide Studio
221 Airlie Rd, Wilmington, NC 28403; (910) 442‑8433
A coastal hideaway studio focused on musical detail. Low Tide is known for a relaxed vibe and hands‑on engineering (with mentoring ties to Recording Connection), making it a smart pick for artists who want attentive tracking and guidance without the rush.
- Best for: Thoughtful vocal tracking, small‑group sessions, indie production.
- Highlights: Appointment‑only sessions; supportive, detail‑oriented workflow.
- Rate note: Call/email for rates; book in advance.
Flux Audio/Video
124 N Cardinal Dr Ext, Ste 103, Wilmington, NC 28405; (910) 350‑8086
Part studio, part restoration lab: Flux offers 24‑track digital recording alongside comprehensive audio/video transfers and restoration. If your project mixes new recording with legacy media (vinyl, tapes, film), Flux’s digitization expertise is a differentiator.
- Best for: Recording plus archival transfers; restoration and mastering of older media.
- Highlights: 24‑track digital studio; vinyl/tape/open‑reel transfers; duplication.
- Rate note: Transfer pricing is published; call for studio session rates.
Dialect Recording Studio (Carolina Beach)
Carolina Beach, NC (10–20 minutes from downtown); (412) 400‑3467
A home‑style studio for recording, mixing, and mastering with a clear gear list and direct phone booking—popular with indie and hip‑hop artists who want a beach‑adjacent creative day.
- Best for: Indie/hip‑hop vocals, mixing/mastering.
- Highlights: Published gear/services; straightforward booking.
- Rate note: Call for current session rates.
dialectrecordingst.wixsite.com/dialect
Audio post, ADR, and voiceover (film/TV + music) in Wilmington
North Star Post & Sound
1223 N 23rd St, Wilmington, NC 28405; (910) 343‑3701
Located on the EUE/Screen Gems (now Cinespace Wilmington) lot, North Star is built for ADR, Foley, and VO—and has also hosted music sessions. The room is known for clean dialog and a film‑first workflow; if your project intersects with Wilmington’s screen industry, this is the insider option.
- Best for: ADR/voiceover, post‑audio, film/TV music overdubs.
- Highlights: On‑lot access; film‑centric acoustics; flexible scheduling.
- Rate note: Call for rates; quotes vary by post scope.
Blind Cinema Sound
1223 N 23rd St, Wilmington, NC 28405; (910) 343‑3701
An audio‑post shop on the studio campus focusing on voiceover and post sound. Ideal for producers who want a nimble Wilmington‑based team for VO spots, narration, or finishing audio deliverables.
- Best for: VO, narration, post‑audio finishing.
- Highlights: Studio‑lot location; dedicated post workflows.
- Rate note: Contact for session/post rates.
Port City Films Studio
1470 N Kerr Ave, Ste A, Wilmington, NC 28405; (910) 777‑7582
A 2,500‑sq‑ft production studio with a DIT/audio room and a sound‑treated recording booth—great for ADR, VO, commercial work, or content capture alongside picture. Bookable as a studio rental or with production support.
Best for: ADR/VO, commercial content, hybrid video‑plus‑audio days.
Highlights: Sound‑treated booth; makeup/green room; kitchen; offices and edit suite.
Rate note: Publishes studio rental from $150/hr on Peerspace; confirm for audio use.
Podcast and content recording studios in Wilmington
Wilmington Podcast Studio
2512 Independence Blvd, Ste 100, Wilmington, NC 28412; (910) 515‑6418
A video‑podcast‑first room with pro gear and a guided workflow—handy if you’re leveling up from Zoom to a clean, repeatable in‑studio look/sound. Bookable for tours and sessions; address provided via the host/coworking site.
- Best for: Video podcasts, interviews, branded shows.
- Highlights: Turnkey podcast rig; creator coaching; easy booking.
- Rate note: Rates provided at booking; confirm add‑ons (editing, coaching).
recorder‑pineapple‑awse.squarespace.com
Content House
Wilmington, NC (address provided on booking); (via site)
A creator‑forward studio with styled rooms and a dedicated podcast rig (six Rode mics + Rodecaster Pro II) alongside small video sets. Monthly plans suit weekly shows; day rates are available for drop‑ins.
- Best for: Podcasts with video, batch content days, creator memberships.
- Highlights: Multiple rooms/looks; Rodecaster Pro II; Sony ZV‑E10 cameras; DJI wireless.
- Rate note: Drop‑in listed at $150/hr; monthly creator plans from $450—confirm before booking.
Blue Mind Coworking – Podcast Room
301 Government Center Dr, Wilmington, NC 28403; (910) 418‑0280
A compact, sound‑treated booth for 1–4 people with straightforward hookups—perfect for quick episodes or interviews near midtown. Flexible hourly/half‑day/full‑day rentals.
- Best for: Simple podcast capture, interviews, small teams.
- Highlights: Quiet booth; central location; parking; coworking amenities.
- Rate note: Lists podcast room starting at $35/hour—verify current rate.
Cargo District Studios (Recording)
1502 Castle St, Wilmington, NC 28401; (by appointment)
Appointment‑only recording studio inside Wilmington’s Cargo District, surrounded by creative businesses and content spaces—good for indie pods or music makers who like a maker‑community setting.
- Best for: Indie recording/podcasting in a creative district.
- Highlights: Appointment‑based sessions; central district location.
- Rate note: Inquire via their Facebook page for current rates and availability.
facebook.com/cargodistrictrecordingstudios
Project and appointment‑only studios in Wilmington
D.C. Studio Productions
1306 S 16th St, Wilmington, NC 28401; (404) 671‑6777
Local project studio praised for approachable engineers and artist‑friendly sessions—solid for singles, mixtapes, and vocal work without a big‑facility footprint.
- Best for: Hip‑hop/pop vocals, songwriting demos, indie projects.
- Highlights: Streamlined sessions; appointment‑only.
- Rate note: Contact for hourly/project pricing.
Natural Sound Recording Studio
3105 Princess Pl Dr, Wilmington, NC 28405; (910) 343‑9390
A legacy neighborhood studio for straightforward recording needs. If you’re after an affordable room to cut vocals or basic tracks and prefer to book by phone, this is a no‑frills option.
- Best for: Budget vocal sessions, simple overdubs.
- Highlights: Local, appointment‑based studio; phone booking.
- Rate note: Call for a quote; hours/availability vary.
Swirl Recording
5101 Dunlea Ct, Ste 203, Wilmington, NC 28405; (910) 798‑2934
A small recording room tied to Wilmington’s production scene—useful for VO or music when you’re in the New Centre area. Reach out to confirm current offerings and schedule.
- Best for: Voiceover, small vocal/instrument overdubs.
- Highlights: Central location; appointment‑only.
- Rate note: Call for current rates and services.
G5 Music Recording Studio, LLC
102 Old Eastwood Rd, Ste C4, Wilmington, NC 28403; (984) 223‑8874
An appointment‑only project studio for tracking and mixing on Wilmington’s east side—good for quick singles, features, and vocal work.
- Best for: Rap/hip‑hop vocals, quick singles, mix sessions.
- Highlights: Private room; flexible scheduling.
- Rate note: Call/text for current hourly/package rates.
Other Recording Studios Near Wilmington
Acoustic Memory Productions (Rocky Point)
12809 NC Hwy 210, Rocky Point, NC 28457; (503) 997‑1644
A project studio north of Wilmington serving singer‑songwriters and small groups. Useful if you’re along 210 or want to escape city traffic for a session.
- Best for: Acoustic/vocal projects, small ensembles.
- Highlights: Appointment‑only; producer‑engineer guidance.
- Rate note: Call for current rates and scheduling.
How to choose the right Wilmington studio (quick guide)
Define the goal: radio‑ready single, songwriter demo, VO/podcast, or film/TV ADR. The right room, mic chain, and engineer depend on the deliverable.
Prioritize the room and the engineer: a well‑treated booth and an engineer experienced with vocals will beat “fancy gear” used in a poor space every time.
Ask about the vocal chain: mic options (e.g., U87/C414/C800G alternatives, SM7B/RE20 for intimate or aggressive styles), preamps, comps, and if they can record clean plus a light safety comp.
Check monitoring and latency: closed‑back headphones, a quick personal cue‑mix, and sub‑10 ms latency make or break a session.
Confirm specialty fit: ADR/VO needs talkback, beeps/timecode, and Source‑Connect or remote patch; singer‑songwriters may want a piano/guitar and a comfortable live room.
Logistics and files: parking and access, session start time, file format (24‑bit, 44.1/48 kHz), separate dry vocals, printed FX stems, and how/when files are delivered.
Budget controls: hourly/day rates, minimum block (often 2–3 hours), overtime, cancellation window, and deposit terms.
Vibe test: a 5–10 minute phone or video chat with the engineer quickly reveals communication style and whether you’ll feel supported.
Pre‑session checklist for singers recording in Wilmington
Health and voice: hydrate 24 hours ahead, sleep well, light warm‑ups day‑of, avoid irritants (heavy dairy, alcohol, menthol), bring room‑temp water and non‑menthol lozenges.
Creative prep: final lyrics printed and on phone/tablet, marked phrasing/breaths, reference track(s), BPM and key, any harmony plans and ad‑lib ideas.
Tech prep: send instrumental and click versions in advance; decide on sample rate (44.1 kHz for music, 48 kHz for video/ADR); request both dry lead and a “producer print” with tasteful EQ/comp.
File sanity: consistent file names, start at bar 1, include tempo map; bring a USB‑C/USB‑A drive as backup even if the studio exports via cloud.
Wardrobe and comfort: quiet clothing (no jangly jewelry), lip balm, hair tie, light snack; silence phones/smartwatches.
Session flow: agree on comping/tuning approach, plan short breaks every 45–60 minutes, and leave 10 minutes for exports and a quick listen‑through before you leave.
Admin: confirm rate, minimum block, overtime, cancellation, payment method, and what’s included (mix, tuning, mastering, stems).
Typical local recording studio pricing in Wilmington
Note: These are 2025 ballpark ranges we see in the market; always confirm with the studio before booking.
- Music vocal session with engineer: $65–$120 per hour; day rates $450–$800 depending on room size, mic locker, and engineer credits.
- ADR/VO with engineer and patch (Source‑Connect/phone/Zoom): $100–$175 per hour; some facilities add a patch fee ($25–$50).
- Podcast studios: $35–$95 per hour depending on camera count and post‑production.
- Mixing: $150–$500 per song for small‑to‑mid projects; complex productions or attended mixes higher.
- Mastering: $60–$150 per track; EP/album bundles often discount.
- Add‑ons you may see: vocal tuning/comping $40–$100 per song, session players $75–$150/hr, extra export packs/stems $15–$50, archival or rush fees, and producer attendance.
FAQs about Wilmington’s recording studios
Usually yes—studios can accommodate BYO mics with proper power and mounts; tell them in advance.
44.1 kHz for music releases; 48 kHz for film/TV/YouTube to match video workflows. Ask your mixer if unsure.
Most all will allow you to bring your vocal coach. Many do via Source‑Connect, Zoom, or phone patch; request a test the day before.
For a prepared singer, plan 1.5–3 hours per song to track leads, stacks, and quick comps; more if writing harmonies on the fly.
Most offer tasteful tuning on request; clarify how transparent or stylized you want it and whether it’s billed hourly or per song.
Common in Wilmington; some studios charge a premium outside standard hours.
Minimum hours, deposit and cancellation policy, file delivery method/timeline, included exports, and whether the engineer has recent vocal credits in your genre.
Local support for vocal prep
Big studio days feel lighter when you’re not doing it alone.
In Wilmington, you’ve got a supportive community of coaches and musicians who understand what it takes to walk into a booth calm, warmed up, and clear on your choices. Consistent, weekly voice lessons build that foundation—steady breath, reliable pitch, confident mic distance, and the kind of stamina that lets you keep your best take at the end of the session, not just the beginning.
If you’re local, we’d love to connect you with an experienced vocal coach through regular weekly voice lessons at our Wilmington voice studio.
Whether you’re recording a first demo, cutting vocals for a release, or prepping VO/ADR, a standing lesson gives you a place to shape phrasing, run mock takes, and talk through studio etiquette so the engineer has exactly what they need. When you’re ready, we can also point you toward studios in this guide that fit your project and style—no pressure, just honest guidance from people who care about your voice.
