Soapbox Studios
Soapbox Studios is a Metro Detroit-based professional recording studio offering integrated audio and video production services including podcasts, radio programming, commercial jingles, music mastering, and live broadcasting, led by a Grammy-winning engineering team serving enterprise and brand clients.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersBirmingham, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Soapbox Studios does
Soapbox Studios is a privately held, single-location professional recording studio headquartered at 34300 Woodward Ave. in Birmingham, Michigan, a Metro Detroit suburb. Founded in 1998, the company operates with 11-50 employees and provides an integrated suite of audio and video production services spanning podcast recording, voice-over and audiobook production, live and recorded radio programming, video recording and live-stream/webinar production, commercial jingle creation, music recording and mastering, and content editing and distribution support. The studio is staffed by a Grammy award-winning engineering team led by Mark Pastoria (2-time Grammy Award winner, 1-time Emmy nominee with 30 years of production experience), with Kristin Kujawa managing client accounts and operations and Jeff Sloan providing strategic and creative guidance. The studio's underlying technology stack includes AVID ProTools, Presonus StudioLive 24 Mix System, Neumann microphones, Sony 4K PTZ cameras, the NewTek TriCaster TC-1 video switcher, and Comrex Access for remote broadcasting integration, supported by a Dell equipment partnership.
The company's revenue model is project-based professional services delivered to enterprise and institutional clients on a quote-based pricing structure through direct booking inquiries. The go-to-market motion is sales-led, relying on the studio's website contact form, direct enterprise outreach, and a referral network channeled through its embedded position within the StartupNation ecosystem and Platform Offsite partnership. Notable clients include Ford, General Motors, Chrysler, McDonald's, Chip's Ahoy, Faygo, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, WJR (Cumulus Radio), WXYZ-TV, HarperCollins Publishers, the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Detroit's major sports franchises (Tigers, Lions, Red Wings), alongside nonprofit engagements such as SAY Detroit's Radiothon.
The company operates primarily in Metro Detroit and Southeast Michigan with stated capacity to serve clients beyond the region. Strategic partnerships include a core relationship with StartupNation (shared leadership and ecosystem integration), Platform Offsite (flexible stage and venue access), and Dell (technology provisioning), with minor integrations to AVID and NewTek as equipment vendors. There is no disclosed revenue, funding, or institutional investment, and the company has no app, API, or AI/ML-based product capabilities.
Soapbox Studios firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Soapbox Studios
- Legal name
- Soapbox Studios
- Website
- https://soapboxstudios.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Soapbox Studios is a Metro Detroit-based professional recording studio offering integrated audio and video production services including podcasts, radio programming, commercial jingles, music mastering, and live broadcasting, led by a Grammy-winning engineering team serving enterprise and brand clients.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Soapbox Studios industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Audio and Video Production Services
- NAICS
- Sound Recording Studios (51224), Other Sound Recording Industries (51229)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Recording Studios (Commercial, Project, Mobile) (MPAIAHAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Podcast Production, Editing & Post-Production Services (MPACADAE), Radio Content Production & Studios (On-air Production, Imaging, Jingles) (MPAIAEAL), Audio Production & Podcasting (BPAFAIAE), Audio Editing & Restoration (Cleanup, Noise Reduction) (MPAIAHAJ)
Keywords
Where Soapbox Studios is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Birmingham
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Soapbox Studios business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Audio Recording Services: Professional recording services including podcast production, voice-over recording, audio book recording, radio programming, and live radio broadcasting
- Video Production Services: Video recording, live streaming, webinar production, and recorded programming services for broadcast and digital distribution
- Commercial Jingle Production: Custom jingle creation for radio commercials, TV commercials, and social media ads. Clients can own jingles outright or license for specific time periods
- Music Recording and Mastering: Original music production, sound design, and mixing and mastering services for music of all genres
- Content Distribution Support: Publishing and promotion of content on social media and other distribution channels as part of client services
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Soapbox Studios product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Soapbox Studios operates a professional audio and video recording studio in Birmingham, Michigan (Metro Detroit), delivering full-service production for podcasts, radio programming, video recording, live-stream content, and commercial music. Its engineering team, led by 2-time Grammy winner Mark Pastoria, produces both live and recorded content using broadcast-grade equipment and offers post-production editing, mixing and mastering, plus content distribution support.
Product overview
Soapbox Studios is a single-location recording studio offering an integrated suite of audio and video production services. The core offering combines five primary service lines: podcast recording, radio programming (live broadcasting and recorded shows), video recording (using Sony 4K PTZ cameras and TriCaster TC-1), live-stream content, and commercial music production (including original music, jingles, and mixing/mastering). Supporting capabilities include voice-over recording, audiobook production, and editing/distribution services. The studio is staffed by a Grammy award-winning engineering team and is positioned as a full-service production partner for creators needing both live and recorded content.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Podcast Recording Services
Quantifiable outcome
- Record-breaking fundraising support for SAY Detroit Radiothon - 'all-time high' funds raised
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Soapbox Studios
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Soapbox Studios technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Soapbox Studios partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- DellcorePartnership with Dell has provided Soapbox Studios with a wide variety of tools including playback monitors, ensuring recording processes are tailored to unique client needs. Dell equipment partnership enables state-of-the-art video production capabilities.
- Platform OffsitecoreSoapbox Studios has partnered with Platform Offsite (an StartupNation property) where clients can take advantage of flexible stage settings amid a backdrop of expansive murals for individual and group recordings.
- StartupNationcoreSoapbox Studios is part of the StartupNation ecosystem, with shared leadership (Jeff Sloan, Mark Pastoria) and integrated platform services including Platform Offsite for recording spaces. The studio leverages StartupNation's network and brand association for credibility.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Soapbox Studios competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Blackbird Studio: Nashville-based world-class recording studio offering tracking, mixing, mastering, and post-production with a roster of Grammy-level engineers. Comparable as a multi-service boutique studio positioned around elite engineering talent and major-label / brand work.
- Electrical Audio: Independent recording studio in Chicago known for analog recording and engineering excellence. Comparable as an independent, talent-led boutique recording studio serving album, music, and audio production clients.
- Ardent Studios: Long-running independent commercial recording studio in Memphis with full audio production, mixing, mastering, and analog recording capabilities. Comparable as a multi-decade, full-service commercial recording studio serving major label and brand clients.
- Strange Weather Recording: Brooklyn-based independent recording studio offering mixing, mastering, and production with an engineer-led, multi-room setup. Comparable as a boutique studio built around senior engineers producing commercial music and audio content.
Emerging players
- SquadCast: Cloud-based remote podcast and video recording platform competing for the podcast production segment Soapbox serves. Comparable as it targets the same podcast creator buyer, but substitutes remote software for in-studio services.
- Riverside.fm: Cloud-based studio-quality remote recording platform for podcasters, marketers, and content creators. Comparable as a partial substitute for in-studio podcast and video production, with overlapping target customers in the creator economy.
Broad incumbents
- Sunset Sound: Historic Hollywood recording facility offering recording, mixing, and mastering for major-label music, film, and television clients. Comparable as a premium multi-room commercial studio, but with a broader geographic and institutional reach.
- Conway Recording Studios: Major Los Angeles commercial recording complex serving film, television, music, and gaming clients. Comparable at the high end of full-service studio operations, but operating at significantly larger scale and broader industry footprint than Soapbox.
- Avatar Studios (Power Station at BerkleeNYC): Iconic New York recording studio serving music, broadcast, podcast, and film scoring clients. Comparable in offering podcast and broadcast recording alongside music, but at substantially larger scale and broader market reach.
Regional players
- Third Man Records (Third Man Studio): Detroit-based independent recording studio and label founded by Jack White. Comparable as a multi-service recording facility offering audio recording, vinyl production, and live performance space within the Detroit market.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks1 record
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Soapbox Studios social profiles
Digital presenceSoapbox Studios financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Soapbox Studios leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Soapbox Studios funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Soapbox Studios M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Soapbox Studios
What does Soapbox Studios do?
Soapbox Studios operates a professional audio and video recording studio in Birmingham, Michigan (Metro Detroit), delivering full-service production for podcasts, radio programming, video recording, live-stream content, and commercial music. Its engineering team, led by 2-time Grammy winner Mark Pastoria, produces both live and recorded content using broadcast-grade equipment and offers post-production editing, mixing and mastering, plus content distribution support.
Is Soapbox Studios a public or private company?
Soapbox Studios is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Soapbox Studios founded?
Soapbox Studios was founded in 1998. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Soapbox Studios based?
Soapbox Studios is headquartered in Birmingham, United States, in the North America region.
How does Soapbox Studios make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Audio Recording Services are the primary driver. The others are video Production Services, commercial Jingle Production, music Recording and Mastering and content Distribution Support.
Who are Soapbox Studios's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Blackbird Studio, Electrical Audio, Ardent Studios and Strange Weather Recording. Emerging players are SquadCast and Riverside.fm. Broad incumbents are Sunset Sound, Conway Recording Studios and Avatar Studios (Power Station at BerkleeNYC). Third Man Records (Third Man Studio) is listed as a regional player.
Does Soapbox Studios have an API?
No public API is recorded for Soapbox Studios.
What industry is Soapbox Studios in?
Soapbox Studios's product category is Audio and Video Production Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAIAHAA, Recording Studios (Commercial, Project, Mobile), with a secondary code of MPACADAE, Podcast Production, Editing & Post-Production Services. Its NAICS code is 51224 and its SIC code is 7812.