Subcat Studios

What Subcat Studios does

SubCat Studios is a privately held, founder-owned full-service recording and post-production facility headquartered in a 7,500-square-foot building in Armory Square, Syracuse, New York. Founded in 2001 by Ron Keck, the company operates three recording studios (Studio A, B, and C) equipped with Pro Tools Ultimate HDX, an Avid ICON D-Command analog console, and an extensive vintage and modern outboard gear library including Neumann, Neve 1073, Sony C-800G, LA-2A, and a 1957 Hammond B3 with Leslie. The studio is SAG-AFTRA approved and Source-Connect certified, enabling it to serve both a long tail of independent musicians and bands nationwide and episodic enterprise clients in film, television, and audiobooks (NBC/Universal, National Geographic, Discovery Channel, Food Network, Audible, etc.).

The company's product surface spans music recording and mastering, live remote recording (up to 24 channels), film post-production including ADR and Dolby Atmos mixing, video production and editing, graphic design, CD/DVD duplication, licensing and distribution, and an in-house record label (SubCat Records). It also offers talent development through an affiliation with Holly Lynch, education and internship programs, marching arts audio consultation, and SubCat LIVE streaming. Pricing is uniformly transactional: studios rent at $70–$80/hr with 4-hour blocks and full-day lockouts, production services at $60–$90/hr, and instrument rentals at $25–$50/session, with custom quotes for ADR, Source-Connect, and film post-production work.

SubCat distributes almost entirely through direct, appointment-based booking via phone, email, and an Appointy self-serve portal, supported by organic social (Facebook, X, Instagram, Twitch), email newsletter, and word-of-mouth. The company is privately held with no disclosed external funding, no headcount disclosure, and no revenue disclosure, consistent with a founder-owned regional creative services business operating for over two decades.

Name

Subcat Studios

Legal name

SubCat Studios

Website

https://subcat.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SubCat Studios is a founder-owned, SAG-AFTRA approved full-service recording and post-production studio in Syracuse, NY, offering music recording, film/TV post-production, video production, duplication, and label services to a national client base of musicians, film producers, and media companies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Recording Studio Services

NAICS

Sound Recording Studios (51224), Postproduction Services and Other Motion Picture and Video Industries (51219), Motion Picture and Video Production (51211)

SIC

Services-Allied To Motion Picture Production (7819)

akta.pro primary industry

Recording Studios (Commercial, Project, Mobile) (MPAIAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

ADR Recording & Supervision (Looping, Casting, Studio Services) (MPAHAEAB), Post-Production Facilities & Suites (Edit/Color/Sound Stages) (MPADAGAI), Dubbing & Voiceover Production (Casting, Recording, Lip-Sync) (MPAHAFAB)

Keywords

• Recording studio services
• Music production
• Film post-production
• Audio post-production
• Video production

Headquarters

HQ city

Syracuse

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations

Revenue model

1. Studio Recording Session Rental: Primary revenue driver. SubCat rents its three studios (Studio A, Studio B, and additional spaces) by the hour, in 4-hour blocks, or full-day lockouts. Studio A commands $80/hr, Studio B $70/hr. Additional fees apply for instrument rentals and pre-session piano tuning. Minimum booking is 2 hours.
2. Production & Post-Production Services: Charged separately from studio time. Includes in-studio video shoots ($60/hr), video editing ($60/hr), on-location audio recording ($90/hr), on-location video ($90/hr), teleprompter operation ($50–60/hr), ADR, Source Connect sessions, and film post-production. Custom quotes provided for larger projects.
3. Licensing & Distribution Services: SubCat's Business Development division provides sync licensing, distribution, cover licensing, and publishing registration services for artists. Priced at $45/hr, with estimated time: Distribution 1 hr, Publishing 2 hrs, Licensing 4 hrs per album release.
4. SubCat Records (Music Label Services): SubCat operates its own record label, providing production, promotion, photography, graphic design, CD/DVD duplication, and distribution for signed artists. Revenue likely flows from artist services and label operations.
5. Talent Development Services: Affiliated talent developer Holly Lynch provides development services (booking, image consulting, social media, songwriting, touring, etc.) for singers, actors, models, and recording artists, serving as an additional service revenue stream.
6. CD/DVD Duplication & Printing: In-house duplication services for album and DVD releases, including commercial printing of posters, flyers, business cards, and menus. Additional fee ($50) for engineering master CD if DDP file is not provided.
7. Merchandise Sales: SubCat sells branded merchandise including t-shirts, hoodies, long sleeves, and raglan shirts through its own shop and via Vision Merch, an external licensed merchandise partner.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

SubCat Studios is a full-service recording and post-production facility in Syracuse, NY providing music recording/mixing/mastering, live remote recording, film post-production (ADR, Dolby Atmos mixing, color grading, 2D/3D animation), video production, graphic design, CD/DVD duplication, education programs, talent development, and licensing/distribution services. The studio operates three recording rooms within a 7,500-square-foot facility equipped with Pro Tools HDX, an Avid ICON D-Command Console, vintage analog gear, and Source-Connect/SAG-AFTRA approved remote recording capabilities, serving a national network of musicians, filmmakers, and commercial clients.

Product overview

Subcat Studios is a full-service recording and post-production studio offering a comprehensive suite of audio and video production services from its 7,500-square-foot Syracuse, NY facility. The core offerings center around Music Recording and Production (featuring three studios: Studio A with Avid ICON D-Command Console and vintage analog gear, Studio B optimized for vocal recording, and Studio C for additional productions), Live Remote Recording, Film Post-Production (including ADR, color grading via DaVinci Resolve 17, and Dolby Atmos), Video Production (music videos, commercials, live streaming), and Graphic Design services. Supporting services include CD/DVD Duplication and Printing, Education Services (internships, school partnerships), Talent Development with Holly Lynch, Marching Arts Audio Consultation, and Licensing and Distribution. The company operates SubCat Records as its record label sub-brand, offers SubCat LIVE for streaming, maintains an e-commerce Online Store for merchandise, and provides Freelance Engineering workspace rentals. Founded in 2001 by Ron Keck, the studio has 30 years of combined experience serving a national clientele.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SubCat Records: Home to Upstate New York's finest talent. Their label provides music and video production, promotion, photography and graphic design, CD and DVD duplication, printing and much more.

Products and services

• Music Recording and Production Professional music recording, editing, mixing, and mastering services using Pro Tools Ultimate HDX and vintage analog gear across three studios (Studio A, B, C) in a 7,500-square-foot facility. Designed for individual musicians, bands, producers, and recording artists seeking professional-quality studio work.
• Live Remote Recording On-location and remote live recording services capturing full orchestras, bands, and solo artists using Sound Devices MIXPRE-10-II, Sennheiser wireless systems, and JoeCo analog-to-digital converters for up to 24-channel recording. Available on-location at $90/hr or $800/day, and remotely via Source-Connect.
• Film Post-Production Full-service film post-production including ADR, mixing, color grading using DaVinci Resolve 17, and 2D/3D animation services through the Studio Central Building with access to a Dolby Atmos theater. Quote-based pricing for film and TV projects; SubCat is SAG-AFTRA and Source-Connect approved.
• Video Production Music video production, commercial video services, live streaming, and full-service video production including editing, motion graphics, color correction, and social media content creation. In-studio video shoots at $60/hr, editing at $60/hr, on-location video at $90/hr.
• Graphic Design In-house graphic design services for album art, tour posters, logos/branding, and other graphic design needs, handled by designer and videographer Cody Slade.
• CD/DVD Duplication and Printing In-house CD and DVD duplication, plus commercial printing of posters, flyers, business cards, and album artwork. Includes design templates for artists who prefer to create their own artwork. Additional $50 fee for engineering master CD if DDP file is not provided.
• Education Services Audio/video engineering education, professional development, audio engineering internships, school district partnerships, and virtual school concert recordings. Includes science of audio production, studio etiquette, and introductory lessons for aspiring engineers.
• Talent Development Talent development services in partnership with Holly Lynch for singers, dancers, actors, models, influencers, and recording artists. Includes album art, booking, image consulting, social media management, songwriting, and touring support.
• Marching Arts Audio Consultation Audio consultation services for marching bands, indoor drumlines, and winter guards. Provides guidance on equipment purchases, setup, and sound design for front ensemble instruments.
• Licensing and Distribution Sync licensing, distribution, cover licensing, and publishing registration services for artists. Priced at $45/hr, with estimated time of 1 hr for distribution, 2 hrs for publishing, and 4 hrs for licensing per album release.
• SubCat Records In-house record label providing music and video production, promotion, photography, graphic design, CD/DVD duplication, and distribution for signed artists. Home to Upstate New York's recording talent.
• SubCat LIVE Live streaming services enabling artists and bands to perform virtually for fans, featuring live switching between multiple cameras and sound mixing.
• Branded Merchandise Online Store E-commerce store selling SubCat Studios branded merchandise including t-shirts, hoodies, long sleeves, and raglan shirts through the studio's own shop and via Vision Merch.
• Freelance Engineering Workspace Workspace rental allowing independent freelance engineers to use SubCat's studios for their own recording sessions, with access to world-class rooms, microphones, pre-amps, and outboard gear.

Quantifiable outcome

• Source-Connect and SAG-AFTRA approved — qualifying SubCat for mainstream film and TV projects requiring industry-standard audio facilities.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers22 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SAG-AFTRAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubCat Studios is a SAG-AFTRA approved audio house/studio, meaning it has met the union's standards for recording voice-over and synchronization work for film, television, and other media. This certification is required for SAG-AFTRA-covered productions and positions SubCat as a qualified vendor for mainstream film and TV projects.
• Source-Connect (Source Elements)coreTechnology or IntegrationSubCat Studios is Source-Connect certified, enabling real-time remote recording sessions with producers, artists, and filmmakers anywhere in the world. The studio's Source Connect capability is prominently featured on its website and booking pages, connecting to the Source Elements platform.
• Holly Lynch (Talent Developer)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubCat Studios is affiliated with Holly Lynch, a leading regional talent developer who provides development services for singers, dancers, actors, models, influencers, performers, and recording artists. Holly's services are offered in connection with SubCat's broader studio ecosystem, providing artists with a pathway from development to managed talent.
• Studio Central BuildingminorOthersSubCat Studios is located in the Studio Central Building in Armory Square, Syracuse, NY. This building provides access to full-service post-production stages, Dolby Atmos mixing and color grading theater, and 2D/3D animation services that SubCat leverages for its film and TV post-production work.
• SubCat RecordscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubCat Records is the in-house record label of SubCat Studios, providing signed artists with music and video production, promotion, photography and graphic design, CD and DVD duplication, printing, and distribution. The label serves as a core differentiator and revenue driver for the studio.
• Vision MerchminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVision Merch is an authorized merchandising company selling officially licensed SubCat Studios and SubCat Records branded merchandise (t-shirts, hoodies, long sleeves, raglans). This extends the studio's brand reach and provides a passive merchandise revenue stream through a licensed third-party partner.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Strengths4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/subcatstudios
• Facebookfacebook.com/pages/SubCat-Music-Studios-LLC/6938763667
• Instagraminstagram.com/subcatstudios
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/subcat-studios

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Subcat Studios