Frequently Asked
Questions
Rehearsal Studios
Can I play loud?
Yes. All studios are acoustically treated and built for full band rehearsals.
Do I need to bring my own gear?
No. Our studios are fully equipped. On-site gear rental such as guitars, bass guitars, and keyboards is also available if needed. You’re welcome to bring your own gear.
Are the studios private?
Yes. All studios are private rooms so you can rehearse without interruption.
What’s included in the studio?
All hourly studios come equipped with full, industry-grade backline including drums (with cymbals), bass amp, guitar amps, PA, and microphones. Please visit the Explore Studios page for the full gear list.
What’s the difference between Standard and Premium studios?
Standard Studios include full backline with drums, one half stack, one combo amp, and two microphones, and are best for bands of up to 4 members.
Premium Studios feature expanded backline with drums, additional half stacks, a combo amp, up to three microphones, and floor monitors. They also offer more space and added comfort, including a mini fridge and a comfortable couch. Some rooms include mirrors, making them ideal for show rehearsals and performance prep.
Do you sell accessories on-site?
Yes. Drumsticks, strings, cables, picks, SD cards, snacks, and drinks are available for purchase during your session.
Recording, Production & Podcasting Studios
Do you offer recording services?
Yes. Our Live Room and Podcast Studio allow you to record directly to an SD card. Our Production Studio supports Logic Pro, Pro Tools, and FL Studio on a Mac Mini.
What is Live Off the Floor recording?
Our Hamilton Live Room is designed for Live Off the Floor band recording, allowing musicians to record together in real time using a pre-miked multi-track setup. Record directly to an SD card with up to 20 channels for mixing, editing, and content creation later.
Do you provide Audio or Stage Light Technicians?
Yes. In-house technicians for audio and stage lighting are available at $50/hour + HST. Please contact us in advance to check availability.
Can I record my rehearsal?
Yes. Recording is available in the Live Room using our built-in multi-track setup.
Do you sell SD cards?
Yes, SD cards are available for purchase on-site.
Events & Showcase Room
What can I use the Showcase Room for?
Designed for those who care about sound, stage presence, and atmosphere. Our Hamilton event venue is well suited for concerts, live performances, music-themed birthday parties, cultural celebrations, album release events, educational workshops, corporate events, and social gatherings.
Do you have a smaller space for events?
Yes. Our Live Room is a great option for smaller, intimate events such as listening parties, book launches, and presentations. It accommodates up to 20 seated guests and is available at $55/hour. A $60 cleaning fee applies if food is served.
How much does it cost?
Rehearsals in the Showcase Room start at $65/hour. Video shoots are $80/hour, and event bookings are $115/hour + HST and up.
What are your event hours?
Event hours are from 12 PM to 12 AM. Early access or extended hours outside of this time may be approved upon request and are subject to a $200 per hour off-hour operating fee.
Do you provide tables and chairs?
Yes. Tables and chairs are available for rent on-site at a reasonable cost.
Can I walk in to view the Showcase Room?
Viewings are by appointment only so our team can give you the attention your event deserves. We recommend coordinating a single visit with all key decision-makers. Additional viewings may be limited or subject to a fee.
Can I bring my own mixer?
Yes. You can connect your mixer by running the stereo outputs into the first two channels of our snake, which feeds directly to the speakers. For any setup requests beyond this, please contact us in advance.
What is the capacity of the Showcase Room?
Depending on the layout, the Showcase Room can accommodate up to 150 standing guests and 120 seated guests. Larger events of up to 200 guests may be accommodated upon request, depending on the event setup.
Can I bring outside catering or alcohol?
Yes, outside catering and alcohol are permitted. A cleaning fee applies:
- $100 for events up to 100 guests
- $200 for events above 100 guests
If alcohol is served, the following are required:
- a valid AGCO Special Occasion Permit (SOP)
- event insurance with $5M liability coverage
- Smart Serve–certified bartenders
- security staffing (minimum 1 guard per 50 guests)
What is the deposit to book the Showcase Room?
Is set-up and tear-down time included?
No. Set-up and tear-down must be included within your booked time. Additional time must be booked in advance.
Do you provide staff or technical support?
Our team assists with initial setup, including basic audio, visual, and room setup (tables and chairs). We do not provide staff to run events—hosts are responsible. Our team remains on-site if needed, and additional services such as technicians, security, or bartenders can be arranged.
Can I control the lighting in the Showcase Room?
Yes. The Showcase Room includes a variety of preset lighting scenes that you can easily switch between. Our staff will provide a quick overview of how to use the controls. For any lighting requests outside of the preset options, please speak with our team ahead of time.
Monthly Studios & Private Space Rental
Do you offer monthly rooms or private studio rentals?
Yes. We offer 25+ private monthly studios ranging from 150 to 660 sq ft for musicians, producers, and creators seeking a long-term creative space in Hamilton. We are currently at full occupancy and accepting waitlist applications.
What is the lease term?
Monthly studios require a minimum 6-month commitment with 60 days’ notice for termination.
Do monthly tenants have 24-hour access?
Yes. Monthly tenants have 24/7 access to their studios.
What’s included in a monthly studio rental?
Monthly studios include utilities, air conditioning, WiFi, 24/7 access, controlled fob entry, and building-wide security cameras.
Do monthly studios require a security deposit?
Yes. One month’s rent is required as a security deposit upon signing the lease.
Are monthly studios secure?
Yes. Security includes controlled fob entry and building-wide security cameras.
Booking & Payments
How do I book a studio?
You can book online, call us at 905-920-5755, or email info@mainstagerehearsal.com.
Why do I need to provide a credit card?
A credit card is required to secure your booking. Payment for your session is made in person upon arrival.
Can I walk in without booking?
What is the $1 booking fee?
A $1 online booking fee is charged to secure your reservation. This is a processing fee and is not applied toward your studio time.
Is there a minimum booking time?
Do you offer discounts?
Yes. Current promotions include:
- $18 Solo Artist Special
- 10% off when prepaying for 4+ bookings
Arrival, Parking, & Access
What do I do when I arrive?
Please check in at the front desk on the second floor. Our team will guide you to your studio.
If I arrive late, will I receive make-up time?
No. Your booking still ends at the scheduled time. While our team may try to accommodate when possible, make-up time is not guaranteed. Please arrive on time to avoid losing studio time.
Do you have ground floor studios for guests with mobility needs?
Yes. Our Showcase Room and Live Room are both located on the main floor for easier access with minimal walking or stairs. If you have specific accessibility needs, feel free to contact our team, and we’ll do our best to help accommodate your visit.
Can I arrive early or stay past my scheduled time to pack up?
To keep every band’s schedule running smoothly, please arrive at your scheduled time and return the studio on time. Access begins at your booked start time, and all set-up, rehearsal, and pack-up must be completed within your session. Additional time may be subject to charges. We appreciate your respect for the next band.
Do you have parking on site?
Yes. Free on-site parking is available, along with additional street parking on King St E.
Policies & Cancellation
What is your cancellation policy for hourly bookings?
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before your session. Within 24 hours, a 50% fee applies. Within 6 hours, the full session fee is charged.
What happens in case of bad weather (e.g. heavy snow)?
What is the cancellation policy for events?
Event bookings require a deposit. Deposits are non-refundable if cancelled within 60 days of the event date.