CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for sound recording studios in Nashville, TN
Sound recording studios in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area: 74 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 3-person team.
- Establishments
- 74CBP 2023
- Employees
- 217mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 3.4U.S. 0.6
- Rank
- 4th of 88areas by count
The recording studio market in Nashville, TN
County Business Patterns counts 74 sound recording studios (NAICS 512240, Sound Recording Studios) in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area for 2023. They employed 217 people in mid-March and paid $22.3 million in annual payroll. By establishment count the area is 4th out of 88 areas with published figures for sound recording studios.
Measured against its 2.2 million residents (2024 estimate), the area has 3.4 sound recording studios per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 0.6, so Nashville, TN is 449.2% above the national figure. The average establishment here has 2.9 employees, compared with 3.1 nationally. Payroll per employee comes to $102,894, 41.2% above the national $72,880.
| Measure | Nashville, TN | Tennessee | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 74 | 84 | 2,131 |
| Mid-March employees | 217 | 233 | 6,596 |
| Annual payroll | $22,328,000 (moderate noise) | $22,977,000 (moderate noise) | $480,717,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 2.9 | 2.8 | 3.1 |
| Payroll per employee | $102,894 | $98,614 | $72,880 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 3.4 | 1.2 | 0.6 |
Census County Business Patterns 2023 (mid-March employment; annual payroll). Employees and payroll flagged high-noise are shown but not used in the text. Residents: Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
Team sizes at sound recording studios in Nashville, TN
Of the sound recording studios in Nashville, TN that had employees in March 2023, 88.9% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 87.2%). 100.0% had fewer than ten. When a business has only a few people, whoever is free answers the phone, and calls that arrive while everyone is busy go to voicemail unless they are routed somewhere else.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 64 | 88.9% | 87.2% |
| 5–9 employees | 8 | 11.1% | 7.5% |
| 10–19 employees | not published | — | 3.1% |
| 20–49 employees | not published | — | 1.8% |
| 50 or more employees | 0 | 0.0% | 0.5% |
Employment-size classes count establishments by mid-March 2023 employment. Establishments with no March employees are excluded from the size classes, so shares are of establishments with employees. Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023.
What sound recording studios in Nashville, TN use the phone for
Studios book time by the hour, so inquiry calls are effectively booking requests. Engineers in session cannot answer, which makes voicemail capture and callbacks important.
Calls a recording studio in Nashville, TN might handle in a typical week include:
- A producer calls about mixing services.
- An artist calls to book a session.
- A podcaster calls about recording rates.
What sound recording studios text about
Studios text session confirmations and reminders.
Team texting on Callata runs from your business number, so replies come from the practice or shop rather than someone's personal phone. It turns on after the one-time $49 carrier registration (10DLC) is approved.
Callata vs. per-seat pricing for sound recording studios in Nashville, TN
The average recording studio in Nashville, TN has 2.9 employees, so a 3-person team is a reasonable benchmark. Per-seat business phone plans bill every one of those people. At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 3 users on RingCentral RingEX Core cost $90.00 a month and 3 on Ooma Office Pro cost $74.85. Callata costs $99.00 a month ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), so at this team size both per-seat plans are cheaper; Callata drops below them from 4 users.
At this team size the per-seat plans cost less than Callata's $99 base price, which already covers 5 users; Callata becomes the lower price from 4 users.
| Provider (plan) | Pricing basis | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callata (Callata Office) | $99 incl. 5 users, $20 per extra user | $99.00 | $1,188.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $57.00 | $684.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $69.00 | $828.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $74.85 | $898.20 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $81.00 | $972.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $90.00 | $1,080.00 |
Competitor prices are each vendor's published month-to-month list price per user for its lowest plan that includes business calling and texting, checked September 28, 2026: Quo Starter $19, Nextiva Core $23, Ooma Office Pro $24.95 (Essentials excludes texting; one-time $29.95 activation not included), Dialpad Standard $27, RingCentral RingEX Core $30 ($20 billed annually). Prices exclude taxes and fees and may change; annual contracts lower some competitors' prices.
Local area codes for sound recording studios in Nashville, TN
NANPA records place the exchanges of the area's named cities and towns in 3 area codes. 615 has the most, with 716 of 937 exchanges (76%). A local number lets artists and clients in Nashville, TN call without dialing out of area. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, and which numbers are open in an area code depends on carrier inventory when you choose.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 615 | 716 | Central | 1954 | 629 |
| 629 | 174 | Central | 2015 | 615 |
| 931 | 47 | Eastern and Central | 1997 | none |
Exchanges are NANPA-assigned central office codes (NPA-NXX) in the rate centers matched to the area's named places. Source: NANPA utilized code and NPA reports.
What sound recording studios in Nashville, TN get with Callata
Callata is a business phone system priced at $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user. Callata Office includes up to 3 local business numbers, unlimited inbound calling, 1,500 pooled outbound US and Canada minutes per user each month, a browser softphone that can also ring your cell, voicemail with transcription, call recording with AI summaries, business-hours routing and E911 on every number.
Porting a number you already use in Nashville, TN is free, and business texting is available once the carrier registration (10DLC) is approved; the registration carries a one-time $49 fee. Which specific numbers are open in a given area code depends on carrier inventory at the time you sign up.
AI agents are optional: an AI receptionist or scheduler can pick up when the team is busy or closed, take a message, send a text or email, or transfer the call. They draw on prepaid AI minutes ($0.25/minute), disclose that they are AI, and outbound AI calls require prior consent and are limited to 8am–9pm.
Frequently asked questions
How many sound recording studios are there in Nashville, TN?
Census County Business Patterns counted 74 sound recording studios in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area in 2023. They employed 217 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for a 3-person recording studio?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 3 users cost $90.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $74.85 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $99.00.
What area code should a recording studio in Nashville, TN use?
Area code 615 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places, followed by 629 and 931. If you already have a local number, you can port it to Callata for free.
Can an AI receptionist answer calls for a recording studio?
Yes. Callata's optional AI agents can answer when the team is busy or closed, take a message, text, email or transfer the call. They disclose that they are AI and are billed from prepaid AI minutes at $0.25 per minute.