Pirate Studios -- a warning

[Stub Mandrel]

5 minutes ago, Al Krow said:

 

Had to look up what that phrase meant! Apparently means: something that is self-referential, self-aware, or cleverly referencing itself or its own category. It often implies a level of self-awareness or commentary on the thing itself, rather than just the content. 

 

That phrase is so meta

 

 

In its original meaning it meant looking at something at a deeper level, e.g. metaphysics is about the fundamental nature of reality, rather than how the physical world works.

[PaulThePlug]

1 hour ago, TimR said:

 

 

We were taught as kids in the 70s how to search for a Magic Mushrooms. Is this no longer taught? 😕

[Woodinblack]

Tidied up a bit on here, I think that maybe part of this should continue as a private conversation while it is being resolved

[Beedster]

3 hours ago, PirateSecurity said:

Hey, so I look after security at Pirate Studios and as you know I've already messaged you about this. As I told you, clearly and in writing, I didn't ban you for swearing at AI or the person who you thought was AI. I banned you for swearing at the artist support staff members who spoke to you on the phone and were trying to explain the situation to you. You talked over them and swore at them. The calls were recorded, I listened to them; and I'm not sure why you think then misrepresenting the matter on here is the appropriate response. 

 

As the artist support team tried to explain to you at the time, and I then did in writing, the alarm had been triggered by a previous customer vaping and this had been confirmed by our CCTV control room. We had called out a mobile response guard to reset the alarm but they were delayed. That was the situation you walked into, which you have every right to complain about - but lets keep it within the realm of the factual. I'd never ban someone simply for raising a legitimate concern, but I don't think anyone listening to the calls would disagree with my decision. I've now spoken to South Yorkshire Fire Brigade who referenced receiving a number of emails from you, our CEO, investors, our marketing director you started messaging on LinkedIn - so you can be assured this has indeed been flagged and looked into.

Hello Security Person, do your PR people know you’re here? If not, you might want to flag the upcoming drop in revenue?

 

Or are you also the Head of PR (and ‘Artist Support’) 🤔

 

Quick question. Do you know what the word security means (clue: customers not perishing in fires)? 

[tvickey]

Please welcome our newest Basschat members!  PirateMarketing, PirateArtistSupport, and PirateCEO...  oh, sorry, don't forget PirateSouthAfricaFireSafetyMonitoringStation (bass players... each and every one) 🤣

[Beedster]

First rule of PR, don’t argue with customers 

 

Second rule of PR, defo don’t argue with customers when you’ve already lost the argument 

 

Third rule of PR, if you’re stupid enough to break Rules 1 and 2, apologise sharpish

 

Most bands using Pirate will have a bass player, there’s a 70% chance that bass player is a member here. Do the math 👍

[Beedster]

On 30/07/2025 at 21:35, Burns-bass said:

They operate at a loss or at a tiny margin to scale, take on debt to expand, then ramp up prices as the debt (either to banks or VCs) needs to be paid back. It’s a tale as old as time.

I may be wrong and they’re generating a massive profit but I reckon they’re probably heavily indebted. Guess you could check the accounts. 

 

Smart option would be to buy the buildings then lease them back to the company. So you have the loss making studio part and the profit making property bit. Maybe that’s what they’ve done.

 

Ultimately, Pirate is like all cut price options, Ryannair, for example. You’re probably better off paying a few quid extra.

Problem is, before they cut and run as the profits dry up, they put all the traditional studios out of business, then all of a sudden there’s no rehearsal spaces, and we’re worse off than the old model where we might have to make a phone call, deal either real people, and pay a little more. This is the case with studios, music shops, venues, you name it. We as musicians need to think about the future of music as we save a few quid and save a few seconds 

[Woodinblack]

21 minutes ago, Beedster said:

Most bands using Pirate will have a bass player, there’s a 70% chance that bass player is a member here. Do the math 👍

 

I don't know -  reading the posts from both sides, I don't see anyone being covered in glory here.

 

 

[Beedster]

Just now, Woodinblack said:

 

I don't know -  reading the posts from both sides, I don't see anyone being covered in glory here.

 

 

I may have missed deleted posts, but from what I’ve read I’m pretty clear where the problem started, pretty clear how it should have been dealt with by the business, and pretty clear that it wasn’t. IMO other factors were caused by these, not causal in themselves

[TimR]

1 minute ago, Woodinblack said:

 

I don't know -  reading the posts from both sides, I don't see anyone being covered in glory here.

 

 

 

I thought the first post was a complete over-reaction and someone blowing up over a delay in getting into a studio, and losing their temper on the support line.

 

1st world problem.

 

I thought Meta referred to a 'Karen' style rant on Facebook. 

 

 

[Dan Dare]

52 minutes ago, tvickey said:

Please welcome our newest Basschat members!  PirateMarketing, PirateArtistSupport, and PirateCEO...  oh, sorry, don't forget PirateSouthAfricaFireSafetyMonitoringStation (bass players... each and every one) 🤣

 

Bass playarrrghs, surely?

[Stub Mandrel]

I do think the full story gives a different perspective.

 

Having used Pirate in the past and only stopped because they closed the local studio it rings true.

 

Bear in mind a remote alarm will include the location so someone anywhere on the planet can review the CCTV and if it shows someone vaping under the alarm before it triggers and there are no other alarms then it's reasonable to assume it's a false alarm. 

 

 

[tvickey]

Ugh... 

[TimR]

2 minutes ago, tvickey said:

Ugh... 

You've posted on a public part of the forum. Anyone can read without joining. Including the CEOs, lawyers and anyone else goggling Pirate recording studios. Be wary and careful that what you post is accurate...

[martthebass]

This one is locked for the moment to enable a period of calm reflection by all interested parties…..