Audio post production pricing is one of the most opaque corners of the production world. Different studios quote different day rates. Scope can balloon. Music licensing costs live in a separate universe from the mix costs.
This guide breaks it down — what you’re actually buying, what the ranges look like, and how to scope a project without getting surprised.
“Audio post” is an umbrella term. A full audio post pass on a 30-second commercial might include:
Not every project needs all of these. A simple testimonial-style digital ad might just need a music license, a light dialogue pass, and a mix.
These are real-world ranges, not theoretical ones:
| Service | Price range |
|---|---|
| Dialogue edit + final mix, 30-second digital spot | $800–$2,500 |
| Full audio post (dialogue, sound design, music, mix), 30-second broadcast spot | $3,500–$10,000+ |
| Custom music composition (per track, 30–60 seconds) | $2,500–$15,000+ |
| ADR session (half day, talent not included) | $1,500–$3,500 |
| Foley session (half day) | $1,500–$4,000 |
| Music licensing — library track, national broadcast | $5,000–$75,000+ |
| Music licensing — major label sync | Highly variable; can reach six figures for national campaigns |
| Engineering and facility rate (Swell) | $375/hr |
A good audio post studio should be able to quote from: a locked cut or rough cut of the video, a clear description of deliverables (formats, versions, specs), and a realistic revision expectation. If you’re getting quoted without any of this, the number you’re getting is a guess.
At Swell, our rate card is available on request. We scope your project accurately and deliver audio that elevates the work — not pad a number and hope you don’t notice.
The cheapest audio post option is rarely the best value. A poorly mixed broadcast spot will cost you more in re-delivery fees, client frustration, and brand perception damage than the difference between two bids. Budget for audio post the way you’d budget for color grading: it’s the finishing pass that makes everything else sound like it’s worth what you spent on it.
