Why prep buys studio time
At Okiatech you book by the hour or in blocks; see Vocal recording from €89 per studio hour. Time lost hunting lyrics, reloading a beat or recovering from a short night does not come back on tape. Preparation is not about perfection — it keeps you listening to music and intent instead of your throat.
Our vocal booth is 10 m² — small enough for a dry signal, large enough to move. Engineer Sophie Jansen runs many vocal days; she sees that artists who know lyrics and form find a keeper take faster. That saves work later at Mixing.
One week out
Plan vocal load. Heavy gigs, long rehearsals without breaks or shouting in noisy bars leave a mark. If you still write that week, do it in short blocks and lock text before you book. Changing verses in the booth costs more than an extra hour at home.
Send backing tracks or demos early via contact — ideally before you confirm the 35% deposit so we can check tempo and key. Mark breaths, breaks and dynamics. Rap and spoken word benefit as much as pop hooks.
The night before
Sleep outweighs any booth trick. A short night shows in pitch, stamina and patience — yours and the engineer’s in the 22 m² control room. Limit alcohol; it dries mucous membranes. Very spicy or fatty meals can bring acid up — awkward on soft lines.
Pack your bag: lyrics on paper or offline on your phone, headphones if you use them, water, throat lozenges without menthol if you like. Check travel to Eerste Helmersstraat 42: Tram 3 or 12 to Eerste Constantijn Huygensstraat, then about four minutes on foot. Tram 1 or 7 to Leidseplein, then roughly eight minutes via Overtoom. Bike rack in front of the building.. Allow time across Amsterdam. We are open Mon–Fri 09:00–21:00 · Sat 10:00–18:00; sessions are by appointment.
Session day: food, drink, voice
Drink room-temperature water through the day — not only right before arrival. Many singers skip dairy in the hours before; others notice little difference. Moderate coffee is fine for most voices; a large cup just before start can add tremor.
Eat lightly about two hours ahead. Singing hungry is tiring; a full stomach restricts the diaphragm. Banana, nuts or soup are booth staples for a reason. If medication affects your voice, mention it via email so we can pace the session.
Warm-up before and in the booth
Start with the body: shoulders, neck, jaw. Breath: long exhales on an «s» or «f». NG sirens or lip trills wake the voice without pushing. Then vocalises in the song’s range; do not open with the highest chorus.
Ten to fifteen minutes suits pop and R&B; rap and VO need articulation drills, slow to fast. In the booth keep distance to the mic steady — about a hand between mouth and pop filter — and step back on loud phrases. Ask for a short break; it beats ten tired takes in a row.
Headphone mix, takes and our side
If your cue is too loud you sing under; too quiet and you push. Many artists leave one earcup off for natural room sound — say so and we balance to limit bleed into the mic. We flag takes as we go so you stay focused on performance.
We keep project files 9 months on our systems; see privacy policy for details. After recording you may send material for mix; read delivering mix stems if you export yourself. Persistent hoarseness or pain: see a clinician and move the date. Free cancellation is up to 5 days ahead under terms and conditions.
Estimating time and rates
One single with lead, double and ad-libs often fits a four-hour block (€320) when lyrics and beat are ready. Several titles or heavy harmony may need a day part (€590). Unsure? Outline your plan via contact; we reply within 2 business days.
| Scenario | Guide |
|---|---|
| Single track, known lyrics | 3–4 hours |
| EP vocals, multiple hooks | Half to full day |
| VO, short scripts | 1–2 hours per script |
Prices include 21% VAT; business clients may use 14-day payment terms on invoice.
Before you leave home
- Lyrics final; structure marked.
- Instrumental as WAV at agreed tempo.
- Sleep and hydration through the day.
- Light meal well before start.
- Warm-up done; breaks planned.
- Route to Eerste Helmersstraat 42, 1054 DG Amsterdam checked.
These tips are general and do not replace medical care. To book Vocal recording: contact us or call 020 737 0891.
