Podcast and audiobook
Spoken word in a quiet booth with an engineer on level and edit: from a weekly show to an audiobook that meets publisher delivery rules.
A podcast or audiobook lives or dies on intelligible speech, steady loudness and low room noise. In the 10 m² vocal booth at Okiatech, Sophie Jansen records podcast and audiobook work: she sets mic, headphone mix and take guidance, then handles editing and mastering to your guidelines — not the same targets as a music single.
Book by studio hour for podcast recording and light session editing, or by finished hour for audiobooks where editing, pauses and loudness sit in the rate. Prices include 21% VAT. Music mastering context is in master formats; general questions in FAQ.
Process
- 01
Brief and script
Send script or outline, platform (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, audiobook retailer, publisher) and file format. For audiobooks: chapter breaks and any publisher PDF.
- 02
Booth setup
Mic matched to your voice, pop filter, headphone mix with room for a guest. One or two speakers at the table; more voices need a prior chat via contact.
- 03
Record
Takes per chapter or segment; we mark flubs and retakes. Water and breaks are normal — tired voices do not yield usable minutes.
- 04
Edit and deliver
Cuts, crossfades, noise reduction where needed, loudness check and export (WAV/MP3 as agreed). Audiobook rate covers finished hour; podcast hour covers studio plus light in-session edit.
Podcast vs audiobook
Podcast (€79 per studio hour) suits interview series, news shows or conversations you publish yourself. The hour includes recording with an engineer; heavy edit, jingles or music beds may need extra time — we estimate that on the quote.
Audiobook (€155 per finished hour) is for narration or non-fiction where you need a ready file per chapter. «Finished hour» is play time after edit, not raw tape. Publishers often require specific LUFS and metadata; send their document.
Who it is for
Amsterdam podcasters who hear too much room at home. Authors who want a sample chapter for a publisher. Companies with internal knowledge shows (not TV ads unless agreed). Makers who want spoken content in the same booth after vocal recording.
Participants under 16 only with parent or guardian consent per terms. We do not invent guests or quotes; you supply content and rights.
Space and tech
The booth is built for dry speech: low reflection, no live band in the same space. Two hosts get separate mics and a round-table setup. Control is in the 22 m² room with sight lines into the booth.
We record 24-bit / 48 kHz by default; other rates on request. No video included — audio only. Music under your intro later can go through mixing as a separate job.
What to prepare
- Script or bullet outline; even improvised shows benefit from a run sheet
- Platform or publisher spec (loudness, file names, silence between chapters)
- Reference show or voice tone you want
- List of tricky names or terms for the engineer
- For interviews: guest consent documented (we do not give legal advice — see legal notice)
See vocal preparation for hydration and articulation tips that also help speech.
Edit, mastering and quality
Podcast «mastering» means consistent volume across episodes, no clipping and controlled rumble — not the punch of music mastering. We follow your platform guideline when known; otherwise common podcast targets plus your reference.
Audiobooks get tighter edits: breaths can stay or shorten per publisher taste. 2 revision rounds apply to edit within original scope; new chapters or rewritten text are extra.
Rates and billing
| Rate | Price | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Podcast | €79 | Studio hour (light edit in session) |
| Audiobook | €155 | Per finished hour after edit |
35% deposit on confirmation; cancellation more than 5 days ahead per terms. Business clients: up to 14 days payment. Net: €65.29 and €128.10 on invoice.
Delivery and archive
Files by secure link or your drive. We label chapters as you specify. Raw takes may be kept for re-edits for 9 months; then deletion per privacy policy. Download in time — we are not permanent cloud storage.
You publish on Spotify, Apple Books or a publisher portal; we supply audio. Text copyright stays between you and your publisher.
Book and visit
Schedule via contact, [email protected] or 020 737 0891. Address: Eerste Helmersstraat 42, 1054 DG Amsterdam (Oud-West). 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.. Monday to Friday 09:00–21:00, Saturday 10:00–18:00, by appointment only — by appointment.
All services: services. Music projects: band recording and mastering. More guides: guides.
What is included
- Engineer Sophie Jansen during recording
- Mic and headphone mix tailored to you
- Recording in 10 m² vocal booth
- Basic edit and loudness within podcast hour
- Audiobook: edit to finished hour in rate
- 2 revision rounds within agreed scope
- WAV/MP3 export per brief
Frequently asked questions
How much raw tape goes into one finished audiobook hour?
It varies by reader and text. Often plan one and a half to two times studio time versus final length. We estimate after the script, before you pay the 35% deposit.
Can we record with three guests?
Two speakers in the booth is standard. A third may work from control or an extra mic outside; discuss first. Larger panels need another venue or format.
Do you supply show notes or transcription?
Not by default. Simple transcription or timecodes can be quoted as extra. Show notes and SEO are yours or a copywriter's.
How is this different from music mastering?
Music mastering (Mastering) optimises songs for streaming and vinyl. Podcast and audiobook need different loudness, less stereo drama and more speech clarity. See formats guide for music; we cover spoken word in intake.
Can I book a pilot episode?
Yes: one studio hour (€79) for a pilot. For audiobooks we can quote a sample chapter separately, then scale with the finished-hour rate.
Other services
- 01
Vocal recording
A 10 m² booth, a microphone matched to your voice and an engineer guiding you take by take.
€89 · Studio hour
- 02
Band recording
Up to five musicians at once in the live room, separate headphone mixes and a view of the control room.
€385 · Half day (4 hours)
- 03
Mixing
Balance, depth and dynamics for your track, with two revision rounds included.
€235 · Mix per track
- 04
Mastering
Level, consistency and delivery formats for streaming, download and vinyl.
€72 · Single track
A project in Amsterdam?
Let's plan your session
Describe your project: within 2 working days you get a proposed slot and a written quote, no obligation.