Vocal recording

Booth and acoustics

The vocal booth is 10 m²: dry enough for a tight signal, large enough to stand or hold a guitar. Teal panels and oak trim match the rest of the studio at Eerste Helmersstraat 42. A window into the control room keeps eye contact with the engineer instead of long pauses.

We route through several microphone models and 12 preamps. Condensers for detail, dynamics for loud rap or a ribbon when the top end feels harsh — you listen from the control room before we commit.

Headphones and comfort

Your cue mix decides whether you can perform. Ask anytime for more vocal, less bass or a touch of reverb. Water, a music stand and adjustable lighting are ready. Your own headphones are welcome if you rely on them.

Breaks are part of the job: tired voices rarely deliver the take you want to keep. Minimum age 16; younger artists need written guardian consent and an adult present.

Direction and feedback

The engineer does more than press record. Want notes on pitch, timing or delivery? Say so — otherwise we follow your lead. Some artists want an outside ear; others arrive with a fixed vision.

For doubles and harmonies we work in layers: tight chorus doubles, thirds and fifths on separate tracks, ad-libs on their own channel. Clear names help whoever handles Mixing later, here or elsewhere.

Comping and correction

Comping means choosing the strongest phrases across takes and gluing them into one lead. We can edit while you listen in the control room, or finish comping once your booked hours end if time is tight. Discrete pitch correction happens only when you ask for it — a polish step, not a genre default. Heavier tuned effects live on their own track so the dry vocal stays available.

Vocals after a Band recording day in the 38 m² live room? We import your multitrack and align tempo and key before you enter the booth.

Delivery and formats

Default 24-bit, 48 kHz, or your project sample rate if you specify it. You receive WAV stems aligned from bar one. Optional: full session files or a quick reference bounce for home listening.

Files via download link or your drive. We keep project data 9 months, then delete it. See privacy policy for how recordings are handled. Keep your own backup too.

Rates and VAT

Listed amounts include 21% VAT. Business clients can use 14-day payment terms after approval. Booking requires a 35% deposit; cancel up to 5 days ahead at no charge under terms and conditions.

Ex-VAT hour: €73.55 on your quote. Questions? Call 020 737 0891 or email [email protected].

Not included in the hourly rate

Mixing, Mastering and full production are separate services. Hiring musicians, writing arrangements or producing beats is outside our standard vocal booking — we can point you to partners. Extra revisions after delivery are not part of the session unless agreed upfront.

Travel and parking in Amsterdam are on you; 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. covers tram and bike access. Hours: Monday to Friday 09:00–21:00, Saturday 10:00–18:00, by appointment only.

Who it is for and what to bring

Solo artists, rappers, podcast hosts recording a musical segment, songwriters pitching demos, bands adding vocals after the live room — the booth serves many paths. We have recorded voices here since 2017 in Oud-West.

• Instrumental as WAV, ideally without guide vocal.
• Lyrics on paper or offline on your phone.
• Tempo and key if you know them.
• Two reference tracks whose vocal tone you like.
• Your own headphones optional.

More detail in our vocal prep guide. Book through contact; we reply within 2 business days.

What is included

• Engineer for booked time
• Microphone choice at the start
• Personal headphone mix
• Comping of best takes
• Same-day WAV export
• 9-month project backup
• Booth and control room use