Duo and ensemble recording

In the wooden live room on the Kinkerstraat, two to 5 players perform together while every source lands on a separate track — built for acoustic sets, small bands and session players.

Three musicians play together in a wooden recording room, each with their own microphone.

Duo and ensemble recording at Ocularniva is about interaction: eye contact, dynamics and a shared groove you cannot fake in a booth. The room is 42 m²; the adjoining control room is 22 m². Sessions run Tuesday to Saturday 09:00–21:00, closed Monday and Sunday. Sessions by appointment only.

We place microphones and DIs so bleed stays manageable without killing the vibe. For layout and spacing, read our guide on microphone layout for duos beforehand. Solo vocals or late overdubs can move to the vocal booth when that fits your project.

How it works

01
Briefing
Through contact send lineup, repertoire, references and preferred date. Within 2 business days you receive rate, 25% deposit and a rough floor-plan sketch.
02
Layout
On site we set stands, DI boxes and headphones. Everyone gets a mix where their instrument and the rest of the ensemble are audible.
03
Takes
We capture live takes with optional overdubs the same day. The engineer labels takes and keeps notes for later comping or remote mixing.
04
Multitrack
You receive synchronised WAV tracks per source. We keep backups for 9 months; see terms and conditions for cancellation and liability.

Who this service is for

Piano and voice duos, string quartets, jazz trios, acoustic pairs, small funk groups without a full drum kit, singer-songwriters with a cellist, world-music ensembles and session dates where everyone plays together: as long as you stay within 5 people and do not need a full rock band with drums, the live room works. Larger setups or kits are discussed honestly — sometimes another room or extra days are needed.

Podcast tables with three guests belong under podcast recording; ensemble is musical only. If you only want to stack vocals without live interaction, vocal and solo recording is usually more efficient.

Room and acoustics

The live room mixes wood panels and targeted absorption so guitars and strings sound natural without mushy reverb. At 42 m² you can arrange a triangle or semicircle; cables run along the skirting so nobody trips. Windows bring daylight and a view of Amsterdam rooftops — not theatre lighting, but a calm working mood.

The studio has 3 rooms in total: live room, control room and vocal booth. After an ensemble block we can overdub a singer in the booth without tearing everything down, if you book that in advance.

Microphones, DI and monitoring

From 28 microphones in the rack we pick patterns per instrument: cardioid on vocals, figure-eight or ribbon on strings where bleed helps, small diaphragms on acoustic guitars. Electric guitars and keys go via DI alongside optional amp capture in the room. Drum loops or hand percussion are possible; a full kit is usually too loud for neighbours and the space — talk through alternatives (stems, mix later).

Each musician gets a headphone mix. The engineer listens on control-room monitors and can mark takes while you play. We avoid click unless you explicitly work to backing; otherwise we capture natural tempo drift and align later in the DAW.

Scheduling and rates

Ensemble sessions book in four-hour blocks or a full day — no hourly rate. That leaves time for setup, soundcheck and several complete takes.

Ensemble rates incl. 21% VAT
Duration	Price	Typical outcome
4 hours	€445	Duo demo album, three live songs
8 hours	€795	Quartet EP, extended overdubs

Net ex-VAT: block €367.77, day €657.02. Cancel up to 4 days ahead at no charge; after that 50% may apply under the terms and conditions. Extra hours beyond the booked block are priced upfront or as extension at €88 only if engineer and room are free — planning ahead is safer.

What you supply

Send a set list with tempo hints, a who-plays-what chart and reference tracks for balance (not to copy). Make sure arrangements are agreed: who starts, where breaks fall, any modulations. Scores or lead sheets on paper speed up soundcheck.

Lineup and instruments (including amps you bring)
Number of songs and desired takes per song
One contact person for scheduling on the day
DI needs for keys or bass if applicable

Read mic layout for duos for positions and spacing between players — it saves floor time.

Delivery and post-production

By default you get one sync WAV per mic/DI, 24-bit / 48 kHz, with clear names (e.g. guitar L, vocal, cello). A rough balance for listening can happen in the studio; a release-ready mix is remote mixing with up to 2 revision rounds under that package. Mastering is separate.

When post-export is needed (extra alignment, session bounce), we deliver within 10 business days unless same-day was agreed. Files stay on our backup for 9 months; download via link or copy to your drive on site.

Not included and limits

The rate covers studio, engineer and multitrack recording — not arranging, not hiring musicians, not moving heavy pianos. Full concert grands do not fit; upright or digital piano via DI does. Non-smoking building; respect neighbours and volume.

Minors: minimum age 16 unless written parental consent and supervision. Parking: Trams 13 and 16 run along the Kinkerstraat; get off at Bilderdijkstraat and walk about five minutes to number 127. From Amsterdam Centraal it is roughly 25 minutes on tram 13 towards Geuzenveld. You can park bikes in front of the building; on-street car parking in Oud-West is paid. Questions on liability or levels: disclaimer and FAQ.

Booking at Ocularniva

Reach us via contact, [email protected] or 020 737 2841. State 5 as the player ceiling, preferred block or day, and whether you need booth time afterwards. Address: Kinkerstraat 127, 1053 EJ Amsterdam — Ocularniva B.V., VAT NL816034795B01.

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Included

Recording engineer for the booked block or day
Live room 42 m² with basic mic layout
Individual headphone mixes per musician
Multitrack WAV export per source
Cables, stands and common DI boxes
Control room and studio monitoring during recording
Session archive for 9 months

FAQ

How many musicians fit comfortably?

Up to 5 with acoustic or amplified instruments. Five string players gets tight; four is often easier for bleed and movement. Email your setup via contact.

Can we bring a drum kit?

A full kit is usually too much for this room and neighbourhood. Percussion, cajón or a small kit with heavy damping sometimes works by arrangement — do not expect metal-level volume.

Can we overdub vocals the same day?

Yes if you reserve booth time upfront under vocal and solo recording. We schedule the handover from live room to booth.

Do you deliver a rough mix?

A quick balance to judge takes can happen in the studio. A distribution-ready mix belongs to remote mixing; say if you want stems sent straight there.

What happens with late cancellation?

Free up to 4 days before start. Later 50% of the fee may apply; see terms and conditions.