Vocal and solo instrument recording

What belongs in the vocal booth

The booth is for one performer at a time: singing in pop, rock, jazz or musical theatre, rap and toasting, voice-over for demos, backing vocals you want on separate tracks, and solo instruments such as acoustic guitar, violin, harmonica or amplified guitar via re-amp or direct box. Drums, full bands or more than one source at once belong in duo and ensemble recording in the 42 m² live room.

The 8 m² footprint is deliberately compact: dry enough for control, large enough to work standing or seated. A window into the control room keeps visual contact with the engineer — useful when you want to cue without removing headphones.

Microphone choice and signal path

We draw on 28 microphones and matching preamps. There is no single house mic: we listen to your tone and the song. We often start with a large-diaphragm condenser for detail, a dynamic for powerful close-mic rap, or a ribbon if you need to tame harsh frequencies. Solo instruments get an appropriate capsule and placement; guitar can be captured direct or through an amp in the booth.

Signal runs via cabled preamps to the DAW in the 22 m² control room. We monitor on studio speakers; you hear a separate mix on closed-back headphones. Levels are set conservatively to leave headroom for remote mixing afterwards.

How a session unfolds

A typical booking starts with ten to twenty minutes of setup. Then you record in blocks: lead top to bottom first, then targeted retakes, doubles or a solo. You choose breaks; tired vocals or fingers rarely yield usable takes. On the hourly rate of €88 (incl. 21% VAT) you pay for engineer time actually worked; on a block or day rate the fixed fee applies with reasonable pauses included.

Want production feedback? Say so at intake. Some artists welcome notes on articulation or timing; others prefer to work alone. Either way the engineer follows your preference.

Rates and what is covered

Amounts below are consumer prices incl. VAT. Business invoicing is available with 21 days payment after invoice date once your details are approved.

Ex-VAT equivalents: hour €72.73, block €268.60, day €491.74. Cancellation is free up to 4 days before the session; after that 50% of the booked amount may apply as set out in the terms and conditions.

Preparation and files

Send your instrumental as WAV or stems without guide vocal, plus tempo and key if you know them. Lyrics on paper or tablet and two reference tracks whose vocal tone you like help us start faster. Export your DAW project as separate tracks with clear names when possible.

• Beat or backing: 24-bit WAV, no limiter on the master
• Lyrics and structure (intro, verse, chorus)
• Click track or bar offset if you use one
• Your own headphones are welcome if you rely on them

Read the vocal prep guide for rest, hydration and warm-ups — practical and straightforward.

Delivery, formats and timing

By default we deliver raw takes and, when agreed within booked time, a simple comp of the lead. Format: WAV, 24-bit / 48 kHz, unless your project uses another sample rate. Files go via secure download or to your own SSD at the studio. A full DAW session can be included if you request export during the booking.

Basic editing (rough comp, no tuning) is part of the recording session. Heavy tuning, time correction or creative effects are not included; we can quote them separately or via remote mixing with up to 2 revision rounds under that service. All agreed exports usually arrive within 10 business days when post-work is needed; same-day export of raw takes happens right after the session when time allows.

Not included

The booth rate covers studio, engineer and basic monitoring — not hired musicians, arranging, mastering or rights for samples or covers. Catering, taxis or parking are yours; 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. Mention in your message if you need help with access or load-in.

Mixing and mastering are separate services with their own prices on the services overview. Performers from age 16 are welcome; younger only with written consent from a parent or guardian and an adult present — ask via contact beforehand.

Booking and questions

Book through contact or call 020 737 2841. State preferred date, duration (hour, block or day), type of recording (vocals, rap, solo instrument) and whether you need mixes immediately. We confirm the address at Kinkerstraat 127, 1053 EJ Amsterdam and send invoicing details for Ocularniva B.V. (KvK 95735474).

General questions on files, cancellation or privacy: FAQ and privacy policy. You can reopen cookie preferences any time.

Included

• Recording engineer for the booked time
• Vocal booth with pop filter and basic treatment
• Microphone comparison at session start
• Personal headphone mix
• Raw WAV export after session when time allows
• Session backup for 9 months on our side
• Use of control room and studio monitoring