Why prep saves session hours
Our vocal booth is about 14 square metres; the goal is performance, not fixing exports or hunting for lyrics. Vocal recording starts at €95 per hour, or €340 for a half day. Time spent at home on text, tempo and files avoids technical detours at Overtoom 141.
We are open Monday–Friday 10:00–22:00, Saturday 11:00–18:00, Sunday closed.. Allow travel time: We are at Overtoom 141, a short walk from the Overtoom stop (GVB tram 1 and 7). From Amsterdam Centraal, allow about twenty minutes on tram 1 towards Osdorp. There is on-street paid parking and bicycle racks; the entrance is at street level beside the large front windows.. For availability, use contact or [email protected] — we reply within 2 business days.
Several days ahead
Spread rehearsal instead of one exhausting push. Lock lyrics or script; mark breaths, soft consonants and louder peaks. Loop the backing or click until the arrangement feels automatic.
If medication dries your throat, talk to your clinician — we do not give medical advice, but we can reschedule under our terms (free cancellation up to 7 days before the slot).
The night before
Sleep beats a late-night “one more run” at home. Skip heavy drinking, smoking and shouting at events — it shows up as harsh sibilance and tired takes. Pack printed text or offline PDF, instrumentals as WAV (not MP3-only), familiar headphones, clothes without jingling jewellery.
Confirm Overtoom 141, 1054 HG Amsterdam and save 020 737 0842 if you run late. The entrance is street level; see We are at Overtoom 141, a short walk from the Overtoom stop (GVB tram 1 and 7). From Amsterdam Centraal, allow about twenty minutes on tram 1 towards Osdorp. There is on-street paid parking and bicycle racks; the entrance is at street level beside the large front windows. for tram and parking.
Food and hydration on recording day
Drink room-temperature water through the day, not only on arrival. Dairy right before a session thickens mucus for many people; moderate coffee is usually fine. Eat lightly about two hours ahead — neither empty nor stuffed.
Water is in the booth. Non-menthol lozenges are OK; menthol can numb the throat briefly. Avoid whisper-singing as a warm-up — whispering is harder on the folds than normal speech.
Warm-up: body, breath, voice
Release shoulders, jaw and neck — a tram ride across Amsterdam can hold tension. Long exhales on a hiss, then lip trills or hums in a comfortable range. Only then run phrases from the song.
For rap or narration, start articulation drills slowly, then speed up. Ten to fifteen minutes is enough. We have 18 microphones on hand and pick one or two that suit your tone.
In the booth: distance, foldback, takes
Keep roughly a hand’s width between mouth and pop filter; lean back slightly on loud consonants. Say if you want one ear off the headphones — we will adjust levels to limit bleed. Fix foldback before chasing the “magic” take.
Pause before fatigue. We flag good takes in the session. Up to 6 guests can listen with our 8 headphone sets across the rooms.
What we handle vs what you bring
We load tempo, structure and backing ahead of time. The engineer watches levels and space; raw files are kept 12 months as described in our privacy policy. Mixing and mastering are separate — see Mixing or delivering stems if you export at home.
Book through contact; a 30% deposit holds the slot. If you have persistent hoarseness or pain, see a clinician and move the date — quality over quantity.
Checklist and next reads
- Final marked lyrics; backing WAV with sample rate noted.
- Sleep, water, light meal; no whisper warm-ups.
- On time at Overtoom 141; 020 737 0842 if delayed.
- Breaks early; discuss distance and foldback with the engineer.
For loudness after mixing, read LUFS for mastering. Studio overview: about us and services.
