Why prep saves studio time
We record in 2 iso booths plus a live room of about 42 m². Space does not mean unlimited time: every minute spent hunting lyrics or re-exporting a backing track is a minute away from performance. Artists who arrive prepared get more variation from the same booking.
Studio rates start at €95 per hour, with half- and full-day blocks available. The smoother the session, the better that rate works for you. Unsure how long you need? Ask via contact; we usually reply within 2 business days.
One week ahead
Avoid heavy gigs or all-day rehearsals right before recording, especially if the song has high notes or wide dynamics. Finalise lyrics: print or export them, mark breaths, and note where you want softer or louder delivery.
Lock your instrumental. We prefer a lossless file (WAV or AIFF) at a standard sample rate, without heavy limiting on the guide. Send a link early or bring a USB drive you have already tested. If several versions exist, label file names clearly.
The night before
Sleep beats a frantic warm-up. Limit alcohol; it dries mucous membranes and makes pitch less predictable. Keep dinner light so breathing stays easy the next morning.
Plan the trip to Danzigerkade 78 in Amsterdam. From Amsterdam Centraal, take metro line 52 (North/South) towards Noord and get off at Noorderpark. Walk about 8 minutes west along Danzigerkade; the studio is at number 78 on the waterfront. By bike from Centraal it is roughly 15 minutes via the IJ Tunnel. Allow buffer time: arriving rushed often shows up in the first takes. Opening hours: Tuesday–Friday 10:00–20:00, Saturday 11:00–18:00. Closed Sunday and Monday..
On the day
Sip water through the day, not only just before you leave. Many singers skip dairy and very spicy food in the hours before recording; find what works for your voice. Eat lightly about two hours ahead—fruit, nuts or soup are common studio choices because they do not press on the diaphragm.
Bring lyrics, backing, your own headphones if you rely on them, water and optionally non-menthol throat lozenges. Strong perfume in the booth can bother sensitive mics and the next artist.
Warm up without tiring out
Loosen shoulders, jaw and neck first. Long exhale on s or f, then gentle sirens or lip trills. Only then sing in the song’s range—do not open with the highest chorus.
For speech or rap, start articulation drills slowly, then speed up. Ten to fifteen minutes is usually enough; over-singing before the session can fatigue you. We tune the booth mic while you warm up.
In the booth: distance, headphones, takes
Keep about a hand’s width between mouth and pop filter; lean back slightly on loud phrases. Say if you want one ear off the headphones to hear yourself in the room—we adjust monitoring to limit bleed into the mic.
We mark takes as we go so you can focus on performance. Ask for breaks; silence and water beat ten tired doubles. We only record minors under 16 with parental consent—confirm that via contact beforehand.
What we set up for you
Before you arrive we load backing, tempo and arrangement markers. We pick from 18 mics to match your material: brighter for pop, warmer for narration, different choices for heavier vocals. Notes from the engineer keep follow-up sessions consistent.
If your voice tires faster than planned, we reorder: verses or low harmonies first, chorus later or another date. A clean partial session beats a strained full one. For what happens after tracking, see mixing budget and next steps.
Checklist and next steps
- Lyrics final; backing ready as lossless audio.
- Route to Amsterdam Noord and time buffer in your calendar.
- Hydration and a light meal; no heavy voice use the day before.
- Short warm-up; do not start with the hardest section.
- Take breaks before your voice asks for them.
General tips, not medical advice. Persistent hoarseness or pain: see a doctor and reschedule. Book via vocal recording or contact; free cancellation up to 7 days ahead under our terms and conditions.
