Why preparation buys you time
We work with 2 iso booths and a control room of about 22 m². That is tight enough to move quickly — but only if you already have lyrics, tempo and references sorted. Singers who know their lines and the mood they want usually leave with more usable takes in the same hour than someone still rewriting between passes.
This guide targets vocals, rap and spoken word. Recording with a band? Also read amps and live room. For mix or master after tracking: bounce or stems and streaming loudness.
Booking, deposit and cancellation
Book via contact or phone. We usually reply within 2 business days. A confirmed date needs a 35% deposit; the balance follows terms and conditions. Free cancellation is possible until 4 days before the session; after that, reserved time is charged at the rate you booked.
Rates for Vocal and spoken-word recording (including 21% VAT): €98 per hour, €355 for a half day or €645 for a full day. For a first visit, a half day is often saner than a single hour if you still need to experiment.
- Confirm who attends (producer, interpreter, parent/guardian for minors).
- Send project name and desired export (WAV, stems yes/no) upfront.
- Need a company invoice? Share VAT ID and payment terms; B2B we use 21 days.
Getting here and studio hours
Wibautstraat 224 is in Amsterdam Oost. Metro stations Wibautstraat (M52/M53) and Amstel are within walking distance. Trams 1 and 7 run along Wibautstraat; get off at Wibautstraat stop. Bike racks are in front of the entrance; on-street car parking is limited. You must be 16 or come with an adult who can sign for the session. Hours: Monday to Friday 10:00–19:00, Saturday 11:00–17:00, closed Sunday. Aim to arrive ten minutes early so we can set headphone level, mic height and pop filter without eating paid time.
If you cycle, racks are right at the entrance — handy after crossing the city. Bringing amps or heavy cases? Tell us beforehand; we keep hallway space and help carry where we can.
What to pack
Must-haves mentally, optional in the bag:
- Lyrics, storyboard or script — paper beats only-on-phone.
- Reference tracks on a device we can feed via jack or adapter, plus a short note on why they matter (tone, dynamics, vibe).
- Still water; no strong perfume in the booth.
- Your own in-ears if you rely on them; studio headphones are ready.
- Inhaler or meds if your voice is sensitive; smoke outside before the session, not during breaks in the booth.
Leave jewellery that clicks on the grille at home. Long nails can work — tell the engineer so we angle the pop filter.
Voice care and realistic takes
Sleep and hydration beat an expensive preamp. Skip heavy alcohol and shouting in the car on the Wibautstraat the day before. Warm up quietly, not at full belt in the booth.
Plan breaks: water and silence after a few heavy passes. If you cough, pause — we do not stack takes on a strained voice. For narration we often read in shorter chunks; mark breath-friendly pauses in your script.
We do not give medical advice — if you are hoarse or in pain, reschedule via contact rather than pushing through.
In the booth: what we need from you
An engineer sets the chain — usually a large-diaphragm condenser for singing, sometimes a dynamic for loud rap. You hear yourself in the cue mix; speak up if vocal and backing levels feel wrong. Recording is non-destructive: your best take stays while we try another.
Label passes clearly (“verse 2, take B”) when you want options. For picture-led voice-over with a prompter, see Voice-over and narration if you only need narration.
| Issue | Fix |
|---|---|
| Beat too loud in cans | Ask for cue mix change, not louder singing. |
| Plosives on P/B | Step back slightly, keep pop filter aligned. |
| Multiple languages | Separate takes per language; note pronunciation upfront. |
Time, files and archive
One song with a ready guide can finish in a few hours; an EP of leads needs multiple days. We keep session files 14 months on our servers; download masters within that window from the link we send. Longer storage is possible for a fee — ask before you leave.
Mixing yourself? Request aligned WAV exports during the session. Handing off? Read how to deliver stems so mix engineer Noor is not guessing tempo and tuning.
After the session
At wrap you get a file list and any outstanding payment info. Check inbox (and spam) for the download mail. Release rights sit with you and your distributor; details are in terms and privacy policy.
Book follow-ups for stacks or ad-libs, or move to Mixing and editing when raw takes are done. Short answers live in FAQ.
Unsure about format or budget? Email [email protected] with your track list — we can advise without obligation.
