Vocal recording

Booth and control room

The vocal booth is 10 m² and treated for a dry, controllable capture. A window into the 22 m² control room keeps feedback concrete: not just “a bit louder”, but which tone you miss in the chorus.

The building offers 16 mic inputs; for vocals we usually run one main microphone plus an optional second path for ad-libs. Headphone mixes use our 8 outputs so you can hear more or less instrumental, click or vocal return.

Microphone choice and placement

There is no single correct microphone for every voice. We begin with a quick comparison on the same phrase: condenser for detail, dynamic for powerful close work, sometimes ribbon if upper harmonics feel harsh. You listen in the cans; we decide together.

Distance, height and pop filter shape body and air in the recording. We aim for a signal that mixes well later, not maximum loudness in the booth. We prefer fixing sibilance with placement rather than heavy editing afterwards.

• Pop filter and wind protection as standard
• Music stand or tablet holder on request
• Standing, seated or handheld when it suits the performance

Who books this

Singer-songwriters finishing a single, rappers tightening delivery, bands adding doubles after a band recording day, producers who need a cleaner demo than at home: the booth is built for focused sessions. Minimum age is 16; younger artists need a parent or guardian present by arrangement.

If Dutch or English is not your first language, we work from lyric sheets or a teleprompter and allow time for pronunciation. We do not offer medical voice care; if you are hoarse we reschedule rather than forcing takes.

What to bring

Send your backing track as WAV without a guide vocal, or an export with clear track names. Add lyrics, structure (intro, verse, bridge) and reference tracks — ideally two songs where you only want the vocal tone, not the entire production.

Our guide vocal warmup before session covers rest, hydration and simple warmups. Avoid heavy dairy right before recording; warm water is available in the studio. Bring your own in-ears if you prefer, provided they connect to our interface.

Rates and booking

All figures on this page are consumer prices including 21% VAT. Business invoicing is available; payment term 14 days from invoice date unless terms and conditions say otherwise.

We ask for a 25% deposit when you book. Free rescheduling up to 5 days before the session; after that 50% of the reserved amount applies as set out in terms and conditions.

Delivery formats and archive

Default delivery is 24-bit WAV at 48 kHz, aligned from the start of your project. Other sample rates are possible if you specify them in advance. After the session you receive a download link; bring your own SSD on request.

We keep session files for 12 months on our servers in Amsterdam, then delete them unless you extend storage. Back up locally. A quick reference mix can fit inside booked time; full mixing is a separate job with 2 revision rounds included.

Not included

Arrangement, songwriting, heavy tuning as an aesthetic effect, video shoots, extra musicians and mastering sit outside this service. Mastering can be scheduled as a follow-up. We do not take over third-party plugin licences.

If someone else will mix your stems, we label files clearly. Read delivering stems for mixing when you supply material to an external mixer — many rules match our workflow too.

Getting here in Westerpark

Murkiernode is at Van Boetzelaerstraat 35, 1051 DT Amsterdam (Westerpark). Directions: Tram 13 or bus 18 to Surinameplein, then about seven minutes on foot via Van Hallstraat; bike rack next to the entrance.. Hours: Monday to Friday 09:00–21:00, Saturday 10:00–17:00, by appointment only — always by appointment so booth and engineer are reserved for you.

Questions beforehand? Email [email protected] or call +31 (0)20 214 18 52. Broader answers live in FAQ; see services for the full list.