Voice and voice-over recording

Who this service is for

The booth is compact yet fully equipped for pop, rock, hip-hop, jazz and singer-songwriter vocals, commercial voice-over, e-learning and internal films, plus spoken word or audiobook demos. Stacking backing vocals or ad-libs works the same way — every take is logged so mixing stays organised later.

The minimum age for unattended sessions is 16; younger performers are welcome with an adult present and written consent from a parent or guardian. We do not record anonymous demos for third parties without clear rights to the script; if that is unclear, we discuss it before the clock runs.

Microphone and signal path

There is no single “best” mic — only a combination that fits your timbre and the song. We draw from the 18 microphones in the building: condensers for detail, dynamics for loud rap or close rock, sometimes a ribbon to soften harsh highs. You hear A/B comparisons in the control room (about 20 m²) and decide with us.

Signal runs through preamps and compression only when it supports the performance; we avoid heavy processing on the recording itself so you stay flexible later. Pop filter, shock mount and cables are included; your own in-ears are fine if you bring adapters.

Working in the booth

You get a personal monitor mix: more or less beat, a touch of reverb to sing against, less bass if you need to hear yourself in the room. The window to the engineer stays open for thumbs-up or “one more”. Water, a music stand and adjustable light are ready; standing, seated or handheld for certain styles — we adapt the rig.

Want feedback on phrasing, pitch or timing? Say so explicitly. Some artists want an honest outside ear, others arrive with a tight plan and mainly need technical support. For doubles and harmonies we use clear conventions: separate tracks for chorus doubles, harmonies and ad-libs so Lars or an external mixer does not have to guess.

Comping, edits and optional tuning

Comping — stitching the best lines from several takes — can happen during the session or right after, depending on time booked. We mark favourite takes on the spot so you do not relisten to everything. Light breath edits and removing bumps are part of a clean delivery; heavy tuning only on request and discussed openly.

Prefer to comp in your DAW? Ask for separate takes without crossfades. Need a rough comp for mixing? Mention it in your contact message. Pitch correction is a finishing tool for us, not a default aesthetic — unless you deliberately want a processed character on a dedicated track.

Files, formats and turnaround

We record at 24 bit, 48 kHz by default; other sample rates are possible when your project requires them. You receive WAV files, per take or comped, clearly named and aligned to your beat grid. A full Pro Tools or Logic session is available on request; so is a quick rough mix for home checking.

Delivery is via secure download or your own SSD. We answer reasonable questions about exports, but full balance work belongs under mixing or mastering. See terms and conditions for liability and deadlines.

Rates and what is not included

All listed amounts are consumer prices including 21% VAT. Business invoices with 14-day payment terms are available on request with a valid VAT ID.

Not included: full mix or master, extra hours outside your block, translation or copywriting, travel for engineers off-site. Overtime is billed per half hour after agreement. Free cancellation up to 7 days ahead; closer to the date the deposit may move once within 6 months per terms and conditions.

Practical: getting here and hours

The studio is on Bilderdijkstraat in Oud-West, about a ten-minute walk from Leidseplein. Trams 1 and 7 serve the Bilderdijkstraat stop, roughly three minutes on foot from there. The entrance is at street level, which makes bringing cases or instruments straightforward. Opening hours: Monday to Friday 10:00–22:00, Saturday 11:00–18:00, by appointment; closed Sunday. Allow ten minutes to warm up before the booth; the preparation guide lists concrete routines.

Questions about sensitive scripts and privacy? Read privacy policy or email [email protected]. General studio questions: FAQ or call 020 261 4873.

Toward mix or master

Clean vocal tracks are half the job, but balance, space and loudness need a separate mix stage. Our mixing includes 2 revision rounds; mastering finishes for streaming. You can mix elsewhere — we then deliver deliberately dry, well-named stems.

Combining voice-over with podcast recording for longer formats happens in separate bookings; Noor helps with scheduling via contact. All services: services overview.

Included

• Recording engineer for your booked time
• Microphone choice matched to your voice
• Personal headphone mix
• Pop filter, shock mount and basic booth comfort
• Labelled WAV exports as agreed
• Session archive for 24 months on our systems
• Access to vocal booth and control-room monitoring