Three separate costs
Almost every release is made of three steps you can budget separately: recording, mixing and mastering. Plenty of bands forget the last two and run out of money after the tracking day. Count them in from the start.
| Step | Unit | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Live band recording | Half day (4 hours) | €420 |
| Live band recording | Full day (8 hours) | €760 |
| Mixing | Per track | €290 |
| Mixing | EP of up to 5 tracks | €1,150 |
| Mastering | Per track | €70 |
| Mastering | Album of up to 12 tracks | €540 |
Business clients see amounts excluding VAT on their quote; a day in the live room then comes to €628.10.
How many songs fit in a day?
Our 48 m² live room takes up to 6 musicians playing together, each instrument on its own track. That saves a lot of time, but setting up takes time too: miking the drums, placing amps, building headphone mixes. Expect roughly an hour and a half before the first take rolls.
A well-rehearsed band usually gets three to five basic tracks down in an eight-hour day. If vocals, solos or extra guitars still need to go on top, plan a second half day or a separate booth session via vocal and instrument recording.
Worked example: a four-song EP
Say your band wants to release four songs. A realistic plan looks like this:
- One day of live tracking: €760
- One extra half day for vocals and overdubs: €420
- Mixing the EP: €1,150
- Mastering, four times €70
Split across four or five members, that becomes a manageable amount each. Keep a buffer of around ten percent on top for unplanned extra time, such as a snapped string or a song that just will not settle.
Rehearsal is the cheapest studio time
An hour in an Amsterdam rehearsal room costs a fraction of an hour in a studio. Make use of that. Play the songs so often in the weeks before that nobody has to think about the arrangement any more.
- Record a rehearsal on your phone and listen back critically.
- Agree on tempos and practise to a click if you plan to track with one.
- Have the drummer play in new heads a few days before the session.
- Take guitars and bass in for fresh strings and a setup the week before.
Where not to cut corners
It is tempting to save on mixing and cram everything into one day. In our experience that rarely pays off. A rushed recording with tired players still sounds rushed after a careful mix. Three songs with room to breathe beat six songs played on autopilot.
Do save on things that make no sound: arrive on time, load in quickly and settle any disagreements within the band before the session.
Deposit, cancellation and payment
We ask for a 30% deposit when you book. Up to 3 days before the session you can cancel free of charge; after that we charge 50% of the booked amount. Business clients pay by invoice within 14 days. It is all in the terms and conditions.
A tip for bands: agree in advance who makes the booking and who fronts the deposit, and write down the split in a group chat or a simple shared document.
Rights and agreements within the band
A recording is also a legal moment. Who wrote which song, who owns the master recording and how will streaming income be shared? In the Netherlands, authors' rights in composition and lyrics usually run through Buma/Stemra, and performers' neighbouring rights through Sena. Put your band's arrangement on paper before any money comes in.
How we handle your recordings, files and archive is explained in our terms. If you are unsure about a label or publishing contract, talk to a specialised lawyer.
Requesting a quote
Send us the number of songs, your line-up and a demo or rehearsal recording. Within 2 working days you get a proposal with a schedule per half day. More about the live room is on our band recording page. Planning to have the tracks mixed elsewhere? Read delivering tracks for mixing as well.
Questions? Contact us, email [email protected] or call 020 846 3172.
