Decide exactly what you are recording
Start with an honest list: which songs, which parts and how many doubles or harmonies per song. A lead vocal with two backing lines is a very different job from a chorus with six stacked voices. The more specific your list, the better we can estimate the session.
As a rough guide, we allow around one and a half to two hours for a finished lead vocal on one song, including warm-up and comping one strong take. Harmonies add to that. If you are unsure, send us your demo first; we reply within 2 working days with a suggestion.
Pick the right block: hour, half day or day
Vocal and instrument recording happens in our 9 m² booth. There are three rates, engineer and 21% VAT included:
| Block | Price | Works well for |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly | €85 | Fixing one song or a short overdub |
| Half day (4 hours) | €310 | Two songs with lead and some backings |
| Full day (8 hours) | €580 | An EP, or a song with lots of harmony work |
Most voices tire noticeably after four or five hours of intense singing. If you book a full day, alternate heavy lead parts with lighter work such as spoken passages or instruments. What the price covers is set out on our vocal recording page.
Lock in lyrics, tempo and key
Nothing burns studio time like a verse being rewritten between takes. Finish your lyrics and bring them printed or on a charged tablet. Mark breaths, awkward transitions and places where you want a particular delivery.
- Fix the tempo in BPM and write it at the top of your lyric sheet.
- Check the key: can you hit the top note of the chorus comfortably on an ordinary day, not just a great one?
- Know your entries, including after instrumental breaks.
Sending the instrumental or backing track
If you are singing over an existing beat or someone else's production, send it no later than the day before. Ideally as a 24-bit WAV at 44.1 or 48 kHz, without a limiter on the master bus, with the BPM in the file name. An MP3 ripped from a streaming service is not a usable base.
If you work with a producer, ask for a version split into groups too: drums, bass, harmony. That lets us build exactly the headphone mix you sing best to. Using a beat you did not make? Make sure the licence allows commercial release; that is something you arrange with its creator.
Looking after your voice beforehand
Your voice is a muscle and needs rest. In the two days before the session, skip long loud nights and shouting over music. Sleep properly, sip room-temperature water throughout the day and go easy on alcohol.
Warm up before you reach the Overtoom, on the bike or the tram if you like: lip trills, gentle sirens, humming. The first minutes in the studio go into setting up the microphone and headphones, so you are ready to sing straight away.
What to bring
- Lyrics on paper or a charged tablet
- Your instrumental as a WAV on a USB stick, even if you already emailed it
- Your own headphones, if you sing more comfortably with them
- A bottle of water and a light snack
- Reference tracks whose vocal sound you like
We have 34 microphones in the studio, so you do not need to bring any recording gear. Please note that the minimum age for booking a session is 16.
During the session
We usually record several full takes and then edit the strongest moments into one continuous vocal. That is called comping, it is standard practice and says nothing about your ability. Tell us if something feels off in your headphones: too much reverb, not enough of your own voice, a click that is too loud. A comfortable monitor mix translates directly into better takes.
Take short breaks even when things are flowing. Five quiet minutes and a sip of water do more for your pitch than forcing three extra takes.
After the session: files and next steps
Afterwards you receive the raw tracks and the comped vocal as WAV files. We keep your session for 6 months, so you can add parts later. If you want us to mix as well, it flows straight into our mixing service. Taking the tracks to another engineer? Read how to deliver tracks for mixing first.
We ask for a 30% deposit when you book. You can cancel free of charge up to 3 days ahead; the details are in our terms and conditions. Ready to plan? Get in touch or call 020 846 3172.
