Vocal and voice-over recording

Who this session suits

Solo artists tracking a single, rappers preparing an EP, bands adding leads after a live-room session, songwriters with a publisher demo, and producers who need a clean voice-over for ads or explainers — the vocal booths are built for that. If you only need ad-libs or doubles on existing material, hourly booking works too.

Visitors are welcome from age 16. Under eighteen, bring an adult and clarify consent via contact beforehand. Sessions run by appointment during Monday–Friday 09:30–18:30, Saturday 12:00–17:00, Sunday closed. at Elandsgracht 84 in the Jordaan.

Two booths, one control room

Monogamyvault runs 2 isolated vocal booths beside a control room of roughly 24 m². Booths are dry enough for a tight close-mic sound, with sight lines to the engineer through double glass so you can communicate without breaking flow. Canal-side street noise stays outside the recording.

Two singers at once? Mention it when booking — we may alternate in one booth or schedule parallel work when possible. Larger ensembles usually fit the live room better than a booth.

Mic, preamp and headphones

No single microphone fits every voice. In the first minutes we compare two or three options — condenser for detail, dynamic for loud rap or aggressive rock, sometimes ribbon if the top end feels harsh. The studio has 18 preamp channels; the engineer picks a chain for your dynamics, not a generic preset.

You get your own headphone mix: more or less backing, click, self-balance or a touch of plate to support pitch. Your own headphones are fine if the connector matches. We set distance, pop-filter height and breathing space together to limit sibilance and plosives.

Voice-over and spoken word

For narration and commercial reads we often work slightly closer and edit tighter between sentences. You read from a tablet or paper on an adjustable stand; the engineer watches level consistency and pauses that cut cleanly later.

Hard time limits on a spot? Say so upfront and we plan alternate deliveries. Multilingual scripts are welcome; allow extra time when switching languages. Podcast hosts who only need an intro can often finish within one hour — see podcast recording if you want a full table session.

What to send or bring

Where possible send instrumentals as WAV without a guide vocal, or export stems with clear names from your DAW. Include lyrics, BPM and key if you know them. Two reference tracks whose vocal balance you like help us dial tone faster — optional but useful.

• Instrumental or multitrack export from bar 1
• Lyrics or script, marked for doubles where needed
• Notes on tuning or timing from home takes
• Your water bottle; we also have water and tea in the lounge

Heavy dairy or ice-cold drinks right before singing can tighten a sensitive voice. The vocal checklist article covers rest, warm-ups and booth habits in more detail.

Delivery, formats and retention

We record 24-bit WAV at 48 kHz by default unless your project needs another sample rate — tell us early so everything stays aligned. You receive vocal stems from the start of the song, plus an optional rough bounce with backing for home listening. Comping happens with you in the room or handed to the engineer within booked time, whichever you prefer.

Files go out via secure download or your SSD. Monogamyvault B.V. keeps session backups for 18 months on internal storage, then deletes unless you extend storage. Always keep your own copy. Commercial release usually needs separate mastering — raw vocals alone are rarely the finished product.

Rates and booking

Listed amounts are consumer prices including 21% VAT. Confirmation requires a 35% deposit; the balance follows the schedule in our terms and conditions. Free rescheduling applies up to 4 days before the session; after that, cancellation rules in those terms apply. Quotes get a reply within 2 business days via email or phone.

A typical single with verses, hooks and a few stacks often fits in three to five hours; a half day leaves room for doubles and voice-over variants. Extra time outside a block bills at the hourly rate.

Not included and next steps

The vocal session covers recording, basic comping within booked time and stem export — not full mixing or mastering unless booked separately. Heavy tuning as an effect, large-scale time editing or producing instrumentals from scratch sit outside the standard vocal package; agree scope upfront.

Mix and master revisions follow 2 feedback rounds as described in the terms; that does not cover re-singing because lyrics changed later — book a new session for that. Questions on rights, credits or B2B invoicing with 21-day payment terms? Contact us or read legal information. Getting here: Trams 3, 13 and 17 stop at Haarlemmerplein; from there it is about a 4-minute walk via Haarlemmerdijk and Elandsgracht. From Amsterdam Central Station it is roughly a 12-minute walk via Haarlemmerdijk. The studio entrance is at street level beside the bicycle racks.