Vocal and speech recording
A dry 12 m² booth, several microphones to compare and an engineer who logs every take while you focus on the performance.
At Nikausync in the Haarlemmerbuurt the goal is simple: a vocal that sits clearly and steadily on tape, without you guessing which take was best. We work with singers, rappers, voice-over artists and speakers who need a professional capture for a single, ad, podcast intro or audiovisual piece.
The booth is separate from our live room and linked to the control room by a window. You hear yourself well in the headphones and we set levels before serious recording starts. Bring a backing track, a Pro Tools session or just lyrics and tempo — we prep the session before you arrive so studio time goes to music.
How it works
Intake
Send instrumental or session, lyrics and references if you have them. Within 2 business days you get a quote; on confirmation we ask for a 30% deposit.
Setup
Microphone choice, pop filter, headphone mix and gain staging. Allow fifteen to thirty minutes — it saves hours of editing later.
Record
Full passes, then targeted retakes per section. We mark favourites live so comping stays fast.
Wrap
Comping, basic cleanup and WAV export. Files via download or your drive; we keep a backup for 24 months.
Booth and acoustics
Our vocal booth is about 12 square metres and tuned for a controlled, fairly dry sound. That keeps mixing flexible: you add space where the song needs it instead of fixing a washed-out recording. The window to the control room lets you stay in visual contact with the engineer — useful for cues without taking off the headphones.
Nikausync has 3 recording spaces in the building at Grote Bickersstraat 74. Vocal and band work can follow each other on one day if you plan ahead via contact. For how to prepare your voice and stamina, see our voice prep guide.
Microphones and signal path
We use condenser mics for detail and air, dynamics for powerful vocals or close rap, and sometimes a ribbon to soften harsh highs. At the start we A/B two or three options on the same phrase; you listen in the control room and we decide together.
Signal runs through our preamps — up to 32 inputs are available on site, so doubles and ad-libs can go to separate tracks immediately. We record 24-bit / 48 kHz by default unless your project needs another sample rate.
Who this is for
Solo artists tracking a lead or master vocal, rappers finishing an EP, voice-over for internal video or ads, singers adding BVs after a band session, and writers sending a clean demo to a label — the booth is built for that. Long-form audiobook or narration is fine too; tell us upfront so we block enough time and breaks.
Minimum age for an unattended session is 16. Younger artists need written consent from a parent or guardian and an adult present. Accessibility questions go to [email protected] or +31 20 244 89 17.
What to bring
At minimum send your backing as WAV (ideally without guide vocal), lyrics and BPM if you know it. If you work in Logic, Ableton or Pro Tools, export stems or send the project — we agree what is fastest. Reference tracks you like help us pick the first mic quicker.
Bring water; we also have water and a music stand. Skip very cold drinks or heavy dairy right before the session if your voice is sensitive — more tips in the prep guide. Your own in-ears are welcome if they interface with our system.
Rates and booking
All listed amounts are consumer prices including 21% VAT. Business clients receive an invoice with VAT breakdown; B2B payment term is 14 days unless agreed otherwise. Free cancellation up to 7 days before the session; after that our terms apply.
| Option | Incl. VAT | Net excl. VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Studio hour | €85 | €70.25 |
| Half day (4 hours) | €295 | €243.80 |
| Full day (8 hours) | €520 | €429.75 |
One song with verses, chorus and a few doubles often fits a half day; EP work or several songs usually needs a full day. Unsure? Request a quote — we reply within 2 business days.
Delivery and formats
After the session we usually deliver consolidated vocal WAVs the same day, aligned from bar zero or your supplied grid. Tracks are named clearly (lead, dub, ad-lib) so an external mixer can start immediately. On request we send the full working session or a rough listen mix.
Files go via secure download or to your SSD. We archive 24 months then delete per our privacy policy. Keep your own backup. Want us to mix? That is a separate service — see mixing — with its own rates and 2 included revision rounds on the standard package.
Revisions and exclusions
Comping takes chosen during the session and light editing (breaths, clicks) sit inside studio time. Heavy tuning, full-track time correction or extra layers after you leave are billed separately or via mixing as part of the mix path. We flag that upfront so the invoice stays predictable.
Not included: music licensing, mastering (see mastering), travel or parking outside Amsterdam, and hired session musicians. Extra re-recording hours later are charged at €85 unless you book a new block.
Practical: access and hours
We are in Amsterdam, Haarlemmerbuurt district. From Amsterdam Centraal it is about a twelve-minute walk via Haarlemmerdijk; bus 22 serves Haarlemmerdijk (Bickersgracht stop). The entrance is on Grote Bickersstraat, next to the courtyard bike parking. Opening hours: Monday–Friday 10:00–22:00, Saturday 11:00–18:00, closed Sunday. Sessions outside these hours on request. Sessions outside these times are sometimes possible — ask when you enquire.
Questions about booth level, hearing protection or breaks? Say so during setup. General answers live on FAQ; for all offerings see services.
Included
- Engineer for the booked time
- Microphone comparison at session start
- Personal headphone mix
- Comping of takes selected in session
- WAV export of vocal tracks
- 24-month archive at Nikausync
- Water and music stand in booth
FAQ
How long to record one song?
For a three- to four-minute pop or rap track with chorus doubles, plan two to four hours including setup. A half day leaves room for breaks and retakes.
Can someone sit in the control room?
Yes, one or two guests in the control room is fine. If the live room is busy the same day, tell us via contact so we schedule space.
Do you offer tuning or pitch correction?
On request and within sensible limits, in session or via mixing. We agree upfront how visible the effect should be.
What if I am ill on the day?
Contact us ASAP via +31 20 244 89 17 or [email protected]. Reschedule free within 7 days; otherwise cancellation rules in the terms apply.
Is parking available?
Paid street parking is common nearby. From Amsterdam Centraal it is about a twelve-minute walk via Haarlemmerdijk; bus 22 serves Haarlemmerdijk (Bickersgracht stop). The entrance is on Grote Bickersstraat, next to the courtyard bike parking. Bikes can be parked in the courtyard next to the entrance.
Other services
Live band recording
Live room with drum isolation, multiple rooms at once and monitoring for the whole ensemble.
€135 · Studio hour
Mixing
Offline mix in our control room: balances, edits, automation and reference checks on several speakers.
€240 · Per song (up to 48 tracks)
Mastering
Final loudness, sequencing and export for streaming, vinyl or broadcast — with one free revision round.
€95 · Per song (stereo)
Podcast and dialogue recording
Table setup for two to four voices, same-day editing and export in your podcast format.
€165 · Session (2 hours, 2 voices)
Recording in Amsterdam?
Tell us about your session
Briefly describe your project and preferred dates: within 2 working days you receive a slot proposal and written quote, no obligation.