What you are paying for
With band and live recording you pay for room, engineer and gear at once. Our hourly rate is €115 including VAT; an eight-hour day is €750. Need more time after that day? Extra hours are €135 each — often cheaper than booking a second full day for one remaining song.
Mixing, mastering and artwork are not in the day rate. Budget separately at €185 per mixed track (up to five minutes) or an EP package, and mastering from €78 per track. Delivery details: delivering mix stems.
Room and lineup
Our live room is about 38 m² — enough for a kit, bass amp, guitar cabs and up to 6 players together. 8 headphone sends and 12 preamps shape how fast soundcheck runs. Bigger horn sections or extra guests may need overdubs instead of everyone live.
The 22 m² control room looks into the live room through glass, so the engineer hears takes without stopping the band. Bringing a producer? They can listen in the control room — mention it when you contact us.
Estimating time per song
Count one to two hours per new song when arrangements are settled: headphone balance, three to five full takes, plus an overdub for a solo or double. Tricky tempo shifts or inexperienced bands drift toward three hours. A cover you have played a hundred times might land in forty-five minutes — still, never plan six titles in one day unless you timed them at rehearsal.
Drum and backline setup at the start of the day takes thirty to sixty minutes. Switching between clean and heavy gain? Allow time for re-amping or DI swaps. Engineers help you prioritise: rhythm tracks first, vocals later if the drummer fades.
Sample plans
| Goal | Typical time | Rate example incl. VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Single (1 track) | Half day often enough with tight arrangements | Around €115 × 4 hours or custom quote |
| EP (4–5 tracks) | Two full days plus maybe a vocal half day | 2 × €750 plus extra hours if needed |
| Album (10 tracks) | Five to eight recording days; mix/master separate | Multiple days; compare mix EP rate €680 |
These blocks are directional; your setlist sets the quote. We usually reply within 1 business day on requests.
Saving time without cutting corners
Arrive with fresh strings, working cables and tuned instruments. Share a patch list: amp model, pedal order. Send rehearsal demos — not to judge you, but so we can prep mic choices.
Track vocals separately if the singer struggles after three hours live; our vocal booth runs from €95 per hour. Combine only when it truly serves the performance. You book your own Amsterdam accommodation; we can still help with last tram times toward Amstel.
Payment, cancellation and files
After you accept the quote we ask for a 25 % deposit; business clients may pay within 14 days per terms and conditions. Free cancellation or rescheduling applies until 7 days before the session.
We deliver multitracks digitally afterward and keep backups for 6 months. Nominate someone in the band to download and archive. Release rights? Read mastering and rights before you distribute.
Practical checklist
- Prioritised setlist: must-have songs for that day.
- Demos and tempos shared via contact.
- Band on time; The studio is on Weesperzijde in Amsterdam East. From Amsterdam Amstel station it is about an 8-minute walk along the Amstel. Tram 12 stops nearby; metro lines 51, 53 and 54 serve Amstel. On-street parking is limited; bike racks are right outside the entrance..
- Budget for mix/master and maybe an extra vocal day.
- Agree who signs quotes for the band.
Unsure about length? Call 020 737 1846 — we can sketch a plan with no obligation to book.
