Band recording in our live room
Capture drums, guitars and keys together in a room that breathes — with an engineer, sensible patching and sessions you can hand straight to mixing.
Band recording at Labsterra uses a 42 m² live room on Czaar Peterstraat 213 in Amsterdam. You keep the energy of the full band while 16 mic preamps and 3 iso booths give enough separation for a later Mixing. Since 2016 we have tracked acts from Amsterdam and beyond with files that are easy to pass on without guesswork.
Whether you book a full day for an EP or pay by the hour on a single song, we plan positions, amp routing and vocal booth time before you arrive. Read rights in band recording early if release plans involve several writers — it saves friction later.
Process
- 01
Brief
Send a track list, tempos and references through contact. Within 2 business days you receive a quote with hours or day rate and a 30% deposit to confirm.
- 02
Line check
On the day we mic drums, bass, guitars and keys; vocals can move into a booth. Allow thirty to sixty minutes before the first take matches what we agreed in the brief.
- 03
Tracking
We work song by song: full passes, overdubs and punch-ins. The engineer watches gain staging and logs take numbers so comping stays fast.
- 04
Handover
You get a tidy folder of multitracks or a mix-ready export. Project data stays on our side for 24 months — keep your own backup on a drive you control.
Who this session suits
Rock and indie bands chasing live glue, funk and jazz combos with drums and upright bass in one space, and projects where guitar amps can stay loud in the room. Also a fit if you already have demos and want one or two songs tracked properly for release.
Up to 8 people at once in the studio; larger casts need extra time or split vocal and instrument days. Minimum age is 16; younger musicians need parental consent as described in our privacy policy.
Live floor and booths
The live room is laid out for ensemble sound: drums at one end, guitars with gobos between them, keys and bass where the groove needs them. The 3 booths handle vocals, acoustic guitar or a second electric you want dry.
The 18 m² control room faces the floor so you can cue the engineer without shouting. Headphone mixes are per player; bring your own in-ears if that is your habit.
How a recording day flows
A typical €920 day (eight studio hours) opens with soundcheck and a reference take. Then we move track by track: backbone first (drums–bass–rhythm), then leads and overdubs. Breaks are part of the plan — tired drummers rarely deliver usable passes.
Shorter €125 blocks suit one song or replacing a single part. Be realistic: a full arrangement with vocals and three guitars rarely fits two hours without prep.
What to bring
- Instruments, picks, spare strings and any personal FX you rely on
- Charts or a shared doc with chords and song structure
- Reference tracks for tone and dynamics, not to clone
- Your own amp or pedalboard if discussed in advance
For vocal passes see prepare vocals for the studio. If you have a home demo, send it so we match tempo and markers.
Delivery and file formats
Default delivery is 24-bit WAV per track, named by instrument and take. On request we export a Pro Tools or Reaper session if that is your mix environment. A quick stereo mix for listening can often leave the same day but is not a substitute for Mixing with 2 revision rounds included.
Internal archive capacity is 48 TB — not a public cloud. Download within 24 months from the link we send to [email protected].
Rates and VAT
| Option | Price incl. 21% VAT | When it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Studio per hour | €125 | Single song, overdubs, short fixes |
| Day (8 hours) | €920 | EP day, several songs live |
Rates cover studio and engineer for booked time. Guest musicians, catering and hotels are excluded. Business clients with a VAT ID can discuss 14-day payment terms — see terms and conditions.
Not included in the hourly rate
Heavy editing, tuning, drum replacement and creative production after the session are booked separately. So is Mastering for streaming or vinyl. Sending stems to an external mixer? Our stem guide covers folder naming and sample rate.
We do not rent a full backline by default; on-site bass and guitar amps are limited — ask at intake what is in the room that week.
Team and getting here
Labsterra B.V. works with engineers such as Sophie Meijer (recording and mix) and studio director Lars van den Berg. Scheduling runs through Emma de Vries within Tue–Fri 10–20, Sat 11–18.
We are at Czaar Peterstraat 213, 1018 PL Amsterdam. Tram 10 stops at Czaar Peterstraat; it is about a three-minute walk to number 213. From Oostplein metro (lines 51, 53 and 54) allow roughly ten minutes on foot along Czaar Peterstraat. Questions before you book? Call 020 244 18 06 or use contact.
Toward mix and release
After tracking you either mix yourself or book Mixing with us. Plan for 2 feedback rounds in the standard mix price. For loudness and distribution, Mastering follows your release calendar.
General questions on cancellation (5 days ahead) or deposits live on FAQ. See all services for the full menu.
Included
- Recording engineer for booked hours
- 42 m² live room and 3 iso booths
- Microphone preamps and basic patching
- Individual headphone mixes
- Organised folder of WAV multitracks
- 24-month project archive at Labsterra
- Control room access and coffee corner
FAQ
How many songs fit in one day?
For a four- or five-piece with vocals, expect three to five songs in eight hours when arrangements are settled. Heavier production or many overdubs usually needs a second day or extra hours at €125.
Can we use our own amps?
Yes, if they are safe and you told us in advance. We mic combos and stacks in the room; very high volumes are discussed to protect hearing and dynamics.
May we film during the session?
Small cameras or phones for social clips are usually fine. Professional film crews or extra lighting are outside standard hire — mention them when you book.
What if a member is ill?
Cancel or move at least 5 days before the session to avoid charges. Inside that window the deposit may be forfeited under terms and conditions; we still try to find a new date.
Do you provide a rough mix?
A listening mix for the ride home is often possible the same day. It is for judging takes, not for release. For balance and space book Mixing.
Other services
- 01
Vocal recording
Isolated booth, engineer support and backline for vocals and spoken word.
€95 · per hour - 02
Mixing
Balance, space and dynamics for singles, EPs and albums.
€185 · per track - 03
Mastering
Final polish for streaming, vinyl and broadcast with controlled loudness.
€68 · per track - 04
Podcast recording
Table setup for two to four voices, basic edit and export.
€88 · per hour
Recording in Amsterdam?
Plan your next session
Tell us what you want to capture: we reply within 2 working days with a slot proposal and a written quote, no obligation.