Live band recording
In a 42 m² live room you play as an ensemble while the engineer manages mics, cue mixes and take notes — with a vocal iso and re-amp space when it fits the session.
A band often sounds different when everyone plays at once compared with stacking overdubs at home. At Morceauxnode in Amsterdam, Live band recording is built for that shared energy: eye contact on the floor, interaction between players, and one engineer watching 32 inputs and access to roughly 26 microphones in the studio.
The live room sits next to our vocal iso booth, so you can cut lead or stacks after a full take without moving the session. Mixing and mastering are separate bookings via mixing and mastering; this page is about capturing your performance at Overtoom 301 in Oud-West.
How it works
Plan
Send setlist, tempos and references through contact. We estimate mic plan and time; confirmation within 2 business days once the 30% deposit is paid.
Load-in
Drum riser, amp positions and cable runs are often pre-marked. Allow thirty to sixty minutes of soundcheck before the first keeper take.
Takes
Full passes first, then section punches or booth overdubs. Everyone shares a tailored cue mix; the engineer logs take numbers and issues as they happen.
Export
Multitrack 24-bit WAV from a shared start point, plus a rough balance if time remains. Archive per terms and conditions for 24 months.
Which bands and projects fit
Rock, indie, jazz, funk, mid-heavy metal, singer-songwriter groups with drums — if you want to play together live, the room usually works. Duos with backing tracks are welcome, but fully sequenced work without live instruments is often faster at home; we will say so honestly at intake.
Capacity depends on kit, amps and safety; four or five players plus a singer in the booth is typical. Minimum age for booking on your own is 18. Our band recording budget guide helps you estimate hours and cost before you commit.
Room layout and mic plan
The live room is about 42 m² with height and gobos between sections. Drums sit on a riser; bass and guitar amps on rugs to limit floor rumble. We mic kits with overheads, close snare and kick mics, and DI where that stays cleaner than an amp mic in the mix.
Vocals go in the dedicated iso booth — 1 booth with sight lines to the band — so bleed stays manageable. Guitar re-amp can happen in the same session when routing and time allow. The mic plan follows your arrangement: acoustic set, hybrid, or fully electric.
How a recording day runs
Trams 1 and 7 stop at Overtoom; from that stop it is about a 2-minute walk to number 301. From Amsterdam Centraal, tram 1 towards Osdorp takes roughly 15 minutes. By bike from Leidseplein it is about 6 minutes via Overtoom. You arrive at Overtoom 301, 1054 GL Amsterdam. After a short safety walk-through we place gear according to floor marks. Soundcheck is not rushed: everyone must be comfortable in headphones before we roll.
We work in blocks: three to five full takes of a song, then you choose which take anchors any overdubs. Breaks are part of the schedule — tired drummers and strained voices cost more takes than a fifteen-minute rest. Monday–Friday 09:30–18:30, Saturday by appointment. Closed on Sunday. Saturday by appointment; closed Sunday.
What to bring
Prepare for the day with:
- Instruments in gig-ready condition (fresh strings, sticks, heads)
- Amps and pedalboards you know; spare cables
- Setlist with tempos and structure (intro, bridge, outro)
- References of your live sound, not only chart hits
- Lyrics for the singer in the booth
Drums: your own kit is fine if transport works; otherwise ask about hire via contact. Parking: 2 spots at the entrance — tell us if you need a car slot.
Cue mix and communication
Each musician gets a headphone mix with click, their instrument and the rest of the band. The engineer adjusts levels between takes; big changes may need a partial soundcheck. The singer sees the band through the booth window — gestures still work without shouting over talkback.
Want artistic input from the engineer? Say so at intake. By default we stick to technical notes: tuning between guitars, kick timing, chorus dynamics. Creative choices stay yours; we do not rewrite arrangements.
Delivery and file formats
Standard delivery: multitrack WAV 24-bit / 48 kHz, all tracks from timecode zero, clearly named (Drums OH L, Bass DI, Guitar 1 SM57). Optional: a stereo rough mix for home listening if session time allows — not a substitute for mixing.
Transfer via secure link or your SSD. We keep sessions for 24 months, then delete unless you extend storage. Always keep your own backup. Later mix prep is covered in file formats for mixing.
Rates and VAT
| Option | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Per hour | €125 | Live room + recording engineer |
| Full day (8 hours) | €920 | Same setup, longer take blocks |
Extra hours beyond your booked block bill at €125 pro rata. Net for business invoices: e.g. €103.31 excl. VAT per hour. Deposit 30%; cancel free up to 7 days ahead — see terms and conditions. B2B payment term 14 days.
What is not included
No full mix, mastering, music video, photography or backline hire unless booked separately. Pitch correction, drum replacement and heavy editing sit outside the recording session. If a take is structurally wrong we re-record while time allows — we do not rescue unplayable performances in post within this service.
Rights and credits are between you; we deliver technical recordings. Privacy: privacy policy. General studio questions: FAQ and services.
Team and contact
Live sessions are usually led by Mira Bos (recording engineer, vocals and live) or another member of our three-person team. Morceauxnode B.V. has been on Overtoom since 2019. Questions? Call 020 789 0416 or email [email protected].
Book via contact with date, band size and whether you want vocal recording in the booth the same week. Planning early helps — popular weekend slots fill quickly.
Included
- Recording engineer for booked hours
- Mic plan and basic soundcheck
- Cue mix per musician
- Take log and session labeling
- Multitrack WAV export on recording day
- Archive 24 months per contract
FAQ
How many songs fit in a full day?
With four to six songs and few overdubs, a day is realistic after soundcheck. Complex arrangements or many punches need extra hours — use our budget guide for a rough estimate.
Can we bring our own backline?
Yes, if it fits the room safely. Flag heavy racks and extra amps ahead so we reserve power and space.
Can we mix in the same visit?
What if a member is ill?
Tell us as soon as you can. Rescheduling more than 7 days out is free; closer dates follow deposit rules in terms and conditions.
Can friends watch?
One or two guests in the live room usually work. Larger groups hurt focus and acoustics — ask first.
Other services
Vocal recording
Lead, doubles and ad-libs in an iso booth; engineer handles gain, cue mix and takes.
€95 · per hour
Mixing
From multitrack to stereo mix; in the studio or offline from delivered stems.
€185 · per track (offline)
Mastering
Loudness, EQ and sequencing for streaming; one revision round included.
€72 · per track
Podcast and dialogue recording
Two to four speakers on table mics; basic edit and export to your platform format.
€78 · per hour
Recording in Amsterdam?
Plan your next session with us
Tell us what you want to capture: we reply within 2 working days with a slot proposal and a written quote.