Why prep saves studio time
At Olivevanta we work in an isolation booth of about 10 m² with room for multiple takes without rushing. That only works if your voice cooperates. Vocal folds respond slowly to water, sleep debt, and stress; what you do on Monday shows up on Wednesday in pitch and stamina.
Book via contact and send lyrics and backing tracks early. We can prep microphones and you avoid rewriting lines in the room. Our workflow for vocal sessions explains what we set up before you arrive.
Hydration: steady, not sudden
Drink water regularly in the days before the session, at room temperature. Chugging right before recording does little; fold hydration happens gradually. Ease off alcohol the night before — it dries tissues and disrupts sleep.
Water is always in the booth. Skip menthol lozenges just before singing; they can irritate. Mild tea is usually fine. Many singers avoid milk and fizzy drinks in the hour before takes because they thicken mucus.
Sleep, voice load, and rest
Two short nights show up in your upper range and breath support. Avoid marathon rehearsals without breaks the week of the session. If you still play live in Amsterdam that week, schedule vocal takes on a lighter day or book a half day (€335) so we can spread demanding lines.
Hoarseness or pain lasting more than a few days means postpone the session. We offer free cancellation up to 5 days before the appointment; reach us at [email protected] or 020 244 8619. This is general wellness advice, not medical care.
Warm-up at home or en route
Start with shoulders, neck, and jaw: gentle circles, a soft yawn stretch. Breathe low, exhale on pursed lips or a steady «s». Then low sirens and lip trills before slowly moving into your song range.
For rap or voice-over, run tongue twisters slowly, then faster. Ten to fifteen minutes is enough. You can finish while we dial your headphone mix. From Amstel metro, From Amstel metro (lines 51, 53, and 54) it is about a six-minute walk via Sarphatistraat. Tram 12 or 14 to Sarphatistraat stop, then one minute on foot toward Sarphatistraat 72. — treat that walk as quiet time instead of shouting on a call.
Food, allergies, and air
Eat something light about two hours before: fruit, soup, nuts. A heavy meal presses on your diaphragm; an empty stomach tires you faster. Hay fever peaks in Dutch spring and summer; take prescribed meds and tell us if you waited outside during high pollen.
Booth air is filtered and fairly dry. If you cough, sip water and breathe through your nose. Do not smoke right before entry; residue clings to clothes and microphones pick it up.
In the booth: distance, takes, breaks
Keep roughly a hand width between mouth and pop filter; step back slightly on loud choruses instead of pushing. Ask for monitor changes before chasing the «perfect» take — too loud in headphones makes you sing quietly, too quiet makes you strain.
We log takes and mark favourites as we go. Ask for breaks: ten minutes of silence and water beat twenty tired passes. Rates per hour or day are on vocal recording (from €98 per hour).
What we prepare for you
After your request we reply within 2 business days. Confirmation requires a 25% deposit on the session fee. We import your instrumental, set tempo and structure, and choose mics that suit your voice.
Session files stay on secure storage for 18 months, then per our privacy policy. If you move straight to mixing, read mix revision rounds so feedback stays focused.
Pre-session checklist
- Lyrics locked in; rehearsed at home where possible.
- Instrumental as WAV with sample rate and tempo noted.
- Water packed; light meal two hours ahead.
- Warm-up done; voice not spent shouting in the street.
- Route to Sarphatistraat 72 planned — Mon–Fri 09:30–21:30, Sat 10–17.
- If unwell: see a clinician and reschedule.
Unsure about length or packages? See FAQ or call 020 244 8619.
