Live ensemble recording
One room, one groove: the band plays as a unit while we place mics, keep levels stable and label every take for the mix stage.
Many songs breathe through the push-and-pull between drummer, bassist and keys in the same moment. Our 42 m² live room captures that interaction without locking everyone behind screens. Amps sit behind gobos in an iso space, drums stay central and the engineer remains visible through the glass to the control room.
At Mormonyra in Amsterdam we work with bands, duos and session players who need a solid multitrack for mix production or their own export. You book by the hour or a day block; the engineer is included in the hourly rate. Prep, routing and file management are part of the session so you are not guessing which take belongs where afterwards.
Process
- 01
Intake
Send a set list, tempos and a rough demo. We discuss staging, which gear you bring and whether overdubs are on the plan.
- 02
Setup
Mics are placed and tested, DIs checked and a cue mix built. Allow thirty to sixty minutes before the first take.
- 03
Tracking
We capture several full passes per song plus isolated punches where needed. The engineer logs take numbers and tempo drift.
- 04
Wrap
The session is exported or archived safely. You receive a download link within a few working days; raw data stays 24 months on file.
Live room and iso spaces
The live room is about 42 square metres, one of 3 rooms at Haarlemmerweg 178. Height and diffusion give drums air without an empty sound. Two iso booths (2) hold amps, extra percussion or a vocal you want to capture after the band pass.
The desk offers 32 inputs—enough headroom for close mics, overheads, room mics and DI lines at once. Roughly 26 microphones are on hand, from dynamic workhorses to condensers for acoustic guitars. Which model goes where depends on the arrangement; our mic choice guide explains how we align that with you beforehand.
Typical day layout
A studio day works best when predictable. The table below is a guide for a four- or five-piece; we adapt if you have fewer songs or want extra overdubs.
| Phase | Duration | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Load-in and soundcheck | 60–90 min | Placement, cue mix, level check |
| Tracking block 1 | 2.5 h | 3–4 complete songs |
| Break | 30 min | Rest for ears and voices |
| Tracking block 2 | 2.5 h | Remainder of set or alternates |
| Overdubs / exports | 60 min | Punches, extra guitars, first export |
Shorter bookings follow the same idea: setup first, then focused takes. Tell us how many songs are realistic—three strong passes beat six rushed ones.
Who this is for
Indie bands tracking an EP live, funk combos with tight groove, jazz trios preferring one take per standard, and singer-songwriters with a full backing band all fit the room. Producers hiring a session band who want to listen from the control area are welcome—the house engineer stays responsible for tech and file naming.
The service targets instrumental and vocal captures where the group plays together. Pure vocal work and table dialogue belong under vocal recording and podcast and dialogue recording. Minimum age in the studio is 16; younger musicians only by arrangement with parental consent.
What to bring and prepare
Arrive with tuned instruments, spare strings, sticks and tape. At least two days ahead, send a demo or click per song plus tempo and structure (intro, verse, bridge). Backing tracks should be WAV at session tempo.
- Set list with priority: which songs must land today
- Who plays what and which amps you carry in
- One decision-maker for take calls in larger ensembles
- Your own in-ears if you prefer; we provide a basic cue via headphone splits
New to studio time? Session budget tips apply to live days too—setup consumes hours, and that is not wasted time.
Engineer and workflow
Every live date is led by a recording engineer; with Live ensemble recording the rate includes the engineer, unlike bare room hire. Eva Bos and colleagues routinely track live dates; they flag when a take is technically clean without overriding your artistic calls.
During recording we keep consistent track names (for example DRUM_KICK, BASS_DI) so mix engineers are not guessing later. Where possible we print a stereo reference mix per song for home checks—that is not a final mix, only a sanity check.
Delivery and formats
Default delivery is 24-bit WAV at 48 kHz, one file per track from session start (bar 1 or agreed downbeat). On request we export at 96 kHz or hand over a Pro Tools / Logic session folder—confirm before the day so we reserve time in the schedule.
Download links stay active for several weeks; copy files to your own storage. Session archive on our servers remains 24 months for re-download with a small admin fee if you need assets later. See terms and conditions for ownership details.
Rates, VAT and booking
Listed prices include 21% VAT. Hourly rate is €125; an eight-hour day block is €920. Net for business invoicing: €103.31 per hour and €760.33 per day. Extra time beyond the booked block is billed in half-hour steps after agreement.
Book via contact with a 30% deposit on the planned total. Free cancellation up to 7 days before the session; closer dates follow our terms. We usually reply to quotes within 2 working days.
Not included
Mix production, mastering, arranging, hiring extra session players, transcribing charts, instrument repair and video capture sit outside Live ensemble recording. If you want stems mixed on site, book separate time—stem export guidelines help you prepare.
Re-tracking an entire day is a new booking, not a “revision round” like mastering. Within the same day we can punch fixes while time and disk space allow.
Getting here and hours
Mormonyra is in Westerpark at Haarlemmerweg 178, 1051 CV Amsterdam. Tram 3 stops at Marnixstraat; from there it is about a 4-minute walk west along Haarlemmerweg to number 178. From Amsterdam Centraal it is roughly a 10-minute walk via Haarlemmerdijk and Haarlemmerweg. Opening hours: Monday–Friday 09:30–18:30, Saturday by appointment. Closed on Sunday.. Live days usually start between 10:00 and 11:00 so load-in and soundcheck stay calm; other times by arrangement.
Questions about capacity, parking or a walk-through for the band? Call 020 808 4193 or email [email protected]. More answers on FAQ and the services overview.
Included
- Recording engineer during booked hours
- Mic and DI setup for a standard rock/pop line-up
- Cue mix to headphones
- Labelled multitrack takes in session
- Stereo reference mix per song (indicative)
- Download link to WAV stems
- 24-month server archive
FAQ
How many players fit at once in the live room?
Four to six musicians including drums is typical. Larger ensembles need a tailored mic plan—send your lineup beforehand and we check spacing and audibility.
Can I bring my own engineer?
By arrangement, provided our house engineer stays for routing and safety. The base rate stays the same—mention it when booking.
Can we overdub vocals the same day?
Yes if time remains after band takes or with a shorter set list. Iso booths are available; heavy vocal sessions fit better as a separate vocal recording booking.
What if a member is ill?
Tell us as soon as you can. Within 7 days we move the date at no charge; closer to the day we see whether partial sessions or punches still make sense.
Do you deliver tempo maps for the DAW?
If you used a click, we export a tempo track or marker list. Without click we only supply start times per take; building a tempo map is outside the standard live service.
Other services
Vocal recording
Lead, doubles and ad-libs in an iso booth with an engineer, cue mix and room for multiple takes.
€95per hour
Mix production
From multitrack to stereo mix; on site or from delivered session files with a clear track list.
€185per track (offline)
Mastering
Final polish for streaming and download; one revision round and export in common formats.
€72per track
Podcast and dialogue recording
Two to four speakers on table or broadcast mics, basic editing and delivery as WAV or MP3.
€78per hour
Recording in Amsterdam?
Tell us about your session
Briefly describe your project and dates: within 2 working days you receive a slot proposal and a written quote, no obligation.