Recording studio · Amsterdam Oost
Record the way you actually sound, in Amsterdam
Vocals, voice-over, full bands, mixing and mastering under one roof on the Wibautstraat. Three treated rooms, a permanent team of three engineers and rates you know before you book.
A studio built for focused work
Variatesystems has been an independent recording studio in Amsterdam since 2019. Singers, rappers, voice actors, podcasters and bands record here, and most of them want the same thing: a recording that sounds like them, with the technology staying out of the way.
Every session starts with a short conversation about your goal, the reference tracks you have in mind and the time available. You then receive a plan and a price. The session is only locked in once you agree and the deposit has arrived.
You work with the same people from start to finish. The engineer who records you knows what the mix needs, and mastering happens one door down the corridor.
- 3acoustically treated rooms: live room, vocal booth and control room
- 42 m²live room where a band can play together
- 28microphones to choose from, matched to your voice or instrument
- 6musicians at once in the live room, each with their own headphone mix
Services
What we do
Four services that connect naturally. Each service page explains how a session runs, what is included, what it costs and the questions people ask most.
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CH01
Vocal and voice recordingRecord vocals, voice-over or rap in a treated booth with an engineer at the desk.
€75per hour, engineer included
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CH02
Band and live recordingTrack a full band together in the live room, each instrument on its own channels.
€495per 8-hour day
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CH03
MixingYour recorded tracks shaped into a balanced mix, with revision rounds included.
€220per track
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CH04
MasteringFinal processing for streaming, vinyl or CD, with a master for each format.
€65per track
How it works
From first message to recording in four steps
- 00:10:00
Your request
Use the form, phone or email to tell us what you want to record and which dates suit you.
- 00:20:00
Plan and quote
Within 2 working days you receive a proposed date and a quote listing every cost.
- 00:30:00
Confirmation
Once you agree, a 30% deposit secures the session. The minimum booking is 2 hours.
- 00:40:00
Session day
You take your files home or get a download link. We keep the session for 12 months in case you want to add to it later.
Three rooms designed for playing and honest listening
The 42 m² live room fits a full band. The 9 m² vocal booth is dry enough for voice-over and warm enough for singing. In the control room you hear exactly what lands on the tracks, so decisions can be made during the session rather than afterwards.
We are at Wibautstraat 164 in Amsterdam Oost, a few minutes on foot from Wibautstraat metro station. The studio runs by appointment only, so your session never spills into somebody else's.
- A window between control room and live room so everyone can see each other
- A separate headphone mix for every musician
- 2 revision rounds included with every mix
- Sessions archived for 12 months
Rates
Rates you can check in advance
An hour of vocal or voice recording costs €75 with an engineer. A full band day costs €495. Every rate, with and without VAT, is listed on the Services page.
- Vocal and voice recording€75per hour, engineer included
- Band and live recording€495per 8-hour day
- Mixing€220per track
- Mastering€65per track
Prices include 21% Dutch VAT. A 30% deposit is due on booking and deducted from your final invoice. Payment and cancellation rules are in our terms and conditions and on the services and rates page.
Oost · Amsterdam
Wibautstraat 1641091 GR Amsterdam
Wibautstraat metro station (lines 51, 53 and 54) is about a three-minute walk away, roughly ten minutes by metro from Amsterdam Centraal. Bikes can go in the racks in front of the building; street parking is paid and limited.
Guides
From our guides
Practical reading on preparing a vocal session, budgeting a band recording, delivering tracks for a mix and mastering for streaming.
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Preparing your vocal session in five stepsBooth time is billed by the hour. If the lyrics, the key and the files are sorted at home, those hours go into singing. Here is how to get there.
Read on -
A realistic budget for your band recordingA band recording has three cost lines: tracking, mixing and mastering. Work them out per song before you start and you will not run dry halfway through the EP.
Read on -
Delivering tracks for a mix without the hassleEvery mix starts with a folder of files. When it is complete and logical, the time goes into the sound. When it is messy, it goes into detective work. Here is how to get it right.
Read on
FAQ
Quick answers before you come in
What people usually want to know before their first visit to the studio.
How do I book a session?
Send a request through the contact form, call 020 846 3172 or email [email protected]. You get a proposal within 2 working days. The session is confirmed once you accept and pay the 30% deposit.
What is the shortest session I can book?
Sessions run for at least 2 hours. For longer vocal work, a 4-hour block at €260 usually works out cheaper than separate hours.
What if I need to cancel?
Up to 7 days before the session you can cancel or move it free of charge. After that we charge 50% of the booked amount. See the terms and conditions for details.
Do your prices include VAT?
Yes, every amount shown includes 21% VAT. The services page also lists the amounts excluding VAT, which is handy for business clients.
Can I book mixing or mastering only?
Of course. Send us your tracks and we take it from there. Our guide on delivering tracks for mixing explains how to prepare them.
Recording in Amsterdam?
Tell us what you want to record
Send a short description of your project. Within 2 working days you get a proposed date and a written quote, with no obligation.