Vocal recording

Two booths, one clear focus

Nocentcetra runs 4 rooms in Margareten, including 2 iso booths for sung and spoken voice. Booths are separated from the live room so drums or amps can run in parallel while you record leads. Glass to the control room keeps eye contact with the engineer — useful for timing feedback and decisions between takes.

For vocal-only days we usually use the tighter booth; for louder rock or rap we may switch to the second booth when more distance and a dynamic mic help. Both are covered by €105 per hour (incl. 20% VAT) with engineer — not as a hidden extra.

Microphone and signal path

Several paths are available at the input: large-diaphragm condensers for detail and air, dynamic mics for loud or close takes, each through preamps and the 24-channel desk into the control room. At the start we listen to two setups — not as a demo, but to spot sibilance, nasality or room build-up early.

Pop filter, stand and cables are ready. Bring your own in-ears if you rely on them; otherwise 6 headphone sets are on hand. The engineer adjusts the monitor mix: more backing, less click, a touch of reverb in the cans only if you need it to perform — not as a printed effect on the recording.

How a typical session runs

After check-in we clarify: which sections are must-haves, where ad-libs go, any tempo or key changes. Warm-up takes often use a lower backing level. When you feel settled acoustically, we move to keeper passes. Between takes we mark which lines are already strong — that saves comping time later.

For backing vocals we work in layers: chorus doubles, harmonies on separate tracks, optional ad-lib track. Everything is named consistently (e.g. bv_ref_L, bv_harm_3rd) so Mixing or an external mixer can continue without guesswork. Spoken word and narration get a little more headroom and less compression on the way — speech needs transients.

What to bring

Ideal: backing as WAV without the old guide vocal, plus tempo and key. If you export from a DAW, send relevant stems or at least drums, bass and harmony separately. Lyrics on paper or tablet, water for the booth, and two reference tracks for vocal tone — not to copy, but to aim direction.

See Prepare your voice for warm-up and lifestyle tips. Technically, a USB stick or cloud link ahead of time via email saves setup minutes on site. Minimum age 16; younger guests only by arrangement with guardians per Terms and conditions.

Delivery, formats and archive

Default is 24-bit / 48 kHz; other sample rates by agreement if your project requires it. You receive vocal WAVs aligned from song start, plus an optional rough mix to take home. Handover by download link or your drive — whichever is practical.

We keep session raw data for 18 months, then delete per Privacy policy. That does not replace your own backups. Mixing or Mastering with us can follow the exported tracks — mention the planned workflow when you book.

Pricing and booking

Studio time is billed for actual occupancy — including reasonable setup, not minute-by-minute nickel-and-diming. Half day €369 covers four hours and suits EP vocals or several songs with comping at the end. Single hours €105 work for focused retakes or short features.

Firm dates need a 30% deposit; free cancellation up to 5 days before the session per Terms. Questions: Contact or 01 545 08 23. Hours: Monday–Friday 10:00–20:00, Saturday 10:00–16:00; closed Sunday. Evening sessions by appointment.. Directions: U4 Pilgramgasse station (about 4 minutes on foot). Bus 13A stop Schönbrunner Straße / Mittersteig. From Wien Hauptbahnhof take U4 towards Hütteldorf to Pilgramgasse.

What is not included

The hourly rate covers engineer, room, mics and basic export of recorded tracks. Not included: heavy vocal editing beyond simple comping, time-aligning to external beats, stylised pitch correction, mixing, mastering or full production — see Mixing and Mastering for separate pricing.

Guest musicians, featured singers or translators are your side or a separate booking. We do not build instrumentals from scratch during a vocal slot unless that was agreed upfront — so the session stays focused and you know the cost in advance.

After the session

Many clients leave with raw tracks for their own producer; others book mixing in the following weeks. If you send material for Mixing, keep file names and add a short note on level and references. For release planning, Master delivery formats is useful even if mastering comes later.

Studio workflow, payment and rights: FAQ and Terms. Nocentcetra has operated in Vienna since 2019; Stefan Hofer leads the company alongside engineers Maria Kovacs and Lukas Brenner — vocal sessions are usually handled by a recording engineer on the team.

Included

• Recording engineer for booked time
• Iso booth with prepared mic chain
• Personal headphone mix
• Naming and organisation of vocal tracks
• Basic comping of marked best takes
• WAV export on session day
• Session archive for 18 months