
No matter whether you're capturing audio for a true crime podcast, a TV commercial voice over, a debut album, or anything else, finding the best recording studios is crucial to the success of your project. And if you're searching for the best recording studios in Chicago, you've come to the right place. Chicago, after all, has a live music scene second to none. The city played a big part in shaping the industry and today, there are innumerable recording studios to be had.
From the control room to the recording booths and even the rehearsal and office spaces, we've got a range of professional, practical, and inspiring recording studios to help make your next project a winner. There are options to suit all budgets, too, plus locations in downtown Chicago and across the city, so download the Giggster app for free now and start searching for your perfect studio space. From green screen spaces to podcast rooms, your production will get off on the right foot in The Windy City.
Gravity Studios, Classick Studios, Smash Studios—the windy city is home to a host of top recording studios. But for a unique range of affordable music and recording studios, look to the Giggster app for help bringing your next audio recording project, whatever it may be, to life.
From rock to hip-hop, jazz to classical, there are Chicago recording studios to suit all genres. And when you're recording music in a special space like Natural Light Photography Studio in West Town, you're bound to feel inspired.
One of the keys to the success of any podcast is professional recording quality, so look for a studio with excellent soundproofing and high-end audio recording gear to make your episodes stand out.
Need help finessing your own distinctive sound? The best recording studios in Chicago can pair you up with top audio engineers to man the control room and capture your unique noise perfectly.
Filming a music video? Including some shots from the recording studio offers a real sense of the artist's talent.
Exceptional Variety & Quality: With 268 recording studios in Chicago to choose from, there are myriad possibilities for your next creative project. Each venue is as practical as it is inspiring, encouraging creative collaboration between artists, musicians, vocalists, producers, and audio engineers alike.
Hassle-Free Booking: It's wonderfully easy to book recording studios with Giggster. Just use the search filters to find properties that tick all the boxes, check prices and venue details upfront, and get in touch with the studio owner directly if you need any extra details.
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: If your plans change, it won't cost you big time, thanks to our free cancellation policy. Please note that you'll need to cancel in the first 24 hours after confirming your booking, and the booking must be made at least 48 hours prior to the event date.
Platform Protections: With optional damage, liability, and cancellation insurance all available, you can enjoy extra peace of mind when booking a space.
From the Smashing Pumpkins to Bon Jovi, a host of iconic bands have recorded memorable albums and concerts in Chicago. But there's a huge range of different ways you can use a studio space, so here are some of the options worth considering for your next event.
Jam Sessions – Creative Collab. When you get a room full of talented musicians together, each brings their own sound to the jam session and helps to create something greater than the sum of their parts.
Podcasts – Awesome Audio. From true crime to great sports moments, press "Play" on the next ep of your podcast in a well-equipped podcast studio.
Voice Overs – Professional Polish. Record high-quality voice overs for TV commercials and corporate videos in a Chicago recording studio.
Music Videos – Performance Space. Bring authenticity and integrity to your music video by filming the artist laying down the track in a private studio space.
Interviews – Question Time. When you're interviewing a celebrity for a radio show or podcast, a professional recording space offers everything you need to capture a high-quality audio recording.
Look for the following features when searching for the best recording studios in Chicago.
What equipment do you need? The best studio offers everything you need to create the sound you want. That could include spacious recording rooms, a state-of-the-art control room, expert engineers, and even comfortable seating.
How much space do you need and where? Do you need a booth to accommodate a single artist or a whole band? You'll also need to look for a windy city studio that's conveniently located and easily accessible.
How much are you willing to spend? Affordable rates are essential for any recording studio in Chicago. Use the price filter on the Giggster app to limit your property results to recording studios that suit your budget.
Recording studios in Chicago offer an abundance of creative possibilities for pop, hip-hop, rock, and more, but there are also a few reasons why you might want to consider other options for your project.
Advantages
There's a huge range of professional recording spaces to choose from in Chicago, plus plenty of humbler home and boutique studios.
Chicago's thriving music scene means it's easy to find talented musicians and creative professionals to work on your project.
A professional recording space can add polish and quality to any audio recording.
Disadvantages
There's lots of demand for the best recording studios in Chicago, so you might not get the studio you want if you don't book early.
Top recording studios in Chicago often come with expensive price tags, so you may need to increase your budget.
You'll need to consider traffic congestion and parking hassles when booking a downtown studio.
From the first chord to mastering, mixing, and post production, there's a lot that goes into producing a high-quality recording. Here's a rough guide to the course you need to follow to help ensure a successful session.
Make a Plan – Start by making a plan for your recording session. What are you recording, why, and what sort of sound or vibe are you going for? Make sure your audio engineer is on the same page about what you have planned.
Set Your Budget – Work out how much you can realistically afford to spend on your recording, and tally up all your expenses to make sure you're on target to come in under budget.
Book a Studio – Compare recording studios to find a venue equipped with everything you need. Whatever key features you're searching for in a music studio—wood floors, free wifi, comfortable seating, expert engineers on-site, a lake view, experience working with national artists, top-level mixing and mastering equipment, two rooms for recording, a state-of-the-art control room, or anything else—shop around to find your perfect spot.
Choose Your Crew – You'll need a team of talented professionals if you're going to make your production a success, so hire any musicians, vocalists, audio engineers, or anyone else you need to produce a sound that's out of this world.
Organize Extra Equipment – If you need extra instruments, microphones, amplifiers, or lighting for your recording, hire the necessary AV gear now.
Top recording studios often don't come cheap, so use these tips to help stick to your budget when recording music.
Shop around.
No matter what you're buying, it always pays to shop around for the best deal. Compare multiple recording studios in Chicago based on the services they offer and their price to make sure you're getting good value for money.
Don't over-cater.
A high-end music studio with all the bells and whistles might sound great in theory, but is it really a good fit for your low-budget indie project? Be realistic about the key features and equipment you need in a Chicago recording studio—this will help you avoid spending money on things you don't need.
Make a plan.
Before you head into any recording booths, speak to your audio engineer about the sound you want to create and your approach to recording. This will help ensure a smooth and efficient recording process when the music starts.
If you're ready to take your next project to the next level, download the Giggster app today and start searching for the best recording studios in Chicago. Whether it's a creative loft or a full service recording studio, we have the best spaces for your production plans.