Recording Studio Gold Coast Chicago | Musical Legacy & History
Recording Studio Gold Coast Chicago | Musical Legacy & History
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Professional recording, mixing, and mastering serving Gold Coast musicians.
Join over 1,000 Chicago artists who trust Untold Stories Recordings for personalized recording that resonates. Located nearby at 1007 West 19th Street, we serve Gold Coast’s vibrant music community with state-of-the-art equipment and expert engineering.
“In my free 15-minute call, I learned more about making a song than I had in years of recording”
-Alyssa Serena
At Untold Stories Recordings, we believe every great project starts with clarity. That’s why we offer a free 15-minute phone consultation—no pressure, no cost—just expert advice on your music, your goals, and how to bring your vision to life in the studio.
Whether you’re booking your first session or your fiftieth, this quick call will give you insight into the recording, mixing and mastering process, help you plan your project, and answer any questions you have.
Why Gold Coast Artists Choose Untold Stories Recordings
🎙️ Professional Sound Quality – Top-tier gear for polished audio.
Utilize top-tier equipment and industry-leading technology to achieve a polished and captivating sound that resonates with your audience.
Enjoy tailored sessions designed to reflect your unique artistic vision, ensuring your music is a true representation of your creativity.
Work alongside experienced audio engineers who are passionate about music and dedicated to helping you refine your sound and bring your ideas to life.
Immerse yourself in a supportive and inspiring environment that encourages artistic exploration and collaboration, making your recording sessions enjoyable and productive.
Access a full suite of services, including recording, mixing, and mastering, all under one roof for a seamless and efficient creative process.
Reviews From Untold Stories' Artists
An incredibly professional studio. Ian worked hand in hand with my band from recording to producing to mixing and mastering, and flawlessly understood our artistic vision. He was able to perfectly balance the delicate act of providing insights from his decades of experience, while simultaneously allowing us to take the reins and record our project how we envisioned it. An absolute privilege to work with him, highly recommend to anyone from veterans of the industry to brand new beginners.
There’s something truly special about seeing your songs come to life, especially at a studio such as this one where I feel truly at home and comfortable to be myself and express myself through music. Working with Ian, gave me so much motivation and reignited my passion towards making music. Many, many thanks to Untold Stories for being the safe space I needed to bring my vision to fruition.
A truly 10/10 studio that I'd strongly recommend to anyone needing studio time. Before even discussing the product, I want to highlight how awesome of a guy Ian (the owner and sound engineer) is...He's honest, kind, patient, and a joy to be around. When I initially reached out to him, I was nervous about visiting a professional studio, but he walked me through the process and gave me the knowledge and confidence to book a session and record some really great music. The studio itself is in a nice area that's easily accessible. Inside, the place is stocked with high-end equipment and great soundproofing/isolation. The gear - in tandem with Ian's creativity and expert musical sense (mixing/mastering) will have you making music that you're truly proud of. It's hard to put into words how awesome (and affordable) of an experience working with Ian is. My advice would be to book a session and see for yourself!
Untold Stories is the best. Everything you read in the reviews is true— trust your gut and book with Ian. He made arrangements for me on a tight timeline, he was professional and incredibly smart, super friendly, and a pleasure to work with!!
I had a game changing experience at Untold Stories (...great name btw!). I've been messing around with recording my own stuff from home for a few years, at an amateur level, but I came into the session with the mindset of trying to learn as much as possible about how to record properly. And I learned a bunch about what kind of equipment to invest in personally, how to produce tracks, tips on EQ settings and just generally how to work efficiently in a studio environment. As well as just having a blast the whole day, this genuinely upped my game for recording vocals, guitar and harmonica. I'd say Ian was the real star of the show though, as he created a very relaxed but professional vibe throughout the whole day, he really know's his stuff and even though I'm just starting out in the studio world, I guarantee he could record, mix or master for musicians at all levels. I felt like no time was wasted throughout the session and the cherry on top was that I finished the 8hr session with a completed track that I love! Highly recommend for any musical minstrels out there who are looking to lay down some quality tracks! 👌
I came all the way from Germany to record my album with Ian! Ive been to music studios all over the world and the customer service and quality from Untold Stories Recordings is the best i have ever experienced!
Working with Ian on Heaven in a Wildflower, my first audiobook, was a wonderful experience. His technical expertise was top-notch, but he also had the ability to be encouraging and patient as the narrator and I learned the process. This was a 60+ chapter book so a huge undertaking but everything went flawlessly. Highly recommend!
Why Gold Coast Musicians Trust Us
Gold Coast has been at the heart of Chicago’s music industry since Universal Recording Corporation pioneered revolutionary studio techniques on Walton Street in the 1950s, and that legacy of innovation and excellence continues today. Musicians from Gold Coast don’t settle for adequate—they demand the same level of professionalism and technical precision that defined the neighborhood’s historic studios. Whether you’re a jazz pianist recording with upright bass and horn arrangements, a singer-songwriter tracking sophisticated acoustic productions, or a narrator capturing professional audiobook work, you’ll find a studio that honors Gold Coast’s commitment to quality without the downtown overhead. Artists from this neighborhood understand what separates amateur recordings from professional ones—they’ve listened to the classic sessions recorded at Universal, they know what Ramsey Lewis achieved at Mister Kelly’s, and they expect that same level of craft today. As Chicago’s #1 rated recording studio on Google, Untold Stories delivers the technical expertise and attention to detail that Gold Coast artists require. Your session is about capturing nuance, emotion, and polish—the same standards that made Gold Coast a center of recording innovation decades ago.
Getting Here from Gold Coast
From Gold Coast, getting to our Pilsen studio at 1007 West 19th Street is remarkably quick—just 15-20 minutes depending on traffic and route. You can take Lake Shore Drive south to Roosevelt Road, head west to Halsted, then south to 19th Street. Alternatively, take Clark or LaSalle south through the Loop, pick up I-290 W briefly, exit at Damen, and head south into Pilsen. With Gold Coast’s central location just north of downtown, you have multiple route options that avoid highway congestion entirely. Street parking in Pilsen is completely free and abundant—no hunting for spots, no meters, no $30 garage fees like you’d pay recording downtown or in River North. If you prefer transit, the CTA Red Line from Clark/Division takes you to Roosevelt, where you can catch a quick rideshare west to Pilsen in about 5 minutes. Many Gold Coast artists appreciate the convenience: you’re close enough to schedule sessions during lunch breaks or after work, but far enough from the downtown chaos to actually focus on your music. The neighborhood shift from Gold Coast’s polished streets to Pilsen’s artistic energy often helps musicians transition mentally into creative mode. Plan to arrive right on time for your session, and you’ll find the entire experience focused on your music rather than logistical headaches.
What Makes Gold Coast Artists Unique
Musicians and voice actors from Gold Coast bring a level of sophistication and professionalism that reflects both the neighborhood’s history and its current character. Growing up in or living in a community that hosted Universal Recording’s innovations, Mister Kelly’s jazz nights, and decades of world-class performances creates artists who understand what professional execution sounds like. Gold Coast artists don’t show up hoping to stumble into good recordings—they arrive with material rehearsed to performance level, arrangements refined, and clear expectations for studio quality. We see jazz musicians tracking piano, bass, and horn sessions; singer-songwriters recording polished acoustic and vocal arrangements; adult contemporary artists developing sophisticated productions; classical crossover projects; and voice actors working on high-end audiobook and commercial narration from Gold Coast. Many are professionals who’ve built successful careers outside music and now have the resources and dedication to pursue their creative work at the highest level. What sets Gold Coast artists apart is their refusal to compromise—they’ve researched their options, they know the difference between competent and exceptional, and they choose Untold Stories because we deliver the precision and attention their projects demand. When you walk into our studio from Gold Coast, you’re working with an engineer who respects your standards, values your preparation, and is committed to delivering recordings that honor the Gold Coast tradition of musical excellence.
Location & Hours
1007 West 19th Street Chicago IL 60608
M-F 8am-8pm, Weekends 10am-7pm
Rates
-Recording is $50 per hour (Please Read Studio Usage Minimums).
-Mixing with Mastering starts at $300 per song. Please call for an estimate.
Studio Usage Minimums:
-Monday to Friday: If you are solely focused on recording and do not require mixing with mastering, the minimum booking duration for your recording session is four hours.
-Monday to Friday: If you are purchasing mixing with mastering at the end of your recording session, the minimum recording session is one hour.
-Saturday: Always a minimum four hour recording session, regardless of purchases of mixing with mastering.
Deposits And Booking
-Monday to Friday: $50 non-refundable deposit is required to secure/book time, covering the first hour of your session.
-Saturdays: $200 non-refundable deposit is required to secure/book time, covering the first four hours of your session.
-Deposits must be paid within 15 minutes of scheduling to secure your session. No exceptions.
-Failure to show results in deposit loss. No exceptions.
Timing and Payments:
-Sessions start at the confirmed arrival time. No exceptions.
-Please arrive no more than 5 minutes early. If unable to accommodate, you’ll need to wait outside.
-If purchasing, mixing with mastering is paid in full before it is started.
-Final master will be delivered in 5-15 business days.
-One free revision session is included after receiving the final master.
-Additional revisions are billed hourly and must be done at the studio.
-Payment methods: Cash, Paypal, Venmo, Cash App, and all major credit cards except Amex.
Gold Coast’s Musical Legacy
Gold Coast has been at the center of Chicago’s recording and live music history since the 1950s. Universal Recording Corporation on Walton Street became one of the most innovative studios in the country, where Bill Putnam Sr. pioneered artificial reverb chambers, 8-track recording, and delay line technology. Blues legends Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf recorded their groundbreaking electric blues sessions at Universal, capturing the raw power that defined Chicago blues. On Rush Street, Mister Kelly’s became the premier jazz venue where Ramsey Lewis and his piano trio performed night after night in intimate settings. By the late 1960s, Mother’s on Division Street was hosting major rock acts like Cream, The Velvet Underground, and local favorites Chicago and The Buckinghams. The Gold Coast’s musical legacy spans from revolutionary recording technology to unforgettable live performances.