Why Loop Musicians Trust Us

The Loop pulses with energy—commuters, professionals, students, and artists all converging in Chicago’s downtown core. But when it comes to recording music, Loop musicians consistently leave downtown and head southwest to Pilsen. Why? Because great recording studios aren’t chosen by proximity to your office or apartment—they’re chosen by the quality of the work and the environment they create. Musicians living or working in the Loop don’t need another sterile, corporate space. They’re looking for a creative refuge where they can focus entirely on their music without the distractions and intensity of downtown life. Whether you’re a professional pursuing music as a serious creative outlet, a singer-songwriter finally ready to record the songs you’ve been writing between meetings, or a voice actor building your audiobook portfolio, Untold Stories offers something downtown studios can’t: personalized attention, unhurried sessions, and an engineer who treats your project like it matters. As Chicago’s #1 rated recording studio on Google, we’ve built our reputation on results, not location hype. Loop artists choose us because we deliver professional sound in a neighborhood setting that actually feels creative and collaborative rather than transactional and rushed.

Getting Here from the Loop

From the Loop, getting to our Pilsen studio at 1007 West 19th Street is remarkably simple—you’re looking at 10-15 minutes by transit or car. If you’re taking the CTA, the Pink Line runs directly from the Loop (Washington/Wells, Quincy, or LaSalle stations) to 18th Street in Pilsen—about 8 minutes on the train, then a five-minute walk east to 1007 West 19th Street. The Blue Line (from Clark/Lake or Jackson) connects to the Pink Line at Clinton, or you can take it to UIC-Halsted and walk 10 minutes south. If you’re driving, take I-290 W or simply head south on Halsted or Ashland and west on 18th Street. Street parking in Pilsen is free and abundant—no meters, no garages, no circling for 20 minutes like you would downtown. Many Loop-based artists appreciate the mental shift that comes with leaving the skyscrapers and corporate atmosphere behind. By the time you walk into the studio, you’ve transitioned from work mode to creative mode. The neighborhood feels different—murals, local character, artistic energy—and that shift in environment often translates into better, more authentic performances. Plan to arrive right on time for your session, and you’ll find the journey effortless and the setting far more conducive to creativity than anything downtown could offer.

What Makes Loop Musicians Unique

Musicians from the Loop tend to be highly organized and value efficiency without sacrificing quality. These are often busy professionals—attorneys, consultants, finance workers, graduate students—who’ve carved out time in demanding schedules to pursue their creative passions. Loop artists don’t waste studio time. They show up with songs rehearsed, lyrics finalized, and a clear vision for what they want to accomplish. They understand that recording requires focus and preparation, and they respect the process enough to come ready to work. We see a diverse range of projects from Loop musicians: singer-songwriter material, indie pop, folk, R&B, spoken word, and a growing number of audiobook and podcast voiceover projects. What sets Loop artists apart is their ability to compartmentalize—they’ve left the work stress at the office and arrived ready to immerse themselves completely in their music. They value clear communication, realistic timelines, and honest feedback from an engineer who knows the craft. Loop musicians choose Untold Stories because we match their professionalism and work ethic while providing the creative space and flexibility that downtown studios—often overbooked and assembly-line in approach—simply can’t deliver. When you walk into our Pilsen studio from the Loop, you’re not just changing neighborhoods—you’re stepping into an environment designed entirely around your creative vision, where the only thing that matters for the next few hours is capturing your sound exactly the way you’ve imagined it.