Making a Song PT. 2: Producing
Welcome to Untold Stories Recordings, the top recording studio in Chicago for musicians. Here, we’re dedicated to making your music truly shine. Our four-step process covers everything you need—recording, producing, mixing, and mastering—so your songs sound their best.
Today, we want to focus on the second step: producing. This is where your ideas transform into a polished track. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been in the game for a while, we’re here to support your vision. Let’s work together to shape your sound and bring your music to life!
Welcome to Untold Stories Recordings!
I’m proud to be your go-to recording studio in Chicago, helping musicians like you bring their music to life. Here, I guide you through four essential steps: recording, producing and mixing with mastering. Today, let’s focus on the second step: producing.
This is where your ideas take shape and transform into a polished track. Whether you’re new to music or have years of experience, I’m here to help you develop your sound and bring your vision to life.
Understanding Studio Roles
In the studio, different roles play a part in shaping your music. As your audio engineer, I make sure every element of your track is captured clearly and sounds professional.
But producing is where the creativity happens. In this phase, you step into the producer’s shoes, making key artistic decisions that define your track. It’s your chance to take control and make your music truly yours.
Creative Decisions in Producing
This is the exciting part—shaping your sound. Want the perfect distortion on your guitar? Maybe some reverb or delay to enhance your vocals? Or perhaps you’re ready to get experimental with vocal chops, DJ scratches, or blending unique effects with the beat.
Producing gives you complete creative control. It’s your chance to shape your track exactly how you envision it, without needing to credit anyone else as a producer. While I’m here to guide you, you’re the director of your song. You share your vision for every part of your song, and I bring your ideas for effects to life. For simpler songs, production might take just 30 minutes, but for more intricate ideas, it could take a full day—it all depends on your vision and how you want to shape your sound. Because you’re leading this process and making all the creative decisions, you completely own your song when we’re done. You’re not just participating—you’re authoring it.
The Transition to Mixing
Once we wrap up producing, you’ll get a rough draft of your track before we move into the mixing phase. It’s important to note that producing and mixing are separate parts of the process.
Beware of studios that claim to mix your music in just 20 minutes after producing. A quick fix might sound good in the studio, but it won’t hold up on other sound systems. I take the time to ensure your track sounds great everywhere.
Looking Ahead
For the next article in this series, I’ll dive into the art of mixing and how it takes your track to the next level.
If you have questions or are ready to start producing your music at Untold Stories Recordings, reach out anytime. I’m here to help you shape your sound in my top-notch Chicago studio.
