How to Find a Recording Studio for Your Audiobook in Chicago

You’ve written the book. Now you need to record it. Finding the right studio isn’t complicated, but there are a few things that matter specifically for audiobooks — and a lot of music studios aren’t set up for them. Here’s how to find the right fit.

Audiobook Studios vs. Music Studios: Why It Matters

Most recording studios are built for music. That’s fine for bands and singers, but audiobook recording has different requirements:

• Voice-only recording — no instruments, no backing tracks, just your voice in a quiet room
• ACX/platform compliance — your files need to meet specific loudness and noise floor standards for Audible, ACX, and other platforms
• Long-form session structure — recording a full book takes multiple sessions across days or weeks; the studio needs to be comfortable for extended voice work
• Clean editing workflow — audiobook files need to be edit-ready, not mixed and processed like a music track

A studio that primarily records bands may not have experience with ACX submission requirements, may not have an optimized workflow for chapter-by-chapter recording, and may not be set up for the kind of long-form sessions audiobooks require.

Look for a studio that actively records both music and audiobooks — one with a proven audiobook workflow, not one that just tolerates it as a side job. Studios experienced in both understand the difference and have adapted their process accordingly.

What to Look for in an Audiobook Recording Studio

1. Acoustically Treated, Soundproofed Booth

This is non-negotiable. Outside noise — street traffic, HVAC, footsteps — ruins audiobook recordings. A properly treated booth eliminates room reverb and captures your voice cleanly.

Ask the studio: “Is the recording booth soundproofed and acoustically treated?” If they’re vague, that’s a red flag.

2. Quality Microphone for Voice

The microphone matters more for audiobooks than almost any other variable. Industry-standard options for voice recording include the Neumann U87 and similar large-diaphragm condenser mics. Budget microphones produce budget-sounding audiobooks.

At Untold Stories Recordings in Chicago, recordings are captured through a Neumann U87 into a custom Neve 1073 setup with 6–9 bands of EQ, two flavors of 1176 compressor to catch peaks, and a 2A compressor for glue — all-analog hardware that produces a warmth and clarity digital processing can’t replicate.

3. ACX Knowledge and Platform Compliance

If you’re publishing to Audible or ACX, your files must meet specific technical standards:

• Loudness: -18 to -23 LUFS RMS
• Noise floor: -60 dB RMS or lower
• Peak levels: no higher than -3 dB

Ask the studio: “Are you familiar with ACX technical requirements?” A studio that records audiobooks regularly will know these standards cold.

4. A Clear Editing and Mastering Workflow

How does the studio handle mistakes during recording? What does the editing pass look like? What’s the mastering process?

A good audiobook studio should have a defined workflow — not a vague “we’ll figure it out” approach. At Untold Stories, every session follows a two-step process: record the full chapter, then play back and punch in corrections. This produces clean, edit-ready files every time.

5. Experience With Audiobook Projects

Ask how many audiobooks the studio has recorded. Ask if they’ve successfully submitted files to ACX or Audible. A studio with a track record of audiobook projects — not just a willingness to try — is a meaningfully different experience.

6. Reviews From Audiobook Clients

General recording studio reviews are useful, but audiobook-specific reviews tell you more. Look for mentions of voice recording, narration, ACX, authors, or the studio’s patience with first-time narrators.

Questions to Ask Before Booking

Before you commit a deposit, ask these:

• Do you have experience with ACX/audiobook platform submissions?
• What microphone and preamp are you using for voice recording?
• What’s your workflow for handling mistakes during recording?
• Do you offer mastering for audiobooks, and what does it include?
• What’s your turnaround time for mastered files?
• What happens if my files are rejected by the platform?

A studio confident in their audiobook work will answer these without hesitation.

Red Flags to Watch For

• No mention of ACX or audiobook platforms on their website
• No soundproofed booth — recording in an open room with acoustic panels is not the same
• Vague pricing — “we’ll quote you after the session” is a problem for budget planning
• No mastering service — you’ll have to coordinate a separate engineer, adding time and cost
• Music-only reviews — if every review mentions bands and albums, they may not have audiobook experience

Finding Studios in Chicago

Chicago has a strong music recording scene, but fewer studios specialize in audiobook and voice work. When searching, use specific terms:

• “Audiobook recording studio Chicago”
• “Narrator studio Chicago”
• “ACX recording studio Chicago”
• “Voice recording studio Chicago”

Check Google reviews carefully — look for reviews that specifically mention audiobooks, narration, or authors. A studio with 185+ five-star reviews and audiobook-specific mentions has a documented track record, not just good intentions.

Why Chicago Authors and Narrators Choose Untold Stories

Untold Stories Recordings is located in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood at 1007 West 19th Street. The studio records both music and audiobooks — with the same professional signal chain and the same standard of quality for both.

Services include:

• Audiobook recording: $45/hour, 4-hour minimum
• Audiobook mastering: $150 per finished hour (recording clients only)
• Music recording, mixing, and mastering
• ACX compliance verification and unlimited technical revisions
• One-stop recording and mastering — no need to coordinate separate services

With 185+ five-star Google reviews and experience working with authors publishing on ACX, Audible, and independent platforms, Untold Stories has guided first-time narrators and seasoned authors through the full process.

Start with a free 15-minute consultation — a chance to talk through your project, ask questions, and find out if the studio is the right fit before you book.

Call (872) 444-6316 or reach out online.