How Much Does Recording Studio Time Cost in Chicago?

If you’re a musician in Chicago getting ready to record, cost is usually in our first conversation. The answer: recording starts at $45 per hour with a 4-hour minimum, but your total cost depends on whether you’re recording only or also mixing and mastering. Here’s the full breakdown.

Recording Rates in Chicago

At Untold Stories Recordings, studio time is:

• $45 per hour
• 4-hour minimum for recording-only sessions
• That means your first session starts at $180

The 4-hour minimum exists because productive recording sessions take time — setup, mic placement, warmup takes, layering, and playback all add up. Most musicians find that 4 hours goes faster than expected.

Saturday sessions always carry a 4-hour minimum regardless of what services you’re purchasing.

What If You’re Adding Mixing and Mastering?

If you’re purchasing mixing with mastering, the session minimum is more flexible Monday–Friday — but in practice, even the simplest songs take 2–4 hours to record properly. Setup, mic placement, warmup takes, and playback all factor in. Most musicians book at least a half day regardless.

Saturday sessions always carry a 4-hour minimum.

Mixing with Mastering Rates

At Untold Stories, mixing and mastering are bundled — no separate mastering fee:

• Multitrack sessions: Starting at $250 per song

Mixing begins after your session. Your engineer dedicates 5–15 business days to the mix — balancing levels, EQ, stereo imaging, and dynamics so your track sounds professional on any system, from earbuds to car speakers.

Mastering is included at no extra charge. If you prefer to take the mix to your own mastering engineer, that’s fine too — you’ll receive the mix plus your engineer’s version of the master.

One free revision session is included after delivery. Additional revisions are billed hourly.

What a Typical Session Costs

Recording only (4-hour minimum):

• 4 hours: $180
• 6 hours: $270
• 8 hours: $360

Recording + mixing with mastering (multitrack):

• 2–4 hour recording session: $90–$180
• Mixing with mastering: $250+
• Total starting at: $340 per song

What’s Included in a Session

Not all studios are equal. At Untold Stories, every session includes:

• Acoustically treated, soundproofed booth — no outside noise, no room bleed
• Premium microphone selection — Neumann U87 for vocals and primary sources; Neumann KM 184 matched stereo pair for instruments and acoustic recording — the same microphones used on major label records
• All-analog hardware signal chain — custom Neve 1073 setup with 6–9 bands of EQ, two flavors of 1176 compressor for peak control, and a 2A compressor for glue — warmth and presence that digital processing can’t replicate
• Producing step included — after recording, you take the producer’s seat and guide the artistic decisions while your engineer handles the technical execution
• Full creative ownership — your music stays yours

The Full Process: Recording to Released

At Untold Stories, the process runs in three steps:

Step 1 — Recording: Capture your vocals, instruments, or full band performance with premium analog gear. Multiple takes, layered for richness.

Step 2 — Producing: Shape the sound — effects, tone, texture. You direct, your engineer executes. Can take 30 minutes for simple tracks or a full day for complex arrangements.

Step 3 — Mixing with Mastering: Your engineer spends 5–15 business days on the mix and master. Delivered ready for streaming, release, or distribution.

Deposits and Booking

• Monday–Friday sessions: $45 non-refundable deposit secures your booking, covers the first hour
• Saturday sessions: $180 non-refundable deposit covers the 4-hour minimum
• Deposits must be paid within 15 minutes of scheduling — no exceptions
• Sessions start at your confirmed arrival time — arrive no more than 5 minutes early

Payment methods: Cash, PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, and all major credit cards except Amex.

Why Chicago Musicians Choose Untold Stories

Located in Pilsen at 1007 West 19th Street, Untold Stories Recordings has 185+ five-star Google reviews — the most reviews and highest rated recording studio in Chicago — and works with solo artists, vocalists, and bands across Chicago. The studio is built around one principle: a consequence-free creative space where you focus on the music and your engineer handles everything else.

Ready to book? Call (872) 444-6316 or book online.