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
Untold Stories Recording provided top tier service from the beginning to the end! From the initial call, to the scheduling, recording, state of the art equipment, listening session and production. In the voiceover industry, it isn’t easy finding a business that delivers quality on all levels!! Untold Stories Recording Studio will now be my go-to recording studio for all projects!!!!
Hands-down, best recording studio in Chicago!👊 Extraordinary, mixing and mastering Great input, guidance, etc. but also an excellent listeners This is where we go to bring our visions to reality
This is the best recording studio in all of Chicago!!! If you’re looking for high quality recording, mixing and mastering, call and ask for Ian!!
I am a professional singer/songwriter who recently recorded at Untold Stories Recordings, and I can tell you it is one of the most satisfying and productive experiences I have ever had in a recording studio. The studio has top-notch recording equipment, and the owner Ian is a pro sound engineer and genius at mixing and mastering. Ian is also a great teacher and mentor to new talent, even going so far as to give advice and direction to help the artist navigate the tricky music business and give them their best shot at getting their music heard. Take it from me if you’re a seasoned professional or studio newbie Untold Stories Recordings is the place for you with the best rates in town!
What a blast! Ian is so patient and kind with feedback. He's such a pro and is doing the work of an entire recording studio himself. So impressive and so much fun to work with him. Highly recommend!
I recently had an awesome experience at a Untold stories recording studio. It was my first time recording, and I had no prior knowledge of the process. However, everything was easy to understand, and the steps were straightforward. I would highly recommend this studio for anyone looking to record, mix, and master their music.
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 $45 per hour (Please Read Studio Usage Minimums).
-Mixing with Mastering starts at $175.00 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: $45 non-refundable deposit is required to secure/book time, covering the first hour of your session.
-Saturdays: $180 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 5-10 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.
Want to learn more about Gold Coast’s rich music history?
Read our deep dive into Gold Coast’s musical legacy →