Chicago, the birthplace of modern gospel, house, and Chicago-style blues, is slowly becoming a destination for podcasters as well. The podcasting scene is still in its early stages, but it has the potential to become massive.
If you’re a local podcaster (or even just a visiting one), be sure to check out our list of Chicago podcast studios to rent. This list of recording studios will provide a diverse selection based on capabilities, aesthetics, and price points.
Audiohive Podcasting
How many studios out there will offer you a test run completely free of charge? Not many. And that’s just one thing that makes Audiohive Productions different.
Once there, you’ll see that the acoustically treated studio boasts four Aston Stealth microphones with accompanying Beyerdynamic DT770 closed-back headphones. There’s even a dedicated amplifier for each individual headphone set! The rest of the equipment includes top-of-the-line DI boxes and an Allen & Heath mixer. It’s also worth noting that, if necessary (and for an additional payment), the number of mics can go up to six. The same goes for the accompanying equipment.
In addition to the standard recording, the studio also offers editing, mixing, and mastering services. The editing team uses FilePass for note-taking so that no detail slips through, and you can rely on the production team even if you need special audio effects.
The Audiohive team obviously specializes in podcast recording, and they mean serious business. Beginners in the field, however, might get thrown off by the fact that the studio requires an upfront payment for a booking to be processed. Be that as it may, the expertise of the team that comes with the booking is well worth the price!
Bam Studios
Dead serious about all things sound-related, Bam Studios has one studio dedicated solely to the art of podcasting. Namely, Studio K was designed and built from scratch with the sole purpose of being a podcaster’s heaven.
Among other things, that means the place can be easily reconfigured based on your needs and preferences. What’s guaranteed is a modular mic setup, typically allowing up to four simultaneous in-studio speakers. But that number’s not set in stone — the studio says additional seats are available upon request.
Even if you decide to host guests from across the country (or the world), you can do it at Studio K. It boasts a stable and secure internet connection, which means you can bring in people via Skype, Zoom, or ISDN!
Another important thing to note is that your collaboration with the studio doesn’t have to end with recording. The editing team is happy to offer advice on music and crossover choices and even design unique sounds for you to use. The team can also help you develop your idea into a podcast with a lot of potential. After all, Bam Studios’ Studio K is a place where all podcasts come to life!
Dynasty Podcasts
If you don’t trust expertise unless it’s paired with a big name, then look no further than Dynasty Podcasts. The studio’s lead, Jaime Black, has decades of experience under his belt, and he’s willing to share it!
It doesn’t matter if you’re already an experienced podcaster or you’re just looking to test the podcasting waters, Jaime will be there to support you every step of the way. And we mean that quite literally.
With Dynasty Podcasts, you can count on assistance with goal setting and strategy development. Then, once the planning part is done, you will move to the state-of-the-art recording studio.
The place itself is available for rent by the hour, for a range of fees:
- Podcast studio booking: $80.00 per hour
- Podcast studio with engineering: $150.00 per hour
- Podcast studio with engineering and editing: $400.00 per hour
Dynasty is incredibly proud of its high-tech facilities. You will use Shure microphones, while the rest of the equipment and software will depend on your needs and type of booking.
MediaTracks
In the decades that they’ve been in the business, the Media Tracks award-winning team has gathered quite a bit of influential clients. If you want to record in the same place as Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, and Pfizer, then this is your stop.
Much like some of its predecessors on this list, Media Tracks will be with you every step of the process. If you need help developing your ideas or writing the script, you can count on the help of seasoned writers and producers. Once you’ve made up your mind on the concept, you will go into the studio and start recording.
The good news is that the rental fee includes an on-staff engineer who will be in charge of setting up the ProTools Digital Audio Workstation. That’s right; your podcast will be recorded digitally. If necessary, the studio can even do professional voiceovers.
One thing that sets Media Tracks apart from other podcasting studios is that they can also take care of podcast distribution for you. If you’re a beginner, it is invaluable to have a big name in the podcasting world send your content to Spotify, YouTube, Google Play, Apple Podcasts, etc.
All in all, working with Media Tracks means top-class service in a state-of-the-art studio.
Mystery Street Recording
Mystery Street Recording boasts an equipment set that would satisfy even the pickiest of podcasters. Aside from the industry-standard Pro Tools HD system, the studio offers a mind-blowing selection of 50 different microphones. Yes, you read that right. With that kind of variety, creating the setup that fits your voice and needs perfectly will be a breeze.
However, the ability to choose doesn’t stop at the mics. Mystery Street Recording has three studios of varying sizes, which means you can pick based on the number of guests you’re bringing in. And even if your guests need to join your show remotely, the studio can handle it via phone or conferencing service.
Once you’re done recording, the editing team will make it a point to remove any unnecessary sounds, mispronounced words, or pacing and cadence issues. The end product will be an impeccably polished recording that you can then distribute to podcasting platforms. And Mystery Street can even help you with that — all you need to do is ask!
If you’re looking for an industry-standard recording studio that will do all the heavy lifting for you, then Mystery Street Recording is just what you need.
OFFIX
What do you get when a coworking and office space rental company branches out into podcast studio renting? You get a cozy yet high-tech place to record your shows!
OFFIX has built quite a reputation for renting various space solutions to different target groups. As of late, they also included a podcasting studio in their offering. The setup is simple and efficient, and the OFFIX team will be there for consultations no matter what you need.
All the facilities have high-speed WiFi and state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment, and the podcasting studio is no exception. To check whether OFFIX is what you’re looking for, you can schedule a tour of the studio at any time.
Studiomedia Recording Company
Another veteran in the recording business, Studiomedia has been around since the early 1980s. A few years ago, the company relocated and can now boast with facilities that were made to boost creativity.
Naturally, with the appropriate setting comes high-tech equipment. The studio offers three different microphone brands — you can choose between Neumann, Sanken, and Sennheiser. An engineer will monitor the recording process via a Trident 80B console from an acoustically-treated control room. You can also expect state-of-the-art microphone preamps as well as Izotope and Universal Audio plugins.
When it comes to bringing in remote guests, you can count on high-speed internet, as well as Zoom, Skype, Source Connect Pro, FaceTime, and Comrex Bric-Link II. The studio even has a phone patch for dial-in recordings!
You can rest assured that the engineering team will handle your recordings with utmost care. Their vast experience in sound editing and audio mixing will work to your advantage. Finally, the Studiomedia team will be there to offer any kind of support you might need.
The Podcast Pad
If you’re one of those people that never know when inspiration will hit, The Podcast Pad is the perfect choice for you. The place is a recording studio with lodging, which means you rent it and can stay there day and night!
Aside from standard recording, the well-equipped studio can facilitate live podcasting and video streamings. In a standard setup, the recording desk can seat several speakers at the same time. However, if you have any special requests, make sure to reach out to the owner — she will go out of her way to help you.
Record whenever you want, sleep whenever you feel like it — that’s basically what The Podcast Pad is all about. It’s a unique experience that any true podcaster will know how to appreciate.
TechNexus
As an industry giant that values making impacts, TechNexus is the place to go if you want your voice heard. Even if you only have the faintest inkling of what you want to do, the team you will work with will have your back.
On the technical side of things, TechNexus’ facilities boast a soundproof studio equipped to perfection. You will find three podcast-perfect Shure SM7B cardioid and Sennheiser studio headphones paired with Audio Apollo 8 Thunderbolt interface.
The studio also has all the equipment you might need for live streaming. If your favorite channels are Facebook Live and YouTube, TechNexus has you covered. Namely, the studio also features Blue Yeti USB podcasting microphone and a MEVO live-streaming camera.
All this state-of-the-art equipment comes at an hourly rental fee of $65.00. However, it’s worth noting that the base fee doesn’t include help from a producer. If you need that, or you’d like TechNexus to store your recordings for two weeks, you will have to pay extra. The same goes if you ask the team to deliver your recording on the same day.
Still, if you’re looking for a hands-on team that understands the importance of timing and collaboration, TechNexus is your best bet.
Tightrope Recording
Open 24 hours a day, all week round, Tightrope Recording welcomes recording enthusiasts of all kinds. The team behind the name comprises some of the most creative audio specialists in the industry. They are dedicated to helping out aspiring podcasting artists and will take your podcast to a whole new level.
For $65.00 an hour, you get access to their top-of-the-line recording equipment, which doesn’t only include mics and headphones. Quite the contrary. You will also be able to use their audio mixers and mastering gear, as well as a range of musical instruments.
Put simply, Tightrope Recording turns dreams into reality. So no matter what kind of project you have in mind, make sure to reach out to the team!
Final Thoughts
As a cultural center of the Midwest, Chicago has a lot to offer, and its podcasting community is more than willing to welcome new members. Our list offers ten amazing studios that support young, inexperienced voices and established entrepreneurs alike. All you have to do now is take your pick!