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About Us
Performance Studio
The Jim and Kay Mabie Performance Studio operates as a commercial for hire recording facility at Chicago Public Radio. The studio currently serves a wide variety of clients from the album, advertising, theatre and broadcasting industries. This superb acoustic space contains maple floors and movable wall treatments and baffles, which allow for an acoustically variable recording environment. We are located in the Chicago Public Radio studios at Navy Pier. The room was completed in August 2002 and was designed by Kirkegaard and Associates.

Highlights include:
  • Facility and staff specialize in all forms of acoustic and electronic recording, including multi-track, live to 2-track, 5.1 surround mixing, and post production services
  • Spacious recording studio: 42 x 28 x 14 feet with infinitely variable acoustics, accommodates up to a 40 piece orchestra
  • Nine- foot Steinway D concert grand piano, the premier recording instrument
  • Industry-leading British designed Solid State Logic (SSL) AWS 900+ analogue mixing console and DAW controller
  • Extensive collection of the highest quality microphones available
  • Live studio acoustics, comfortable and professional environment
  • Outdoor deck overlooking Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline
  • Specialized production skills for radio programming; drama, live radio, documentary
  • Pro Tools Mix Plus recording, editing, and mixing
  • Additional software include Altiverb Reverb on ProTools TDM, and Nuendo 2.0 Media Production
  • Full bandwidth ISDN telephone connections (Zephyr units) available for interviews and other audio transfer needs

Available Equipment:
  • Console:Solid State Logic (SSL) AWS 900+ analogue mixing console and DAW controller
  • Monitors: Genelec 1031A (5), 1092A Subwoofer
  • Audio Recorders:
    Digidesign ProTools HD
    Tascam DA78HR (2), Tascam DA98
    Alesis ADAT HD24
    HHB CDR 850 Plus
    Tascam CDRW 2000
    Panasonic SV-4100 DAT
    Tascam 302 Cassette
  • Outboard Gear:
    Millenia M2B Mic Preamps
    John Hardy 4 channel Mic Preamps
    TC Electronics M2000 Reverb
    TC Electronics Finalizer
    Lexicon MPX 500 Signal Processor
    DBX Digital Dynamics Processor
    Aardvark Aardsync Digital Word Clock
  • Microphones:
    AKG: ~414ULS, ~D112
    Audio Technica: ~ATM25
    Beyer: ~MC834
    Coles: ~4038
    DPA: ~4006
    Electrovoice: ~RE50
    Neumann: ~KM184, ~U87
    Sennheiser: ~421 ~MKH40 P48
    Schoeps: ~CMC5U with cardioid capsules
    Shure: ~SM7, ~Beta 87A, ~SM81, ~VP88 M/S Stereo, ~B61, ~B56, ~B52, ~SM57, ~SM98, ~KSM 32
  • Additional Software Systems:
    Sonic Solutions Mastering System
    Dalet 5.1 Digital Media System
    Nuendo 2.0 Media Production System
Architecture:
The Performance Studio measures 42 x 28 feet plus a large control room. The superb acoustically designed studio contains maple floors and has the flexibility for a variable dry to live environment. The Performance Studio is part of the Chicago Public Radio complex located on Navy Pier. Designed by Kirkegaard and Associates, the room was completed in August 2002.
Availability:
The Performance Studio serves all types of outside music sessions including music, film, and jingle projects. In-house engineers are available and outside engineers are also welcome. In addition, full bandwidth ISDN telephone connections (Zephyr units) are available for interviews and other audio transfer needs.

Broadcasting organizations, recording studios/labels, production companies, individual/independent artists or producers, and others looking to book WBEZ’s performance studio, talk studios, ISDN lines, or other audio production services, please call 312.948.4788 or send an e-mail to studiobookings@ChicagoPublicRadio.org
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