• Patchbent Season IV

    Patchbent season IV kicks off in April with two very special workshops from Bonnie Han Jones and Shortwave Collective. Patchbent is a meeting place and learning community supporting women, trans, and non-binary people in sound and music.

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  • Winter Recording Special

    Our popular studio-time sale is back. The Winter Recording Special is a great way to close out a lingering project, track parts, or capture an impromptu improvisation with friends. The sale is applicable to any of our studio offerings: recording, mixing, mastering, or consultation.

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  • ESS 40

    Since its inception, ESS has celebrated the overlooked and under heard—the quiet spaces in between and the artful noise of being. Rooted in the expansive universe of experimental music, we support artists pushing the boundaries of sound. 2026 marks our 40th year of operation.

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  • Creative Audio Archive

    ESS’s Creative Audio Archive painstakingly preserves and shares pivotal recordings of innovative and experimental sonic arts and music. Our unique collection is growing by the day with crucial collections from Sun Ra, Studio Henry, Fred Anderson, Malachi Ritscher, Links Hall, Tatsu Aoki, and more.

    EXPLORE THE CAA

  • Book Studio Time

    Working on a project? ESS offers comprehensive production facilities and expert support for diverse audio projects, with services that include recording, mixing, mastering, post production, sound design, and more.

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    • We are a community supported non-profit dedicated to the curation, evolution, and exploration of sound.

    For 40 years Experimental Sound Studio has nurtured avant-garde and exploratory artists through production, presentation, education, and preservation.

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    Exploding Star Orchestra at Adler Planetarium

    Events

    Last year we presented 337 artists in 81 different programs in-person throughout Chicago and online.

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    Full-Service Recording Studio

    ESS offers comprehensive production facilities and expert support for nearly 150 artists per year in over 300 sessions.

    Work with us on your next project

    Join the Feed Back Loop

    Support ESS as we embark on the coming year and join the hundreds of folks who have chosen to be part of the aggregate force that makes experimental culture possible.

    Donate

    Artist Residencies

    ESS works with local and international partners to create time and space for artistic creation. Details per residency in this link.

    Learn More

    Creative Audio Archive

    You can now listen access recordings online—we’re adding more every day!

    Listen to the Archive

    The Facility

    Looking for a unique place for a party, small wedding, meeting, or private
    performance?

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    Are you an Artist?

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    Artist Support

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    Support the Creative Audio Archive

    Help us digitize and share more recordings like this one!