• Florasonic: Sarah Belle Reid

    Sarah Belle Reid’s installation at the Lincoln Park Conservatory explores the formal connections between mathematical models and nature in the contemplative setting of the Fern Room. Visit during Conservatory open hours (Wednesday-Sunday, 10am-4:30pm most days) through Nov 23; the piece plays at the top of every hour.

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  • 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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  • 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.

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

    For 39 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.

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    Individuals like YOU made all of the activities in 2024 happen. Make your mark on the next year of artist-led programs.

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    Artist Residencies

    ESS works with local and international partners to create time and space for artistic creation. Residents are selected from open calls throughout the year.

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    Creative Audio Archive

    Members can now listen online to over 5,000 archival recordings, and we’re adding more every day!

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    The Facility

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