ESS Studio Group

Dive deeper into how music and sound art are made with a curated roster of engineers and experts throughout the year.

The ESS Studio Group is a special membership level ($250/year) that connects music, sound, and audio technology enthusiasts with a series of behind-the-scenes recording studio experiences in and around Chicago.

This group is open to anyone interested in diving deeper into how music and sound art make their way from an artist's brain into our ears. In the spirit of ESS, we’ll explore more conventional (but still fascinating!) processes and talk with some of the folks pushing the boundaries of the industry. Space is limited to 35 individuals.

ESS Studio Group members receive:

• Exclusive invitations for you and a companion to at least 3 (maybe more!) behind-the-scenes experiences throughout the year

• Access to gear content throughout the year, with a spotlight on how our artists and engineers are using technology to support experimental sound work

• All the benefits of a ¼” ESS Member (current ¼” and XLR Members can opt-in to the Studio Group at no additional cost)

The ESS Studio Group supports new technology in ESS’s own studios. ESS’s studios are core to the organization’s mission, not only serving as an important resource for musicians, filmmakers, and artists in our community, but also giving ESS the ability to professionally document sonic arts and experimental music in Chicago.

In 2024, the Group funds:

• Setup for our new Neotek Console - patchbay and cabling

• Two studio computer upgrades (our current computers are from 2013)

• Speaker mounts for our 8-channel surround system in the gallery

• An improved external storage solution - network backup and cloud storage

• Mics — a matched pair of KM184s

• Outboard analog gear - 500 series preamps, EQs, compressors, channel strips

Have questions? Reach out to us at kelsey@ess.org