“What a fantastic experience! Kyle was a master and we’re very happy with the results.”
—- Kathleen Dooley, Acoustic Alternatives
Backthird Audio is a ProTools HD studio with the ability to record up to 24 tracks of audio at one time. We’ve done everything from rap records to piano recitals here, but our greatest strength is our big live room. The place is built for bands.
We’re one of two commercial studios in Chicago’s western suburbs with a grand piano.
For studio photos, take the tour. This page is all about the gear.
Our front end includes preamps by Focusrite, Presonus and Aphex. We monitor on Genelec 8040A powered speakers and use the Command 8 control surface. We mix with a host of plug-ins including McDSP’s Filter Bank, Compressor Bank, Analog Channel and MC2000 suites. We also run Propellerheads Reason, Antares Autotune and a lot of other stuff you like.
Acoustics in our main tracking room are variable: In addition to fixed bass trapping and diffusion, the room features 20 2’x4’x2” absorptive panels that can be positioned virtually anywhere on the room’s east and west walls, or removed entirely to give the space a more “live” character. The room also features an Auralex Hoverdeck drum riser, which isolates drum kits from the studio floor for a much tighter kick sound. Bare walls are a mixture of drywall and untreated brick.
The studio is completely wired, so every area – our two isolation rooms, plus our lounge, kitchen and bathroom – is accessible by microphone. Want to make a record “family style,” sitting around the coffee table? Want to track a vocal in the shower or play bongos sitting on the kitchen counter? This is the place.
We offer free wi-fi throughout the studio, and clients have full use of our kitchen and lounge. If you need to get out of the building to blow off some steam during a longer session, River’s Edge Café next door to the studio offers great drinks, sandwiches and an outdoor deck overlooking the Fox River.