Rax Trax Recording

Rax Trax Recording is a two-room recording, mixing and mastering studio at 3126 North Greenview Avenue in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood. Owner, producer and chief engineer Rick Barnes grew it from a downtown eight-track loft studio into a full-scale facility. According to Rax Trax, artists who have worked there include Buddy Guy, Koko Taylor, Smashing Pumpkins, Chance the Rapper, Mac Miller, Brian Wilson, Alan Parsons, Vulfpeck and OK Go.

Studio A

Studio A is built around a 48-channel SSL 4000 G console and a naturally lit 24-by-20-foot live room with 16-foot ceilings, which the studio calls one of the best drum rooms in Chicago. Two isolation booths open off the live room and a third sits off the control room, and full-length windows keep sightlines between the rooms. Sessions run on a 32-in, 32-out Pro Tools HDX system, and a 2-inch tape machine is available.

Studio B

Studio B is a hybrid analog and digital mixing and mastering room with ATC SCM45 monitors and a 15-inch ATC subwoofer, an analog mastering chain that can print to tape, and a naturally lit booth for vocals, acoustic instruments and overdubs.

Instruments and microphones

• A Baldwin Model C grand piano, Hammond C3 with Leslie 122, Rhodes Mark I and Wurlitzer 200A.
• Vintage and modern guitars, basses and amplifiers from Fender, Gibson, Marshall, Vox and Ampeg, a Gretsch maple drum kit and a large snare collection.
• Microphones including an AKG C12 VR, Neumann U87 and KM84, Coles 4038 and RCA 77 ribbons, with Neve 1073, 1066 and 1272 preamps.

Booking and parking

Rax Trax quotes each recording, mixing or mastering project individually and can arrange session musicians and production services; inquiries go by phone, email or the contact form. Metered street parking is often available on Greenview Avenue, with a paid city lot next to the building.