Business Details
20 Years
experience
Chicago Recording Studio | Transient Sound
At Transient Sound, we combine over six decades of collective music industry expertise to deliver exceptional recording, production, and engineering services. Founded in 2006 by Steven Gillis and Vijay Tellis-Nayak, our Chicago-based studio serves artists across genres, from emerging talent to Grammy-winning acts. Our team of seasoned producers, engineers, and musicians specializes in crafting tailored recording experiences that leverage each client's unique strengths. With state-of-the-art control rooms, an extensive inventory of premium instruments, and a commitment to technical excellence, we provide a versatile and acoustically optimized environment for music creation. Our engineers bring deep experience in jazz, rock, hip-hop, and beyond, supported by collaborations with top session musicians and industry professionals.We prioritize client collaboration, offering personalized project planning and transparent communication throughout the production process. Our facilities include a large live room, isolation booths, and a 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos mixing suite, ensuring flexibility for projects of all scales. Recognized for our work with artists like Los Lobos, Kurt Elling, and Candyrat Records, we maintain partnerships with leading piano tuners and technical specialists to uphold the highest standards. As active members of the Chicago music community, we balance creative innovation with technical precision to help artists achieve their vision.
Services
Music Production
Recording Sessions
Mixing & Mastering
Instrument Rentals
Studio Rentals
Details
- Year established: 2006
Highlights and features
- We combine 60+ years of music industry experience across genres.
- Our tailored client approach maximizes individual artistic strengths.
- We maintain state-of-the-art control rooms and instrument inventory.
- Our engineers have worked with Grammy-winning artists and bands.
- We offer transparent pricing with no hidden fees for sessions.
Services
Music Production
Our music production services combine creative vision with technical expertise to realize artists' artistic goals. With producers who have worked on Grammy-nominated projects and platinum-selling albums, we offer arrangement guidance, co-writing support, and genre-specific production tailored to each client's unique style. The studio's collaborative approach ensures projects maintain artistic integrity while achieving commercial quality standards.
Recording Sessions
Transient Sound provides full-service recording sessions in a 1,200 sq ft live room with three isolation booths. Our engineers specialize in capturing authentic performances across genres, utilizing a collection of vintage and modern microphones, preamps, and signal processors. The studio accommodates everything from solo artists to full bands, with presetting services to optimize session efficiency.
Mixing & Mastering
Our mixing and mastering services deliver polished, industry-standard audio through experienced engineers with credits on major label and independent releases. Using analog summing and digital processing tools, we ensure optimal sonic balance and format compatibility. While not a specialized mastering house, our team provides competitive rates for final-stage audio refinement.
Instrument Rentals
Transient Sound offers access to premium instruments including a Yamaha C7 concert grand piano, vintage drum kits, and a collection of electric and acoustic guitars. While most instruments remain on-site, availability should be confirmed in advance. The studio maintains these instruments to professional standards, though vintage equipment may have inherent limitations.
Studio Rentals
Our studio rentals include access to two control rooms featuring SSL and API consoles, ATC monitors, and Pro Tools HDX systems. The space accommodates complex setups with dedicated isolation booths and flexible monitoring options. Clients receive technical support from staff engineers, with optional use of our extensive microphone and outboard gear collection.
People
Steven Gillis
Owner, Producer, Engineer, Mixer, Drummer
A Berklee-trained drummer with 20+ years of touring experience, Steven has worked with artists like Filter and Chuck Berry. He co-founded Transient Sound in 2006 after producing hundreds of records. His strengths include production, arranging, and engineering, complemented by his role as a Chicago Recording Academy Governor.
Vijay Tellis-Nayak
Owner, Producer, Engineer, Mixer, Keyboardist
A classically trained pianist since age 5, Vijay brings decades of experience as a keyboardist and engineer. He has collaborated with artists like Marcus Miller and Jennifer Hudson, and co-founded Transient Sound in 2006. His expertise spans jazz, pop, and musical theater production.
Jim Siwek
Owner
As one of the studio's founding owners, Jim contributes to strategic direction while maintaining connections to Chicago's music community. His role focuses on operational oversight and client relations, leveraging extensive industry experience.
Brennan Mitrolka
Producer, Engineer, Mixer
Brennan provides production and engineering services with a focus on modern recording techniques. His work supports diverse projects across the studio's client base, collaborating closely with senior producers to maintain quality standards.
Jack Deubner
Producer, Engineer
Jack contributes production and engineering expertise to various projects, working alongside the studio's senior team. His role includes technical support and creative collaboration across different music genres.
Questions
What are your recording session rates?
Rates vary by project scope. We offer package pricing per song or project for produced work, with discounts for larger time blocks. Contact us for specific estimates.
Is parking available at the studio?
Street parking only. Avoid the rear lot to prevent towing. Free side-street parking south of the building is usually available during non-peak hours.
Can I use my own recording engineer?
Outside engineers are permitted, but a staff engineer must be present for technical support. Their fees are separate from studio charges.
Do you provide instrument rentals?
We offer access to premium instruments including drums, guitars, and a Yamaha C7 piano. Specific availability should be confirmed in advance.
Is piano tuning included in session fees?
Piano tuning costs $200-250 per session and is optional. Our instrument is maintained by top Chicago tuners familiar with our specific requirements.
What DAW systems do you use?
We use Pro Tools HDX systems exclusively for tracking and mixing. Compatibility details should be discussed with your engineer before sessions.
