FAQ

How much does it cost to record at Narwhal?

Studio A with a Staff Engineer is $70/hr and Studio B with a Staff Engineer is $85/hr.

We work hard to keep our rates within reach of everyone and we are very proud of it!

How is Narwhal different?

We do a few things differently because we think the traditional studio model needs to evolve:

We set up your session before you arrive so you can start recording right away: we know you can’t wait to make music! For a full band or complicated setup we may charge an additional $25/hr for a couple hours to have an Assistant Engineer set up before you arrive.

We are a producer focused studio and we do anything we can to help you get the results you want: we want you to be proud of your recording! This includes feedback on arrangements, performances, instrumentation, instrument selection and anything else you need help with if you want it. We don’t want to capture your median performance: we want to capture your very best!

We are education focused. We pride ourselves on continually learning and passing along what we know! We work with Grammy winners and legends and we learn from them and we want to improve your process too. We also offer workshops, open houses and one-on-one opportunities as well.

How do I book a session?

It’s easy! You can email jim@narwhalchicago.com or call 312-656-9558.

How do I pay for my session?

We invoice you electronically after your session. You can pay the invoice with credit cards, debit cards or with Affirm. Sometimes we ask for a 50% deposit based on certain factors.

How long can my session be?

You can book full days, weeks and months or a few hours at a time. We have a 2 hour minimum for vocals, overdubs or simple instrumentation.

What should I know before booking my first session?

We try to make recording at Narwhal as simple as possible! Let us know what you’d like to do and we will suggest the best way to do it based on your instrumentation, budget and schedule. We are very thoughtful about setup and personnel and we will assign staff that understands your music and your personality. We work with a wide variety of projects and our staff reflects that!

Can freelance engineers work at Narwhal / can I bring my own engineer?

Yes! We welcome outside engineers and we make it very easy for you to get to work. We have great Assistant Engineers to set up for you and get you comfortable with the studio and they are available at $25/hr for as long as you need them.

FAQ