TIGHTROPE COLLECTIVE | RAVENSWOOD, CHICAGO
Chicago’s Full-Service Recording, Voiceover & Post-Production Studio
From music and voiceover recording to sound design, mixing, mastering, video editing, and final delivery, Tightrope Collective supports audio and video projects from first session through post-production.
Post Production
Audio Animation
Commercial Voiceover
Audio Plays
Music Production
Sound Design
Podcasts
Post Production Audio Animation Commercial Voiceover Audio Plays Music Production Sound Design Podcasts
“every Good STORY
is a sound
is a story”
and every good sound
- Walter Murch
STep inside Tightrope Collective
Built inside a factory loft, Tightrope Collective features custom murals by artist Wes Daniel, a green room,, intimate performance stage, recording studios, and flexible spaces for creative retreats, listening parties, private events, meetings, and collaborative productions.
STUDIO A
STUDIO B
CONTROL ROOM
LOUNGE
our Work
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Launch Trailer - TV & Online
Sega Japan
Recording / Post Production
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Short FIlm
Usman Ally
Sound Design / Post Production Original Music
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MUSIC VIDEO
Audible Theatre & P3 Productions
Recording and Production /
Filming Location
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Binaural Audio Experience
Make Believe Association
Recording / Sound Design / Post
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Short Film
Usman Ally
Sound Design / ADR / Post Production
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Short Film
Production
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Short Film
Jon Silver
Post Production
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Short Film
Joseph Galizia
Sound Design/ADR/Post Production
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Short Film
Jon Silver
ADR/Foley
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TV Show
Titmouse Production Company
Voice Over Recording
MEET THE Tightrope Team
MAX FABIAN
Max’s passion for music was solidified the first time he picked up a Gibson Flying V 1967 Reversion. He went on to play with rock n roll bands, producing hip-hop and collaborating with Chicago artists in all genres of music. He translated his audio production skills to Voice-Over and found what this city’s industry was missing. The bridge between the Artists and the Studio. He specializes in production, helping the client fully realize the potential of each and every project. Tightrope was founded with the mission to create a space where access to recording is available to everyone. The Tightrope team is here to support and produce for the Artists of Chicago and beyond.
Owner + Head Engineer
Mikhail (Misha) Fiksel is a Tony Award winning sound designer, composer, producer and dj, whose adventurous approach to all things sound have earned him a reputation of a much sought-after creator and collaborator. Working in a broad range of forms and media such as theatre, dance, audio plays and scripted podcasts, film, immersive experiences, and event design, his recent collaborations include Audible Originals, Steppenwolf Theatre, Make-Believe Association, BAM, The Lincoln Center, New York Theater Workshop, Berkeley Repertory, Playwrights Horizons, Guthrie Theater, The Public Theater, Third Rail Projects and Albany Park Theater Project. He is a proud member of USA and TSDCA and on the faculty at Columbia College Chicago.
MIKHAIL FIKSEL
Creative Lead + Head Engineer
Cullen has a holistic approach to audio and takes influence from a vast array of soundscapes found in the everyday human experience. Cullen is an artist/multi-instrumentalist by trade who utilizes their diverse musical interests to inform the work in which they create. Cullen has been writing and recording music for 10 years, specifically with a folk/electronic flair that emphasizes the fluidity and adaptability of sound. Cullen’s musical prowess in both their personal and collaborative projects thrives on comfort born out of an embrace of experimentation, in an effort to distill the full potential of an idea while remaining true to the creative process. Aside from the studio, Cullen finds peace in the natural beauty of Chicago as well as any collaborative space where ideas are shared.
CULLEN Bohlinger
Engineer
ZOE KLEBAN
Zoe approaches audio with curiosity, creativity, and a love for good vibes. She finds inspiration in the textures and rhythms of everyday life and often gets lost in a beat or lyrics, constantly listening and drawing ideas from all genres while staying curious about new sounds and approaches. In the studio, Zoe brings an easy energy while making sure every detail in the sound is locked in. She has a particular passion for vocal production and recently tracked a song for a friend, honing her skills and experimenting with creative techniques. Zoe thrives in collaborative spaces where ideas flow, laughter is welcome, and every session is an opportunity to learn, connect, and create.
Engineer
Jaden Ebanks is a music lover and Audio Engineer out of The Bay Islands of Honduras. While spending formative years in the Pudget Sound.
Worlds collided and
So did the sounds.
Band dance to Jimi Hendrix,
He understood that life is relative.
Space is the place and the future is now
Jaden Ebanks
Engineer
He is a recently graduated audio engineer with a passion for creativity and innovation in sound. Fresh out of school, he’s already building a reputation for blending technical skill with bold, outside-the-box ideas. He thrives on experimenting with new approaches to music production and sound design, always looking for ways to make each project unique. Known for his collaborative spirit, he enjoys working with artists across genres to bring fresh ideas to life.
Jacoby Lozneanu
Engineer
About Tightrope Collective
Our journey began humbly, recording voiceovers and demos in a walk-in closet. And eventually, Tightrope Recording was born. Soon, however, our ambition and passion grew beyond those confines, sparking an adventure of many transformations.
We moved to our space in the serene Ravenswood neighborhood in Chicago. We converted an office into the cozy Whisper Room, now known as Studio A (Alligator Alley). Next, we built a dedicated Control Room (affectionately dubbed Cat Corner). Our most ambitious undertaking followed: constructing Studio B (Bear Den), a space designed to host musicians and facilitate large-format audio storytelling.
Along the way, we forged new friendships, strengthened relationships, and broke new ground. We've also collaborated with KBH Media to create our Video Production Suite, recently christened Kraken Cave, venturing into the world of video content.
We've proudly served hundreds of national and local clients, collaborating on spectacular multimedia projects and even collecting a few awards. All the while, perfecting the balancing act of maintaining professionalism and embracing playfulness and comfort. And whenever we are not in session, we regularly host salons, readings, intimate concerts, gatherings, and celebrations, welcoming the opportunity to infuse our walls—adorned with murals by the very talented Wes Daniel—with the spirit of creativity and community.
So we are still growing. Growing beyond. Beyond the physical.
More than just a collection of cutting-edge facilities, we aim to be a true creative partner, a true home for artists of all types and experiences, a vibrant playground for the creative process. We understand that great music, good sound and compelling audio storytelling are born from collaboration and a shared vision. That's why our motley assembly of producers, engineers, directors, designers and musicians is ready to dive deep into a project, offering not just technical expertise but also artistic insight and innovative ideas.
We seek to be more than a studio. We are Tightrope Collective. And we're just getting started.
Who we’ve worked with
Frequently Asked Questions
Have another question or want to discuss an upcoming project with our team? Send us a message, and we’ll help you find the right studio, service, or production support.
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Tightrope Collective is a full-service recording, audio production, and media production company located in Chicago’s Ravenswood neighborhood. The Collective works with artists, performers, filmmakers, podcasters, theater companies, and commercial brands on projects ranging from voice-over recording and music production to sound design, audio post-production, and video content.
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Tightrope Collective provides music recording and production, commercial voice-over recording, podcast production, ADR, Foley, sound design, original music composition, dialogue editing, audio repair, mixing, mastering, and audio post-production. The team also collaborates with KBH Media on video production projects through its Kraken Cave video production suite.
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Tightrope Collective supports music releases, commercials, podcasts, audiobooks, audio plays, films, theater productions, video content, branded media, and other multimedia projects. Its team can support individual production stages or serve as an end-to-end creative and technical partner.
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Studio A, also known as Alligator Alley: An acoustically treated room for vocal production, podcasts, commercial voice-over, ADR, audio narration, remote sessions, and solo instruments.
Studio B, also known as Bear Den: A flexible live room for bands, ensembles, music rehearsals, live and electronic instrument tracking, sound design, and creative collaboration.
The Control Room, also known as Cat Corner: A critical-listening environment for monitoring, mixing, mastering, editing, and making detailed production decisions.
The Lounge: A colorful, flexible gathering space for listening parties, creative meetings, private events, video shoots, podcast filming, and small performances.
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Yes. Tightrope Collective records commercial voice-over, audiobooks, narration, character performances, ADR, and other vocal projects. Studio A provides an intimate, acoustically treated environment and supports remote collaboration through professional recording technology.
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Yes. Tightrope Collective supports audio and video podcast production, including recording, engineering, editing, mixing, sound design, and post-production. Podcasts can be recorded in an acoustically treated studio or filmed in one of the facility’s more visually distinctive spaces.
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Tightrope Collective works with local and national clients, including independent musicians, voice actors, podcasters, filmmakers, theater companies, creative agencies, production companies, and commercial brands. The studio supports independent creative projects as well as professional multimedia productions.
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Tightrope Collective is located in Chicago’s Ravenswood neighborhood at 4541 N. Ravenswood Ave., Suite 203B, Chicago, IL 60640.
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The Tightrope Collective team includes audio engineers, producers, sound designers, composers, musicians, directors, and other creative collaborators. Together, they provide technical production expertise and creative guidance throughout recording, production, and post-production.
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Tightrope Collective has collaborated with production companies, media organizations, filmmakers, theater companies, performers, and creative agencies. Selected collaborators include KBH Media, Stone Watson, Make-Believe Association, HMS Media, Pretty Pretty Powerbomb Productions, Titmouse, and P3 Productions. These partnerships have supported projects involving video production, commercial voice-over, original music, sound design, audio storytelling, and post-production.
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Is Tightrope Collective a SAG-AFTRA-approved recording studio?
