Rax Trax Recording
Rax Trax Recording is a Chicago-based, founder-owned full-service recording studio offering recording, mixing, and mastering via two professional studios (SSL-equipped Studio A and a hybrid analog/digital Studio B), serving professional musicians, bands, and solo artists across the Chicago metropolitan area.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Rax Trax Recording does
Rax Trax Recording is a privately held, Chicago-based full-service recording studio operating from a single Lakeview location at 3126 N. Greenview Ave. Founded by Rick Barnes — who built the business from a downtown 8-track loft studio into a two-room facility — the studio operates with five engineers/producers plus a rotating intern team and serves professional and semi-professional musicians, bands, and solo artists across the Chicago metropolitan area. The company provides project-based recording, mixing, and mastering services alongside ancillary offerings including piano tuning, session musician arrangements, and branded merchandise.
The technical infrastructure is anchored by Studio A, which features a 48-channel SSL 4048 E/G console (with Atomic Instruments power supply), a Pro Tools HDX 32-input/32-output system, an Otari MTR-90 24-track 2-inch tape machine, a 24'x20' live room with 16-foot ceilings, and multiple isolation booths. Studio B is configured as a hybrid analog/digital mixing and mastering room with ATC SCM 45 monitors, a 15-inch ATC sub, a Rupert Neve Designs summing system, and an analog mastering chain. The studio's gear inventory includes Neumann U87, AKG C12 VR, and Royer 121 microphones, Neve/SSL/API outboard preamps, and vintage instruments including a Baldwin grand piano, Hammond C3 with Leslie 122, and Gretsch and Ludwig drum kits.
Revenue is generated primarily through custom-priced recording, mixing, and mastering sessions, with deposits of $50-$300 (50% of booked time required for first-time clients), $120 piano tunings, and a small merchandise line ($15 t-shirts, $30 hoodies). The go-to-market is sales-led and relationship-driven: direct booking via phone, email, and website forms, with new business acquired largely through word-of-mouth referrals within the Chicago music scene and a published roster of notable clients including Buddy Guy, Smashing Pumpkins, Chance the Rapper, Anderson .Paak, Mac Miller, Brian Wilson, and George Clinton. The business is bootstrapped and founder-owned, with no external investors, funding rounds, or M&A activity disclosed.
Rax Trax Recording firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Rax Trax Recording
- Legal name
- Rax Trax Recording
- Website
- https://raxtrax.com
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Rax Trax Recording is a Chicago-based, founder-owned full-service recording studio offering recording, mixing, and mastering via two professional studios (SSL-equipped Studio A and a hybrid analog/digital Studio B), serving professional musicians, bands, and solo artists across the Chicago metropolitan area.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Rax Trax Recording industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Recording Studio Services
- NAICS
- Sound Recording Studios (51224)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Audio Engineering Services (Tracking, Mixing, Mastering) (MPAIAHAD)
Keywords
Where Rax Trax Recording is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Rax Trax Recording business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Recording Sessions: Hourly or project-based recording sessions in Studio A or Studio B. Pricing varies by project and session requirements. 50% deposit required for first-time clients.
- Mixing Services: Audio mixing services to achieve professional sound quality. Custom project-based pricing.
- Mastering Services: Professional mastering services using analog mastering chain in Studio B.
- Session Deposits: Prepaid deposits for recording or mixing sessions ranging from $50 to $300 to secure booking dates.
- Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including t-shirts ($15) and hoodies ($30) through the studio store.
- Piano Tuning: Piano tuning services at $120 per session for piano-intensive recordings.
- Session Musicians and Production Services: Arrangement of session musicians and production services as needed for client projects.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Session Deposit |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Recording/Mixing Session |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Piano Tuning |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | T-Shirt |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Hoodie |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels3 records
Rax Trax Recording product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Rax Trax Recording is a Chicago-based professional recording studio offering hourly and project-based recording, mixing, and mastering services across two studios (Studio A for tracking/large ensembles, Studio B for mixing and mastering). It also sells branded merchandise and arranges session musicians and production services. Customers include professional and semi-professional musicians, bands, and producers seeking high-quality audio production.
Product overview
Rax Trax Recording operates as a Chicago-based full-service recording studio offering two distinct studio spaces (Studio A and Studio B) for recording, mixing, and mastering services. Studio A is centered around a 48-channel SSL 4000G console with a large live room for full band tracking, while Studio B serves as a dedicated mixing and mastering facility with hybrid analog/digital capabilities. The studio provides extensive professional gear including microphones, amplifiers, instruments, and outboard equipment available for use during sessions. Session deposits starting at $50 and merchandise (t-shirts and hoodies) are available through their online store.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Studio A Recording Sessions
Quantifiable outcome
- Grammy-nominated engineering team
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Rax Trax Recording
Customer profileNamed customers30 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Rax Trax Recording technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Rax Trax Recording partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Rax Trax Recording competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Sunset Sound: Iconic Los Angeles recording studio with multiple rooms and a deep vintage-console inventory. Operates a comparable premium, multi-room, hybrid analog/digital model serving major-label and indie artists.
- Conway Recording Studios: Long-established Los Angeles multi-room commercial studio. Comparable in scale and pricing tier, serving major-label and high-budget independent artists across genres.
- Blackbird Studio (Nashville): John McBride-founded Nashville studio with multiple rooms and premium analog/digital hybrid workflows. Comparable independent, artist-friendly facility competing for high-end projects with a similar vintage-gear-driven identity.
- The Village Studios: West LA multi-room studio with premium acoustic spaces, vintage equipment, and a roster of Grammy-level clients. Direct competitor for premium tracking, mixing, and mastering engagements.
- Sound City Studios: Historic Van Nuys studio famed for its Neve 8028 console and analog drum sound. Comparable boutique, vintage-equipment-anchored premium studio with a strong artist-roster reputation.
- Sterling Sound: Premier New York-based mixing and mastering facility. Competes for high-end mixing and mastering work that Rax Trax's Studio B is positioned to capture, with a similar artist/engineer-driven reputation model.
- Electrical Audio: Steve Albini-founded analog-focused recording studio in Chicago. Closest geographic and philosophical peer, operating a similar independent, engineer-driven model in the same market with comparable gear and price point.
- Chicago Recording Company: Long-established multi-room commercial recording studio in Chicago with decades of major-label clientele. Competes for the same Chicago-based recording, mixing, and mastering projects at a similar premium tier.
- Royal Studios (Memphis): Historic Memphis studio operated by the Hi Rhythm section. Comparable independent, multi-room commercial studio with a vintage-gear moat and a deep artist roster in the American roots/blues/R&B space.
Broad incumbents
- Capitol Studios: Iconic Hollywood studio complex owned by Universal Music Group. Operates at a larger scale and label-backed footing in the same recording/mixing/mastering category as Rax Trax, with broader resources and broader scope.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Rax Trax Recording social profiles
Digital presenceRax Trax Recording financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Rax Trax Recording leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Rax Trax Recording funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Rax Trax Recording M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Rax Trax Recording
What does Rax Trax Recording do?
Rax Trax Recording is a Chicago-based professional recording studio offering hourly and project-based recording, mixing, and mastering services across two studios (Studio A for tracking/large ensembles, Studio B for mixing and mastering). It also sells branded merchandise and arranges session musicians and production services. Customers include professional and semi-professional musicians, bands, and producers seeking high-quality audio production.
Is Rax Trax Recording a public or private company?
Rax Trax Recording is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Rax Trax Recording founded?
Rax Trax Recording was founded in -1. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Rax Trax Recording based?
Rax Trax Recording is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does Rax Trax Recording make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Recording Sessions are the primary driver. The others are mixing Services, mastering Services, session Deposits, merchandise Sales, piano Tuning and session Musicians and Production Services.
Who are Rax Trax Recording's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Sunset Sound, Conway Recording Studios, Blackbird Studio (Nashville), The Village Studios, Sound City Studios, Sterling Sound, Electrical Audio, Chicago Recording Company and Royal Studios (Memphis). Capitol Studios is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Rax Trax Recording have an API?
No public API is recorded for Rax Trax Recording.
What industry is Rax Trax Recording in?
Rax Trax Recording's product category is Recording Studio Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAIAHAD, Audio Engineering Services (Tracking, Mixing, Mastering). Its NAICS code is 51224.