“every Good STORY
is a sound
is a story”
and every good sound
- Walter Murch
let's get to work
let's get to work
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
our home
STUDIO A
STUDIO B
CONTROL ROOM
LOUNGE
MEET THE NOISEMAKERS
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.
MAX FABIAN
Owner + Head Engineer
MIKHAIL FIKSEL
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.
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
Engineer
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.
Jaden Ebanks
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.
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
Jacoby Lozneanu
Engineer
Engineer
Walking The Tightrope
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.
