Full-service Professional Audio
Independent, Accessible, Creative
Driftless Audio is a Chicago-based full-service professional audio production studio, offering tracking, mixing, mastering, and more, owned and operated by Tariq Shihadah.
I've been writing, recording, and producing music for over 15 years. It started with a free download of Audacity and a laptop mic, recording in stairwells and mixing friends' albums on earbuds and car stereos. Leaning into the lo-fi sound of the 2000's by necessity, my approach to music production was driven by curiosity and experimentation, exploring what it really takes to make impactful music. That scrappy, curious approach still drives my work today, now grown into a full-service studio out of my home in Albany Park, Chicago, equipped with everything your next project needs to sound and feel incredible.
Services
Audio Production
End-to-end audio production, from pre-production through mastering—including helping indie artists ship their first release. Services include:
- Pre-production & Consultation. How do you want to begin? The more we plan before kicking off, the smoother the project will be and the more fun we'll have along the way.
- Production. Working with you to find and fully realize the ideas in your head. If you're looking for an advocate to help map your thoughts to a finished product, you're looking for a producer.
- Tracking. With high-quality gear and an acoustically treated studio, I'll capture your music with precision and character while keeping the process comfortable, memorable, and genuine.
- On-site Tracking. My portable rig lets us record anywhere—ideal for choirs, orchestras, live acoustic performances, or capturing a specific instrument or space.
- Mixing. Bringing the pieces together takes experience, a creative ear, and gear that treats your music right. We'll work together to get the very best out of your recordings and vision. I also offer in-person or remote participation in mixing sessions.
- Mastering. The final polish and review, mastering ties your tracks into a cohesive release that translates across every modern listening service and environment.
- Everything Else. Not sure how to push your music to Spotify? Figuring out what else goes into a release—photos, artwork, blog coverage? Wondering how to land on playlists? Let's talk!
Listen to some examples of recent projects on Spotify:
Production Support & Learning
For aspiring and intermediate producers, I offer support and learning services to help you grow in any part of music or podcast production. Services include:
- Track Review. A second set of ears is one of the fastest ways to refine your work and pick up new tricks. Whether you want a quick high-level listen or a detailed breakdown of every move, I'm happy to plug in.
- Production Training. Want to learn the modern tools of production—or finally understand how compression actually works? In one-on-one online or in-person sessions, we'll work through every step of making cohesive, professional, heartfelt records.
Songwriting & Instrumentation
My passion for music starts with songwriting and performance. It's what makes any project worthwhile. I love helping songwriters refine their work and connecting them with pro instrumentalists in Chicago and beyond. Services include:
- Songwriting Consultation. Let's finish that song you've been sitting on, finalize those lyrics, or start something new from scratch. Whatever you want to nail down before the studio, we'll work on it together. Collaboration always leads to the best work.
- Session Instrumentals. Software instruments are great, but working with live musicians is a joy. I've got a long list of collaborators and friends who can bring just what you need to your project. And I play a range of instruments myself—guitar, bass, flute, oud, and synth.
Live Performance Video
Partnering with local video producers, we create high-quality live performance videos with pro-level audio, perfect for your next Tiny Desk submission or a one-of-a-kind session shot on location. We'll assemble the full team to carry you from start to finish with release-ready audio.
Equipment
Microphones
- Pearlman TM-1 LDC
- MP T-12 LDC
- Royer R-122 MKII Ribbon (X2)
- Beyerdynamic M-160 Ribbon
- Cascade Fathead II (Lundahl Transformer) Ribbon
- Shure SM81 SDC (X2)
- Audio-Technica AT-4041 SDC (X2)
- Electro-Voice RE-20 Dynamic
- Shure SM-57 Dynamic
- Shure SM-58 Dynamic
Preamplifiers
- BAE 1073 MPF
- Hairball Audio Lola (X2)
- CAPI VP-28 (X2)
- Cranborne Audio Camden 500 (X2)
- DIYRE CP-5
Processing
- Rupert Neve Designs Master Bus Transformer
- Manley ELOP+ Stereo Optical Compressor
- Audioscape G-Buss Stereo Buss Compressor
- Audioscape V-Comp+ Tube Compressor
- DIYRE OLA-5 Optical Compressor
- DBX 160X Vintage VCA Compressor
- Ashly SC-50 VCA Compressor (X2)
- Square State Solid State M1b Equalizer (X2)
- Driftless Audio Boreal Equalizer
- Furman RV-1 Spring Reverb
Conversion
- RME Fireface UFX III Interface
- MOTU 16A AD/DA Converter
Monitoring
- Focal Shape Twins
- M-Audio AV-40
- Sennheiser HD-60
- Sennheiser HD-280 Pro (X2)