First, I've waited way too long to write this review. If you decide to work with Handwritten Recording, wave goodbye to the days of over paying, snobby engineers and the often esoteric mixing and mastering process. Rick and JP run an efficient studio focused on the delivery of high quality audio. And they deliver. I was referred to Handwritten by a former band mate last summer. I cringed at the idea of leaving my home studio for the mixing and mastering process, but was pleasantly surprised to find a studio devoid of the usual nonsense. Not only did Rick and JP deliver on time, and with high quality, but I learned a considerable amount of new information regarding mixing and mastering. They didn't need to share their knowledge base, but they did. It's that kind of philosophy and openness that will keep me as a customer. As I'm launching a new project for this summer, working with Handwritten is a given. If you want to pay big prices to big egos, take your pick of the bevy of available Chicago studios. If you want to craft sounds and trade techniques with dedicated engineers, go see Rick and JP at Handwritten Recording. -Will read more

I have worked with 3 other studios and Handwritten is by far my favorite. Rick Riggs is extremely professional, insightful, and respectful of the artist's music. I have been to other studios that take forever between takes and it really kills the excitement and energy of the session. The sessions with Rick were a complete pleasure and went quickly. He never impedes on your vision for your album or recording work but he will provide useful insight when asked. I could not be happier with the final product of my album SOMETIMES IT'S FUNNY. I am already getting a lot of radio play and my promotion company has commented on the professional sound of the recording. Handwritten is also extremely affordable and Rick is very conscious about not wasting time in the studio. Overall the best experience I have had in a studio. read more

Have worked with Rick at Handwritten on numerous projects and would never go anywhere else. He has a phenomenal ear, great taste, the graciousness of a diplomat and the technical skills of the most adept engineer. He is open to whatever the artist wants to try, patient and good-humored no matter how long a session might go, and gives each and every track everything he's got. He gives the client a ridiculous amount of attention, respect and support, no matter who it is or what they're working on. The engineers we'd worked with other places reminded me a bit of the guys who work blackjack tables: professional, yes, but detached and a bit jaded. Not Rick. He loves working with musicians, loves his work, and will do anything to help you get the sound you want. Handwritten Recording is a gem. read more

Over the past several years I have worked with Handwritten Recording to record original albums for our project - SGM. I have truly enjoyed the experience and consider HR to be an important partner as we look to continue to record additional music. I would highly recommend using HR because you will have their complete dedication and attention while you are in session. In addition, their overall approach to the recording process makes you realize that you want to come back and record more music with these guys again. It's also worth noting that these guys have great energy, a fantastic sense of humor and a great location/ physical studio in the heart of Lakeview. I consider the experience with HR to be a great investment and one that I plan to repeat again. read more

I've worked with Rick on several different projects at Handwritten and on both sides of the booth -- as a producer, a sessioner, and a client. I teach a summer music camp that goes to Handwritten to record, and Rick is able to make pre-adolescents sound like professionals. He's kind of a miracle worker. What has impressed me the most about him is his musical intuition -- where other engineers might take a while to learn the structure and feel of your song, Rick picks it up almost instantly, and he has a photographic memory when it comes to what happened during which take. It saves an enormous amount of time...and money. Also: his mom made chili for us for a long mixing day, and I don't even know her. So that's pretty awesome. read more

The quote on the wall above Rick's mixing board says it all: "Creativity is allowing yourself the freedom to make mistakes. Art is allowing which ones to keep." Over the 6 hours I spent in Rick's studio recording a number of songs I'd written it was clear that this was his mantra. Seeing this quote on the wall when I walked in really helped set the tone for the afternoon. Rick is very personable and takes a great deal of interest in the projects he's working on. I was very satisfied with the equipment he had available to me. It's clear he has a great handle on how to capture the best audio possible. I was extremely happy with the finished product and plan on working with Rick again on my next musical venture next year. read more

I really enjoy recording at HandWritten Recording studio , Rick is great fun to work with. He is also really easy going skill full and professional . I was called in to record several sessions with different configurations of musicians and each session began promptly and the clients were able to complete recordings within their respective time constraints . The final results have always been outstanding and reasonably priced. So much so that I recorded a few projects of my own there . I have recorded at most of the top studios in Chicago . Hand Written Recording is by far my favorite studio , for its sound comfort and intimacy . And no Rick didn't pay me to write this ..I just really love this studio ! read more

I was ready to record my first cd, but I did not have a studio to do so. Rick Riggs reached out and invited me to come and record at Handwritten Recording. My first day recording was an experience that changed my life as an artist, but more importantly as a human being. Rick Riggs is one of the most professional and genuine individuals I know. Each track presented to Rick is approached with an open mind and the skills of a well seasoned audio engineer. Every session at Handwritten is full of hard work and laughs. I always look forward to booking studio time. I am proud to call Handwritten Recordings my studio home. -Joey P read more

I walked into the studio without any recording experience, and the co-owner and professional audio engineer, Rick Riggs, walked me through the process cheerfully and with enthusiasm. Over the course of several weeks I came back several times to the studio to record all of the bits needed to complete my ten-track, 30+ minute album called Follow the River Bend. Rick was a huge resource every step of the way, and I'm really proud of what we accomplished there! The equipment he had on site always came in handy, and parking nearby was never a problem, day, evening or weekend. I would recommend Handwritten to anyone and everyone. read more

We recorded about 8 songs here over the course of 4 or 5 days. A lot of times, long days in a studio can become frustrating and cause tension within the band. Not only was that not the case, it probably brought us closer together as musicians. A lot of that had to do with the ease and comfort that the Riggs brothers brought to the environment at Handwritten. They were incredibly open-minded and helpful and have years of experience with a number of acclaimed artists. I can't wait to get back in there again, it was some of the most fun I've had as an artist. read more

We recorded our 6 track EP at Handwritten Recording and it was a huge success! Not only did our EP receive over 20+ 4/5 star reviews it also opened a lot of doors for us in the music world. Riggs was just not a good engineer and master of his craft he honestly beleives in the projects he works on. The equipment and service was very professionalI yet the environment and feedback was very laid back and comfortable. We already decided that we are going to record our next full length album at Handwritten. I highly recommend this place to any musician. read more

Rick is an excellent partner to have when recording an album. He remains engaged in your music and is quick to give great feedback and suggestions when needed. On top of all that, he has incredible patience and never seems to mind listening to the same snippet of a track over and over again or chasing an idea down a rabbit hole. His skills as an editor are also top notch, making the mixing and mastering process all the easier. read more

We stumbled upon Handwritten Recording back in the glory days of myspace. Finding Rick and J.P. was easily worth the price of admission to that particularly soul-devouring world. They are patient and gentle and will definitely not make you feel self-conscious about any of your shortcomings, real or imagined. Handwritten was our first studio experience, and they've given us no desire whatsoever to play the field. read more

Recorded my entire album here after doing an extensive studio search in Chicago. The flexibility, quality, and professionalism at Handwritten cannot be beaten for a small to mid-sized studio. The Riggs brothers are naturally helpful and were willing to do anything I asked of them. It really felt like they cared about my project. I would recommend them to any friend or musician. read more

Handwritten is simply a great place to record. Rick knows music, artists and sound and gets right down to it. He doesn't pull any punches, and also doubles as a keen producer, directing you towards the goal. Apart from that, they provide some equipment for use, such as vintage amps, guitars and effects. I live in NYC, but fly into Chi for recording projects here. read more

Rick is a master of the craft, and really can do much more for a project than I thought. He made the entire process as seamless as possible and helped my entire sound grow in ways I would have never been able to do alone. The service he provides is genuine, and I would be honored to work with him again... and I plan on doing just that! read more

I have enjoyed recording with Rick and the guys at Handwritten. They are professional, flexible, and have good follow-up. We have worked with them a number of times, and each time, it is consistent. They are a pleasure to work with. read more

Had a great experience at Handwritten! Rick is a very relaxed, down to Earth dude, and provides whatever atmosphere is needed. The musician is in complete control, and they do their best to keep the musician/customer satisfied! read more