David Whitcomb of Chicago's Stray Dog Recording Company is an audio engineer of unsurpassed skill and creativity. His mastery of the technical details of recording, mic-ing, mixing and editing is comprehensive. For Dave, putting this mastery to use is second nature, continuous with helping the client realize his or her ambitions for a recording. In other words, Dave uses his arsenal of gadgetry and software rather than letting it use him. This is a quality that a surprising number of otherwise talented engineers don't possess (although I won't name names...)...Concrete example: Smallwire had recorded and mixed tracks at Stray Dog that we subsequently submitted to mastering engineer Bob Weston. Weston remarked that the quality of the recordings (including overall balance, EQ, etc.) was so exceptional that there was almost nothing that needed to be done to get the final master. This is a serious compliment from someone who really knows what he's talking about (and who's not known for bullshitting people). Read the rest of Smallwire's testimonial here

David and Jill are the best. Jill is on top of her game, keeping up with the communication in a timely and professional manner, ALWAYS. You send Stray Dog an email with a question, and you will get a response quicker than most places I've dealt with. This tells me they like what they do and enjoy providing the services they provide. Dave is a great man to have in your corner while you are recording. Dave will cut the shit and bring out the best. When I asked for his input he was always supportive and there with great insight, yet simple and logical. The fucking coffee poured like wine and the cigarettes where smoked like they where growin on trees. Never been in a studio where I could do that anywhere near the board! UP THE IRONS TO JILL AND DAVE AND NICHOLAS! Paul, The Sleepy Kissers

We enjoyed recording at SDRC. The quality is impeccable and you can definitely tell the difference. Dave has a good ear and definitely cares about what comes out of his studio. Contriband

I love how Dave beautifully fulfills the role of engineer without trying to produce the recording (like some experiences I've encountered). I love how fast he can edit and locate specific moments on a song and how he has a natural instinct for understanding non-technical explanations of what you're trying to accomplish. I love how efficient a recording session is while at the same time the vibe is so laid back. I love how I never feel like I'm being judged while I'm working through something which allows me to relax and therefore play my best. On that same vein I love how i never feel like he's rolling his eyes as i repeat some small thing many times over. I guess I really appreciate Dave's patience and tolerance.And lastly Jill- I love how you are so good about keeping up with availability and getting right back to me about scheduling a session. I also love all the dogs and cats!! You guys are great! Dan Ornduff

Stray Dog Recording Co. gave us exactly what we needed -- affordable and professional. In only two days, we had a pretty decent record finished. Dave always finds a way to make a band sound as good as they can. I walked away more happy than I ever have from a studio. Danny & the Dirty Howlers

Our time at Stray Dog Recording Co. was absolutely the most open and art inspiring environment any musician could hope for. We felt very free to compose ourselves however we felt at exactly that moment and Dave would be there for us with open ears and open mind. An absolute sound specialist with great ideas of his own if given the opportunity to express. Dave, a musician himself, understands the importance of comradery and treated our project as if it were his own. We expect to work with Dave in the near future and consider him a friend. Jill is very reliable and the two of them run a very friendly and forgiving studio.  Saturn Spies

Not only did we feel extremely welcome at Stray Dog Recording Co. , but we also had a blast while recording. Dave is very talented and we are very happy with our final result and Jill was very professional and welcoming. We were able to communicate well with Dave and he was very open to everything that we wanted to try on our songs, which is very important to us. We were always comfortable as musicians and as friends. We enjoyed every second and it was sad when it was over. We WILL be back for future projects, both with this band and with others.  Thanks again! The Mighty Ohio

Here is a testimonial (sic) -- a tribute to Mr. Whitcomb's dedication and ballsiness: Whilst recording at SDRC of one chilly spring evening, a technical problem arose. Gnomes ace drummer Ryan Duffy was hitting the bass drum so hard, it kept sliding across the carpet and thudding into the expertly placed microphones. We begged him "hey, take it easy, you are ruining the take with your enthusiasm!", to which he replied "fuck you, I am exhibiting the energy demanded of this strident garage rock anthem for our sophomore compact disc". Mayhem ensued, and...Read the rest of The Gnomes' testimonial

We loved SDRC, it was fun and easy to work with, it made recording fun! Belle Plaine

I had my recording session with Dave today and it was marvelous. Even though you comment that SDRC is a no frills production company; it is my no means and indication of the awesome skill and talent of David my technician. He surely makes up for the no frills. Dave is very creative, patient, and ingenious when it comes to handling equipment. It cuts the production time in half. I have recorded there on two different occasions and each time I got exactly what I was looking for in the way of reproducing my visions. I am a visual Artist primarily. I compose and score my pieces visually and see them as 3-Dimensional sound sculptures. Dave has been able to translate and reproduce the scores perfectly. He seems to get inside my head and make the vision reality with very little effort. He doesn't stop working til I'm 100% pleased with the piece. The cost is more than affordable. Sorry if this is a bit lengthy, but I'm so very impressed with your production company. I look forward to working with you again. I'll definitely pass the word on. Thanks and have a great day. Valerie Ewing

Guys, we had such a great time we can't even put it into words... Dave is hilarious ... Dave is awesome, he kept humming our tunes and we felt better about our songs... YOU GUYS ROCK, we like wanna come back weekly we enjoyed it so much. the ivorys

I would also like to give a shout out to Dave at Stray Dog Recording Co. He did a very nice job on my demo and was super accommodating and patient and good at his job.  If you have a project that needs some audio love, do check out Stray Dog. 13 birds

We are LUV MACHINE and we've recorded two full cd collections and various side projects at Stray Dog Recording Co. We couldn't be any happier with the results.  We also love the real deal steak tacos down the street at Jimenez grocers. We continue to record at the dog, to this day, for several of our audio projects. And, we eat tacos during break. The "results" we are happy with: The "results" we are happy with. Robert Fairweather & LUV MACHINE

Stray Dog Recording is an exceptional value. Great hospitality and an efficient, creative atmosphere- we will definitely be back! Collin Jordan of Boiler Room Mastering & The Interiors

We've recorded in the past with people who are really good at what they do, but unfortunately every mix they get their hands on ends up sounding like it's trying to be Smashing Pumpkins or whatever. Not so with Dave. He brings to his craft a wealth of experience both as an engineer and a listener. Although he's got a degree, he's not dogmatic about things. He helps you make stuff sound the way you want without attempting to intimidate you with a bunch of studio-rat jargon. Add to that his robust political views, Jill's overall awesomeness, and some liquid refreshment. National Tryst

We were a little nervous coming since this was our first time having a professional recording done, but Dave kept the atmosphere real cool and relaxed.  It helped us focus on just playing music and not being tense about recording.  Our demo sounds like the real deal, not muddy like most local recordings, to which we say, "Dave - Many thanks to you sir." Black Casual

Making music at Stray Dog Recording Co. is a blast. Dave and Jill are two of the most laid back, welcoming, and helpful people I have ever met. Merge that with a warm atmosphere and killer gear and you've got a total recording experience. You can hear it in the mix. I'd recommend Stray Dog to any band. Aaron C. Samuels Producer, Nouveau Broke

I thought our stuff sounded good, but Stray Dog Recording Co. made it sound gooder.  And the cheap beer flows like water at the studio too.  Keep up the good work! Greg of Nouveau Broke

I wouldn't take my nonsense anywhere else! Dave makes my crap sound professional. Diandra Jones

Jill, When I booked Hexacron two days in the studio to record four songs, at best I expected to get a rough recording of our songs so that we could start setting up some shows. I thought that in order to get a good recording of our songs, we would have to spend at least four days in the studio and a load of cash. To our surprise what we had recorded after two days sounded rich, full, layered, and dynamic; something that I feel comfortable putting my name on. We all had fun working with and hanging out with Dave and playing with your animals. Thanks!! Andre of Hexacron

We all had a blast and Dave is an awesome and knowledgeable guy to work with and Jill was very helpful to answer any questions for us and get everything set up.. And Nicolas did a great job too...except for when Dave shut his butt in the door, he wasn't too happy with that. Capital Eye

Dave and Jill are honorary Arnold Jacksons. Knowledgeable, friendly and grossly underpaid. Plus, Dave took my baritone voice and made it sound like a cheerleading squad from hell. Skeelz. Black Bryson of Arnold Jackson Band

Thanks. We have an album worth of material from just 2 days in the basement. eckle & fritz

Thank you for your patient and hard work. You did a great job with capturing the sound I wanted. The studio is just what I needed to get this project completed. AMOR

I wanted to thank you two for such a great time at the studio...it was awesome really...tell Nicholas he did a great job ...thank you so much Alby Geist

Dave and Jill are easy to work with AND talented; it's rare to find this combination from any studio! Dave knows how to get the sound just right...you can sound like anything you want to at Stray Dog. Great for any genre; Stray Dog can effectively capture your feel whether you're shooting for a sound like U2 or 50 Cent. And if you're lucky, Fud the Cat will make an appearance or two while you're there...The Stone Puppet

Stray Dog Recording Co. is a great place to record. A friendly, comfortable vibe abounds and can pave the way for great exploration of sonic potentials. Dave is always accommodating and easy to work with, and always willing to try different approaches to making your work sound really def. Rob R-Rock, Remote Control Rockets

Interscope, Warner Bros. and EMI can kiss my skinny ukrainian ass! Dave is definitely the man whose ears I'm able to trust when it comes to documenting my insane ramblings. Here's a list of reasons why everyone should
record at Stray Dog Recording Co.: Precision in all aspects of recording, mixing and production. Undivided attention to every detail. Great attitude. Laid back, stress-free environment. Flexibility. Dima, The Dirty Blue

The thing I liked best was the way the focus was on what I wanted: we recorded the way I wanted to record, we went for the sound I wanted, we mixed things until I was happy. Dave's professionalism and technical skill
were evident, but the fact that he tailored everything to my preferences was what made the entire experience a pleasure. That and that the finished product sounds great. Tari Follett

Stray Dog is the bee's knees. Dave works quickly and lets you follow every reverse-reverb-inspired whim you can come up with. He knows his stuff, but he's not adverse to trying something new if that's what you want. Mad, mad props to Dave and Stray Dog Recording Co. The Spring

Recording a CD is a high pressure situation all by itself, but Dave and Jill actually made it seamless and enjoyable. If you want 'big fancy studio' sound quality at a cost-efficient price...and a great knowledgeable sound studio... Stray Dog.Gigi Bozzano

Incredible! Stray Dog Recording Co. is engineering excellence. The atmosphere is perfect for recording in any mood. - Mondo & Los Claudios

David Whitcomb of Chicago's Stray Dog Recording Company is an audio engineer of unsurpassed skill and creativity. His mastery of the technical details of recording, mic-ing, mixing and editing is comprehensive. For Dave, putting this mastery to use is second nature, continuous with helping the client realize his or her ambitions for a recording. In other words, Dave uses his arsenal of gadgetry and software rather than letting it use him. This is a quality that a surprising number of otherwise talented engineers don't possess (although I won't name names...).

Dave is an excellent listener, by which I mean he's always good at intuiting where levels and settings of every stripe should be placed in order to allow the recording to breathe. Whatever the project -- from dense, multi-track affairs to live acoustic things -- he confers clarity upon the performance, and he confers transparency upon the means by which the performance is achieved.

Concrete example: Smallwire had recorded and mixed tracks at Stray Dog that we subsequently submitted to mastering engineer Bob Weston. Weston remarked that the quality of the recordings (including overall balance, EQ, etc.) was so exceptional that there was almost nothing that needed to be done to get the final master. This is a serious compliment from someone who really knows what he's talking about (and who's not known for bullshitting people).

There's a second sense in which Dave is an excellent listener: he listens to people. He likes people and actually enjoys music. He doesn't have stupid prejudices that privilege the 'inherent worth' of certain kinds of music over others (and he's recorded such a variety of styles over the years that he's accumulated tons of wisdom about how misguided and infeasible such prejudices are). Maybe, in the current parlance, what I mean to say is that he's not a 'hater'. In my unsolicited opinion, being a nice person is the most punk rock thing you can do. And Dave is punk rock through and through.

According to this or any definition, Jill Summers is punk rock, too. In addition to being a talented artist in her own right and a helpful studio-booking person, I happen to know that she makes an amazing veggie burger. It's probably clear to the reader that Dave and Jill are two of my favorite people, and maybe that makes me biased. But this should not be held against them!

Stray Dog Recording Company is one of Chicago's best-kept secrets, a secret that a loose network of creative recording artists has cherished for a number of years. But if Stray Dog has played a part in sustaining and nurturing this vibrant and often unheralded cross-section of Chicago's music culture, it shouldn't follow that Stray Dog itself be denied the wider recognition that is its due. If you care passionately about creating music, or about creating any form of art in the recorded medium, Stray Dog Recording Company is the one recording studio in Chicago that I recommend to you without reservation. -- Tom Schriner (Smallwire, National Tryst)

Here is a testemonial (sic) -- a tribute to Mr. Whitcomb's dedication and ballsiness: Whilst recording at SDRC of one chilly spring evening, a technical problem arose. Gnomes ace drummer Ryan Duffy was hitting the bass drum so hard, it kept sliding across the carpet and thudding into the expertly placed microphones. We begged him "hey, take it easy, you are ruining the take with your enthusiasm!", to which he replied "fuck you, I am exhibiting the energy
demanded of this strident garage rock anthem for our sophomore compact disc". Mayhem ensued, and it appeared the Gnomes, their inhibitions lowered by malt liquor and tempers kindled by the fires of musical inspiration, could ignite at any moment like a leaky gas main. Someone needed to take control of the situation.

Luckily, crack engineer Dave W. had an idea. His eyes rolled back into his head momentarily as if receiving instruction from cranial gremlins via archaic, elaborate hand signals. "The Cinder Block..." he whispered cryptically, the shutting click of the studio door punctuating his phrase as he exited in a blur of flannel and beard. He had passed an abandoned cinder block of considerable girth earlier in the week, whilst on a fitness walk. The Gnomes needed something heavy, and this fit the bill... in spades.

Jogging through two blocks of darkened slippery alleys, Dave could only hope the obelisk had not been claimed already by Steve Albini or Brian Deck. Or entrepreneurial scavengers could already be listing the item on Craigslist or collecting commissions at Music-Go-Round. Be there, be there...

It was there alright, and even bigger than he remembered. Now... to... get... this... back... to the STUDIO!

Nothing lightens a load like forward momentum, practicality spoke to him in winded gusts as he sprinted with the stone. If my journey is brief (it said) perhaps there will still be skin on your hands and perhaps the Gnomes will maintain the cheerful bonhomie that has sustained them since 2003.

Moses could not have strode with more speed or import into the Stray Dog Studio A. "This.. Should... Do... the TRICK..." Dave grunted with Shatnerian elán as he lobbed the cinder block into place in front of the bass drum.

The drum was immobilized; the session was saved, but not without a price: Dave's lunch and perhaps an afternoon snack were sacrificed that day,
luckily not on any of us. All in the name of dedicated craftsmanship, the maintenance of good vibes, and above all, music.

Gratefully, The Gnomes