Inside a Manley Variable Mu tube compressor — the full chassis from above: output transformers, valve sockets, film capacitors and hand-wired point-to-point signal path.

Opus Audio Labs · Chicago, IL · Est. 2023

Serve. The. Music.

The element of sound has always intrigued me — it’s an invisible medium with weight-bearing properties that can be felt physically and transcended emotionally.

Chris Gelin · Opus Audio Labs

The Work

Selected credits across recording, mixing, mastering, live sound and production.

Studio

14
  • Jimmy Chamberlin
  • John Mayall
  • Los Lonely Boys
  • Henry GarzaLos Lonely Boys
  • JoJo GarzaLos Lonely Boys
  • Matt WalkerMorrissey / Smashing Pumpkins / Filter / Garbage
  • of1000facesfeat. Michael Shannon / Neko Case / Chris Connelly / Jon Bates
  • Chuchito Valdés Latin Grammy Nominee 2012 — Best Latin Jazz Album
  • MK.geeLive video recording / “Alesis” and “Little Bit More”
  • Nneka
  • Ray WhiteFrank Zappa
  • KornFollow the Leader (pre-production)
  • Jay Davenport / Greg Rzabfeat. John Mayall, Walter Trout, Carl Weathersby, Garrett Patton (Buddy Guy)
  • Johnny Boy Would Love ThisA Tribute to John Martyn / Asst. Engineer / Phil Collins, The Swell Season feat. John Giblin, Sam Butler (Blind Boys of Alabama)

Live Concert Recording

09
  • Trent ReznorHow to Destroy Angels
  • Jazz OddysseyFrank Catalano, Jimmy Chamberlin, Mike Garson, Julian Smith
  • Khruangbin
  • MK.gee
  • Nneka
  • Chévere de Chicago
  • Ivan Neville
  • WTTW Concert Series
  • WFMT Live Recordings

Mastering

04
  • of1000facesfeat. Michael Shannon / Neko Case / Chris Connelly / Jon Bates
  • Matt WalkerMorrissey / Smashing Pumpkins / Filter / Garbage
  • Jazz OddysseyMix & master / Frank Catalano, Jimmy Chamberlin, Mike Garson, Julian Smith
  • Chévere de Chicagofeat. Howard Levy

Producer

04
  • Jay Davenport / Greg RzabCo-producer / feat. John Mayall, Walter Trout, Carl Weathersby, Garrett Patton (Buddy Guy)
  • Liam HayesCo-producer with Pat Sansone (Wilco)
  • Los Lonely Boys“I Let You Think That You Do” / “Send More Love”
  • Marcus AtomGorillaz, Sons of the Silent Age

Venue, Studio & System Design

03
  • Morse TheatreChicago, IL / In collaboration with TC Furlong
  • Lincoln Hall
  • The Nox

Live Sound

35
  • William Patrick Corgan
  • Jimmy Chamberlin
  • The Smashing PumpkinsTower Records ’93 set recreation / Siamese Dream at Madam ZuZu’s
  • John Mayall
  • Los Lonely Boys
  • Shabazz Palaces
  • Chuchito Valdés
  • Sons of the Silent AgeMatt Walker, Chris Connelly
  • MK.gee
  • Nneka
  • Michael Shannon
  • Daniel Lanois
  • Jeff Tweedy
  • Ghostface Killah
  • Killah Priest
  • Tigran Hamasyan
  • Jacob Banks
  • The Autumn Defense
  • Black Dub
  • Ab-Soul
  • Tom Morello
  • Lucas Nelson
  • Trombone Shorty
  • Ivan Neville
  • Chévere de Chicago
  • Jason Isbell
  • Nathaniel Rateliff
  • Anthony Ramos
  • Rickie Lee Jones
  • Cindy Blackman
  • David Amram
  • Michael Che
  • Hannibal Buress
  • WTTW Concert Series
  • WFMT Live Recordings

In Their Words

Chris is the whole package. He brings an excellent set of ears and instincts to the session, and his technical expertise is first rate. Chris has the chops to take you from idea to masterpiece.

Jimmy Chamberlin
The Smashing Pumpkins

I’ve worked with a myriad of great engineers, but Gelin is in a bracket of his own. The work he does goes well beyond moving faders. He’s a true scientist of sound.

JoJo Garza
Los Lonely Boys

Chris is as passionate about music as it gets. From the finest detail to the esoteric, he leaves no stone unturned. Oh, and by the way — his mixes are sick.

Matt Walker
Morrissey / Smashing Pumpkins / Garbage / Filter

When you’re in the studio recording your dreams, you need someone who can bring your imagination into the world. Chris Gelin is at the top of the engineering list in my book.

Ray White
Frank Zappa

Contact

If you’re making a record
that matters to you.

Tell me about the project — where it’s at, what you’re going for, what you’re worried about. I read every message myself.

Prefer email? hello@opusaudiolabs.com

Apple Digital Masters — certified mastering Latin Grammy nominee, 2012 — Best Latin Jazz Album
Chris Gelin at the console at Opus Audio Labs, one hand on the mastering desk and one on the monitor controller.

Chris Gelin · Opus Audio Labs