The Lasting Power of Music
by John Baccigaluppi
During the past few years I've been thinking a lot about music and why it still feels so important to me. I believe in the long-term, far-reaching power of music in our lives, and I feel that many...
End Rants
Sporadic and regular articles from our contributors.
Set and Forget?
by Larry Crane
The art of recording music obviously involves the intersection of technical skills and creativity. It's certainly this juncture that fascinates many of us, and has lured us into a life of placing...
Social Isolation
by Paul Clark
I’ve spent most of my career in the technology industry, early on as the CEO of a rapidly growing electronics firm, and now as a partner in a company with one of the world’s most...
When Does the Production Happen?
by Larry Crane
Years ago, while talking to the late Cosimo Matassa [Tape Op #40], I remember marveling at the sounds he had achieved while recording early hits for Little Richard, Fats Domino, Roy Brown, and many...
A Musicians Guide to Caring for Your Recordist
by Larry Crane
In the past I’ve written many End Rants about how I expect recordists to treat their clients. But I’ve also stumbled across many online forums where I’ve see recording engineers and...
The Real Skills You Need to Make Great Recordings
by Larry Crane
It's easy to think that amassing a pile of recording equipment is all one needs to do in order to run a successful commercial studio, but it's only a small part of the equation. What are the true...
Common Misconceptions About Recording
by Larry Crane
The art of recording music is one that seems to fascinate everyone. For folks that never have set foot into a recording studio, the concept of being there at the moment of inspiration, as well as...
You Can't Buy Loyalty
by Marc Golde
We’ve all been there. A band that you’re very excited about books time in your studio. They are also excited to work with you in your facility. It’s their first, or maybe second,...
Give Me a Hammer, Part 2
by John Baccigaluppi
Several years ago, I wrote an End Rant [Tape Op #102] about my frustration with software upgrades, and how I wanted a stable recording platform. I received a surprising amount of positive emails...
Just Start Over
by Larry Crane
I remember a session, 17 years ago, with the band Quasi, for the album Field Studies. We'd tracked a song, "Birds." I thought the initial take was fine, and I believe we'd started overdubbing on it....
Beware of the "Winner Takes All" Phenomenon
by Larry Crane
When I began Tape Op it was a reaction, in part, to the prevalence of high-end studios in other recording magazines. I'd see a photo of a giant console in a fancy room and think, "I've never made a...
Twenty Years of Learning and Growing
by Larry Crane
Looking back, it seems like I've always been recording something. When I was very young there were a pair of small Sony reel-to-reel recorders floating around our house — previously used by...