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...
Many times the only obstacle to getting great recordings is simply us. We think before we listen. We convince ourselves that the right mic has been chosen, that the room doesn't sound that bad, and...
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...
Right after this issue comes out, April 15th, 2016 will come around. What's the significance of this date? It marks 20 years of Tape Op Magazine. As the founder and editor of this humble mag, I am in...
While interviewing Andrija Tokic for this issue of Tape Op he told me, "Mics are nothing like ears. It's about learning how to get what you like out of a sound." I couldn't agree more. I'm...
There's a subtle, interesting thought that pops up several times in this issue. Dave Pensado mentions, "I hate it when I hear somebody trying to be clever." Andrija Tokic notes that his "least...
I'm in front of the console, about one hour into a mixing session with a new client in attendance. I've got too much on my mind, an issue of the magazine to write and edit, gear to upgrade...
I'll bet a lot of our readers know this feeling. You labor over a recording, working so hard, and eventually the music gets released into the world. You feel proud knowing something good has been...
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Last year I met up for beers with an audio engineer who was passing through town while doing front of house for a well-known artist on a sold out tour. While we were chatting about life and audio, he...
I was invited to speak in front of a recording class that a friend was teaching recently, and one of the topics I brought up was the concept of being a fan of music. I find it hard to believe that...
For the last six months I've worked on an album that's very much steeped in the style of the classic mid-century crooners. Artists like Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Johnny Mathis, and Julie London cut...
As I was putting this issue together I was also moving into a new office. I feel lucky to finally have enough room to set up a shelf specifically for archive materials, such as magazine back issues,...
