ISSUE ARCHIVE
NO. 171 | Nov 2025
NO. 170 | Sep 2025
NO. 169 | Sep 2025
NO. 168 | Jul 2025
NO. 167 | May 2025
NO. 166 | Mar 2025
NO. 165 | Jan 2025
NO. 164 | Nov 2024
May/Jun 2023
While brainstorming the "Not So Oblique Strategies" End Rant for this issue, I was reminded of a very simple, but truthful (and not so oblique), thought I've been trying to convey via Tape Op for decades: Creating a place and time for music to be recorded is as important as the tools used to capture the sounds. In fact, I think it's more important.
Whether it's in a commercial studio, setting up a personal space at home, or using other locales as tracking rooms, we all must decide on the place where music will be made and recorded. Then, even more important, comes the task of setting a start and stop time for when the session will take place, as well as determining the goals to reach and what methodology to use. But there are always so many distractions that can deter us.
I don't know how many "solo albums" I have meant to start that end up getting pushed aside for other tasks. When I work at home, I often find myself distracted with daily chores. When I visit my studio on an open day, I might find myself unintentionally getting wrapped up in updating software, repairing headphones, or sorting out cables. Before I know it, the time that I'd hoped I would spend recording my own music has filled with tasks. We all have work to do, and keeping any studio space running is important. However, despite the many myths, creativity often doesn't "just happen." It needs a set time and place to flourish.
Find a place, pick a time, and work on the music you wish to capture or create. This simple act of focusin g is the first step towards getting results.
— LARRY CRANE,EDITOR & FOUNDER
A pioneer of modern electronic music, Morton Subotnick initiated technical innovations and created new sonic paradigms with his groundbreaking 1967 album Silver Apples of the Moon. Now in his 90th yea...
The pairing of Amanda Shires and producer Lawrence Rothman is an unlikely one. On paper, Amanda's Americana-leaning solo records (including her work with The Highwomen), and Lawrence's art rock produc...
A songwriter, producer, mixer, engineer, multi-instrumentalist, director, and actress, Hill Kourkoutis is based in Barrie, a small town outside of Toronto, Canada. In addition to her recording and production work, she creates music videos and mentors emerging artists. In 2022, Hill was awarded Canada's JUNO Award for Recording Engineer of the Year. She recently chatted with Lisa Machac, of Omni Sound Project, about her career, her studio (The Lair), and her plans for the future. Feature Photo: Hill Kourkoutis Photographed by Laura Joy Photography
For years I had seen the name Tony Hoffer on album credits. In addition to producing Belle & Sebastian albums, he's also mixed hits for M83, co-produced Beck's Midnite Vultures, mixed Metric [Tape Op ...
Tunde Adebimpe is the co-lead singer and co-founder of the critically acclaimed TV On The Radio, a group who helped reshape rock music as well as the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York in...
On April 14, 2018, at Jackpot! Recording Studio, I interviewed Robert Schneider in front of a live audience. Afterwards, he did a short solo set, and then The Minders played – a band both of us had re...
In his well-equipped and comfortable Old Soul Studios in Catskill, New York, where artists such as Ratatat, Beirut, and The New Pornographers [Tape Op #27] have made records, Kenny Siegal has worked on albums with Chris Whitley, Langhorne Slim, Spottiswoode & His Enemies, Chuck Prophet, Tears For Fears [#147], Robin Taylor Zander (RTZ), The Wiyos, his own projects, Johnny Society and HUNK, and with his wife, Gwen Snyder Siegal, on her albums as Blueberry. He's an interesting combination of songwriter, producer, singer, musician, engineer, and studio owner, and – as you will see – someone who thinks about the creative process all the time. Feature Photo: Kenny Siegal Photographed by Rayon Richards
We recently received a query from a curious reader, Tzuriel Kastel. Tzuriel wanted to know, "What do you see as the next big thing in music production?" I passed this on to various Tape Op contributor...
In 1975, Brian Eno (Tape Op #85) and multimedia artist Peter Schmidt published their first set of Oblique Strategies: Over One Hundred Worthwhile Dilemmas. These cards work as creativity resets, promp...