Welcome to issue #172 of Tape Op.

In April this year, Tape Op will be 30 years old. There's no big get-together celebration planned, nor is this an issue packed with retrospectives. We are proud of what Tape Op has accomplished over these three decades, and John Baccigaluppi and I are very appreciative of everyone who has joined us on this journey and contributed to the magazine. What surrounds us is more than a publication or a website, but a community of people who believe in music as an artform and support and enjoy creative musicians and recordings. When I first photocopied and stapled a stack of Tape Op issue #1, I had no idea this would become such a huge part of my life, how long it would last, or how much it would mean to others. Thanks to every reader, contributor, and advertiser who has been part of this. It really does mean a lot to us that people enjoy it and care.

Speaking of care, as I was editing Andy Hong's Gear Geeking column about ice, coffee, hot water, and rechargeable batteries for this issue, it started me thinking about all the amenities that recordists and artists need around themselves in order to do their best work. I'm not just talking about professional recording studios, but in any situation where one is expected to be creative, focus for long hours, and keep a positive outlook, some basic needs should be met. Amenities such as drinking water, coffee and tea, a fridge, comfortable seating, appropriate lighting, phone and laptop chargers, notepads, pens and pencils, a working internet, and maybe even an icemaker – something my studio finally has after 29 years of operation!

Let's keep everyone comfortable, creative, collaborating, and productive with their music. We'll continue to put great new art out into the world. And remember, as Kid Harpoon says in this issue, "Make music that you love."