Tape Op Jun/Jul 2024 No. 161

What are the personal rewards of making and recording music? Or, maybe more tellingly, what are the rewards of recording other people’s music? In this June/July 2024 issue, editor and founder Larry Crane reflects on his journey into music recording, contrasting the current “I want it now” culture with his decades-long process of learning and refining this craft. Despite the desire for quick answers, Crane stresses the importance of investing time and effort in mastering the art of recording, highlighting the significance of the journey towards expertise. The interviews, such as “The Importance of Sound” with Russell Elevado, touch base on the exact philosophy Crane wants to emphasize in this issue. Plus more. Tape Op’s original subtitle still probably says it best: The Creative Music Recording Magazine. Tape Op is about learning how to make great recordings with whatever tools you have access to. They interview engineers, producers and musicians who are making great recordings, sitting down and talk with them at length and then run long, in-depth interviews. The reader becomes, in essence, the “tape op” hanging out in the studio and learning the trade from the seasoned vets working in the studio. Unlike most recording magazines, Tape Op’s primary focus is not on reviewing equipment. They want to discuss making art.