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Huntlabs
pushin' record
Joined: 26 Dec 2004
Posts: 287
Location: Portland, OR
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 Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 2:05 am Post subject: Re: A Disturbing Trend in the Tape OP Reviews... |
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Welcome to porn....
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dwlb
zen recordist
Joined: 31 Jul 2003
Posts: 6618
Location: criticizing globally, offending locally
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| Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 3:10 am Post subject: Re: A Disturbing Trend in the Tape OP Reviews... |
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| soundguy wrote: | You guys know you can contribute to the mag, right?
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Um, actually, no. Pray, elucidate.
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All the DWLB music is at http://dwlb.bandcamp.com/ |
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jmiller
steve albini likes it
Joined: 06 Sep 2003
Posts: 396
Location: North Hollywood, on Radford near the In-N-Out
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| Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 3:13 am Post subject: Re: A Disturbing Trend in the Tape OP Reviews... |
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I wasn't gonna bother contributing to this, but the one thing that came to my mind that I haven't seen mentioned yet is this: One magazine, be it TO or anything else, is by no means the ONLY source of reviews for you to read. There are reviews all over this board, all over other boards, all over harmony central's site, etc. There's no conspiracy to raise the average price of the reviewed gear out of our reach. I have noticed a lot of reviews for expensive gear I can't afford lately but I still think it's worth reading, IMO.
I'm sure Larry has moved on from this thread by now, but I still want to say that this is seriously an unbelievably great magazine and we're incredibly lucky to get it at all, let alone for free. Seen any other magazines lately that tell you to rip open your gear and snip wires, swap wires/transformers, etc? I sure haven't. Most other magazines I see are "this new compressor/mic/software is incredible and only a $XX. Buy it now and your tracks will sound warm, punchy and Pro."
Thanks for a great mag, Larry, and for all the hard work that goes into it. |
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nacho459
re-cappin' neve
Joined: 01 Jul 2004
Posts: 748
Location: Pasadena USA
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| Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 4:48 am Post subject: Re: A Disturbing Trend in the Tape OP Reviews... |
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I'm glad TapeOp actually reviews stuff that you can't buy at GC. So many other "pro audio" magazines just try to convince you to buy new software, and that everyone loves the new $59 Nady mic. Prosumer is a big market. Mackie will sell more gear then Daking, so most mags want to promote Mackie so they'll keep buying adds. That's why I like reading reviews that let the reader know that a $3000 box sounds better then a $300 box. That said I wish they would write more negative reviews about $20 gear just cause I like to hear people talk shit. 
Here's an idea. A best and worst issue voted on by the readers. Just like those other "recording" magazines that give reviews of the radical new $199 mic that's gonna change the industry. But these would be strictly categorized in weird but useful ways.
Best Chinese mic under $300
Worst Chinese mic over $300
Most overrated microphone
Best Neve rip off
Most Durable Direct Box, Mixer, Mic, etc (this could get expensive)
Worst circuit design
Cheapest components
Best ebay/pawn shop (readers would submit their best gear deals, IE: the guy who got the Gold Top at a yard sale for $200 would win)
Mixer with the worst built in effects
Features over quality
Worst "tube" mic pre
Best Mac - PC compatibility
Best monitors under $500
Worst monitors over $500
I think this would be a lot of fun, and may come in handy, we could nominate pieces of gear and then vote in an online poll. |
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joeysimms
ears didn't survive the freeze
Joined: 05 Jun 2003
Posts: 3838
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| Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 5:05 am Post subject: Re: A Disturbing Trend in the Tape OP Reviews... |
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| nacho459 wrote: | | ... That's why I like reading reviews that let the reader know that a $3000 box sounds better then a $300 box. |
Yeah but, is the $3k box $2700 better than the $300 box? NOPE.
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joelpatterson
carpal tunnel
Joined: 10 Jun 2003
Posts: 1723
Location: Albany, New York
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| Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 5:25 am Post subject: Re: A Disturbing Trend in the Tape OP Reviews... |
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| dwlb wrote: | | soundguy wrote: | You guys know you can contribute to the mag, right?
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Um, actually, no. Pray, elucidate. |
First things first--find out if the manufacturer has any outstanding debts for advertising in TapeOp.
Voice of experience speaking. 
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nacho459
re-cappin' neve
Joined: 01 Jul 2004
Posts: 748
Location: Pasadena USA
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| Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 5:38 am Post subject: Re: A Disturbing Trend in the Tape OP Reviews... |
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| joeysimms wrote: | | Yeah but, is the $3k box $2700 better than the $300 box? |
Yeah, If you can afford the $2700.
If quality wasn't worth the price nobody would buy Neve consoles / modules and everyone would just use übermixers to make albums. |
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percussion boy
george martin
Joined: 07 May 2003
Posts: 1487
Location: Bay Area
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| Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 5:45 am Post subject: Re: A Disturbing Trend in the Tape OP Reviews... |
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| nacho459 wrote: | Here's an idea. A best and worst issue voted on by the readers. Just like those other "recording" magazines that give reviews of the radical new $199 mic that's gonna change the industry. But these would be strictly categorized in weird but useful ways.
Best Chinese mic under $300
Worst Chinese mic over $300
Most overrated microphone
Best Neve rip off
Most Durable Direct Box, Mixer, Mic, etc (this could get expensive)
Worst circuit design
Cheapest components
Best ebay/pawn shop (readers would submit their best gear deals, IE: the guy who got the Gold Top at a yard sale for $200 would win)
Mixer with the worst built in effects
Features over quality
Worst "tube" mic pre
Best Mac - PC compatibility
Best monitors under $500
Worst monitors over $500
I think this would be a lot of fun, and may come in handy, we could nominate pieces of gear and then vote in an online poll. |
That would be great. We could do it here (sticky up to a certain deadline?)and see if the mag picks it up, the way they sometimes publish posts from the board.
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bigtoe
deaf.
Joined: 13 May 2003
Posts: 1776
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| Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 10:31 am Post subject: Re: A Disturbing Trend in the Tape OP Reviews... |
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| cgarges wrote: | | percussion boy wrote: | | Um . . . don't you think it's valuable information if you don't dig it? |
I do, but in terms of space in the mag, I think it's probably more valuable for Larry and the guys to publish positively-angled reviews than negative ones. Every review (and God knows this is true of TapeOp) is full of personal opinion. I think it's more valuable and less controversial or whatever if you publish a positive review than a negative one. Everyone is going to have their own opinions about what they like and don't like about a piece of gear. Personally, I'd rather hear more accounts of what certain people think is cool about something than what certain people think sucks about something. It's easier for me to make my own judgements about something that sucks.
The positive/negative review thing has been discussed a bunch. I don't think you're likely to change Larry or Andy's mind about this any time soon, but you're welcome to keep trying.
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i love the mag - i respect the peeps - i'm not crying a retarded 'sell out' or questioning tape op's 'integrity' - but this reviewing policy is for the birds.
pick the reviewer - not the review - or don't call it a review - call it a special advertising section. there is a big difference in keeping it positive and fishing for it.
i personally respect garges' reviews...they're worth checking out because i trust him and a negative for him could be a positive to me. glossing it over is bad journalism no matter what name is on the cover.
no offense,
Mike |
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Marlowe
gettin' sounds
Joined: 26 May 2004
Posts: 114
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| Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 11:35 am Post subject: Re: A Disturbing Trend in the Tape OP Reviews... |
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I think Tape Op usually reviews gear that impresses the editors, despite it's price. I would imagine that exceptional, low-cost new gear is harder to come by than exceptional higher cost new gear. Sure, there are many examples of inexpensive, high-value gear we all use (sm57, RNC, etc.) but finding NEW really great products is more difficult. I think this may account for that the trend you mention.
I appreciate Tape Op reviews generally because I trust the editors at Tape Op not to sell me out and write wishy-washy, filler bullshit as I see in all the other audio mags. When I am looking for gear (especially really pricey stuff) I can really trust Tape Op reviews for a valid opinion. They have both affirmed my previous interest in a product as well as guided me toward a product I didn't know about.
The reviews are one of my most favorite parts of Tape Op.
Marlowe |
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MT
takin' a dinner break
Joined: 17 Jan 2005
Posts: 170
Location: Dallas, TX
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| Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 11:40 am Post subject: Re: A Disturbing Trend in the Tape OP Reviews... |
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| Knights Who Say Neve wrote: | | It's a drag to receive my beloved magazine and have all the reviews be of things I just can't afford. Are the impovrished home recorders of the world being left behind? |
Your username's "Knights Who Say Neve" - but you're bitching about the cost of gear that's reviewed.
I'm confused. |
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RefD
on a wing and a prayer
Joined: 28 Aug 2004
Posts: 5986
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| Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 11:43 am Post subject: Re: A Disturbing Trend in the Tape OP Reviews... |
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| MT wrote: | | Knights Who Say Neve wrote: | | It's a drag to receive my beloved magazine and have all the reviews be of things I just can't afford. Are the impovrished home recorders of the world being left behind? |
Your username's "Knights Who Say Neve" - but you're bitching about the cost of gear that's reviewed.
I'm confused. |
it's probly just a simple audio-related pun on The Knights Who Say "NI!" and nothing more.
i like it! 
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cgarges
zen recordist
Joined: 16 Jun 2003
Posts: 10632
Location: Charlotte, NC
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RefD
on a wing and a prayer
Joined: 28 Aug 2004
Posts: 5986
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| Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 12:05 pm Post subject: Re: A Disturbing Trend in the Tape OP Reviews... |
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| cgarges wrote: | | Marlowe wrote: | | I think Tape Op usually reviews gear that impresses the editors, despite it's price. |
Trust me, TapeOp usually reviews gear by people who SUBMIT reviews.
Chris |
i'd love to submit some reviews of middle to low end gear.
what style manual/conventions should submissions follow?
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“What need is there to weep over parts of life? The whole of it calls for tears.” -- Seneca |
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goose
ass engineer
Joined: 12 Nov 2003
Posts: 41
Location: Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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| Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 12:10 pm Post subject: Re: A Disturbing Trend in the Tape OP Reviews... |
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| Good question. Is there a style guide for TapeOp? (serious question) |
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