How could Tape Op be better?

asmara · Post by **asmara** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 8:25 am

more diagrams and studio photos. I would love to have a cd or download code and provide some audio content to subscribers to highlight reviews. TapeOp is the best

Post by **TapeOpLarry** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 12:11 pm

"I would love to have a cd or download code and provide some audio content to subscribers to highlight reviews. TapeOp is the best"

We just don't see where the time spent creating audio content would be well spent here. I like the "idea" of it, but assembling an audio and print mag every two months, with the knowledge that the audio mag would certainly not make enough money to cover itself (like this damn forum) - it just ain't gonna happen. I always hope people pick up some of the albums that are talked about - I get turned on to a lot of good music when I interview people...

asmara · Post by **asmara** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 1:22 pm

LC-
thanks for the reply. I also have discovered some cool bands and search out old records that are mentioned. I have been reading for about 1-year. I really like the CD and book reviews. After learning about it in TO. I bought that Beatles recording book and it is phenomenal. When is the compiled TapeOp vol II coming out? Any chance to interview people from or at Ardent Studios discussing Big Star? Perhaps its already been done.
Cheers

lightandmind · Post by **lightandmind** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 6:10 pm

Advanced Search Options! With such a vast array of information, this site's archives are the Encyclopedia for the unexplainable art of sound engineering, and I wonder why we've not had the option to research this large bounty of information with more precision.

ethyrvalve · Post by **ethyrvalve** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 8:57 am

Kudos! I'm, by-and-large, very satisfied with the magazine. That said, I'd personally like to see even more interviews with older producers and engineers. I loved the Giorgio Gomelsky piece. Have you ever interviewed Walter Sear? If not, he'd be a great subject for a piece IMO.

edit: just noticed the walter sear interview in the back issues section. good work.

AstroDan · Post by **AstroDan** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 4:18 pm

I think it would be kind of neat to see a section of very beginners; like a candid picture of a hardcore band full of 16 year olds running everything through a vintage Peavey powered mixer into a handheld Zoom 3 track. Kind of a snap-shot of every person who posts here's first foray into recording (or what I'm still doing 15 years into it).

In a totally non-patronizing way, I think it would be endearing. Like watching kids discover things you forget you at one time had to learn but are second nature to now - and people just starting out could relate to. "Hey cool, these guys don't know what a compressor is either."

It may not sound constructive, but it could give people encouragement seeing others in the same boat just getting their feet wet.

lharless · Post by **lharless** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 7:44 am

The only thing that could be better about it would be something along the lines of sending out a sampler cd, or providing links to audio examples of this and that, according to whatever is in the magazine. Maybe some video links that match up with articles. That would be, as Garcia said, the "hippest" man!

It's been a real treat. Thank you all. Everybody involved with getting TapeOp out to me every issue.

generichumanperson · Post by **generichumanperson** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 3:23 pm

b3groover wrote:More articles outside the indie rock scene.

Yeah definitely.

Marlowe · Post by **Marlowe** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 6:40 pm

Here's a suggestion:

In the letters section, can the letter/question be designed (bolded, for instance) such that it contrasts more from the responses/answers? Often, If I'm checking out a question that I'm not interested in reading the answer to (yes, it happens) or if I stop reading in the middle of the letters and come back later to continue, I have a hard time finding where I am and navigating around.

So, more concisely: how about some bold action on the questions?

-Marlowe

PS Otherwise, I think Tape Op is one of the best laid out mags I have the pleasure of reading. Excellent design.

Winstontaneous · Post by **Winstontaneous** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 3:01 pm

generichumanperson wrote:
b3groover wrote:More articles outside the indie rock scene.
Yeah definitely.

I'd particularly be interested in some articles about the recording/production/editing of classical music.

I recently watched a documentary about Igor Stravinsky from the 60's or 70's. Much of the film showed Stravinsky conducting a Canadian orchestra. The cool part was the producers/engineers had musical scores and were very aware of performance nuances that had to be adjusted to make the sound/dynamics of the music translate properly to tape.

It obviously took some deep musical knowledge (and b@lls) to tell Igor to stop the music and change dynamics, or keep repeating a section (presumably building up takes to be edited together). I had always kinda thought somebody just threw up a couple of mics and pressed record, capturing a single stellar performance from start to finish. I'm sure that can happen when the stars are all perfectly aligned, but this movie opened my eyes to what really goes on in the searchfor classical perfection (Glenn Gould, anyone?)

IMO Tape Op just keeps getting better and each issue opens my eyes to people/music/ideas/gear I wouldn't otherwise find. That said I hope y'all can finagle interviews with Brian Eno, Bill Laswell, and Quincy Jones someday.

Post by **TapeOpLarry** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 3:08 pm

"Brian Eno, Bill Laswell, and Quincy Jones someday." Me TOO! I bug Eno's management every 6 months. Right now it's "He's working on a book through December." Laswell has made it difficult, the writers that tried told me. Quincy? Some day I hope so too.

Classical engineers do a lot of editing, as far as I've been told. And yeah, reading the score is crucial. Not for me! I'll try for more guys. James Fei has some on his list to interview but he got moved to another school and is probably busy as hell! Would be cool though, I agree.

Post by **TapeOpLarry** » Fri May 02, 2008 12:33 pm

"In the letters section, can the letter/question be designed (bolded, for instance) such that it contrasts more from the responses/answers?"

The answers are always in [i]italics[/i]. You didn't notice? It seems that gives it away...[/i]

drissa · Post by **drissa** » Fri May 02, 2008 1:47 pm

I've been receiving Tape Op for a little while now and, after about 8 years on the SOS Forum, I've grown tired of the squabbles and starting using this one.

When I first read TO, I guess I didn't 'get it'. Now, it feels like it fit me and I've found many of the articles quite inspiring, which I don't get from the 'gear porn' mags.

The only issue I have is that the intimacy of the interviews and personal connection between the writer and subject often feel like I'm intruding when I read. There is sometimes the sense that the writer wants to demonstrate how in touch they are with the subject's history - at times, they seem to idolise them. However, this is probably the same place that the positive elements stem from too - the laid back feel, the alternative approach, the interest in grass-roots stuff, etc.

It's great that there is a UK version, with UK ads. An 'import' wouldn't feel as good to read.

Post by **TapeOpLarry** » Fri May 02, 2008 5:12 pm

"I'm intruding when I read." I wonder in a way if this is a bit of the English/US difference? When I interview someone I do a shitload of research in order to find out their past and in order to be able to ask new questions that others may have missed along the way. I'm not sure if I idolize anyone, but I'm always happy to learn from someone with more experience and appreciate that people take time to talk to us!

lancebug · Post by **lancebug** » Fri May 02, 2008 9:26 pm

generichumanperson wrote:
b3groover wrote:More articles outside the indie rock scene.
Yeah definitely.

Martin Birch interview. He was so much the guy during those golden formative metal years.

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