Why I won't be subscribing to Tape Op

[auan]

Christ knows why I checked "Notify me when a reply is posted" here.

Hi everybody, long time no see.

And when my freebie subscription to Tape Op ran out, I paid up and get every issue now.

EDIT: The article in question was a pisstake, Oz Fritz contributes them every so often, kind of a running joke. But totally threw me when I read it in like the third issue I ever got and had no idea. Yeah, I did sound like a prick back then...

[djshiva]

besdide being free in the states-- tape op is a great, and i mean GREAT recording/engineering magazine. But that's what it's about-- mic's, processes, ideas, gear, and records. And overall, since it's run by a guy who does mainly rock recordings-- it's about the rock and indie world. W/ that said they had a great article on shocklee last year, done stuff on autechre and sigur ros.

They had an amazing interview a few years back w/ Michael Brauer, who did most of Luther Vandross' records. He mixes in a totally bizarre fashion--feeding 4 compressors and summing those, and his mixes sound amazing and full. Yes, he speaks in technical details because that's how engineers work-- balancing his input at +4dbu w/ a 0dbFS tone at 1khz and stuff like that. That's the language of engineering-- not songwriting, not arranging, etc.

If i recall, that issue had an amazing interview w/ John Frusciante and a side article w/ his engineer who spoke at great length about balancing a career and a relationship.

oh, and the gear reviews are crazy informative.

It may not be targeted towards you, but there's tons of info in every tape op. Saying it's "very, very far up it's own arse" isn't just complete bullshit-- you're also throwing away TONS of info that will make your mixes better, given in a pretty informal setting by the best in the biz.

all of this.

i find a lot of the articles to deal with more than just technical stuff. lifelong engineers talk about what keeps em motivated, interesting ideas in recording, neat studio concepts.

is it geared toward the electronic world? no. and it's all the better for that, since music is music, and a lot of electronic music could do with a bit of a conceptual shakeup, IMO.

plus, might i add, i really don't care if someone chooses not to subscribe. but just in case you do care, i want you all to know that i will never subscribe to cosmopolitan or teen magazine. they get SO technical about makeup tips and trying to impress boys, when we all know they should be focusing on shoes.

[zeno]

I've been reading tape op for a long time. I haven't had as much time lately to dig through it, but it's great... Especially for the price.

For me

ElectronicMusician < TapeOp

[deadly_habit]

one of the few mags i read cover to cover when i get it
also great for gear porn