Give Me a Hammer
by John Baccigaluppi
It was at a recent trade show, after a major DAW manufacturer cancelled our meeting, that I realized I was relieved to be off the hook. I always enjoy meeting with this person, and I use and like...
End Rants
Sporadic and regular articles from our contributors.
Putting the Pieces Together
by Larry Crane
Last issue we ran John La Grou's article, "The Future of Audio Engineering." In John's look ahead we see a harrowing glimpse of a world where the audio engineer, composer, and musicians are possibly...
The End of the Day
by Larry Crane
It's getting late. We've been working on this album off and on for months. We're nearing the end of the last mix, and it's sounding pretty good. It came together fairly easily, as we'd carefully...
It’s the Little Things That Count
by Larry Crane
Years ago John Fischbach, a well-established and respected producer/engineer, came to my studio to record an album that our mutual friend, Luther Russell, was producing. [See Tape Op #21.] In those...
Welcome to the Service Industry
by Larry Crane
When I graduated from college, I dove headlong into restaurant work in order to survive. I had a degree in Visual Communications and a minor in Art from an un- prestigious college, but near the end of...
Ease of Use
by Larry Crane
CASE ONE: Many years ago I was sent a very complex piece of recording equipment to review. It basically performed one simple function; but its inherent design was the concept that every parameter...
Getting Serious
by Larry Crane
I remember the day clearly. It was when everything that I thought was fun about recording got turned on its head. Until that point I'd enjoyed mucking about with tape decks as a way to document my own...
Recording as a Career?
by Larry Crane
Here's a recent email I received: "I am interested in what you do and how you do it. I guess I am not the average person looking to get into audio engineering. I am 44 and I am an anesthesiologist...
Reaching Out
by Larry Crane
A couple of years ago I purchased a download package that a friend's band, Blue Skies for Black Hearts, was offering up. It was a generous offer, proceeds went towards a good cause, and the band is...
Embrace the Chaos
by John Baccigaluppi
After reading Larry's "Eliminate Variables" End Rant from last issue, I was compelled to write a response. Don't get me wrong, I agree completely with everything he said; so before you read any...
Eliminate Variables
by Larry Crane
I finally figured out what makes for a successful tracking session: simply eliminate the variables. On one level this could be seen as pre-production combined with concise decision making. Certainly...
Tell the Truth
by Larry Crane
A while back I had an interesting session recording auditions and providing camera audio feed over the course of three days for 24 instrumental and vocal performers, all of whom were hoping to get on...