Welcome to the 2nd episode of Gear Club recorded at New York AES.

When it comes to microphones, monitors, outboard gear and consoles no two studios are exactly alike but you’ll find that the one thing that they all have in common is the latest edition of Tape Op – a magazine that owes its existence to its creator and editor Larry Crane. Larry runs his recording studio, Jackpot!, produces and engineers records and still somehow finds time to crank out a magazine that we all read from cover to cover.

Back in the day, the tape op, the tape operator, was the low man or woman on the totem pole in the recording studio hierarchy. The job was to hit play when the engineer gave the signal. By listening and watching, a tape op would gradually learn the tricks of the recording trade.

That vibe is what Tape Op is all about. John and Stewart, ardent readers of the magazine, were eager to hear about Larry’s inspiration and motivation for its creation. Listen as Larry talks about starting out as a musician touring with the early indie band, Vomit Launch, and going on to build Portland’s Jackpot! Studio, and you’ll understand why Tape Op is the real deal.