Welcome to issue #104 of Tape Op.

Every two months I have to pull myself out of the studio and take some time to put together an issue of Tape Op. In many ways it's a nice break from constant sessions, plus poring over the interviews and gear reviews for an upcoming magazine makes me excited to return to the studio. The burnout factor in the recording world is real. I've considered, many times, running an article where we only interview folks who have decided to quit music recording as a career, if only as a cautionary tale for the rest of us. For myself having this variety is key, and I find that many "lifers" in this business end up with parallel career paths. In this issue Oliver Ackermann exemplifies this lifestyle, running a stompbox company (Death By Audio), recording bands, in addition to performing and touring with A Place to Bury Strangers. Chris Mara runs a Nashville studio that also features vinyl mastering, rebuilds analog tape decks, and puts on many events. Jorge Explosion produces sessions at his studio in Spain and fronts his band, Doctor Explosion. I'm convinced that everyone wears several hats in this biz. I'm sure of it.