Today I’d like to recommend my all-time favorite magazine for music recording and production. The magazine is Tape Op. The info-packed pages are invaluable. The price for subscription is free. They’re not paying me to write this review. I truly love this magazine and I’ve been a hooked reader for years.

Holiday shopping season is upon us and with the state of the economy, this year’s theme is save cash wherever you can. That means getting more bang for your buck. For songwriters and producers who run a home studio, the wish list of hot gear items seems to last all year long. While many of you may be dreaming of a shiny new pro tools rig, a smooth condenser vocal mic, or a trusted name-brand piece of vintage outboard gear, I’m here to tell you that this is the year to think on a smaller scale. But that’s OK, because there are several key pieces that are both essential to any recording studio and also cost under $100.