The PNW Section’s April 2026 Zoom meeting was an evening with the founder/publisher/editor of TapeOp magazine and owner of Jackpot! Recording Studio in Portland Oregon USA. He is also the archivist for the estate of indie musician Elliot Smith.

PNW Committeeperson Erin Shellman organized and moderated the evening. About XXXX persons attended the Zoom session, with about XXX being AES members.

After greetings by PNW Chair Jess Berg and self-introductions of attendees, Erin began the interview portion, including insights into the history of TapeOp and its philosophy, memorable interviews, Larry’s own studio work and history of Jackpot!, finding good people to work with, and his take on working with musicians on recording projects.

TapeOp magazine is marking its 30 year anniversary and Jackpot! its 29th year. Larry started out as a musician playing on several studio albums, but claimed he was not so interested at the time in the recording studio process – his studies were in filmmaking and studio art. But TapeOp was a means to get answers to his own questions, with a focus on being “The Creative Music Recording Magazine,” as its subtitle said. Perhaps this meant not being so worried about having the most expensive gear and facility, but making creative recordings.

Larry mentioned PNW collaboration among people working at Jackpot (Steve Fisk, Jack Endino, John Goodmanson), and learning by seeing other’s work. (ED: Learn more from Endino, Fisk & Goodman from the November 2025 AES PNW meeting at https://pnw.aessections.org/2026/02/24/2025-11-18-giants-of-the-pnw/)

He also spoke about preferring musicians having some idea of what they want their recordings to sound like, rather than having to produce/create something for them.

Larry gave some advice about gear over the years, and what he uses today. He’s working on a TapeOp 30th Anniversary book. And he’s planning to attend the AES Convention in Nashville, October 2026.

Then the virtual floor was opened for attendees to ask questions and comment.