It was not long after beginning to study the guitar and music that I became fascinated with the sonic possibilities of signal processing. With the guitar, it was natural to first explore signal processing through effects pedals. I was sparked by 'Guitar Gadgets', a great book by Craig Anderton. Eventually, I also became interested in synthesizers, sampling, and software for signal processing, but today I still love analog pedals of yesteryear and the sounds they offer. My first recording experience was by accident, with my dad's old reel-to-reel recorder from the early 70s. I was playing some of his old tapes, and I found one that was blank. I figured out how to record the radio and my records, and then tried recording my guitar. It sure didn't sound like my amp. Not long after, I discovered the glorious distortion sound from overdriving the machine that was quite different from my distortion pedal. Even better, there was a knob on the back labeled 'S.O.S.' (sound on sound) that allowed for overdubbing. It was transformative, both adding to my favorite songs and experimenting with my own ideas. After hours of research, I recently remembered the tape machine, an Allied model TD-1095.