Recording in the 1980s was all about tape – although more than one type of tape was involved. Reel to reel was the pro choice for studio recording (with the finished products released on vinyl or cassette, although CD rose to prominence as the 90s approached), while the typical home recording setup was based on cassette multitrack recorders like the legendary Fostex X-15. This was a 4-track machine which could record onto two tracks at once, and could be run from mains power, or batteries in a pinch. Limited EQ was offered per track –a bass knob and a treble knob! Spartan though it was, the X-15 introduced multitrack recording to bedrooms and garages worldwide. More sophisticated machines followed, and the DIY recording revolution was in full effect, with all the tape noise and limited dynamic range that came with it. Everybody was struggling to get better quality recordings then, but looking back, we like how the imperfections give a feeling of time and place. Digital purity is easy to get now, and that’s great, but it can feel very sterile. Human nature being what it is, the quest turned to making music sound dirty again!