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 circa 1970. 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 a glorious distortion sound from overdriving the machine that was unlike 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. Thirty-five years later, after hours of research, I rediscovered that the tape machine was an Allied model TD-1095; I knew it as soon as I saw it.