Make Tapes Not War 1983 Pillow

A taper is a person who records musical events, often from standing microphones in the audience, for the benefit of the band's fan base. Fans would share their tapes through trade, creating a unique sub-culture where no money was exchanged, just copies of live shows swapped among fans. Taping was popularized in the late '60s and early '70s, and while bands initially attempted to thwart it, most eventually embraced tapers. While audio recording was largely tolerated, it wasn't officially allowed until the creation of a 'tapers' section' that was usually located behind the soundboard in the '80s where tapers could do their thing. Taping setups are generally portable, with condenser microphones, phantom power, a preamp, and a recording device.