Raise Your Hand

Quadrasonic Studios, NYC — 1980

I was 21, a recent economics graduate who had spent more time in rehearsal rooms than in lectures. On weekends, I came to New York to play music with my late friend Keith McKay.

One day, I saw an ad for a weekend course in audio engineering, offered by the Guitar Study Center. Why not? I signed up.

The class was held at Quadrasonic Studios, just north of Times Square. I walked into the control room that first night, a little anxious but excited, surrounded by about 15 other students. Our instructor was Peter Weiss—a legend, and a great teacher. He was wrapping up the orientation when an older, thin man with wire-rim glasses and a faraway look entered the room.

Peter introduced him: Lou Gonzalez. Another legend—and owner of the studio.

Lou looked around and asked, “Has anyone here ever worked a multitrack tape recorder?”

Silence.

I raised my hand.

Important note: I had never touched a multitrack tape recorder in my life.

Lou nodded. “You want to work on tonight’s overnight session?”

“Sure,” I said.

When class ended, Lou introduced me to Brian, the engineer running the all-night session. Brian had that same distant look, plus a layer of nervous energy I’d come to recognize later as a common trait in studio engineers. He looked me over and said:

“Don’t touch anything unless I say so. And I mean ANYTHING.”

Got it.

“Now take this key (holding one of a huge ring of keys) and get the tape for the session”

While I have no recollection of the session, what I do remember is what happened afterwards.

At the end of the session Brian pulled out his “gaggle” of keys for me to put the tape away. I snatched the ring, scanned the keys, picked out the library key and returned the tape.

Brian looked stunned. Like I’d performed a magic trick.

I hadn’t. When I was 12, I started working at my uncle’s hardware store in Philadelphia. I used to make duplicate keys for customers. Over time, I learned to recognize key shapes, brands, and grooves. That memory kicked in when Brian showed me the right key.

It must’ve impressed him, because the next morning Lou hired me as an assistant engineer. I got paid for the overnight session—and even for the class time.

In 24 hours, I went from student to staff, met two legends, and started a career. I spent most of the next two years at Quadrasonic, eventually becoming a full-fledged engineer. I also picked up the classic engineer look: long hair, creased clothes, and a sleep-deprived, faraway stare.

Two lessons I learned that night:

1. If you really want something, raise your hand. Sometimes the only qualifications needed are curiosity and a readiness to learn.

2. My dad was right: Everything you learn—even key-cutting—might come in handy someday.