How does tape editing allow producers to revise a recorded performance?

Following the development of magnetic tape after World War II, producers gained the ability to revise recorded performances, a process that was previously impossible when music was etched directly onto discs.1

Tape editing allows producers to refine a performance by making specific corrections and improvements:

• Correcting Mistakes: Producers can record multiple takes of a musical piece. When musical problems or blemishes occur in one take, the best sections from different takes can be spliced together to create a seamless master tape.2
• Excision: Tape editing facilitates the removal of poor or unnecessary passages that might be acceptable during a live performance but become distracting or irritating upon repeated listening.2
• Post-Performance Emendation: Even for recordings made during live concerts, performers can return to the studio or hall afterward to record and splice in corrections for any errors.2

While this technology significantly increased the control producers and artists have over the final product, it has also been noted that excessive splicing can sometimes hamper the perceived continuity of a performance.12