News and ReviewsMac Edition Radio produces reviews and news stories about the latest technologies, digital imaging, music, & photography.
Show Report – A Visit to an Audio Engineering Society (AES) Convention 2022

The AES (Audio Engineering Society) conventions are among the most important shows in professional audio, which means that what you hear there today will have an impact on home listeners tomorrow. One of the most important aspects of AES is the organization’s focus on education, not only for professionals but for students as well, and their passion for recording music was evident. My interest tends to lay in restoration and archival techniques, and there was plenty to chew on.

Harris Fogel, originally published in Copper Magazine 187, 5/1/2023

The DAM NYC Conference: Why Digital Asset Management Matters to Audiophiles & Photographers

OK, so why does DAM matter to audiophiles and photographers, and well, just about everyone else on the planet who does searches on the internet? Because without it, you couldn’t play your favorite song, from either streaming sources or even locally-stored music files. The importance of DAM was in evidence at the last DAM New York 2022 conference, organized by Henry Stewart Conferences, held at the New York Hilton Midtown in September 2022. Digital asset management is a way of organizing and making data searchable. In many ways it doesn't much matter what the data is. DAM can work for music data, video files, graphics files such as photographs and those created by Adobe Illustrator – in fact, just about anything digital.

Harris Fogel, originally published in Copper Magazine 185, 4/3/2023

Show Report – Capital Audiofest 2022: An Audio Journey, and More Photos from Capital Audiofest, Part Three

In Part Two of our Capital Audiofest 2022 coverage (Issue 182), I briefly touched upon how audio has impacted our lives. One of the most interesting and revealing aspects of an audio show is how it forces one to consider their own audio journey. Mine was pretty simple. It started with simply loving music, the Rolling Stones in particular. My parents had a Fisher solid-state receiver with a Garrard turntable and Shure cartridge in a large green console cabinet. For her, the stereo system was indistinguishable from the furniture. It was just the thing that made music. There wasn’t any prestige in owning it, nor did she think of it as particularly valuable. 

Harris Fogel & Nancy Burlan, originally published in Copper Magazine 182, 2/12/2023

Part Three of a three part article. Posted 2/12/2023

Show Report – Capital Audiofest 2022: Up Close and Personal, Part Two

In Part One of our Capital Audiofest 2022 coverage (Issue 180), I touched upon the family nature of the specialty audio business. And I’ve found it interesting how the industry seems to skip generations. Our sons have little interest in audio, despite having grown up with great gear. What they didn’t skip over was my wife’s and my love of music without reservation. Our home has always been full of any and all genres of music and they picked up on that diversity. 

Part Two of a three part article.

Harris Fogel & Nancy Burlan, originally published in Copper Magazine 181, Posted 1/30/2023

Show Report – Capital Audiofest 2022: Up Close and Personal, Part One

My wife, Nancy Burlan, editor and reporter for Mac Edition Radio, asked me: “should we attend the Capital Audiofest this year.?” We had such a lovely time at last year’s CAF, that we decided, yes. The previous event was really well-run, with a positive feel and crowds of people just thrilled to be there. This year the show, which took place in November 2022 at the Twinbrook Hilton in Rockville, Maryland, was more crowded, with more rooms, and an even more positive vibe.

Part One of a three part article.

Harris Fogel & Nancy Burlan, originally published in Copper Magazine 180, Posted 1/15/2023

Seven Areas to Watch at CES 2023

With less than a week to go until it begins, John Mulhern III's attention is now solidly on CES 2022 in early January, and he writes about seven areas he's watching at the Consumer Technology Association's annual trade show.

John Mulhern III, Posted 12/28/2022

Review – MER Holiday Gift Guide 2022 – Seagate Has the Storage Solutions for Xbox Gamers

Some might say that the holidays are a time to visit with family and friends, or to give thanks, or to observe the religious events of your choosing. But those of us in the know have always understood that the holidays are a time for gaming. In the coming weeks, millions of people will find themselves plugging in new consoles or PCs, preparing to install new titles on their devices. And as much fun as those titles undoubtedly are, finding space to keep them is not very fun. Fortunately, Seagate has the storage solutions for Xbox gamers. Read on for our full review!

Thomas Fogel, posted 12/16/2022

Review – MER Holiday Gift Guide 2022 – Audio

As audiophiles, we are always on the lookout for new products that advance the state of audio reproduction. Recognizing that few of us can justify ultra-expensive products, no matter how amazing, we try to concentrate on more the affordable options. In 2022, we looked at the Equipment Vibration Protectors from AV RoomService, Ltd., the LSA HyperDrive2 Hybrid Stereo preamplifier/headphone amp, Cables from Audience, the TB-10D Class D Amplifier from Fosi Audio, the FiiO Jade KA1 DAC/Headphone Amplifier.

Harris Fogel with Nancy Burlan and Frank Schramm, Posted 12/8/2022

Review – MER Holiday Gift Guide 2022 – Productivity Essentials

Good tools are what make our work lives run more smoothly, and we routinely rely on web cams, docks, and soundbars. We looked at a variety of products and found two sets of solutions we think will please most folks and their budgets. From Poly (formerly Plantronics), a line of superb webcams and accessories, and from CyberAcoustics, affordable webcams, docks, and soundbars. Finally, we look at the new Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 tablet, and mophie – GaN chargers and accessories.

Harris Fogel and Nancy Burlan, Posted 12/7/2022

Review – MER Holiday Gift Guide 2022 – Lifestyle Products

This holiday season, we highlight some very cool lifestyle products that range from warm socks to automated drink systems. Along the way we look at the Donner Silent Guitar, bev by BLACK+DECKER™ Cocktail Maker, Urbanista Los Angeles Solar Powered Headphones, Trombe Airborne Dust Cleaner TR-600TB, VKTRY Performance Insoles, Heat Holders socks, Speck iPhone Cases, Catalyst iPhone and iWatch cases, TWT Audio Headphones, and the Vintage Home Power Plant.

Harris Fogel, Nancy Burlan, Thomas Fogel, Frank Schramm, Posted 12/6/2022

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