the audio analyst© home page

The name the audio analyst© first appeared in 1989 as the title of a small, high-end audio publication that I founded that same year. Through the years, I have maintained the copyright and have used the name on many of my writings for Positive Feedback starting in 1996. That title has also been the chosen as the focus for some of my columns at SoundStage! during my three and a half year stint there as a Senior Contributor, commencing in 1997. Besides reviewing, I contributed a monthly commentary there called Synergizing. The space dealt with D.I.Y. projects, tweaks, or any other minutiae or concepts that I found to be deserving of discussion or examination, and that column found quite a following.

On October 1, 2000, I joined the mast-head at The Stereo Times, and was made the Executive Editor there effective July 26, 2001. However, I found it necessary to resign that position March 5, 2003 over nonpayment for my work. To this day, the publisher still owes me money.

On June 17th, 2003, Jim Merod (BluePort Jazz), Michael Silver (Audio High) and I launched On Sound and Music, an internet journal of Pro and High-End Audio, Music and other things that Matter. Along with the traditional equipment coverage, we wanted to also cover music in depth; from the live event through the methods and techniques used to record it to the final recording you play back on your system. On August 8, 2004, just 13 months after our inception, I chose to resign.

Something that might be seen as almost inevitable when there are multiple chefs preparing just one dish, there were some differences of opinion that could not be completely resolved, at least to my satisfaction. I am unquestionably difficult about some things. For my failings, I accept full responsibility. Put bluntly, it was no longer fun. I want to thank all my industry friends, colleagues and those manufacturers who supported and promoted our work. Without them, none of our efforts would have been remotely possible. It was time to move on...

So in mid August 2004, thanks to David Robinson of the aforementioned Positive Feedback and and Dave Clark of audioMUSINGS, who had recently joined staffs and causes to create Positive Feedback Online, my work moved to a new, or more aptly, returned to an old, home. PFO graciously allowed me to continue my amblings and rantings amid the cyber-pages of that burgeoning and unique journal. As I mentioned above, I first joined the staff of the paper iteration of Positive Feedback in 1996, and this turn of events was nothing if not a warm homecoming. On January 25, 2005, after conversations at the PFO Staff Party held Saturday, January 8th during CES in Las Vegas, I was promoted to Senior Editor.

Besides my full time job as an IT Engineer for the Office of Information Technology at the University of Notre Dame and writing, I spent a year as the consulting Design Team Leader for Harmonic Technology, Inc., manufacturer of world class audio and video cables. My duties included the development of new audio and video cables, in particular, the Magic™ line of products, as well as helping the company develop effective marketing and sales strategies. See the press release outlining my role with Harmonic Technology, Inc.

To the left is a shot of me on my 26" Pacific mountain bike, the "Ultra V," which is now known as the Exploit. There is a new Pacific bike called the "Flying V," like the Gibson guitar, but it has a less rugged frame and is not at all like the "Ultra V" I have. Pacific is a leader in affordable off-road bikes, and recently purchased both Schwinn and Mongoose, two other companies known for their high value and great performance. Given the bizarre circumstances involving the theft of my Mongoose mountain bike right out of my garage in May 2002, I was forced to replace it with a much more radical - read full suspension - bike. Enter the Pacific, with a handcrafted MTB Hi-Ten dual suspension frame and components, Shimano E-Z Fire 21 Speed Shifters, Shimano 21 Speed MTB Derailleur's, 7 Speed 13-28T Gearing, Three Piece Steel crankset, Ground Assault XC front suspension forks, fully active rear swing arm, Front and Rear Acera linear pull V-Brake set with Shimano Alloy Brake Levers and 32 spoke anodized alloy rims. At the time, when weather permitted, I managed to do anywhere from 70 to 120 miles a week on this fun machine. Since my marriage and move to Elkhart, finding time to do so has been a bit more challenging.