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In this issue: Joe Caplan has a fascinating interview with professor Jonathan Zearfoss of the Culinary Institute of America on food, music, and how they can enhance each other. Guitarist JJ Murphy offers a genre-bending journey through jazz, fusion and more in Octave Records’ latest, Sleep Paralysis. We have a sneak preview of Studio Confidential, an upcoming show where some of the world’s top recording engineers share stories of working with some of the biggest artists in music. I interview CEO Barak Epstein about the rebirth of audio maker Pilot Radio. B. Jan Montana helps some unruly students. We conclude our coverage of Capital Audiofest 2025, and Harris Fogel has another look at headphone show CanJam SoCal 2025. Wayne Robins offers a vintage 1989 interview with Linda Ronstadt.
Touring in a rock band can make you crazy – but not if you know how to deal with it. Ray Chelstowski talks with My Morning Jacket’s Carl Broemel and musical partner Tyler Ramsey about their upcoming acoustic guitar album, Celestun. Paul McGowan’s The Audiophile’s Guide addresses active room correction and digital signal processing, and what the can – and can’t – fix. The Vinyl Beat begins a two-part series on the recordings of Herb Alpert, with the Tijuana Brass and solo. Guest publication The Listening Chair visits the German Physiks factory. PS Audio earns some Products of the Year awards. Ken Kessler revels in a reel-to-reel renaissance. We cap the first issue of 2026 with New Year’s wishes, loud speakers, and ghost riders.
Contributors to This Issue:
Joe Caplan, Ray Chelstowski, Frank Doris, Harris Fogel, Ken Kessler, Markus "Marsu" Manthey, Paul McGowan, B. Jan Montana, Rudy Radelic, Wayne Robins, James Schrimpf, Peter Xeni
Logo Design:
Susan Schwartz-Christian, from a concept by Bob D’Amico
Editor:
Frank Doris
Publisher:
Paul McGowan
Post-publication Nitpicker:
Rich Isaacs
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