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The first National Critics Conference in US history took place May 25–29 at the Omni Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. Subtitled "Critical Unity in Critical Times," the gathering brought together US and Canadian members of organizations devoted to visual arts, dance, jazz, classical music, and theater criticism.

Out of action for more than a year, Mobile Fidelty should be returning soon. Online retailer Music">http://www.amusicdirect.com">Music Direct has purchased the remastering and re-release specialty company, according to an announcementhttp://pages.prodigy.net/amicus1/end_los.htm">announcement; made April 24.

One of the most esteemed labels in the audiophile universe should soon be back in business. Online retailer Music">http://www.musicdirect.com">Music Direct has purchased remastering and re-release specialty company Mobile Fidelity, according to an http://pages.prodigy.net/amicus1/end_los.htm"> announcement made April 24.

Audiophiles cringe at the idea of downloading blurry, compressed representations of once-detailed recordings (even CD seems high-rez these days). But that hasn't stopped average music fans from trying online music services.

One look at Gig Harbor Audio's events for September makes you stop and wonder. This month, the store, located near the water in the picturesque town of Gig Harbor, WA less than an hour from Seattle, began the month with a live concert by homegrown band, Rokkerbox, which benefitted for the local food bank. Next on the schedule are a three-hour "Social Media Basics" workshop with Tiffany Burke (September 20), a weekly hour-long "Disc After Dark" all-ages listening party (September 22), and a PTSD Healing Summit (September 25). With not a single presentation by an industry heavyweight, and lots of events aimed at the wider community, this is not your typical schedule for a high-end emporium.

Here's an audio riddle for you. Question: What's erasable but not recordable? Answer: Downloadable music from FullAudio">http://www.fullaudio.com">FullAudio Corporation.

Do good things come in small packages? Audio technology over this past half century offers pretty good evidence that they do. Fifty years ago, the long-playing record amazed people with a half-hour of music per side, compared to the 78's few minutes. Thirty years ago, the cassette tape replaced bulky open reels, ushering in a new era of recording capability—and portability—for millions of people. Twenty years ago, the CD began to push the LP out of the way because it packed a little more music into a much smaller and more durable package. Personal radios have long been hugely popular, and portable audio players are consistently among the industry's best-selling products.