Travel Headphones

Bose QuietComfort Headphones Review: Months of Flights and Road Trips
Headphones

Bose QuietComfort Headphones Review: Months of Flights and Road Trips

A retired live-sound tech puts the Bose QuietComfort through real airports, rental cars, and hotel rooms. Here is what a year of travel taught him.

Bose QuietComfort Headphones vs Sony WH-1000XM5: Which Should You Pack?
Headphones

Bose QuietComfort Headphones vs Sony WH-1000XM5: Which Should You Pack?

A carry-on tested comparison from a retired live-sound tech who flies with his gear a few times a year.

10 Reasons Noise Cancelling Headphones Make Flights Better
Portable Music Gear

10 Reasons Noise Cancelling Headphones Make Flights Better

Practical, carry-on tested notes from a retired live-sound tech who travels with his gear.

How the Bose QuietComfort Headphones Changed My Flights to Oahu
Portable Music Gear

How the Bose QuietComfort Headphones Changed My Flights to Oahu

A retired live-sound tech's carry-on tested notes on the Bose QuietComfort headphones, from the aisle seat to the beach.

How to Sleep on a Plane With Noise Cancelling Headphones
Travel Audio

How to Sleep on a Plane With Noise Cancelling Headphones

A retired live-sound tech shares the exact routine he uses to sleep on red-eyes with Bose QuietComfort headphones, from seat selection to the pillow trick that makes the headband disappear.

Bose QuietComfort Headphones: An Honest Review From a Retired Sound Tech
Headphones

Bose QuietComfort Headphones: An Honest Review From a Retired Sound Tech

What a year of airport, hotel and beach use taught me about the Bose QuietComfort, from a retired live-sound tech who packs everything into one carry-on.

Portable Speakers

JBL Flip 6 Review: A Year of Beaches, Campsites and Hotel Rooms
Portable Audio

JBL Flip 6 Review: A Year of Beaches, Campsites and Hotel Rooms

A retired live-sound tech puts the JBL Flip 6 through a year of carry-on bags, beach sand, campfire smoke and hotel showers. Here is what held up and what did not.

JBL Flip 6 vs JBL Charge: Which Travel Speaker Wins?
Portable Speakers

JBL Flip 6 vs JBL Charge: Which Travel Speaker Wins?

A carry-on tested comparison from a retired live-sound tech who travels with his gear.

10 Reasons a Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker Belongs in Your Bag
Portable Music Gear

10 Reasons a Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker Belongs in Your Bag

Practical, carry-on tested notes from a retired live-sound tech who travels with his gear.

The JBL Flip 6 on a Beach Campsite: A Road Trip Story
Portable Audio

The JBL Flip 6 on a Beach Campsite: A Road Trip Story

A retired live-sound tech takes the JBL Flip 6 on a beach camping road trip and finds out what it can actually do.

How to Fill a Hotel Room With Sound Using a Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Portable Audio

How to Fill a Hotel Room With Sound Using a Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Practical, carry-on tested notes from a retired live-sound tech who travels with his gear.

JBL Flip 6: An Honest Review From a Retired Sound Tech
Portable Speakers

JBL Flip 6: An Honest Review From a Retired Sound Tech

A retired live-sound tech puts the JBL Flip 6 through real airports, rental cars, hotel rooms and beach campsites. Here is what nobody tells you before you buy one.

Travel Ukuleles

Donner Concert Ukulele Review: Months on the Road and in the Air
Portable Music Gear

Donner Concert Ukulele Review: Months on the Road and in the Air

A retired live-sound tech takes the Donner concert ukulele through airports, rental cars, and beach campsites. Here is what held up and what did not.

Donner Concert Ukulele vs a Carbon Fiber Travel Ukulele
Portable Music Gear

Donner Concert Ukulele vs a Carbon Fiber Travel Ukulele

Two carry-on friendly ukuleles, one at a fraction of the price. After a year of airport gates, rental cars and beach campsites, here is how they actually compare.

10 Reasons a Travel Ukulele Beats a Guitar on the Road
Portable Music Gear

10 Reasons a Travel Ukulele Beats a Guitar on the Road

Practical, carry-on tested notes from a retired live-sound tech who travels with his gear.

A Donner Concert Ukulele in the Overhead Bin to Oahu
Portable Music Gear

A Donner Concert Ukulele in the Overhead Bin to Oahu

Practical, carry-on tested notes from a retired live-sound tech who travels with his gear.

How to Keep a Ukulele in Tune While Traveling
Portable Music Gear

How to Keep a Ukulele in Tune While Traveling

Practical, carry-on tested notes from a retired live-sound tech who travels with his gear.

Donner Concert Ukulele: An Honest Review From a Weekend Player
Portable Music Gear

Donner Concert Ukulele: An Honest Review From a Weekend Player

A retired live-sound tech who travels with one carry-on backpack puts the Donner concert ukulele through airports, hotel rooms, and beach campsites. Here is what nobody tells you before you buy.

Mini Keyboards

Akai MPK Mini IV Review: A Pocket Keyboard on the Road
Portable Music Gear

Akai MPK Mini IV Review: A Pocket Keyboard on the Road

Six flights, two rental cars, and a beach campsite with the Akai MPK Mini IV. A retired live-sound tech's honest long-term notes.

Akai MPK Mini IV vs Akai LPK25: Which Travel Keyboard?
Portable Music Gear

Akai MPK Mini IV vs Akai LPK25: Which Travel Keyboard?

Two compact Akai Professional keyboards, tested in real airports, hotel rooms, and rental cars. Here is which one I would pack.

10 Reasons a Portable MIDI Keyboard Fits Your Carry-On Life
Portable Music Gear

10 Reasons a Portable MIDI Keyboard Fits Your Carry-On Life

Practical, carry-on tested notes from a retired live-sound tech who travels with his gear.

Writing Songs in a Hotel Room With the Akai MPK Mini IV
Portable Music Gear

Writing Songs in a Hotel Room With the Akai MPK Mini IV

A retired live-sound tech on why the Akai MPK Mini IV is the first keyboard he's packed in a carry-on.

How to Write Music on the Road With a Portable MIDI Keyboard
Portable Music Gear

How to Write Music on the Road With a Portable MIDI Keyboard

Practical, carry-on tested notes from a retired live-sound tech who travels with his gear.

Akai MPK Mini IV: An Honest Review From a Retired Sound Tech
Portable Music Gear

Akai MPK Mini IV: An Honest Review From a Retired Sound Tech

What nobody tells you about the Akai Professional MPK Mini IV, from a retired live-sound tech who tests gear in airports, hotel rooms, and rental cars.

Portable Recorders

Zoom H1essential Review: Recording Music and Ocean Waves on the Road
Portable Audio

Zoom H1essential Review: Recording Music and Ocean Waves on the Road

A year of carry-on tested notes from a retired live-sound tech who records music, family dinners, and beach soundscapes with the Zoom H1essential.

Zoom H1essential vs Zoom H4essential: Which Pocket Recorder?
Portable Audio

Zoom H1essential vs Zoom H4essential: Which Pocket Recorder?

A retired live-sound tech compares both Zoom essentials after a year of carry-on travel, beach sessions, and hotel-room songwriting.

10 Reasons a Portable Audio Recorder Is Worth Packing
Portable Music Gear

10 Reasons a Portable Audio Recorder Is Worth Packing

Practical, carry-on tested notes from a retired live-sound tech who travels with his gear.

Zoom H1essential at a Beach Sunset: A Travel Story
Portable Audio

Zoom H1essential at a Beach Sunset: A Travel Story

Practical, carry-on tested notes from a retired live-sound tech who travels with his gear.

How to Record Your Playing on the Road With a Portable Audio Recorder
Portable Music Gear

How to Record Your Playing on the Road With a Portable Audio Recorder

Practical, carry-on tested notes from a retired live-sound tech who travels with his gear.

Zoom H1essential: An Honest Review From a Retired Sound Tech
Portable Music Gear

Zoom H1essential: An Honest Review From a Retired Sound Tech

What nobody tells you about the Zoom H1essential, from a retired live-sound tech who travels with his gear.

All Reviews

Bose QuietComfort Headphones Review: Months of Flights and Road Trips
Headphones

Bose QuietComfort Headphones Review: Months of Flights and Road Trips

A retired live-sound tech puts the Bose QuietComfort through real airports, rental cars, and hotel rooms. Here is what a year of travel taught him.

Bose QuietComfort Headphones: An Honest Review From a Retired Sound Tech
Headphones

Bose QuietComfort Headphones: An Honest Review From a Retired Sound Tech

What a year of airport, hotel and beach use taught me about the Bose QuietComfort, from a retired live-sound tech who packs everything into one carry-on.

JBL Flip 6 Review: A Year of Beaches, Campsites and Hotel Rooms
Portable Audio

JBL Flip 6 Review: A Year of Beaches, Campsites and Hotel Rooms

A retired live-sound tech puts the JBL Flip 6 through a year of carry-on bags, beach sand, campfire smoke and hotel showers. Here is what held up and what did not.

JBL Flip 6: An Honest Review From a Retired Sound Tech
Portable Speakers

JBL Flip 6: An Honest Review From a Retired Sound Tech

A retired live-sound tech puts the JBL Flip 6 through real airports, rental cars, hotel rooms and beach campsites. Here is what nobody tells you before you buy one.

Donner Concert Ukulele Review: Months on the Road and in the Air
Portable Music Gear

Donner Concert Ukulele Review: Months on the Road and in the Air

A retired live-sound tech takes the Donner concert ukulele through airports, rental cars, and beach campsites. Here is what held up and what did not.

Donner Concert Ukulele: An Honest Review From a Weekend Player
Portable Music Gear

Donner Concert Ukulele: An Honest Review From a Weekend Player

A retired live-sound tech who travels with one carry-on backpack puts the Donner concert ukulele through airports, hotel rooms, and beach campsites. Here is what nobody tells you before you buy.

Akai MPK Mini IV Review: A Pocket Keyboard on the Road
Portable Music Gear

Akai MPK Mini IV Review: A Pocket Keyboard on the Road

Six flights, two rental cars, and a beach campsite with the Akai MPK Mini IV. A retired live-sound tech's honest long-term notes.

Akai MPK Mini IV: An Honest Review From a Retired Sound Tech
Portable Music Gear

Akai MPK Mini IV: An Honest Review From a Retired Sound Tech

What nobody tells you about the Akai Professional MPK Mini IV, from a retired live-sound tech who tests gear in airports, hotel rooms, and rental cars.

Zoom H1essential Review: Recording Music and Ocean Waves on the Road
Portable Audio

Zoom H1essential Review: Recording Music and Ocean Waves on the Road

A year of carry-on tested notes from a retired live-sound tech who records music, family dinners, and beach soundscapes with the Zoom H1essential.

Zoom H1essential: An Honest Review From a Retired Sound Tech
Portable Music Gear

Zoom H1essential: An Honest Review From a Retired Sound Tech

What nobody tells you about the Zoom H1essential, from a retired live-sound tech who travels with his gear.

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