REVIEW TREEDIX USB CABLE TESTER III

Previously High on Technology has written about USB-C cables and the various permutations of the connectors, conductors and wires. Now we’re going to look at a USB cable tester capable of analyzing what is going on inside your cable. This product integrates the basic function testing of data cables, internal cable construction testing, internal resistance testing, and Type-C eMarker reading. How many conductors are wired to the plethora of connection-contacts? Power handling, data handling and more can all be tested but it requires more than a DIY battery and LED combination. There are at least two Treedix models I found, in this review we’ll be looking at the more expensive model which has a tiny CPU for doing the heavy lifting. Ready for some surprises?

REVIEW BLACKMAGIC DESIGN DaVINCI RESOLVE SPEED EDITOR

RIP SONY BVW BETACAM DECK

This review is for a compact little keyboard accessory from Blackmagic Design. Back in the 1990’s we used expensive Sony BetaCam tape decks (because digital video had not arrived yet). These big heavy professional tape decks (thinking about the BVW75) cost around $40-50k each and they had this wheel on the front which allowed you to shuttle/scroll tape back and forth (critical functions when editing video). The video folks at Blackmagic Design have now brought that shuttle-wheel into the modern video editing suite in the form of the “DaVinci Resolve Speed Editor” and to sweeten the deal they’ve included two seats of their premium editing software (reviewed here on H.o.T.) which normally sells for $300 (free with the Speed Editor). Does the Speed Editor live up to its name? Does it make things go faster?

PLUGIN REVIEW OPINION: Plugins are over-priced digital candy

If you've been in the music production game for more than a minute, you've probably felt it: that nagging sense that plugin prices are completely detached from reality. We're talking $100, $200, even $300+ for what is essentially a few clever lines of code running on your computer. Today I'm calling it like I see it — plugins are wildly overpriced, and the industry has turned them into status-symbol candy for gear sluts to flex on forums and Instagram.

DaVinci RESOLVE: The Free (and Insanely Powerful) Video Editor That Stole the Show from Final Cut Pro

Click to enlarge

If you create and edit video on a Mac in 2026, there’s a good chance DaVinci Resolve is already on your shortlist—or it should be. What started as a high-end color correction tool has become the world’s most complete all-in-one post-production suite: editing, color grading, visual effects, motion graphics, and audio post-production in a single app. And the best part? The free version is genuinely usable for professional work. 

HELP: HAVE YOU TRIED TURNING IT OFF AND ON AGAIN?

If you’ve ever called tech support in a panic, there’s a good chance you’ve heard the immortal words: “Have you tried turning it off and on again?” That line, delivered perfectly by Roy Trenneman in the brilliant British sitcom The IT Crowd, isn’t just comedy gold — it’s genuinely some of the most practical advice in the entire history of technology.

And yes, I’m still saying this in 2026.

REVIEW ELGATO HG60X: Compact, Clean HDMI Stream Conversion for Mac and OBS

I’ve been broadcasting 24/7 on OBS since February 2026. For the first stretch we were looping funny videos while I worked to get the technical side for live video properly sorted. Getting reliable capture from my video mixing source turned into a much bigger headache than expected.

FROM C TO SHINING C: A Complete Guide to USB-C to USB-C Cables

Apple USB-C to USB-C 240 watt charging cable

In the world of modern tech, few things are as universal — and as confusing — as the humble USB-C cable. That sleek, reversible oval connector has become the standard for everything from charging your phone to powering high-end laptops, transferring massive files, and even beaming video to external displays. But not all USB-C to USB-C cables are created equal. One might top off your battery at a leisurely pace, while another could drive a Thunderbolt dock, external GPU, or 8K monitor without breaking a sweat. 

Welcome to High on Technology's no-nonsense guide to the USB-C cable spectrum.

APPLE USB-C TO USB-A ADAPTOR VS. SCARILY GOOD CLONE

Which One Should You Actually Buy?

Apple® USB-C to USB-A Adaptor

We’ve been testing a ton of accessories here at High on Technology, and today we’re putting the humble USB-C to USB-A adapter under the microscope. I own the genuine Apple version ($19 for one) and a pair of third-party clones that look so close I had to label them “NOT Apple” so I didn’t mix them up. The clones cost just $9 for two. So… is the Apple tax worth it, or can you save some cash?

Spoiler: It depends on what you plug into it. But let’s break it down.

Pixelmator Pro: My Photoshop® Escape Hatch (And Why It’s Rocking at High on Technology)

For years I’ve been on the hunt for a real Photoshop replacement. Ever since Adobe locked everything behind their subscription model—complete with endless bloatware updates, quirky cloud dependencies, and the feeling that you’re renting software instead of owning it—I’ve wanted out. My old Photoshop 5.5 license still runs on an ancient “Cheesegrater” Mac Pro and honestly handles 90% of what I need… but it’s stuck in the past. 

EAZYDRAW: The Mac Drawing App That Quietly Fills a Big Gap

Example by Mark King, our new studio!

If you’re a Mac user who needs to create clean, precise illustrations, diagrams, technical drawings, or just communicate ideas visually, EazyDraw deserves a spot in your Applications folder. It’s fast, straightforward, and powerful enough for real work without the complexity (or cost) of full-blown CAD or design suites. At High on Technology, we’ve been testing it heavily, and you’re going to see it popping up in future articles and diagrams. It’s become my go-to replacement for the classic Mac drawing tools I used to love. 

REVEIW, BARGAIN, AFFORDABLE APPLE MAC DAW, BUT HURRY, WON'T LAST LONG AT THESE PRICES

APPLE MAC PRO

Apple Computers declared the small shiny wastebasket Mac Pro (often referred to as 'Late 2013'), End-Of-Life back in 2017. These computers were still being manufactured as late as 2017 and the year of manufacture can be determined by the serial number. 

These Mac Pro models were powered by Intel multi-core processors which came in four, six, eight and 12-core models. The computers were built in an assembly facility in Texas with the four core model selling for around $3100 in 2016; I know because I bought a new one in April of 2016 and it has been my main DAW up until April of 2023 when I replaced it with a Mac Studio.

Since these Mac Pro models are powered by Intel processors there will be very limited software for them in the future because Apple has shifted all their design focus to their Native, in-house processor designs. While the new Apple Silicon models offer a great deal of power they don't come cheap. Musicians are notoriously tight with their money which makes these older, discontinued Mac Pro models a veritable bargain. 

WHY AN OLD MAC PRO?

The answer is, LOW total purchase cost for a powerful, stable DAW that will provide several years of use. We'll examine complete system purchase price later in this review. 

REVIEW OWC THUNDERBOLT-3 DOCK, EXPAND OR ADD NEW LIFE TO YOUR MAC

THUNDERBOLT AND THE DOCK ON MAC

These days laptop computers come with very few hardware ports on them. Manufacturer's and designers think wireless connections are better but sometimes you've got gadgets that must connect with wired hardware connections; things like multiport audio interfaces, legacy midi hardware, drum machines and keyboards all depend on hardware connections with physical connectors and wire. The Doc to the rescue!

REVIEW MAC OS, THUNDERBOLT-2 AND THUNDERBOLT-3 CONNECTIONS

KEEP YOUR DAW AND OLD COMPUTER WORKING

 GET YOUR CABLE CONNECTIONS CORRECT

2013 Apple MacPro features six Thunderbolt-2 Ports click to enlarge

The Mac Pro (Late 2013) cylinder shaped computer, in spite of its compact, “waste basket” form factor, is still a surprisingly capable computer in 2024. This older computer design was still actively manufactured in 2019. If you've got one you might wish to connect with a newer USB C shaped Thunderbolt-3 audio interface or SSD storage: Or you may have a Thunderbolt-2 audio interface like  the Apogee Thunderbolt-2 Symphony model, and wish to connect to a newer Apple Silicon based computer which has USB-C-shaped Thunderbolt-3 (or Thunderbolt-4) ports. 

In this article we'll explore some of the connection options that can keep your gear recording as the technology universe evolves around us. 

MAC STUDIO 20 CORE DAW REVIEW, REAL STUDIO PERFORMANCE

 THE ADVENTURE BEGINS

New Mac Studio 20 Core with 128GB DRAM and 4TB SSD

UPDATE: It is now eight-months since the Mac Studio 20-core machine arrived here at High on Technology.  To stress the internal 4TB SSD I've ordered and installed some additional big applications. Superior Drummer from Toontrack was recently joined by the gigabyte-sized Orchestral collection and the hefty East West Choir library along with the revised Arturia V-Collection X and new virtual-synthesizers by GForce. This computer continues to turn in excellent reliable performance. 

As I've noted in other reviews, with this machine adjusted to just 32-samples (1.1ms of latency) I can easily run 20-different synthesizers, all live (no frozen tracks), and move between them while composing without fear of crashes or system problems. No need for tricks or short loading instruments, I simply load and go, the system just works. 

The Mac Studio combined with the Presonus Thunderbolt converters continues to deliver incredible realtime audio throughput across the 32 audio outputs. Virtual instruments on this system feel "realtime" meaning you push the key down on the keyboard and instantly hear the sound without latency or delay effects (just like playing my DX7 or Prophet 6 hardware synthesizers).

The 20-core Mac Studio with extra DRAM and SSD were unquestionably the most expensive computer I've ever purchased for myself but this hardware has opened the doors to so many new composition ideas I have to say, it was worth the cost. 

Additional update tidbits are scattered throughout this review.

ORIGINAL REVIEW STARTS HERE

For my DAW I've been using an Apple Black Cylinder computer since April of 2016. I ordered it from Apple and it has been a reliable digital servant since its arrival in my studio. 

I've just ordered a new Mac Studio, 20 core model with 128GB of DRAM and 4TB internal SSD. It won't be here for 2-3 weeks but it will be the exact configuration I've been dreaming of. In this REVIEW I'll take you along for the whole experience. 

• Will Apple deliver on time as promised? 
• Will the machine be great? 
• How will I connect all the older USB things like dongles, keyboard and mouse? 
• What about an external hard drive or SSD for music projects to live on? 
• How will it perform on my virtual synthesizers?
• Which Mac OS will be installed? Monterey OS12 or Ventura OS13?

Come along for the upgrade ride and find out the answers to these questions and more.

Projected delivery date from my order