It’s been 20 years since Stephen St.Croix wrote his first “The Fast Lane” column for Mix magazine, setting the tone for what would arguably become subscribers’ Number One must-read. Month after month, St.Croix surprised, entertained and provoked Mix’s readership with his passionate views on music-recording technology, and the meaning of music itself.

In “The Fast Lane,” St.Croix never missed a chance to deconstruct a new recording platform or format, but he also never stopped reminding his readers that what matters most is the way music makes people feel. Whether he was debunking increased bit rates, tweaking a piece of gear (or a Harley) or waxing poetic about a soaring helicopter flight over Hawaiian volcanoes, St.Croix’s writing, and his life, always had a soundtrack. In the column titled “Rock of Ages,” he wrote, “Every single memory I have—good or bad—is tied to music.”

This collection of St.Croix’s columns was assembled during the two years following his death of cancer in May 2006. Included are many of his most-read columns, as well as personal notes, drawings and photographs. Whether you make your living playing music or recording it, you’ll relish this ride in “The Fast Lane” to revisit the art, technology and life experience that inspired Stephen St.Croix.

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Introduction From Tom Kenny

I was still a young assistant editor when Stephen St.Croix sent in a column that had to do with a Finland-to-U.S. flight; three seats and a MIDI guitar; and a run-in with a flight attendant and eventually the pilot. Stephen had been asked to turn off his portable CD player, and comfortable in his full-blown rock-star persona, he refused. Well, the pilot won, but, naturally, Stephen got the last word. ... Read more

Trident
Three Nano-Stories From the Book of Life

My daughter...Yes, I know, I know. You are all saying to yourselves, “Stephen St.Croix is far too young to have a daughter.” Well, you’re right, I am far, far too young. Roger Nichols is certainly old enough, but not me. But I have one nevertheless. She came as part of a special promotional deal with her mother. Sort of one of those Two-for-the- Price-of-Ten deals. ... Read more