Mastering. The Art of Breaking Apart.
July 27th, 2009 by Hexfix93
Yes, we are using Brian “big bass” Gardner this time around. I am in the process of back and forth with him on the tracks. So far so good. Mastering is the last stage usually, well next to the last stage(to put some final eq polish, compress, limit and help the stereo image, make it louder so it translates better on cheap systems like ipods and pc speakers). To get it done right, it will cost you a lot of money usually. After lust for blood, I was angry at what transpired after the mastering. I had approved the mastering, and downloaded .wavs of all the masters, but when I got the lust for blood CD that was manufactured and released, it no longer sounded like my .wav masters I got as reference from the mastering engineer. Well I suspected that the medium used to burn the glass master, or the printing plant itself were to blame. All of this fell on deaf ears. Well, recently, after talking with some big name engineers, my suspicions were confirmed.
The manufacturing plants have to follow guidelines or they will do a crappy job. The engineer told me that they do U2’s lps world wide, and they have to test listen all the copies made from each plant around the world. He told me, you think digital is digital right 0s and 1s, NO, he said. All the copies from the u2 release come from the same glass master, but they all sound different. The actual print medium is also suspect in my opinion, go find a cd you bought in the 80s and compare it to one of the new ones you recently purchased. The 80s cds have thicker plastic and a thicker coat on the data surface. Now its anemic and cheap. Any how, this time, by going with Brian Gardner, I think it would sound better if the print plant, I think metropolis uses time warner, doesn’t mess it up. So i will have to test listen to the cd that the manufacturing site does. Oh the fun.
Any how, wish us luck with our new mastering engineer(he is world renowned, has done eminem, outcast, janet jackson, kmdfm, 50 cent, etc etc). I also want the mp3s that amazon and itunes sell to come from the .wav reference files. There is jitter and data loss on all audio cd formats. So, it’s better to avoid ripping the cds for that if possible. I have work it all out with Dave at metropolis. Well, you know what all of this means? The ART IS DONE. THE LP IS BEING MASTERED. That means fall release for “THE ART OF BREAKING APART” the new lp from Velvet Acid Christ. Finally.
BTW: We are doing a ton of promotional stuff for this record. Because I feel that magazines are not as effective any longer. I am turning to itunes and other places to host our promotional podcasts of todd and I talking about making the new lp, and the old one, and general stuff. I also want to release a podcast talking about each song every week till the LP comes out. I need to get press photos done, i still look like a blob right now, have to get in better shape and die my hair and all kinds of shit. and yes, I am putting together the live show. Hope it all works out, Hope the new lp sells well, wish us luck. Any how. Take care.
Bryan ov VAC.
Share ThisCategory: 02-VAC NEWS, 14-Gear Reviews | 
17 Comments »
Recent Entries
- Flashback #4: Fro the Ware & EDT Records.
- New VAC Shirts!
- VAC NEWS: July 2nd 2k10. New Gear, Apple Sucks, New VAC.
- Velvet Acid Christ Flashback #3: We have to know.
- Velvet Acid Christ Flashback #2: The Bottle and the Head.
- Velvet Acid Christ Flashback #1: The legend of Orange Disaster.
- Apple: Ipad 16gb wifi model, Hexfix93’s Review.
- Sequencing: Atari ST Cubase 2.0 :)
July 27th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
great news!
July 27th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
Awsome news, can’t wait! Will this be available on iTunes at the same time the cd is released? I plan to buy the cd as well for the bonus tracks, but want to hear the album asap. =)
July 27th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
great news indeed!
i really dig the promotional idea of podcasts.
any plans for a music video?
July 27th, 2009 at 11:40 pm
Great news, I’m looking forward to hear your new CD.
About the CDs… the materials change, that’s why 80’s CDs where thicker, its a matter of new materials and price reduction.
But the 1s and 0s are always 1s and 0s defined at burning time, how will it sound depends on how good is your digital to analog converter, there is no way differences in CD materials to affect the sound quality.
July 28th, 2009 at 12:16 am
If certain medium is more susceptible to errors and data loss, yes, the media does matter. in fact some industry guys claim that it does.
July 28th, 2009 at 3:01 am
hope your satisfied with the end results. we’re looking forward to it
July 28th, 2009 at 3:13 am
“has done eminem, outcast, janet jackson, kmdfm, 50 cent, etc etc”
Not to mention FLA, Doubting Thomas, and Numb (a personal favourite) so this genre is hardly strange to him. Funny coincidence, I was just reading some stuff about the man yesterday.
July 28th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
I had no idea quality was that complicated. I’m genuinely pleased you care that much, keep it up. Looking forward to the finished product. Good Luck!
July 29th, 2009 at 8:31 am
Great news! Best of luck with the mastering process too. The sound quality of this album will no doubt be amazing. I’m also really looking forward to these podcasts.
July 29th, 2009 at 9:35 am
I can hardly wait any longer! I’m so glad that you’re putting so much effort and work to truly make this album a masterpiece! As soon as it’s released, I’ll get a copy imported if I have to. Good luck with the finalisation of everything, Hexfix93!
July 29th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
Crispy Christ on a crutch of cronies! That all sounds very frustrating. I agree with you about the medium, 80’s CD’s sound better in my opinion. Good luck with the mastering!
TOUR! I can’t wait! Even if it’s only one show in Colorado and I have to sell my body to slumlords for ticket money, I’ve got to be there!
-I like the title too, it fits with your previous description(s) of the album content well!
July 29th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
Great news, really can’t wait for this and all the extra bonus material!
August 2nd, 2009 at 2:29 am
Looks like everything is coming together for the final touches. Interesting bit of insight from the mastering process. Be well.
August 2nd, 2009 at 2:09 pm
I don’t know if this is what you mean, but when you listen to more recent cds, everything is just too loud and there is no dynamics to the sound. It’s all one steady volume.
August 3rd, 2009 at 1:37 am
definitely looking forward to this fall, best of luck with the mastering!
August 4th, 2009 at 11:37 pm
I wanted to take a second to thank you for your gear review section. A few years ago I decided to stop buying monosynths and start putting my money into building a modular system. Your reviews ahve been more helpful than countless hours on youtube and blogsites. So far you have been dead on. I like the fact you have a case and overtime have fine tuned your system. Would you publish and update of what your present modular is made up of. Once again. thanks.
Fiat Yod!
November 16th, 2009 at 5:28 pm
Did get your new cd in the mail today, love it.