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.