To the anonymous commenter: Don't fret, I'll get to the ITB vs physical mixing experiment. And thanks for the interest in the EPs...I suppose I'll discuss them a tad.

The first is "Rich and Strange (Acid)", due out on Complex Sound Sagacity next week, I believe. In this EP I made a conscious effort not to sound like just another guy with the Roland suite making more of a tired genre. I came into posession of some very powerful software and my sound immediately went in another direction.

You'll notice the use of strings and acoustic drums. I was raised listening to classical music, playing the viola and bassoon in orchestras and so on...and something must have stuck. Another thing that will stand out is the use of acoustic drums sets, a first for me in my production. I feel like I can really "cut loose" with those kits and get some funky stuff going on. From a production standpoint, I LOVE compressing the bejesus out of the acoustic kits and bringing up the lush room reverb.

The next EP due out is "4x4 Acid Stompers" on upitup. This one is all about being aciiiiiiiied! I feel like my Detroit ravey side comes out in these babies.

I've passed around the first track, "Tastes Like Hairspray" to a couple of friends, acid lovers with good production chops and I was thrilled to receive the same question: how did you get the 303 to sound that way? The answer is unfortunate: $7500 worth of tube gear.

I'm currently babysitting a Manley Vari Mu and Massive Passive for a friend and I've become a convert. I'm too old and busy to get involved in the ongoing analog vs digital debate, but I'll gladly share my thoughts.

My studio philosophy is this: I have yet to find software that captures the sex magic that, let's say, my Roland sh-2 puts out. I will therefore continue to collect mono synths. My leads and pads, however, have been exclusively digital and mostly from my Virus TI and I see no reason to own an analog poly synth. I hate to say this as it will damage any acid credibility I may have ever had, but the 808 sample libraries I have sound better than my 808. And finally, it is my opinion that high-end tube compression/EQ add something that software is still missing.

Of course, of course, you are thinking "the tube effect is all in your head, Chris." I thought it might be, too, until some very discerning listeners asked about it. So, thanks guys...you've just given me a VERY expensive addiction.