i'm being schizophrenic. it seems to have to do with very subtle changes in the master volume level on the receiver out. but that's going to be true of anything - nothing sounds the same loud as it does quiet. i just need to dial into the sweet spot and not touch it until the master is done.

it also seems to have to do with the dulling effect of listening to something loud. i think that's the key thing i've confused myself with. when i was mixing the power chords, i was doing it at a high volume. then, i came back the next day and it didn't sound the same. sure - my ears weren't ringing anymore.

i find it sounds better if i sort of put my ears into a state of shock by blaring it for a few seconds, then turn it down a little. that's a realistic way to do it, too, because the end point of this is for it to be headphone music.

i tend to mix at high volumes, but mixed this at a lower volume because the input file was already floored. that is, i got the high volume effect without having to turn the volume up. now, it's doubling back on me.

what was freaking me out was not understanding *why* it was changing sounds so apparently randomly. i think i'm getting a handle on the factors. i may have to tweak a few things, but grasping the factors is the key part...

i think it'll be done today.