EoD696's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Memories]

This is a big improvement from your last submission! I can tell you've delved considerably deeper into mixing/mastering for this piece, and I think the results are engaging and beautiful. Once again, great composition, I'm really intrigued by the way you assemble melodies and movements, and I think you've got some really good transitions in here. I was a little put off by the sudden introduction of the piano lead at 0:47. I feel like that transition could be fleshed out more - I'd play the piano refrain once before that downbeat with a ramp on the track volume. It'd start out silent, then come in slowly over the course of the bar - when the crash hits, it's at full volume. Also, that crash feels buried - I'd like to bring him out more front and center, probly just needs a little volume boost to accomplish that, but maybe a compressor...I'd look at the amplification envelope too, maybe you can reduce it's attack time. I could keep nitpicking til the cows come home, but I feel like you've got a real good piece here, and I'm noticing improvements in your execution - keep it up, m8!

Mauxus responds:

Thank you. Yes, I lost count on how many hours I spent just on mixing but It's fine because it's part of the learning process and I know that even more will be required. Great suggestion about introducing the piano ahead of time: done! (with a little trick added too). I changed the crash altogether because that one wasn't up to the task. The track is supposed to be much louder overall too, (consider yourself warned ;) Thank you for your feedback.

[Ambient Improv]

This is some pretty good stuff, Mich. I dig it. I think it fits it's bill too. The whole thing seems very free form - I'm not used to that. I can usually pick out the time signature, no problem. But here, everything is so fuzzy, my mind is telling me it doesn't matter...just lay back, and breathe....ahhhh....

Mich responds:

Cheers, glad you like it. :) There was indeed no metronome or anything so I didn't keep time, just kind pushed away at the keys and twiddled some knobs along the way.

Thanks for the review!

[Manufacturing Consent]

This is a really good piece - it has a very complete overall feeling. I can't offer a lot in the way of constructive criticism...but I will try anyway. The first half seems like it's a bit lengthy and drawn out...and, at times, it feels very busy. Between the gates, and the delays, and the distortion, it's really hard to keep track of what's going on. But I like the way it ebbs and flows - I really enjoyed the buildups quite a bit, and the final section is golden. All in all, top shelf stuff! Cheers!

zybor responds:

Thank you for your review. :D

[-Phixius]

This is a really good composition! I feel like there's tons of potential here...but at the same time, I feel let down by the instruments and mastering. It almost feels as though the piece has been designed to fit into a limited sound library for an emulator or a specific MIDI engine. I always feel that the compromises that requires really takes something away from the music, versus the depth and breadth you can get with more natural sounding instruments that are composed of more voices. All that aside, I really dig the transitions, the melodies, and the overall structure - again, it's a really good composition! I just can't dig on the sound of it, my man...

Mauxus responds:

Thank you! I am at a point where I'd like to take it to the next level but I am not sure how. I hope I'll be able to find answers here. Mastering is definitely something I haven't...well...mastered yet :) The track is coming straight out of Logic Pro X. I only have the instruments the software came with. I'd love if you could expand on your thoughts but for now, thanks for pushing me in the right direction!

EDIT: EoD696 thanks for the suggestions you pm'd. The track sounds amazing now! It's like night and day. Not only that, I also learned a load of stuff about mastering. I feel that I am beginning to understand it. Thank you!

[Memetics]

This is excellently mixed! The throttle noise of the distortion in those guitars is tearing my face off! And the stomp riff around 2:08 is wicked as all hell, dude! This would shake the the fuckin house down if you played it at my favorite metal spots!

I only have a bit of criticism regarding that transition around 1:30 with a clean guitar in the background...really, it sounds like your backdrop cleans are just a bit nebulous all throughout. I feel like those could be more clearly defined in the final-mix, maybe giving them a riff thats a bit more varied than strumming the root-note and triad...i dunno what it should look like though. That's just the only area I can find where things seem lackluster...and I'm not even sure what to tell you to make it better, so I can't let it affect my rating, lol.

Cheers, this is wicked cool shit man!

hoorayjay responds:

Thanks for listening man!

[Cradle Of The World]

Music should transcend politics just as much as it transcends borders...excellent execution though.

zybor responds:

Was it politic that the Spanish commit genocide against the Natives? Was it politic that US committed ethnic cleansing against the African slaves? Was it politic that Iraq was invaded and 100,000 perished?

If lives were determined by politics and statistics then I rather have all politicians and leaders set on the guillotine like King Louis did.

[Dewey]

Aside from the bit of distorted bass and a quick pace, this really doesn't strike me as something that would fit in with a typical DnB scene. You'd get more cheers playing this for a regular EDM crowd looking for trance, dance and house. The goth/emo wannabes would choke on your cheerfulness :-P

Mich responds:

Hah, I heartily agree. You can probably tell I mainly listen to / attempt to make trance, and that still shone through here. Perhaps next time I try dnb I'll aim for less melodious, more technical / synth-focused. :) Thanks for the review!

[Final Form]

Good stuff man!

zybor responds:

thanks

[First Blood]

Wicked dude!

TheRealSam responds:

Thanks mate! :D