Music-story's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[<Elusive Light>]

What do you mean by "some" poor mastering. Is there such a thing? It is either poorly mastered or well mastered. Mixing is a different story. Your song description is very long.

Here are my thoughts.
Is this a remix? Those arpeggio patterns have had their spotlight many years ago. Needs to be more original or at least put them in the background to accompany a more original lead pattern.

The bass at the very beginning of the song does not sound much different from a pre-sample. I'm not saying presets are bad to use, but usually presets sound poor quality so why would you want to use them?

I'm not really up to date with video game music, but I think I can figure where that megaman theme song comes in. Interesting idea to add your own stuff on with a video game song. At least you understand the idea what a legitimate remix is....some people just copy the original song exactly with the same instruments just changing a few frequencies here and there then calling it there "own" remix. I call that plagiarism. Anyway, nice job incorporating it in.

Critique goes to your drums. Really that's all you had? A simple kick and clap loops with changing hi hat patterns doesn't really count as innovative. And the reason why some may think your song is messy in some parts is because of the poor mixing. You have all your instruments all blaring out stereo. Where is the mono stereo? Where is the spreader or directional mixer? Where are the EQ variations? These are but a few things you can do to better mix your instruments. And no, you do not actually have many instruments playing at once so it is possible. Just combining 2 instruments in some parts of your song already sound messy so it isn't because the number of instruments you got going at once.

Lastly, I feel like you went crazy with the composition. This gives me the impression you just wanted to mash as many notes together to create a chaotic feel. Controlled chaos is good, not unorganized chaos.

I hope you don't see me being harsh on you. Its what I really feel. I don't waste my time writing long reviews without the intent of genuinely helping fellow artists get better. The one thing that is going good for you is that you have a knowledge about theory and staying in key with all the harmonies going. Being good at composition I find is a greater importance than how well you can use your music program....afterall the best dj/producers in the world have a music knowledge background (except deadmaus whom I am impressed with having a good ear). Overtime, you will get better with your music program and hopefully you will find that inspiration to make something unique. 5/5

bye for now

[Not Forgotten]

Not bad of a song. Here are my thoughts.

I feel like the drums don't fit with the theme of this song. Pad at the very start of the song sounds quite generic to me. I think you were going for this relaxed mood as the song does not have a climax. Not a bad thing if that was your plan. However, I think the composition sounds a bit random to me. I feel like you hit the record button and played any note that came between your finger and keyboard. Even though you didn't, it just doesn't feel like it goes anywhere. Good perhaps in a video game or a short 1 minute song...not 4 minutes though.

Examples of random parts include the part at 0:44 with that new instrument that lasts literally for 1 second. Other parts are where the fuzzy instrument makes a short appearance. Didn't really mix well with the flute. Cymbal clashes also felt in the wrong places.

Example of organizational parts are at 1:06 (the mini flute buildup) and descent back down.

Overall the song lacks diversity and organization. I will say kudos on the theme of your song. It isn't like the typical hardcore stuff you hear on NG. I suggest you spend a little more time coming up with a composition that is not only original, but also has a lot of emotion in it. This even includes what drums you use. 5/5

Bye for now

Reddz responds:

i really appreciate ur feedback and the time u took to let me know what i should work on for my next peice thank you and i hope u enjoyed! thanks for listening!

[Silence (Gold Edition)]

I have to agree with what the previous reviewer mentioned. Here are additional comments.

Gold edition? Tags = awesome. That brought a smile to my face in a good way.

For your kicks, I prefer you don't put that much reverb on them. Dry percussion sounds better in my opinion. Prior to 0:42 the oscillating pattern is letting me know we got another fruity loops user. As for 0:42 bass pattern, thedoor6 said it is overused and I agree but it is okay to use in a small section of the song. Unfortunately, you use it in a vast majority of your song.

1:37 Not a bad transition. I'm not a fan of that lead. Not only because of that fruity loops oscillating pattern but also the sound of it. Whiny instruments aren't very catchy. Kudos on changing the drum pattern. Pads need a revision. Too generic sounding with little fx/dynamics put into it.

2:05 There comes a point where the rising wind fx can't be used as a easy way to transition. You already used that transition fx at 1:37 so you need to be more diverse. The piano composition is good. Seems to be overpowered by all the other instruments though.

2:57 Ah yes, that same fx transition. The piano composition doesn't really count as a new thing. It plays a similar pattern if not changing a few notes here and there. If you want your song to be considered progressive well the song has to progress.

4:21 Finish off with the wind fx. Is it just me or does the piano seems to be only playing in the L head piece? I can see you trying to be different, but with a solo (pad is already playing a minor role anyway) its good to fill the space up...or at least have the pad panned more to the R.

So like thedoor6, I am here to give you constructive criticism. Hopefully I did not come off too hard on you. Perhaps I was not listening hard enough, but I didn't notice the side chaining going on. In summary, use dryer percussion including the kick. Don't use the same fx for all your transitions. Work more on mixing your track as some instruments get overpowered by the rest. I suggest you do not use panning as your main tool to compartmentalize your instruments. There are much better tools for that. Anyone who tries progressive music has a big target that reads "warning repetition ahead". In order to bypass this, you have to work really hard on your instruments. They need to fill the music space up and have plenty of fx on them. Also, the song needs to progress. Yours did not progress nearly as much as other progressive songs I have heard. Last, but not least, you do not need to listen to your song in all types of speakers. If you can mix and master your song well on the computer, it should sound good everywhere else. If not, you need to tweak the EQ, imaging, compression, and dynamics in general. I suggest you try to listen to your song at a quiet volume. For some odd reason, your ears will pick up the flaws easier in a quiet song than a loud song. Best of luck in your future projects. 5/5
Bye for now

[Cloudline WIP]

I'm a fan of happy music so appreciate another another musician who produces this stuff. As for the genre, it doesn't really matter what it is. There are already thousand of songs misplaced on the audio portal and no one really cares anymore.

I like the intro chordal pattern and the mixture of instruments that have just enough reverb and delay. The filter could have been more intricate rather than just frequency changes.

0:30 I like the climax but only for a short time. The reason is that the drums don't sound exciting enough to be in the climatic part. Also, the lead instrument doesn't really change at all till the end of the song. Surely this is a WIP? You definitely have something going on here so you should continue to make it a full song. Add some fx sounds, make the lead instrument sound a bit better or add another instrument on top. Change the drums.

Overall, I thought the best part was the buildup to the climax. There is just something uplifting about a good dose of chill instruments with reverb and delay. That heavenly fell seems to disappear at the climatic part which was a bit disappointing. Still a good attempt at making a happy song. 5/5 and finish this song.

Lockyn responds:

First of all, thanks so much for the detailed review. Appreciate it greatly, you made my day!

Agreed, so many songs that are placed wherever without much thought as to where it should go. Ohwells, it doesn't really matter in my opinion.

This is indeed still a WIP as indicated by the title of the song! ^__^ I have a lot planned for this track, but I just wanted to get a small section of it up on newgrounds for people to hear. Nowhere near finished, don't you fret!

The drums are a bit on the light side I agree; but I feel it fits the song more. I'll definitely try out some different synths, maybe get the drums to sound a bit firmer and heavier. Again, this is just a section of the whole project. It's not the climax x) sorry if it was confusing, I only posted I guess what would be called the chorus?

I definitely agree that the spacey/atmospheric feel drops off after the drums come in. I'll see what I can do to remedy that without overwhelming other instruments or the mix in general.

Thanks so much, and I will get crackin' when the ideas pour in. Cheers!

[Zafrece - Tunnel Dive]

I appreciate that you make changes to your song to make it better. Also the fact that you keep making your music free is good. Money so often takes the fun out of making music.

0-0:31 = I hate to start like this, but your lead instrument is poorly made. The background fx sound a bit messy too. The panning effect is good, but not enough to really bring me into the mood you were trying to go for.

0:31- 1:02 Great transition! However that wind sound is still irritating. Not bad with the echoes of the lead instrument. The buildup sounds rather weak considering it is only the drum roll that indicates it. Perhaps have your instruments also reach a climax to aid the buildup.

1:02-2:03 Not so much of the climatic part. Drum n clap pattern sounds rather empty. Not enough hi hats perhaps.

2:03- 3:18 Good job with the bass pattern. Some notes sound a bit too subby so I can't hear the tone clearly...just a minor issue. Again, the wind fx ruins the moment. 2:48 it starts to feel a little messy. After the buildup I was expecting the real climax, but was disappointed to hear a mellow part. You know its a concern when a listener can't tell when a climax of the song is.

3:18 I'm a fan of piano sounds but I feel like it goes nowhere. I appreciate your attempt to be diverse, but it has to have a purpose.

I'm not going to comment the rest as it loops. Overall, I am impressed with your attempt to make a repetitive genre diverse. I am all for diversity as it does take a lot more effort. Just remember to have a common theme involved in the transition or it just sounds like a remix of a bunch of songs together. Yes, I am guilty of this too but I just want to make you aware about it. Your instruments need a bit of refinement as some sound generic. That wind fx needs to be changed. 5/5 for the effort put in. Keep getting better.

Zafrece responds:

Ya the arp in the start is noticeably poor quality, i had difficulty fitting the song under 15 mb in mp3, So the render out quality had to take a small dive that i hoped people wouldn't notice lol. If you also listen to the lead coming in at 1:33 it sounds the same as the arp. It wasn't really due to the fact of how i made it rather than the fact i couldn't fit what i needed into 15 mb.

Note taken for the climax, i was reading about a few news ways shortly after you posted. i'll try to re-upload with some rising pitch build ups, or sweeping hertz n master or something.

- hi hats, check

I have the bass pretty low through out the song, it hovers from 300 to 30 hertz. i would imagine at times on some speakers or head phones it will sound subby i might have to move it around or boost the higher ranges of it. For the climax, im a huge fan of false build ups, i love taking something to a certain point and droping things off to a more chill section. If there is one thing i may have to just keep would be that. i just feel each song should be different, and if you can tell where it's going before hand that just means it's not original enough.( my personal opinion) However i will try to find some medium between the two in the future.

For the piano i tried to lay something down i thought would have some feeling to it. I suppose it didn't come across as such. I really don't know music theory, i just kinda pick everything out on how i feel at the time. I'm seeing pianos pieces take a little more know how, and i will work on hopefully making them portray a specific feeling rather than having them as i do now.

keeping the theme is a huge problem i have, if there is one thing i have to say is my largest problem is themes. I often place almost entirely new songs in inside other songs and them bring them back to the original. i've pretty much wrangled my control over that with this song.

i will lower the wind=)

Thanks for the feed back, and don't hate to start a review off with a negative comment. I personally am not a fan of reading positive things about songs. When i stop seeing negative comments that means i don't know what others think of specific things with in my songs. In turn that means i cant progress as easily.I appreciate you taking time to review my song in such detail, and i hope you can keep track of my future works and provide the same type of reviews.

[Elation Celebration]

I think the dance section is missing more of this happy feel. Seems like people just slap on a lot of noise and sidechain to the kick and that is their song. Its been done a million times before so it is refreshing to hear a song that is made catchy for the composition and not the effects.

Now I would say that your lead instrument sounds close to another song...but you do change a few notes up so that is still different. The bass pattern is not the typical beat so nice job. The only negative is that it doesn't change for the entire song.

As for the 3rd instrument playing in the background, (so at the very beginning you have the lead and the other instrument which I am talking about) it needs some work. Sounds generic to me and the pattern doesn't change throughout the song too.

1:03 I like your buildup but the generic sound ruins the moment. Kudos on the composition though. Everything sounds in key with your now 2 leads.

I don't have much more to say as the song loops. Overall, you did a much better job with the composition. The instruments need a bit of work, but I find the composition is much harder than learning how to create better sounding instruments. (a advantage for you) Is the song diverse? To a extent it is different, but still could use more changes in the beat. Since I am a fan of this happy stuff and not louder = better you get my 5/5. Best of luck in your future songs.

[EnV - NameMySongForMe2.5]

Well my comments probably won't influence you much as people seem to like this "Envy" style. Anyway, I understand this is probably a WIP so the final product will be much better. For now I will say the instruments sounds childish. But if your fan base enjoys that then by all means make them happy.

Good job with the automation in a few areas of the loop. Tune is somewhat catchy however does not give me that excited feel. I don't think it has to do with the instruments as you have plenty of white noise on them....could just be the composition. Best of luck in your final draft and other future songs. As for a name for the song.....I will let your audience decide. 5/5

[An Original Song]

I'm guessing you were rushing this song to please zstriefel with something unique. The reason why I say this is that the composition doesn't really sound like it took much effort to make as well as the instruments. The repetitiveness of the song as mentioned in the previous review also indicates a lack of inspiration. Perhaps you were just messing around with your program? I'm also not a fan of the 16th note patterns for the bass. Chaos does not equal original. Also, the lead instrument composition doesn't keep my attention for long. However, on a positive note the instruments are in key and clear. The panning effects also are a nice touch.

Next time try for something original and catchy. It is easy to make something original by going random, but it is very difficult to make it organized, catchy, and original. Best of luck on your future songs. 5/5

[Indigo Deep]

That's nice that you think your music reminds you of a ocean. It reminds me of N64 instruments in mario or bango tooie mixed with the generic saw. Interesting.....

I am going to keep this short because I have been reviewing a bunch of songs today and need to get some stuff done. Simply put, you use a very common saw bass pattern. Not saying its a bad thing, but is so if it accompanies your entire song. There just isn't originality in that. As for your lead instruments, I kinda like the happy vibes they bring. Maybe you could have changed the drums pattern more often?

I know you were just messing around and it shows with the lack of complexity, but at least it is catchy so nice job on that. No surprise but here is your 5/5. Hopefully others can see your song and provide their insight. GL on your future stuff.

JackLiddle responds:

Cheers for your review! :) It's been a while since I've had one as long as this :P quite refreshing. I'd never really thought of mixing up my bassline... I'll remember your advice. Danke!

[Blue tides]

You asked so I give review.

I don't really care what genre you put this song in even if it may not be house. However, I will say your ping pong fx sound is quite a interesting move on your part. Your trance pad is unfortunately not well done. Messy and poorly mastered.

0:33 so much better with that trance pad gone. Nothing impressive with the bass, but I think we got something going with the lead instrument's composition. It may need some work for instrument sound, but kudos on the patterns used.

0:54 Need a revision of that chordal instrument. Too generic.

1: 51 Really? Just a clap layer added? Where is the climax?

2:05 - end: not much to add as it is looping.

Overall, spend more time on your instruments. What I mean by that is to clean up your instruments (better mixing) and make more unique sounding (less generic instruments). There needs to be some kind of climax in your song. I don't notice one. I will say kudos on the interesting composition and staying in key for most of the song. Best of luck in your future songs. 5/5

cactar65 responds:

thank you for the review im not gonna lie i didn't spend a crazy amount of time on this song like i should have. But I liked it enough to post and I really am thankful for the review.