SFaPiL2's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Mario Bros Loop (WIP)]

Yep

It baffles me... people that download supposedly like what you did, but they don't vote. I guess they're too lazy to press two separate buttons. Anyway, some opinions:

The scratches were a fun transition that worked very well and I'd imagine the overall track in a version of LSD Mario or something ^_^. Very loopable.

I just loved the second part with that chill-pad you had there and the overall break beat.

My only two critiques would be that:

1) the first part (start-0:30) needs a subtle crescendo of a fast-paced bass (hmm.. perhaps similar to the one you add in 0:30-end, but eighth notes instead of quarter notes)

2) I think the track seems "stuffy". It might be the over-compression (from the way I hear it, did you side-chain the pads to the beat?) and there seems to be saturation (the track seems too loud).

Anyway, I'm very surprised at the score and am voting accordingly.

T-rebel responds:

I decided to meet you half way on your suggestions, but it's still a WIP.

(1) I added a bass to the 1st part, but it's slow and deep. I might still change it to something a bit more square-wavy, and a bit higher timbre.

(2) Thanks for the EQ note. The track was actually clipping in a few places. I adjusted a lot, but I can't fix the 8-bit lead any further. It's made with Synth Maker G-30X plugin. For whatever reason, it's not affected by the master or channel volumes. Still working on the beat compression; it's in its own FX channel.

[Theeketel - Volcano]

Being overrun by self-constructing nano bots

That's the sensation I'm getting while listening to this. I can seriously imagine a 3:25 minute clip with this.

=========
An empty warehouse lights up with the high military ranks watching from a distance. A team of scientists begin to power on a prototype machine that is next to a large block of raw metal. Perplexed the commanding officers question the machine's functions while it begins to power on.

... at first it seems as if nothing is happening, but then the block begins to disappear. Apparently it's being disassembled at a molecular level by nano bots. The scientists glare with excitment as the nanobots form an almost standalone complex mist... but something is unexpected... it's growing to fast. They try to shut down the system... no use... code red...

... the team starts to scatter while the higher ranks watch through a pair of binoculars what's happening... confused... then scared. Some scientists are being disassembled by the mist while others are escaping. A siren starts to sound. Everyone starts to run for their life. The mist seems to notice and begins to chase the prey.
===============

I'd have more in mind, but I think that I've exagerated already.

Very cool, nice job.

P.S. Perhaps the only "flaw" is that there's an interlude at [1:45-1:51] that is just a bit too empty for my liking, but nothing serious.

AliceMako responds:

Sounds like somebody has a knack for cooking up scenarios as that actually made for a compelling read, i'd get cozy with an animator in the near future if i were you.

For your pleasure i've added a voice over to said 6 seconds :3

Thanks for your time

[Caek]

Misleading introduction...

... really misleading. That bass drum seems just a tad too hardcore in conjuction with that delicate melody... but I guess I could be more flexible about it.

I think that adding a progressively growing number of layers (like some pads or synths) in parts like 1:55-2:43 would've helped. It felt a bit empty.

Yeah, and reducing that bass drum's... well... bass... would really help make the high pitched melody pop out more.

My 2 cents.

NaotoNekoCutie responds:

Listen to LOLI RIPE and you will see why this song is so demented. He (she?) was my main inspiration for this venture.

[Remember [Preview]]

theeketel is right

It would truly sound good in an anime opening theme... with the voice of Megumi Hayashibara singing, for example.

Another thing is that even though you say it's incomplete it still loops stupendously.

I'm sorry for the "writer's block" you're having (considering the sheer beauty permeating through this song). Perhaps you should seek inspiration through really good movies, touching true stories or amazing people of our present time.

Wish you all the best.

P.S. yup, I also wish I could be able to make an equivalently pleasing track.

NaotoNekoCutie responds:

I have been trying to work on this song lately, but unfortunately it is still very rough towards the end.

Thank you for the support, hopefully I will finish this within the next month.

[My Little Pony: Fim Derp Theme]

HAHHAHHAHHAHHA

oh god... *pant*... hahhahha... oh god oh god *got a tear from laughing*.

This is almost a visionary combination of mixed feelings towards the show: torture vs extremist fanboyism.

I love how you managed to NOT over-saturate your screaming voice with the mic. It just gave these 35 seconds a perfect sense of "My Little Pony is MANLY!!! YEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!
"

hahhahhaha. Great parody dude ^_^.

P.S. fav'd and 5'd for the lols and almost certain that this will be seen in many Flashes to come.

Solrac responds:

Thanks for the Awesome Feedback! (I never expected this thing to receive so much love)

[Pugilator]

Very interesting

It has this marvelous evolution... an unfolding of elements... a slow, peaceful trip into a futuristic utopia... However, I find that your bass is way too muddy* and it takes away from the perfectly sharp-edged synths and crystal clear sounds: it almost ruins the magic you created. I'd suggest some EQing; try and lower the mids and see if things get better.

Structure-wise... damn. I wish I were this good. It's the third time I'm listening to this and even though the beginning sounds a bit flat (all because of that muddy bass) I just can't enough of your chorus and the transitions in between.

Truly well done.

*I've listened to your track with a pair of closed monitor headphones. Being closed they might enrich the bass a tad, but these headphones are meant to be as flat as possible. I'd still suggest cleaning the bass a bit.

RunningShadows responds:

Thanks. I am glad you enjoyed the track, and thanks for the advice on the bass.

[GearsDEP]

nice, but

Having played around with samples and recordings myself (with no success) makes me aware of how much time it takes to slice and position them the way you want it to without making a complete mess, so top marks for that. (the sample-quality was a delight, btw)

The beat was sweet (as always ^__^) and the "omphing" was there in all its glory.

The fact that you managed to make a pretty cool sounding song with basic sine-waves and other 3xOsc-ish creations is definitely a plus. (I would've gotten drunk managing all the samples and creating proper synths from scratch, so kudos to you)

I especially liked the build-up, with its "starting/rumbling engine" and repositioning-printerhead sounds.

However, for constructive-criticism's sake, the song became repetitive towards the middle. I think that the three main culprits were:

1) the bassy Osc's melody:
It had the same melodic scale over and over.

2) the "honey" sample:
It became annoying after a while. Perhaps it could've been refreshed either by stuttering and/or slowing down that sample (e.g. using FruityScratcher) or by adding new voice samples.

3) the structure:
Although it definitely was there, the song didn't really built-up to something.

Overall the song was good, but I know for a fact that you can do better.

P.S. the original review I typed got lost with the power-outage so I probably forgot some points here and there, damn it...

sorry if it sounds like a bitchy review... it wasn't my intention.

DjUntold responds:

Hey man.
Thanks for the review, sorry it took me so long to respond, I've been without internet for a long time now.

I really appreciate all of the constructive criticism, I've actually used a lot of your advice when making some of my newer songs that I will be posting in the near future.
This is great, I love these types of reviews, very helpful... So props to you!

I'll be checking out your newer stuff in a bit and stopping by with the regular reviews :).

- Aaron.

[Avatar Tribute - Part 2]

What can I say...

It was beautiful before and it's even more beautiful now. Nice improvement to the previous version.

I can clean up the drool from my mouth now ^__^.

Keep up the splendid work.

BRAVISSIMO

EvilHatX responds:

Damn, I don't know what to say but thanks :D Definetly makes it worthwhile. As I wrote in the Part 1 response I'm very happy for the support!

[Avatar Tribute - Part 1]

I'm trying to guess this one

It's been a while since the last (and only) time I saw Avatar. Hmm...

This soundtrack gives me a feeling of cautious discovery. A magical place full of life... everything is apparently calm, but I'm still careful about my surroundings.

It reminds me of Jakes first mission: Protecting the research team in the forest of Pandora yet enchanted by it's flora and fauna.

Anyway, superb. I'm honestly shocked that people would rate it a 3. This certainly is quality material and would sound great in any movie.

Giving you top marks is the least I can do.

EvilHatX responds:

First of all thanks a lot for the kind words! It's great with some support :-)

And the "place" you located the music is the same I had in mind when composing :-) When Jake gets lost (or rather chased away) from the group he has to protect and the wanders around in the night.

[Losing Control [TR]]

That bass reminds me of the Matrix ^__^

More precisely "Clubbed to Death - (Kurayamino mix)" from the original matrix soundtrack.

Anyway, back on topic. This seems like THE perfect chrono-trigger style soundtrack. I managed to recognize a few Sytrus presets, but they've been used very well (nice mastering, btw). One particular instrument (the flute-ish instrument that shyly fades-in at times) is spectacular: Superb pitch-bending.

I'm not quite good at explaining myself, but I'd suggest focusing on the melody you added in 1:05 (the one present at the very beginning as well). Make it develop to something else either by modifying the melody directly or by adding a clone instrument that makes a harmonic melody in conjuction with the former that eventually will fade away giving way to the new melody. I hope it's clear.

I'm not 100% certain, but I think that the bass' melody is acting like a red herring: I think it got you stuck melody-wise not giving you space for something else. Try muting the channel in FL Studio; Find an alternative background melody, maybe this will help you.

If all else fails (and you trust me enough ^__^) pass me the flp. and I'll try and figure out something for you.

Keep up the great work!

T-rebel responds:

Thanks for the review! As always, it's full of great ideas. Just one problem: my laptop (with literally all my .flp files) was stolen. So basically, "everything I ever said and everything I ever did is gone and dead" ( Smashing Pumpkins).

I haven't bothered getting back to makin' tunes since then. But it's been almost a year now... maybe the mourning period's over? Who knows.