Spadezer's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Between Worlds In a Crystal Tunnel]

This is an official NGADM '19 Review

Composition:
The complex jazz-like chord structures are a nice work. It really helps with the with the floaty feel you bring across in the song. With the way the chords traveling between the augmented and diminished chords, it helps give it this free feeling that works well with the choice of instruments you have. There never really was a point that it felt lacking in fullness while also maintaining this air of simplicity. I don't really have any real issues with the melody writing, other than really the only memorable melodies IMO happen in the breaks like at 1:00 and 2:20, as well as the hit at 3:34 which I think would have really benefited from some crashes from the percussion.

Production:
This is a good clean mix. The it's well balanced and sounds like a finished product. There's particularly good work in the percussion. I like how there's a lot of folly type of percussion riding on top that's really subtle and brings in so much depth to the mix. It's subtle enough you can miss paying attention to it, but it would feel like it's missing something without it.

Sound Design:
Again, the percussion is a really nice plus. The synths you have really develop a nice atmosphere which works very well with the title. Nothing is piercing at the top, and everything on the low end is really soft and is careful not to fight with the rest of the mix. The only issue I really have is the sine wave bass you have might be a little too soft for areas like 1:45. It's not very clear when hitting those staccato style eighth notes. It would be a lot better I think with a plucking style of attack at the front. Not too much since everywhere else it fits nicely within the mix.

Structure:
This song can also really gives me the feeling of let's say flying through space in a carefree style. I like it, but it feels like the progression doesn't really move that much. I don't mean that the song drags out, but it feels more like it didn't have a lot of energy dynamics. Sure the breaks got quieter compared to the track around it, but they felt too similar to me. The climatic hit around 3:33 fell a little flat compared to what it sounds like it was trying to do.

Emotion / Conclusion:
Overall, it was really well made. I didn't feel like it wanted to hold my attention though, and felt like I didn't thoroughly enjoy it as much as I could have.

Composition: 8

Production: 9

Sound Design: 8

Structure: 7

Emotion: 6

[Agente.001 - Melancholia]

This is an official NGADM '19 Review.

Composition:
The beginning absolutely had me immersed. The rest of it was definitely my type of thing. It was in this fluid state of being a melodic dubstep / drumstep style and I was eating it up (although probably leaned more towards drumstep).

Production:
I think this could have been a little cleaner. You handle the quieter sections beautifully, but in the drops I think there was a little too much going in in the mids, and the kick I think was a little too bassy. In reality though, these are minor complaints and didn't stop me from enjoying it.

Sound design:
Again, the beginning sounds had me hooked from the start. Everything you picked worked wonderfully to the main sound of the whole piece, and I love how wet and metallic the bass synths sounded in the drop. The only real complaint I have is the piercing synth at 2:27.

Structure:
Good progression and good transitions. I can really see the storyline you were trying to create in the description. There was a lot of dynamics in energy, and it the themes you have really added well to the emotion.

Emotion / Conclusion:
I loved it. I kinda wish I made it lol.

Composition: 9.5

Production: 8

Sound Design: 9

Structure: 9

Emotion: 10

Agente001Tomhson responds:

Thank you very much man!

[Guilt]

Yes! How did I miss this! It's so good to here rock in the finals like this! The mixing sounds so delicious (other than feeling crowded in spots)! Great sound, good lyrics. I'm so glad you made it to the finals!

[Think]

Such a calm but intense atmosphere! I'm also really happy you survived NGUAM
;)

[Melodic Convergence]

Yeah this was super incredible. Everything sounded sound vivid and organic, and the mix is very crisp and clean. Wonderful work

[Macrocosm [NGUAC Final Submission]]

That kick in the first half is so soft and luscious, it sounds like a pillow. This is definitely the type of house I like

[Rising Star]

SourJovis Rising Star

At first listen this is pretty lighthearted, and a nice ride to groove along to. I enjoyed the feel of it, and casually listening to it again I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Production/Sound design:
Probably gave the biggest hit in my score. Right at the 0:30 mark, it sounded like the drums or cymbals were clipping or being clipped by the base. Same at the 2:54 area. The drums I felt could have been a little more punchier or more defined too. I wasn't quite sure what was going on with the lyrics either. Were you using a vocobox? It's an interesting effect, but I think I would have liked to heard the lyrics a little more clearly.
However, aside from all of that, this is a clean mix. It's pretty well balanced and compliments the synths that you're using. You correctly bring the feel of a video game setting, and it's interesting because it doesn't have that vintage feel, but something a little more modern that's giving a nod to the older style. Works great.

Composition/Structure:
Nothing really stuck out as being fantastic, and there really wasn't anything wrong here. Although I'd have to say the 2:00 area is my favorite. Aside from the interlude area around 1:35, which was kinda nice actually, I didn't feel there was too much of a dynamic difference throughout the song. For the most part there isn't much wrong with it, but I think there wasn't too much progression happening.

Overall, again this was pretty enjoyable actually. It's fun to listen to and kinda dance around with it in my seat too. Just a couple things I would personally like to see different and I think it could have gone farther in my opinion. This was good work though.

Composition:
4/5

Production:
3/5

Sound Design:
3/5

Structure:
3/5

Originality:
4/5

Total:
68/100

[Virtual Riot ~ Init (Incise Arrangement) [Refix]]

I think some of the chord stack overpowers the mix a little bit, but otherwise this is for sure a banger. Right up in my alley. Maybe not quite Virtual Riot level, but that's a high benchmark. This pretty sweet.

Incise responds:

yeah i agree

the mixing in the drop is a bit muddy and cluttered, and i put too much reverb on the saws oof

[AIM - Timeless Adventure]

I like the dainty feel with the piccolo/flutes at the beginning, however they are a little piercing by themselves. I can hear your distinct waltz feel, and this time it has a nice Zelda Windwaker / Treasure Planet feel so you're really pouring on in the nostalgia for me. Based on the description and the art you have you've definitely nailed the theme.

The production quality is really good. The only thing that keeps me away from being immersed completely I think is the french horn/brass when they first come in at like 0:43. I like their presence but they sound too powerful for what they're doing. Not saying their too loud, but they sound like they're trying too hard type of thing. Maybe the glockenspiel sounds a little too close and the choir sounds a little too far away, but now I'm just being nitpicky.

In terms of composition and song structure, high praise with nailing the nostalgia part. The only issue I have is that I would have liked more variation with the melody motif. After listening to it on repeat I think it's a bit too repetitive. The chord structure is vary hopeful and uplifting during the whole piece, and it definitely helped with that adventure is just beginning feel. I like all of the trills on the piccolo and the drums are a nice compliment to what you have going on while also really driving the direction of the atmosphere.

Nice and happy piece. Again, it gave off that Windwaker feel and I bathed in its nostalgia. I'm going to have to bring up Windwaker Title music again. Good work

Everratic responds:

I'm glad to hear the song poured on the nostalgia for you! That was one of my goals :D

I deliberately made the horns sound powerful enough to just barely dominate the mix. I know it looks bad when someone responds to criticism by saying the matter of the criticism was deliberate, but I sincerely stand by my decision. I think the climax wouldn't sound nearly as pleasing as it does without that feature. But I'm glad the production sounds good to your ears otherwise.

I agree that I could have added more variation to the main melody. I thought changing the articulations and instrumentation a lot would be sufficient, but indeed, once you become accustomed to it, it does feel a bit repetitive regardless.

Thank you for the review!