Spadezer's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[A Summer's Dream]

This is an Official Review for both NGUAC and NGADM

Beginning Comments: I'm surprised to hear your voice as dry as this is. Now I can hear a lot more of your technique that you're using for your songs. Also congratulations on making it to round 2 of NGADM 2018.

Production / Mixing: Not much to pick apart here. The vocals blend well, the piano is placed in the background adequately.

Composition / Structure: I could get a sense of Finland influence. The piano was handled well as an accompaniment, and the harmonies are executed well. You definitely stick to the main theme well in terms of reoccurring tunes that you introduce through the piano. It's funny that there aren't many songs made for NG audio contests that feature a very structural verse-chorus pattern like this. Even that has a nice development. My favorite section is at 5:15, which I wish would have been introduced earlier and developed more. It was a cool and different theme and I loved the sound of it.

Sound Design: Not much to pick apart. The vocals are great, the piano has the correct delicate feel needed to add to this piece, and the whistle adds a nice element to it.

Ending Comments: It was calm and peaceful. It's nothing short I would have expected from you, I think you've fixed the structure issue I had with the NGUAC entry, so you have a benefit there. That chorus will definitely be stuck in my head for a day or so.

Score:

Production - 2

Composition - 2

Structure - 1.5

Sound Design - 2

Replay - 1.75

Total - 9.25

*Disclaimer - I have headphones that cancel out the magical properties of elven singing to help make sure you don't get an advantage through hypnosis.

[The Reunion]

This is an Official NGADM '18 Round 2 Review

Beginning Comments: Congratulations on making it to round 2

Production / Mixing: A little quiet, granted that's the point of this song. I had some issues that I don't think I can quite pick out. Nothing is lost in the mix but my ears aren't drawn to what's carrying the melody the most. I think my issue is that there may be too much reverb, or that it's a little too unfiltered. It's not muddy, but it’s not necessarily clear either I think. Regardless of that, this still sounds like a finished product.

Composition / Structure: Really captivating intro. There isn't much happening which makes it easier for the listen, but each lick of a melody or detail is overflowing with emotion. The structure has a nice development as well. The song did not feel like it was a 5 minute song. It kept my attention and lead through time without difficulty.

Sound Design: Oh the percussion is perfect. I like that they're slightly filtered too. I didn't think that would be a good fit but it works well. Personally, I'm not a fan of the vocals at the end, but they work within your theme that you have so I won't see fault with them. Wow you have a deep voice. It's so soothing. The instruments you use are a nice compliment to the sound effects you start off with. Everything has this organic feel too it that gives great imagery. As a listener I can imagine quite vividly the wet trees I'm trotting though, and I can tell that it's some point in the late evening / nightfall.

Ending Comments: Everything about this song was relaxing, but it held my attention too. There was a lot of emotion carried through even the silence of the composition. It made for vivid imagery and carried a good amount of emotion through it. Well done.

Score:

Production - 1.5

Composition - 2

Structure - 2

Sound Design - 2

Replay - 2

Total - 9.5

*Disclaimer - please disregard this disclaimer

[Unraveling the Mask]

This is an Official NGADM '18 Round 2 and NGUAC Final Round Review

Beginning Comments: Congratulations on making it this far in both contests

Production / Mixing: Quiet, but if fits the song. Production value is good on most everything. The only thing I might complain about is the harpsichord. It sounds a bit too close or dry. However, this is still very pleasing to listen to,

Composition / Structure: Well this is definitely a BlueOcean's song. As a song by itself it's nice, but I've heard this style/structure/theme/feel multiple times now. Knowing you this isn't as unique, but you are doing more to expand and perfect it. The somber and melancholy, but hopeful waltz style that you have. Your theme that starts at 2:14 is a much more unique section that you introduce, and honestly I think that could have been introduced much sooner. It's a way to keep the style that you have, but it sounds completely new and fresh. I enjoyed that well and I wish that would have a lot more development earlier in the song as compared to using it as an outro.

Sound Design: I like the instruments you've used. The piano sounds really good, the strings all blend well with the leading fiddle. The harpsichord combined with what I think is a glockenspiel is a nice combo. I'm not sure if I agree with the sound effects you have around the 1:30 area, but they don't detract with what you have.

Ending Comments: Unfortunately, I've heard this style and chord progression from you before, so I can't really say it's unique. It's beautifully made and short. I like how it sounds and it's relaxing in a way, but it didn't sound new aside from an outro I would have liked to have heard more of.

Score:

Production - 2

Composition - 1.5

Structure - 1.5

Sound Design - 2

Replay - 1.5

Total - 8.5

*Disclaimer - remialcsid

[Look At Me]

This is an Official NGADM '18 Round 2 Review

Beginning Comments: Congratulations on making it to round 2

Production / Mixing: It sounds good. I'm not sure if I agree with the balancing a little bit. Like some of the guitars or lead vocals I think are too far forward, but it still sounds like a finished product. It might sound a little dry, but I like it that way for this actually.

Composition / Structure: Nice and heavy. In terms of structure and composition it doesn't sound terribly unique, and it doesn't really make me feel moved. I think the chorus was emotionally flat compared to what the lyrics were doing in the sense that I never felt the artist putting any additional energy in their singing. I felt as if the energy of the singer was mostly the same throughout the whole song, and the waveforms almost reflect the feeling of having little dynamic changes as well.

Sound Design: Everything sounds great. The vocals are clear, the orchestral instruments complement the guitars well, and the percussion are punchy (a little quiet for my taste but they have the right tone).

Ending Comments: Sounded great. I enjoyed the style and the feel of it. The main topic of the song aligns with the style of the music, and it carries a decent energy throughout the whole piece. I think it could have used a little more variation and maybe some more intricate writing to make it feel more unique, but I still enjoyed listening to this a lot.

Score:

Production - 1.75

Composition - 1.5

Structure - 1.5

Sound Design - 2

Replay - 1.75

Total - 8.5

*Disclaimer - I have no disclaimer, except please disregard my metal hand emoticon \m/

[TeslaX - Dark Deity's Sorcery]

This is an Official NGADM '18 Round 2 Review

Beginning Comments: Congratulations on making it to round 2

Production / Mixing: I was imagining what the mix was like based on the waveforms I was seeing and they didn't lie. It was definitely loud, but intriguingly I don't think it felt too crowded. I could here all the details you were adding into the mix and nothing felt buried. The quieter sections were handled well too. This sounds quite finished and professional. I think maybe the main growls/wub wubs in your longer second drop could have been taking down just a decibel or two, but still sounds pretty good regardless.

Composition / Structure: Such a deeply dark intro. Given the name of this song you stuck with that theme and developed it well. It's a pretty neat style that you have here and you didn't sacrifice the surrounding audio or music around those growls. This has nice little details that you've added in places and never has a stagnant chord progression.

Sound Design: So, obviously this is where it shines, and I'd wager you're using serum to use this because the growls and bass elements you're using in the second drop or so deep, rich, and metallic. Very unique sounds that make me wish I could recreate those somehow. Those sounds make me imagine a sci-fi style of Harry Potter that's set 100 years or so in the future, and everyone throwing around lights and fireballs around like some lethal light show.

Ending Comments: Pretty enjoyable ride. I had to listen to it a few times to appreciate it the most, but you showed a lot of skill and talent with this piece.

Score:

Production - 1.9

Composition - 2

Structure - 2

Sound Design - 2

Replay - 1.5

Total - 9.4

*Disclaimer - please disregard this copy and pasted note of a remnant disclaimer

TeslaX11 responds:

yup, 95% of basses in 2nd half of drop are made in serum and razor. Thanks for the review!

[Magnificent]

This is an Official NGADM '18 Round 2 Review

Beginning Comments: Congratulations on making it to round 2.

Production / Mixing: Professional quality production, but it felt a little crowded like it was too big for the room it was in. Certain sections like 1:16 felt a little dry. I can see why you'd want to do it because it makes the mixing easier to work with, but it sounds a bit raw.

Composition / Structure: There was a lot of good details. I liked the drop a bit for that reason because it was loss of a melody driver and more rhythmic. It was executed well I think. The style you have isn't unique though. It sounds more like stereotypical dance music. It's a nice backdrop for the style your using but I never felt moved by anything. My favorite spot was 2:32 with the comical effects. I think you could have used a lot more details like that even in the drop and could have made it more special of a listening experience IMO.

Sound Design: Yep. Good. No other comments

Ending Comments: Pumping track. Good solid beats and solid concepts. Execution was really well but I think there could have been a few details you could have tweaked.

Score:

Production - 1.5

Composition - 2

Structure - 1.5

Sound Design - 2

Replay - 1.5

Total - 8.5

*Disclaimer - ignore this disclaimer

[Darkness and Light]

This is an Official NGADM '18 Round 2 Review

Beginning Comments: Congratulations on making it to round 2

Production / Mixing: All I can hear is the elven singer. You're piano playing has mystical abilities too, don't hide them too much like that. The piano would have benefited by some reverb or something to not sound so dry though.

Composition / Structure: Yeah the darkness and light line is pretty neat. The contrast is nice in terms of the subject of the lyrics and the style you have to compliment it. The subject being dark and ominous is reflected in the music behind it, but there's still a feeling of hope The lyric writing is actually pretty cool, I would like to hear more from you like this. It's so poetic, and it's not immature either.

Sound Design: The piano sounds a little tinny. For this type of contest being this far into it, I personally would have liked to have heard something a little different or more refined, but I'm assuming it's what you had to work with since this sounds like a live recording.

Ending Comments: Wow that man can sing low. Fantastic writing from you that I enjoyed listening too. The piano quality I wish was better but that doesn't impede my enjoyment.

Score:

Production - 1.75

Composition - 2

Structure - 2

Sound Design - 1.75

Replay - 2

Total - 9.5

*Disclaimer - I have headphones that cancel out the magical properties of elven singing to help make sure you don't get an advantage through hypnosis.

P.S. I will gladly lend my voice to any of your songs. I've wanted to sing a lot more vocals but I suck at lyrics.

LucidShadowDreamer responds:

This is an Official NGADM '18 Round 2 Response ;)

Thanks for the congrats!

Yeah, I've had the opportunity to listen to the track on a few different kinds of speakers since I made it, so I've been able to tell that the vocals are a bit louder than they'd need to be, especially at a few parts. Now that the judging is over, I can rework the mix a bit when I get the time :3
The piano has plenty of reverb, but the vocals probably have more, which might make the balance sound a bit out of place?

I'm glad to see you liked my lyrics well enough! I actually have one unreleased song (not recorded) that I think is even better, both lyric- and structurewise. I've been trying to write more lyrics lately, and think of how to arrange around singing. It's quite fun! Now if only I could learn to sing half as well as Jordi too...

The piano isn't a live recording in the sense that I used a microphone, but it is recorded in one go on my electronic piano, after which I pasted the MIDI on a track with a piano VST (and ofc, edited the dynamics/velocities to fit the piano in question). I have my sights on a better piano VST that I want to buy at some point during the year :D
The piano VST I want requires 200GB of free disc space though, so I'll have to buy an external SSD first xD

Jordi can sing low indeed! I've known this for some time, so I intentionally wrote the last verse in a low octave, so the track could highlight that. It also sounds very emotional and pure like that, imo. Personally, since the range of the voice in this track is so wide I can't even properly sing it myself :3

Thank you for the review! I don't write too many song with lyrics, but if I do write something fitting for a different voice than Jordi's and mine, I'll let you know!

[Invincible]

This is an Official NGUAC '18 Knockout Round Review

Beginning Comments: It has a really bubbly intro and set s a nice tone. A little quiet but it's nice.

Production / Mixing: Most things here are balanced well. The overall volume is a little too quiet, but it sounded like a finished product.

Composition / Structure: There wasn't much to it. The bubbly synths you have going on at first were pretty nice. The bass gives it a nice happy feel, and there's a soothing choir synth going on in the back. You introduced the happy melody as it was going over the regular structure, but the song felt flat. There was very little development of chord progressions or meshing ideas involving the melodies you used. I would have enjoyed hearing the guitars that you introduced a bit sooner. You do, however, do a good job in keeping with the theme you have when you do develop it. Whatever you've added or introduced does a good job of keeping with a similar style.

Sound Design: Most everything had a quirky and happy style to it. I would have changed probably a couple of properties of a couple things, like the first lead synth maybe felt a little too sharp, and the piano at 4:11 felt too dry. Other than that they all worked pretty well.

Ending Comments: Not a bad piece. A bit too repetitive, but the theme was pleasant.

Score:

Production - 0.5

Composition - 0.5

Structure - 0.5

Sound Design - 0.75

Replay - 0.5

Total - 5.25

*Disclaimer - to make judging consistent with other judges, individual category scores are multiplied by 2 to make a total possible 10 points.

ZaneLittle responds:

I appreciate the feedback!

[The Dangerous Path to Home (NGUAC 2018)]

This is an Official NGUAC '18 Knockout Round Review

Beginning Comments: The intro sets up the song well, and the theme you set matches the title. It feels very open and has a nice realism to it.

Production / Mixing: This sounds like a finished work. I would guess that's why I'm seeing you put so many hours into this is the production. The balancing is nice, and there's a good amount of reverb where it needs to be. I think it was a bit much at a few spots, but there was good care in making everything play in the same environment.

Composition / Structure: The main theme you have is great. It's a brooding chord progression that sets the tone well. It starts of with an open and ominous impression, but it doesn't do much aside from that. Aside from the 2:31 section increasing in tempo and adding in some other arpeggiated synths I feel like this song doesn't change up that much. It felt like this song needed some change in chord progression or an overlying melody to carry through what was happening. For example, what I was expecting when you transition before the 1:36 section that maybe you'd bring in a slightly more developed theme of what you've introduced leading up to it. Take the dynamics down a bit and add a melody and some fast moving strings in somewhat of a John Williams style.

Sound Design: For the most part, the quality is rather decent. Let me just get this out of the way by saying that the trumpets at 1:37 sounded obviously MIDI. I would have maybe used a different VST or add some automations to make it more humanized because they almost sounded like a synth. I'm saying that because everything else sounded so much more real. The crashes were excellent, the bells were nice, the seemingly almost (again almost) random digital synths and guitars brought in around 2:33 fit well. You handled a lot of instruments beautifully so I'm surprised by the trumpet quality at 1:37. The whole song is actually a nice blend of orchestral and other electronic instruments because it all sounded quite organic.

Ending Comments: The biggest issue was that it felt very similar for the whole 5 minutes. It would have been nice to hear a little more development in areas like different melodies or chord progressions. However, it is well polished. It was pleasing to listen to and sounded mostly consistent within itself.

Score:

Production - 1

Composition - 0.5

Structure - 0.5

Sound Design - 1

Replay - 0.5

Total - 7

*Disclaimer - to make judging consistent with other judges, individual category scores are multiplied by 2 to make a total possible 10 points.

[The Last Defense - Jessie Yun [NGUAC]]

This is an Official NGUAC '18 Knockout Round Review

Beginning Comments: This is a high energy intro and yet subtle intro. Without even seeing the description at first, I could tell this has a similar flair to Hans Zimmer work for something like MW2 stuff, but with a fresh different flavor. *Looks at the description again* Yeah I could see this being done in 5 hours….. Wait, on an Iphone? I didn't know you could get garage band to sound like this

Production / Mixing: Very clean. The percussion is very crisp and the instruments blend well. There's a very good management in keeping reverb in check and still sounding open, except at 1:25 ish. That area I felt was a little too crowded and sounds like it was maxing out a limiter a bit. Aside from that this feels much like a finished product.

Composition / Structure: It's a great concept on having a lot of quiet energy and it crescendos into a good climax. The theme you've developed matured nicely, but it felt cut off a little short. Like it was missing an outro. There's the driving base that carries the song forward, the use of orchestral instruments and vocals to add emotion to the piece, and the digital elements used bring in some good contrast, while the percussion capitalizes the energy a lot.

Sound Design: You picked the right voices to enhance the feel of the song. There were a couple of synths I liked that you added in too. They blended well together and created a good atmosphere.

Ending Comments: I wish it was longer, but this sounded pretty good with what you have. The overall song was crafted well and worked pretty decently.

Score:

Production - 1

Composition - 1

Structure - 0.5

Sound Design - 1

Replay - 0.5

Total - 8

*Disclaimer - to make judging consistent with other judges, individual category scores are multiplied by 2 to make a total possible 10 points.

JessieYun responds:

Thanks a lot for the constructive review. I'll try to improve the things you mentioned in the future.