Spadezer's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Can Your Cow Do This?]

Heh, I can imagine a cow on stage with shades and Skrillex hairdo.

I agree with johnfn though. It seems too simple and there's areas of the track that leave me filling like it's empty. The sounds you have are amazing. I wish I could make the synths you're using, and they have such flavor. When the composition is full, it gives an amazing feeling. It's content that I'd be willing to listen to on repeat for hours.

OMG that bass synth at 02:46 is so sick! It's amazing.

Overall it feels slightly repetitive, leaves something to be desired, but there's such good awesomeness when it happens. My suggestion is that it needs another pad or something to eat up some of the empty space. For example, 01:51. The chord progression is powerful, but with how it's structured, it needs either a pad in the background or a melody that coats the top like thin frosting.

I sure would love to know what you're doing for these synths. I'd be happy to know if it's not something that requires $500 software.

Keep being awesome, you're doing good work.
-Spadezer-

introstalge responds:

Thanks for the feedback. I agree with you on sounding a bit empty. I will use some more pads in my next tracks. As for the synths, they're all Massive patches. There isn't too much processing in post either. A few Fruity Blood Overdrives, EQ and occasionally Vocodex, that's pretty much it.

Check out Barely Alive and Virtual Riot on Youtube. They have some tutorials which explain how to make these sorts of basses. They've helped me a tonne! The most important thing to get right is filter automation. Once you have that figured out, you can use pretty much any combination of wavetables and still end up with something nice.

[Swing For A Special Lady]

Here's a review for ya.

The first thing I can think of is the guitar playing. The recording is clean and I'm in awe when it comes to some of the solos. It doesn't matter how fast you're playing you make sure every note is clean and tight. Pure show of skill and experience.
The vocals: I'm not a fan of the lyrics. They are humorous, but not my taste. I do like the background chatter. They could potentially make good comic relief in something and I like it when you're actually singing. It's good to hear what you sound like. and I like what I hear, especially when you sing "Well I close my eyes.." That section's pretty sweet.

Is it just me or are you missing the last group of lyrics?

All in all a good solid track. And from me I think this would deserve a 8.0 out of 10. And I hope Tim's mom either feels flattered or she never hears this

Be awesome, be more awesome, and repeat.
-Spadezer-

Ceevro responds:

Hehe. The whole 'Tim's Mom' thing is directed at a coworker. Counter-prank. He felt it would be hilarious to sign me up as a member of every religion that would take membership online, resulting in me being inundated with literature arriving at my office.

The pranks have been ongoing, and they're generally pretty funny. And thus, I felt that dissing his mom was the natural next-step. I had planned to keep the theme for as far as I could go in the contest...my next song was going to be a soulful rock ballad...

[Two]

Man, I'm scared for going into round two. I know I'm not going against you but dang.

You really hit a sweet spot with the chorus at 02:24. The bass is kicking, your percussion is good and simple. And the build up to that point is pretty decent. It seems like you have tons of reverb on the high end though. It gives it a light and airy feeling, but I almost feel like my mind is getting attacked with constant high frequencies. That's generally for the whole song and not just the chorus.

Pretty sweet though. I don't how good my judgement is today though. I'm not in the best listening mood, but I hope I still can give some good feedback for you. And since a 0-10 scale is a bit more accurate and makes more sense than a 5 star scale, I would say that this seems like a 8.6 out of 10.

Good work.
-Spadezer-

[All Gone (WiP)]

I'm like "wow this song is repetitive." Then after returning to the tab this is on I realize that it's looped. I like it. It's fun and I kind of needed this since I had a car crash today so more props to ya. The chord progression is good and you make a really good atmosphere with the synths you're using and how you control them.
I think it could use a little more bass as I'm listening to it right now.
Now I got to listen to something before this plays in my head for the rest of the day.

Be awesome, be more awesome, and repeat.
-Spadezer-

D-Chain responds:

Thanks spadezer! i needed this. badly.

[The Spider Machine]

Since it's a WIP, I'll attempt a thorough review (I'm still stuck in NGADM contest mode).

So Cool! Makes me think that this could be a thowback version of Star Fox and Andross isn't a monkey. Or a really cool Dishonored level. All the creepy and brutal instruments make it spectacular, especially the low brass / strings 00:51. The tune definitely is an earworm tune. Most likely will be singing it in my head afterwards. But it's cool. I just want to walk around like *boom boom boom*. Your composition is up there by the least. The creepy notes you use make this all just pop. The only complaint I have since I'm on this note is that the percussion feels like it needs to be more complex between 01:07-01:23. I feel like the timing is off in the drums ever so slightly, right around 01:11 I think. Don't get me wrong though, what you're doing with the percussion everywhere else is spot on I think. I like the key change that you fade out with though.

Short recap:
Awesome
Love it
Would love to hear and download the full version.
Oh, I forgot! The organ and chimes are sweet.

I'd also like to know what you're using for the orchestra.

Respect
-Spadezer-

cazok responds:

Wow thanks! Really appreciate it :)
A mix between brutal, weird and epic was definitely what I was aiming for. I know what you mean about the percussion, and I gotta admit that my playing was a bit off there. I play everything by hand on a keyboard and record it on a multitrack recorder, it's a pretty old fashioned system really (f.ex when you're done with a song you have to burn out a CD to get it to the computer :P). Sometimes I make mistakes or play a bit out of time... I try to avoid it though.

Thanks a bunch for the review!
-Cazok-

[i believe]

It's good to see that you made it on to the next round. I don't think I'll get the chance to directly compete against you (I don't know why but I decided to make you my benchmark for my first trip in a NGADM contest).

All that aside, I'm really glad to hear this. The first half of this is just an excellent display of your ability to make beautiful atmospheres, and then the song really just blossoms at 03:30. It's really cool how you take a synth that sounds like it isn't meant to be soothing but you make it turn it around and make the piece sublime.

Be awesome, be more awesome, and repeat.
And good luck
-Spadezer-

johnfn responds:

Thanks Spadezer! I really enjoy your entries too, they use standard instruments in really unexpected and nonstandard ways.

I'm glad you liked it! Gonna go attempt to be more awesome now.

[Punchy Punch]

I hope that when you win in round two it's because you demolished me with music like this.

You get another fan for that.
-Spadezer-

garlagan responds:

don't be silly. Your submission's retro style actually blew me away entirely! this is gonna be fun!

[Mirror]

I think it screams for vocals. It's pretty and I'd imagine that vocals would make this wonderful.

[Reset]

... Wow.

Favorited, downloaded, and you now have a new fan.

Respect

-Spadezer

Shanath responds:

Thank you, sir!