Spadezer's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Ryzmik - "Digital Obsession"]

This has some really solid MDK vibes. If you clean up the mix so the basses aren't overpowering the mix, I probably would have you confused with them. Solid sound design

Ryzmik responds:

I didn't know this sounds like MDK, I had only listen his music in Geometry Dash. Thank you for the comparison!

[3manon X Yastik - Echoes of The Mountains]

NGADM 2024 Audition review:

I liked the general tone of what you've got here. It's an interesting fusion of a cinematic feel into a drum and bass style. The intro sets up the tone pretty well for what you're going to go into, and then the drums come in and take it and put it into a frenzy. I do have some issues with the production quality. While things are generally well balanced, once the DnB part takes off, the mix starts feeling muddy in the bass/sub area. It sounds to me like you have some unchecked reverb that clutters the mix up, and it sounds like it's in the cello/bass area. I first notice this type of issue with the bass drum that comes in at 0:43. Which, btw, that drums specifically sounds like you can't hear the attack/transient, but it trails off for a long time which will battle with the low end voicing. I also don't like how overpowered the kick is at the 3:00 area. I don't think the kick is a bad choice, but it distorts the whole mix every time it comes in, and looking at your waveforms makes me think you've got it slamming into your master compressors/limiters. To contrast, some nice things I notice. The stereo spacing of the instruments is nice, especially where it's quiet. The drums in the main breaks that come in I think might be a tad overpowering, but their presence is fitting.

I really like your melodies. There's good use of harmony outside of the main breaks. The reprise of the intro at 1:58 is touching, so great marks on that. The cinematic percussion does a good job of influencing the energy dynamics between the different sections. The only issue I have with the writing, that becomes apparent with the breaks, is that the melody is ditched for the high energy spots, and on top of that, the writing is a little repetitive in a way that feels uninspired. The main breaks are just some arpeggiating violin, with a nice (and honestly epic) chord progression underneath, and madd drumming. If there was focus on having a melody/theme/motif underneath the main breaks, it could have had some more driving force to carry through the whole song and help the listener latch on to something without feeling ambiguous. Otherwise, it feels like nice orchestral stuff broken up by Animal on the drums.

Overall, I think this is decent. It fits the drum and bass vibe pretty well, and still feels like its own and fresh piece. It has a decent flow throughout the whole song

3manonMusic responds:

You're absolutely right. It's true that I left some melodic variation behind to make room for the high energy drums in the drop, that was made by Yastik. I did that so the drums had more place to shine and the focus wouldn't be shifted. In terms of motif; I felt like the violin arpeggio was my main one, but I also realize that arpeggio's don't really work as motifs. And yea those mixing issues definitely need some work. Thanks for the feedback!

[AIM 2024 - The Spirit Fisher]

oh yeah, this is the good stuff. I was not expecting it to sound so clean at 0:50. Very ethereal and light, and I kinda wish I sounded like this. Very pretty

GameBoyFireworks responds:

Thank you so much!! Means a lot coming from you!

[Nightmare]

\m/

[Poundcake 2]

This is my jam (cake)

[AIM - And Then the Storm]

I'm just giving it 5 starts because LukcyDee didn't

Just kidding, this is pretty neat though. Cool work

LuckyDee responds:

Thanks a bunch dude <3

[The Morning After]

Lol I think you basically remade my song from last year. Love jazzy/funky songs

Albe responds:

Oh shit I'm really sorry, I completely forgot you had made jazz last year so I went for that this year myself. Yours was superior and actually sounded like slow jazz, and I just made it... albe-style I guess. Merry Christmas man and I'm glad you liked it!

[lost winter]

It's rare to have a long progressive house style make it to the finals. Congrats, and I definitely enjoyed this.

[Rumination]

You snuck out this release without telling me? Unacceptable. This is too pretty to not be heard

[Real Me]

I've always been interested to see what you come up with in contests since seeing your content in years past. I've always liked your take and style that you've brought to NG

SkankyMojo responds:

Cheers man, that's really lovely of you to say. You're someone I really respect musically, so that genuinely means a lot.