skyood's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[TJFish - TenTaTive]

Ok, honest feedback from an "old" man who's been playing music for a loooong time. Music means putting yourself out there which can be hard, but part of growing and improving as a musician is listening to constructive criticism and using it as a tool to improve. That is my intention here, to help you improve.

What it sounds like to me is that you found some cool sounds and loops you really liked and are playing them almost at random. At least the ones you chose fit well together, so that's a good thing. But if you want to make appealing music you're missing basics like a melody, chord structure, recognizeable tempo, etc.

Your profile just says "a kid," so I don't know how old you are which would make a huge difference if you're really young ... But here is my advice: 1. Don't quit. Don't let anything discourage you. Your heart is in the right place. Clearly you love making music; keep doing it, keep putting it out there. 2. Learn everything you can-- your head needs to catch up to your heart and your ears. Pay close attention to what exactly it is that you like about your favorite songs (you won't be able to put it into words at first, that's ok). Start learning about music theory, check out musictheory.net for example. Learn to play an instrument, take lessons from a trained teacher if you can afford it, etc. Piano is probably best because it will give you a foundation for other music/instruments, too. Go after learning about music with just as much passion and excitement as you have with listening to and making music and a year from now you'll be shocked at how much you've improved.

TJFish responds:

How about this? https://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/879420?updated=1566601965

[Coin and Haggle]

Dude ... just ... dude. This belongs in a game. Like, yesterday. The little effects (coins dropping, etc) add a really cool ambience, and overall just a beautifully written, mixed, performed, everything little tune. Very very nicely done.

MichaelJ responds:

Thank you, skyood. I'm really happy to hear that. I'm glad you liked it!

[Call from Somewhere]

Me likey, again. I think it's another section/variation away from a feeling "done," but I imagine you know that. A good example of what you can do in 30 secs or so. Just well constructed and clean. Very nice.

Rexyrex responds:

Thanks :) I actually made this one a long time ago, just found it on my harddrive recently :P
I totally agree with you that it doesn't sound finished

[Picnic on the Beach]

Again, perfect fit as a video game song. You've got this style (that to me reminds me of Tetris Attack) really nailed. As for room to grow, I'm not in love with the loop point. I think it's because toward the end it's already been winding down for a bit, so that when combined with the beginning it's just a little too much sameness in a row (which you otherwise do a great job of managing - see: my comments on "Exciting Summer Day")... or maybe that the kind of "stuttering" beat/feel you have going on doesn't link up well between the end and the beginning. Can't put my finger on it precisely. But again, you really have this particular little sub-genre/feel really nailed. Sounds great!

Rexyrex responds:

Thanks for your detailed review!
I sure will look into the loop point and see what I can do to improve.
I'm really new to making video game music and it's really nice to hear you think it sounds suitable :D

[Exciting Summer Day]

You get the rare full 5/5 out of me that I give out when I can't think of anything negative to say. This would fit great into a game, and "exciting summer day" describes the mood well. I think you have just the right amount of movement/changes/development happening that the music doesn't get boring but not so much that is calls attention to itself to the possible detriment of the game it's set to. Great work.

Rexyrex responds:

Hey thanks a lot for the review!
It's flattering to have been given the rare 5/5 :P

[Skyline]

Love the strings, love the lyrical creativity, and you have a great voice, man. My (hopefully constructive!) feedback would be that the piano part hitting the chords the way they do ... it adds like a choppiness to an otherwise smoothly-flowing song. Maybe that's what you're going for, and maybe it wouldn't be as much of an issue if it weren't as muddy (see: Divo's comment), but to my ear it stuck out and not in a particularly good way. But overall man, it sounds great! I'm really impressed with the writing from both a musical and lyrics perspective.

Wolftacular responds:

Yeah, my poor excuse for mixing skills always gets in the way somehow. I was also in a huge rush to get this done because of the deadline. I only had a couple days to work because I moved out of the state. Anyway, either way, I'll look into the piano stuff to see if I can catch what you're referring to. I'm almost convinced it's just the mixing though, since it sounded well enough alone. Thanks a bunch for listening and reviewing!

[Mechanical Anima]

Quickie: Reminds me of certain areas/scenes in Final Fantasy III (My wife said the same). Which, by the way is the game that probably has the most memorable music to me. So that is a good thing. Very "automaton"-ish. Vurry vurry good.

steampianist responds:

now that you mention it does remind me of a bit of FF 3. Oh and thank you for listening happy to know that both of you like it

[Bivouac]

Not bad at all. You definitely took some risks here and there, and largely pull it off well. Small input: there are portions, particularly at the beginning and around 1:15 - 1:20 or so where it sounds like the percussion beat and the instruments don't line up well ... to me it's jarring. The beginning especially, to my ears, the percussion doesn't fit. When I started the song, I literally checked what programs I had running thinking that I must have left a metronome going on something. There's a LOT going on ... personally, I feel that it could use some simplifying and tightening up.

But, I think it's a step in the right direction. I wouldn't put it in a big-budget movie or anything, but to me it demonstrates that you know what you're doing. Good job!

frootza responds:

Thanks skywood! I wouldn't put anything made with free sound fonts in a big-budget movie either!

In terms of the percussion, I was doing some funky stuff. While you can count the majority of the song in 3/4, I really wanted to evoke a staggered rhythm. The sound you hear in the beginning is a woodblock. Uncommon in a piece like this but it creates a vital pulsation for the overall mood.

frootza

[Tribal]

Very impressive. Sounds here like you're well on your way, but still have some room to grow. I didn't really like the little melody segment from around :58 to 1:30 the ? layered with the strings ... because whatever the ? is it cuts off notes pretty suddenly, which to me introduces choppiness that's completely absent in the whole rest of the song. It's a very flowy and yet march-y song, and to me that choppiness just sticks out, and not in a good way. What I'm maybe most impressed with is I think you really nailed the feel of the picture-- the desert feel, the "march-y"ness that all that percussion creates ... good good stuff.

BlazingDragon responds:

Ah, the '?' instrument is called a deduk. I believe it is an Arminian wind instrument made from apricot wood, and it was used extensively for the soundtrack of the movie Gladiator. It is one of my favorite instruments for its haunting tone. I'm surprised you say it doesn't fit the rest of the song, because along with percussion, it is the element I built the entire piece around! XD I do agree that it contrasts other sections of the piece though, and I appreciate your opinion.

Thank you for the thoughtful review Skywood! It is much appreciated. :)

[Alone]

Blew me away, as usual for your work. The stark simplicity and repetition paired with the emotion of your playing really brings to life the mood hinted at by the title.

You always have a way of inspiring me to want to write music. Thanks for sharing this with us!

broove responds:

You're welcome ;)
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