skyood's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Ambiente Dolce]

Nothing pastoral about it.

If I had to nitpick, which I often do for the sake of (hopefully) giving people something to think about to maybe improve for the future-- I think you need to use a bit of the EQ, if that makes sense, you have the little piano-ish part up higher in the later half, but other than that, it's all low rumble except for those occasional sweeps, and those sweeps start to all sound the same after a while. Let me put it this way: Through my laptop speakers all I heard was vague/muddy hum and the sweeps, I had to put on headphones to pick up on what was going on. Also, I think it takes a bit too long to "get going," but that's just me.

Having said that, I think you nailed the forboding mood you were going for, and would totally work in a game where it's just background (as opposed to this setting where I'm listening to it semi-carefully for the sake of giving feedback). It's obvious when I put on headphones and listened to what you had going in that low end that you did put real thought and effort into all that bass-y stuff. Love that you don't end on tonic. Good job.

Adam-Beilgard responds:

Thanks for the advice! I can see how some voices get buried (esp. on certain speakers), fortunately this makes no pretense to have any sort of melody. If you're familiar with the Defcon OST, that was the sound/style I was going for.

The main concern with this was the mood, and since you got it right away, I can rest easy!

Thanks for the review!

[Candombe in the Amazon]

...

Ok, honest to God, I don't mean this as a putdown, but I could do this in GarageBand in about 10 minutes. On the other hand, it might be just what someone needs for background to a flash or something ... but I'm not impressed. If you're enjoying yourself, more power to you, I guess.

TrueDefect responds:

Haha yeah it is very simple. I'm still trying to get the hang of making music and I realize this is very basic stuff, I just didn't know what else I could add. I have the idea but not quite the skill to make it happen yet. I'll keep trying though. I really enjoy your songs, by the way. Thanks for the review.

[(S10) Arrival]

What it does, it does well.

What it is is pretty good. Bass sounds super deep and still clear, which is all you can ask for from bass sounds. But I can't help but like surely you can add something other than just bass and drums. For example, some simple synth chords in there could really add variety and depth, while still keeping the focus on the bass (which I guess ties together your human theme, which I think is a fantastic idea). Get some more elements in there so that you can fiddle with more than just the drum pattern for variety. It needs variety. Did I mention variety? It could work great for a while if the levels were short enough and you were rotating songs for the various levels. But I've been listening to it while I write this review ... and it could use some variety. :)

But, like I said, what you do have going on is done well. 7/10 for being well done this far, but I think you gotta go a little further. I'd be happy to give you some simple chord ideas if you'd like.

shroomz10 responds:

Thanks for the input, these submissions have thus far been my only attempts ever at making music beyond acoustically recorded drums, so it's great to hear some criticism. I'm aware of the repetitiveness I keep doing, I found a bassline that wasn't horrible and seem to have taken it to heart a little too much.

But more importantly: I definitely agree that more could (and SHOULD) be added to it...What are some chords that you would suggest for this? I'm totally open and all ears for any help, suggestions, and constructive criticism I get :)

[Dusk [HIX]]

...

I like this as a theme to a larger piece, but not quite as a finished product. If I had to say why, I think it's because all that's at the low end is those broken chords, so it makes the whole thing feel ... sparse. I have a suspicion you know what I mean and that's why you have the delay in there.

That being said, I love it as the beginning of something bigger. As a matter of fact, I wish I had thought of it, as it feels like the framework of something epic and awesome. Good job.

HellhoundIX responds:

Thank you, your reviews are very useful. And by all means, if you think you can build something epic and awesome using this go right ahead. I would feel proud having inspired such a great musician as yourself

[{425} Rockies]

Beautiful and inspiring

I very much liked the music. Simple but beautiful, could be a sad/inspiring movie score.

What I'm less excited about is the actual sound/patch/whateveryoucallit of the strings (the higher ones throughout, the lower (tremolo?) strings layered toward the end are fine). To me they sound harsh against this otherwise simple, sweet song. Specifically I think it's the computer "chorus" type effect ... as in it might sound better with "one" violin/viola instead of a "string section" electronically, even though I bet a small group of strings would sound fine if it were actually recorded live. You know, using those 4 violinists and top-of-the-line recording equipment that we all have laying around in our garage.

Keep it up.

Michael425 responds:

Glad you liked it. I agree that the strings can sound a bit muffled a points. I should look into a better sounding orchestra VST. Funny thing is I have a cello and some recording equipment, but no violins... guess I'm out of luck.

Thanks for leaving a review. I appreciate it.

~{425}~

[Promesse [HIX]]

Good stuff

I like it.

My 2 cents, which I intend as constructive input ... otherwise why post here, right? ...
I don't know what you're using, but it would really add a lot with a sustain pedal. Really tie all those broken chords/arpeggios together, maybe feel more melodic and less ploddy. Also, I'm not sure I like the "dangling" ending in the melody line. But, that's a very subjective thing, I'm sure you meant it to be hanging out there all unresolved and that's fine. In the context of this site, that ending as the background to a flash animation type dealy with an unsatisfying or surprise ending would fit perfectly.

Overall, good stuff. Keep cranking it out.

HellhoundIX responds:

You're completely right. The notes do sound better sustained, and I admit I kind of rushed the ending. Maybe I'll get to fix it someday... Anyways, thanks a lot for your honest review, it's spot on

[Vita Nuova [HIX]]

My hyperspecific nit-pick ...

I overall like this little piece ... brings to mind many forest/village type game background music.

My hyperspecific nit-pick is that the 4th chord in the progression to me feels for some reason like it doesn't quite fit, movement-wise. My ear goes all "la la la we're off in this directio... waitaminuteithoughtweweregoingsomewhe re." But that's just my opinion and my ear. *shrug*

Otherwise very nice, good instrumentation ... good stuff.

HellhoundIX responds:

I guess the chord thing is just a matter of taste, but I'll keep it in mind when working with progressions in the future. Thanks for taking the time to review

[Arabesque No. 1]

Impressive, but ...

I'm very impressed at your ability to play this piece fairly well. I love Debussy, classical music, and classic piano music in particular.

That being said, I'm not sure that this audio portal is the best place for this (granted I don't know what *is* a good place for it either). It's not a copyright issue at all, obviously ... but I dunno. I'd stick to posting your original music. Just my personal opinion.

Twone responds:

Well, where else would I put my work? I like the audio portal. If video game covers are acceptable (which I love to do also), then covers of anything else should be acceptable as well. I like to do both.

Regardless, thanks for the review!

[Night of the Dancing Skeletons]

Very good

The reason another commenter mentioned Christmas is maybe because this is so very very reminiscent of Nightmare Before Christmas, instrumentation in particular. In fact, I did a quick listen to a couple of those tracks just to make sure I didn't recognize a theme. :) There's one place in there that I could swear I recognized a theme/progression from somewhere ... but that could just be because you did such a good job of reproducing the style. :P

I could do without the off-beat cymbal hits 1:30ish ... I understand wanting to add variety, but I just find it distracting. Be confident in what you have and leave out that particular little gimmick. :)

Great job!

SilentTakedown responds:

You're the second one to mention Nightmare before Christmas and I swear I never watched it. I really should do it to see how much I accidently copied from it. xD
Thanks for reviewing!

[newtonian shore]

Good stuff

I also can't believe it's somehow less than 1 with 100 votes. Ridiculous.

I can see some of the below criticisms being valid ... only, as you said, this is background music for an animation. If you knew in advance what would be happening when, then sure it should be more varied to fit the changing scenes. But considering what you were asked for was probably a simple loop, much more variety, particularly in rhythm and dynamics would make the music stand out more at times ... which you don't want for *background* music.

acmeDyne responds:

Thanks skyood! I cut out several minutes when I made it into a loop.
Maybe I'll upload a longer, non-looped version.