Turret1234's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Galaxies - Invaders (Loop)]

Short, repetitive, not really useful for anything.

Doesn't have much feeling, as the other review says, it's Half Life esque, but there isn't really much here. Melody is the same, the weird string synth isn't even a melody but still repeats, this isn't long enough to be used for anything. It doesn't even loop right. I'd suggest making the loop longer, adding more changes, and making it loop properly.

However there is some good mixing here, doesn't distort, and some nice stereo sound.

Small critique on the percussion though, it's just kind of generic, I could swear I've heard that same clap in like a hundred different songs, it gets grating.

Overall, not very good, mixing is good, but what's here is just kind of nothingness, I'll check your other music but this song is basically a nothing song.

GalaxiesEDM responds:

Thanks for the critique, I'll keep it in mind!

[Dungeons and Dragons (VRC7)]

I see serious potential in you, the melodies in this shine amazingly, really do give me the feel you were going for. However, I got a couple gripes.

1: The music is way too quiet, you should consider using a DAW or finding a way to make FamiTracker louder.

2: Some of the buildups feel as if they go nowhere, the buildups are awesome, really. But they feel as if they go nowhere in terms of how they buildup, I expect a really awesome part right after the buildups, and I do get it after the first buildup. But it never leads into any part with new instruments or a solo or something like that after the first buildup.

3: Some of the sound uses sound off, don't really sound too good or just overall clash a bit. Only really one sound comes to mind, and it's the one at 00:38. It sounds somewhat off in comparison to the other sounds, it could be my personal preference but all the sounds build awesomely except that one. Although the way it's used at 01:03 is awesome.

Overall, I think there is some amazing potential here, get a DAW like FL Studio or LMMS. (If you can't afford FL Studio.)

Will be following, and possibly scouting you if you end up improving!

baare333 responds:

Thanks for the response! Here's my take on the whole thing:

1. The song is definitely too quiet, I need to look for a target DB range or something when exporting in Audacity because for some reason VRC7 (or just FamiTracker in general) makes everything too quiet. So thanks for your take on that.

2. I don't like buildups going to a generic electronic, dubstepy "release" or whatever the word may be (if this is even related). But I do need to learn progressions better and get into music theory more so I know how to flow songs better.

3. I have the same feels for that chippy instrument on the same part (00:38), I tried to find a good way to incorporate it but I'm sorry if it's off. I do think I need to change the instrument in general or just introduce it better, how it is sounds weird in the song when I'm working on it.

I'm really unsure about moving to another program like FL Studio (maybe LMMS because I haven't tried it nor heard of it until recently). While it does allow you to make music differently and in higher quality, I am already comfortable with the limitations and tracker-style of making music. The effects and editing from those programs might prove very useful though. I'll branch out eventually and leave my comfort zone, but for now just FamiTracker and Audacity.

Anyway, I really appreciate the criticism. I'm trying to improve off of any advice I take and hearing this allows me to keep a closer eye on things that could be off about my songs, thanks again! :D

[Runaway on a Train]

Great track honestly, the mixing is a bit off in my opinion however.

During the "chorus" bits, the drums just aren't there, and have way too much reverb on them. They feel like they should be much stronger in the mix, more treble or bass. However, I feel that during the bridge parts they should stay where they are, they feel perfect quiet, and in the background during those sections. The outro also doesn't fade all that well, you can still hear the song fairly loudly at the end, which makes it feel like the outro ends abruptly.

The song also feels a bit midi with some of the instruments, for example, the crash. It sounds a little like a default crash from a DAW. It clashes a lot with the other instruments.

The main instruments like the guitar strumming and the Tenor Sax fit perfectly, not too much or too little reverb. However, I also feel they are a little too loud in the mix in comparison to the drums, and they don't give the drums the time to shine. The intro also has near superb mixing, but once it goes into the snares, it feels super weak in comparison to the intros feel.

There is also a super quiet bass I hear during the song, mostly at the start. I feel it should either be louder or just not be there at all as it contributes practically nothing to the song.

Composition wise the song is great, the pauses for the rest of the instruments at points are great. I'm not all that good at critiquing composition as I'm fairly bad at it myself, but overall it's great.

The overall feel of the song gives me great Sonic Unleashed vibes, I feel as if this would go well in a fast-paced world trotting game like Sonic Unleashed.

Overall, the song is good composition wise but the mixing suffers quite a bit, improve on the mixing, and you got yourself a superb song!

SeaMaid responds:

Thanks for the in-depth response! A bit busy right now so I'll just respond to certain parts of it in bullet points:

- I will definitely try to do something about the mixing. Did not notice how quiet the bass was when working on the track!

- I recognise that some of the instruments sound a bit too MIDI-y, and that I ought to rethink which instrument combinations to use. That said, the crash cymbal you mention is actually from the same sample collection as the rest of the drums used here (and the drums weren't freeware. Perhaps I should combine a few drum sets/cymbals and try to add subtle effects for a more natural sound in upcoming songs, but I won't make that many changes to this track on that front. Unless I full-on remix it at some point, heh

- I haven't listened much to Sonic Unleashed's OST in particular, but I'll take that comparison as a compliment! Thanks :V

[Vapor]

I like this, but I kept the rating relatively low because I checked out more of your music and your sound is heavily inconsistent, I'm not sure if you actually make what you upload.

I suggest you give a little insight into how you make what you make or say what programs or software or samples you use, it will help people determine whether what you make it stolen or not. Until you do write it down, I can't give you a high score as I'm not sure if you made this.

Edit: No, actually, you are wrong.

You have to prove that you made audio you uploaded, it says so in the audio TOS.

Here is quote, I doubt you will read this but here:

"You should cite your resources.

VST's, samples, software, hardware, sound effects... these are all things you should mention in your Author's Comments, especially if it's your first submission. Posting "nice song" as Author's Comments and then submitting an amazing 5-minute song doesn't look very legitimate."

Here is the page in which this quote is taken: https://www.newgrounds.com/wiki/help-information/terms-of-use/audio-guidelines

retestment responds:

My dude, if i didn't make it i wouldn't upload it, nor do i need to prove my song is mine, it's mine. and excuse me for not making the same song 12 times over and trying to keep it fresh.

[Shira Trap]

Just, not interesting.

Like, decent sound mixing but the beat itself just overall sounds like it was made in like an hour at most.

It's also waaay too repetitive with not much to spice it up, the last part has an extra instrument but it's not interesting enough.

Just not much to this song.

[The Girl on the Ice Cream Wrapper]

The album releases today so I decided to leave a review to commemorate this occasion!

The start is a nice build up, it's a very as I'll say, "Cacola" intro. Using your signature synths that I can't get enough of along with some nice melodies.

The build up part is nice and is clearly using FM genesis soundfonts. Don't think I don't notice that clear FM sound.

I also love that reference to Helig Kvinnan in the sax solo, I loved that song so I love that reference.

It seems like this song is just filled with references to older stuff that you have made, or you just love those VSTs/soundfonts. Either way, I appreciate them.

Great song, not much to say, excited for this release! Waited for so long, seems like it was worth it!

[Birds]

Parts of this things melody sounds like Mystic Mansion from Sonic Heroes, I'm pretty sure this is unintentional but the theme is "Dark" so it could be intentional for all I know.

It's definitely more like what I enjoy, a lot more DNB style, with light softer synths and such.

Fun and bouncy. Sort of.

I am bad at critique lol

Cacola responds:

Thank you for the review! Spooky theme was intentional, though Mystic Mansion wasn't a direct inspiration, the song was inspired by these videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6e6RK8o1fcs&t=1s

[Living In Sin is the New Thing]

I was patiently waiting for a while for new music from you and here is the delivery I was waiting for! Didn't expect a slight genre change but it's always good to hear artists change.

Pretty interesting change of pace, slightly reminds me of Portal due to that acid synth. At other times it sounds like something that would be some sort of bossfight. Although this isn't really my style.

Awesome to know you are still making stuff though! See you in another half year when you release another song lol

Cacola responds:

I've been trying forever to nail that portal synth sound and this was the song where i finally perfected it lol. thanks for being patient, I've been exploring a bunch of new genres and sounds in my absence, this song was basically meant to be an EDM interpretation of Black Metal music, my biggest influence being Mayhem and Ulver.

See this song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZP5x_g50jCE

thank you for the review <3

[Text Based Class War]

This one is pretty good although I have some complaints.

The synths are waaay too quiet... Well, not that quiet but in comparison to your last track this one is a lot more quiet.

The synth at the "drop" is very annoying and sounds like really bad dubstep. Although I'm sure this is intentional.

Although I do like a lot about this too.

The intro is just great, just straight up awesome. The way it starts somewhat distorted and then adds the bassdrum is just great.

The buildup to the "drop" is also great, mostly because of the synth.

Sample use is good and all but I'm pretty sure this can get you banned mostly because of this section of the audio TOS:

"You may not use copyrighted / unlicensed samples.

You aren't allowed to have ANY copyrighted samples in your song. Not even a millisecond. Movie quotes, game sound effects, acapellas of popular singers, etc. have a VERY good chance of being copyrighted."

Although, I'm not 100% sure the clips you used are copyrighted or unlicensed.

Overall good song but quiet and a bit annoying at parts.

CanTrollYourMind responds:

Just report me, guy. I hate having to try and translate your reviews. It always sound like you threatening people or something and I actually hate using NG because of it.