Gravey's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Piano(Preview1)]

Good Start...

I like the whole concept. First off, get rid of the limiter. ;-)

As for the piano, you should vary it more. It is too prevalent on the downbeat. It really beats you over the head after a while musically. Add some syncopation in the piano to help alleviate that constant pulse on the downbeat.

The strings are interesting. I'm not sure I like their sound. I'm not sure what it is, but they don't mesh well with the piano. You should try using a different type of strings there. Or at least tweak the settings on what you have.

Add some reverb to the piano. It doesn't sound like there is any at all. Something rich in color would be appropriate.

You should add some panning effects to the strings if you are keeping them the way they are. I think they would sound better if they were wafting around and through the melody line. Rather than just sitting idle and taking up space.

This is a good start though. Definitely let me know when it is finished.

2/5 and 4/10 overall, for now that is. ;-)

-Gravey-

DJFilteredFantasy responds:

Thanks. It's definately no where near finished. I haven't put on any reverb yet, it's all just notes. There are really no changes in the general structure of the different instruments. That will be done later. As for syncopation, this is just intro as of now, so be prepared to have your underwear blown off. xD
And thanks for explaining, there was somebody that just voted 1 earlier and was like WTH!? it was bs. xD sorry, just venting. xD
Thanks again
-DJFF

[sotheyWERErobots]

Not Sure Why...

...but this made me smile. As bad as it is musically, I enjoyed it.

3/5 and 6/10 because it made me smile.

-Gravey-

[{B.A.B} Burning Misery]

God Damn...

I can't stop. I can't stop listening to your shit man! This shit is epic as FUCK!

I love everything about this, but especially the piano break. Good god man. Being a pianist myself, I fall in love with a piece if it has good piano lines. And I simply love the piano break. PERFECT!

As for the rest of the song. It wouldn't do it justice to pick it apart musically. It flows amazingly well with no clicks or breaks in the audio. The buildups always lead to a great release. Tension and release man, you really do it well.

The entire timbre and overall mood of the song is epic. I mean epic as FUCK! I'm jealous. Because as much as I've worked, I've never gotten a sound like this. Simply amazing.

5/5 and 10/10 overall.

This has been favorited!

-Gravey-

blackattackbitch responds:

Wow, thanks! This is probably one of the most glowing reviews I've recieved! Thanks a lot!

I actually got my start by playing a bit of piano and keyboard, so I do love myself a good piano solo!

And I don't mind if you pick it apart at all, I still managed to pick apart two of my favorite songs, Authority by Rig & Maestrorage (oh my god that song is fucking sex) and You make me feel by Sorohanro (that song is literally sex). In short (yes, I know I spammed my two favorite songs, but that's only because they're so damn amazing), it's good to pick apart good songs!

If you need help reaching for a certain type of sound in your pieces, just send me a PM with your questions and I'll be glad to answer them, no problem =D

Thanks a lot for the review man, I really do appreciate it XD

[Revolution!!!]

Wow!!!

Normally I leave really long and thought out reviews. Because I believe a critical and honest well thought out review is so beneficial to the composer. But there is nothing I could say to make this any better.

Simply epic sir!

5/5 and 10/10 overall.

This has been favorited!

-Gravey-

blackattackbitch responds:

Glad you liked it, this is one of my older works too, back when I used to use an euphonium sample on damn near every song I composed lol. Hell, this is back when my drum library sucked and my dynamics were horrible lol.

I really need to return to this, since this is by far my greatest unfinished work.

Thanks for the review man, thanks for adding me to your favs!

[{B.A.B.} Cumulonimbus ~WIP~]

Kickass...

I like the whole concept.

I think that in the beginning you should use a different instrument than the strings (Or are they trumpets?) for that furious intro. It sounds almost 8-bit style, and unless you are going for that sound it kinda takes away from the rest of the piece.

I like the whole composition a lot. Everything really feeds off each other. I wish I could find some effing brass and percussion sounds like you have. Good god those sections are simply epic.

I like the furious tone this has throughout. It really creates a great visualization when you read your comments. Other than the strings that going insane, I like this a lot. I just think it should be a bit longer.

5/5 and 9/10 overall. Very nice work here!

-Gravey-

blackattackbitch responds:

You don't like the strings? Hmm, I thought that was what was driving the whole storm feeling, that's supposed to symbolize the wind, whipping around, and those are damn good samples compared to my other ones too. Oh well, cuz I can't change this section now because of a computer failure, so I guess I'll just have to make up for it in the rest of the song.

And if you want to know where I get my samples, send me a PM. Don't worry, it's not illegal stuffs, actually it's all freeware and demo stuff, believe it or not!

Thanks for the indepth review man. Peace!

[Demo 4]

Different...

I like how gentle the intro is. I think the drum beat that comes in almost ruins the mood though. You should try using a beat that is slower and less intense.

I like the different sounds/instruments you used to get the quality of sound you have here. It is very rich and lethargic. very nice ambient feel for sure.

The pan flute, (I think it is a pan flute,) is a nice touch. It adds another dimension to this song. Tasteful choice there bud.

One thing I would add is a piano sound. Not an electric piano, but like a grand piano. Have it play a slow overarching descant melody a little after the flute comes in. I think it would really add a lot to this song.

3/5 and 7/10 overall. It is a solid submission. I like it.

Best of luck on future projects bud!

-Gravey-

[track 1.]

Interesting...

It really does have an ambient feel to it. Although, I'm not really fond of the overall sound in the intro, it sounds very nice when everything else picks up.

I LOVE the piano. So simple, yet so elegant. Being a pianist myself, I am more than slightly biased to the piano in almost all songs. :-)

I like the mix of instruments and effects you have going on. Very nifty touch indeed. I think you should lean a little more on the instrument side, rather than the effects side personally. But that is just me.

I really like the reverb on the drums. Typically I am all about punchy drums, and hate reverb of any sort on them. But it really fits this tune well to have reverb on them.

I think you should have a bass of some sort in the mix. I really didn't hear any. So maybe add something with a very soft attack. And give it a nice rich fat sound. Not punchy at all, but rather thick and smooth. I think it would really add a new dimension to this song.

4/5 and 8/10 overall. A good song, but not quite great yet. :-)

Best of luck on future projects bud!

-Gravey-

John-Gaden responds:

Thanks for the review, I really enjoy critical reviews from other musicians. :)

About the bass, it's there, but only in the really low frequencies. If I turn off my sub woofer I don't hear /any/ of the bass, which in retrospect is a problem I should've addressed before considering this done.

Thanks again, I'll be sure to check out some of your music. :)

[Constellations and Snowflakes]

Interesting...

I like the idea behind it. I do think it could be improved in a lot of ways personally.

Maybe add a quiet, yet rich bassline. Something full and robust, and that has a very soft attack. And keep it low in the mix. I think it would really add a new dimension to this piece.

Also, changing the melody instrument here and there is always a good idea. Although, I do love the main instrument you are using in this song. It has a very interesting timbre.

You should add some piano to it as well. To emphasize the chords. I would really like to hear what that sounds like.

It is really short. You should triple the length, at the least. It is far to short.

But this is not a half bad little tune. Despite how short and simple it is.

3/5 and 6/10 overall. Nice work here.

Best of luck on future projects bud.

-Gravey-

a22 responds:

Yeah I agree with your review when I look at this song in retrospec, thanks for reviewing. The lead synth is kinda blocking some of the stuff like the bassline with it's volume. Here's a link to a midi where the problem isn't present if you want to take a listen: http://koti.mbnet.fi/a22/constellatio ns.mid (remove the space)

[Omega- Song in A Minor]

Niiiiice...

Being a pianist myself, I am definitely drawn to songs like this one. Now my only question is, can you play it for real? Because if so, then that would really make me smile. :-)

As for the piece itself, it is pretty nice. I like the intricate melody lines. But I think the constant runs can become cumbersome after a while. I do like it when the left hand does a run every now and then. Help to break up the monotony of it.

The chord structure is nicely written. Although it is not extremely complicated, it is good. I would add some other instruments to it as well. But that is just m. It is still pretty nice as it is.

You should throw some heavier reverb on it in my opinion. That would give it a little more flavor as a whole.

4/5 and 9/10 overall. Nice work here.

-Gravey-

Dude09 responds:

Hey, thanks for the review. The reverb, yeah I use sibelius, cant happen. Two, i wish I could play this, but sadly i cant. Three thanks again for the great review =D

[MH16: Hopes And Dreams]

Cool...

I like it a lot. You have a nice balance with all the instruments. Very nice job mixing overall. And the melody lines are really interesting.

I like the choice of flute as for the melody lines. It has a very nice sound to it overall, and really creates a nice point of focus for the song. You might think about changing it to an oboe in one or two sections for a dramatic effect. Just an idea.

I like the harmonies created with the strings. You did well to create a nice and warm atmosphere with them. I personally think you could put some larger reverb on the strings. Maybe make them sound like they are in a cathedral or something. It might work, might not. Just a thought.

The one thing I don't like is the drums. It sound like you used a typical drum kit from a rock band. The exception being the concert bass drum you are using. It sounds good. But the rest really sounds like a kit, and I'm not really fond of that in these types of songs. Seems a little to classical for a regular old drum kit.

You might think about a french horn line somewhere. If there is one thing I've learned about composing, it's that you can never go wrong with a french horn in the mix. By far the most beautiful sounding instrument in the world. I think it would add some nice color to this song.

4/5 and 8/10 overall. I really like it a lot, but I do think it has a kink or two to work out.

Great job here bud!

-Gravey-

FairSquare responds:

Thanks for this review!
It's critical, but very honest and helpful :-)
I'll try to do those things you said, but tomorrow. I'm going to sleep now :P

MH16