Gravey's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Ktr/wf1 Fuzion]

Ok, This Was A Surprise...

Because I listened to this, and wasn't impressed at all. Truthfully, not trying to be a dick but man this seemed rather lame to me. Then I noticed who wrote it, and I was even far more surprised. I want to write a review but I don't want to put off my buddy Wyldfyre, but all the same he leaves me critical reviews all the time so I feel like I owe him.

So where to start. I guess at the beginning. The song starts off with what is in my opinion a really obnoxious synth that goes nowhere. Like there is this nice orchestral backing that is attempting to set some sort of mood, and yet there is this synth that is just ruining it. Love the orchestral intro, but man that synth ruined it for me.

Then the bass kicked in, and sadly its a synth bass. I think you would have been far better with a contrabass there instead of that morphing synth bass. Because it's just too much. It covers up all the good orchestral elements and destroy the mood.

The percs in this are a really bad choice. I'm not sure why you went with an electro drum kit, and to be honest I think it would sound fine to use an electro kit in this song. But the one you chose is just to electro. I would have went with a more traditional and laid back kit. It really sounds like you were writing with a drum kit that was used in all the bad 80s and 90s pop ballads.

I enjoyed the break at the 1:40 mark. The piano is nice, but the velocities seem rather hard. I would raise the volume on the piano and lower the velocities. By doing this the piano will be the same level volume wise in the mix, but will have a much softer tone. And that would be a great benefit in that section of the song.

And man, that dig-a dig-a dig-a line with the toms that loops drives me nuts. Instead of looping that same drum cadence over and over I would write two to three different cadences. And then I would use that tom run as filler instead of a main cadence. Because it is the sort of thing that can become way too much rather quickly.

Moving onto the mix itself, well, it's really bad. I hear over compression in so many areas, such as at 1:25 and from about 2:15 to the end. It sounds like you slammed a limiter or compressor on the master channel and just had it kill all the dynamics in the song. So in the quiet parts of the song it is still roughly the same dynamic level. Yet in the loud parts, such as the ending theme, things are constantly sounding like they are whooshing in and out of the mix.

It's mainly with the synths. The reason being is the synths are all much fatter in tone than the rest of the instruments. So when you compress and limit things with a brickwall type setting it causes the synths to just overpower everything else in the mix.

To fix it you need to either raise the ceiling on your limiter, or lower the gain. Or most likely doing both would be best. Because the mix isn't clear. It sounds very cluttered and busy with a bunch of instruments fighting for my attention.

Lastly, the composition itself is very very rough. There is a main theme for sure, and it has a nice melody line. But truthfully that is about all this song has at the moment. Because the orchestral harmonies are covered up by those god forsaken synths you used. You can't hear hardly any of the harmonies in this song except when the synths cut out during the break about halfway in.

I hate to be such a downer here, I really do. But Wyldfyre always leaves me really helpful and critical reviews on my music, and seeing how all the morons below me basically said, "OMG TOP 5 GOOD!!!" I figured you would want an opinion that isn't based on the fact that this made top 5 this week.

3/5 and 5/10 Overall. Honestly, it would be a lot lower if I didn't respect Wyldfyre as much as I do. I know there are good elements in this song, mainly because they are there during the break. But the synths are far too overpowering and ruin the mix and tone of the song. If you need synths in it that is fine. But they really need to be lowered about 10 notches to fit into the song well.

-Gravey-

KTRECORDS responds:

WF1: Glad you listened to it and glad you were honest!

KTRECORDS: Can't please everyone I guess

[Gates_Of_Oblivion [Box-Killa]]

Okey Dokey...

This definitely is not my typical listening style, but you specifically asked for a review so here is one for you.

The song repeats itself quite a bit. That one main melody line just plays over and over as filter effect after filter effect constantly change it's timbre. It's a really lazy writing style. Instead of really creating a lot of melody and harmony lines that intertwine you just use filter effects to make the same line sound different constantly. I know it makes the kiddies on Newgrounds swoon, but I just find it to be lazy writing.

The percussion gets rather annoying after a while. Don't get me wrong, it sounds fine for a while. But there does not seem to be any change in the percussion throughout the song. There are times the percussion drops out of the song, but never really changes it's rhythm. Once again, it's a typical form of lazy writing I see here a lot on Newgrounds. Would be nice to get more rhythms in the percussion throughout the song.

The structure of the song is fine. It follows a pretty straightforward path that flows from one section to another decent enough. But then again, nothing in this song really changes. So transitions aren't necessary, or really even present for the most part. Mainly for transitions in certain places you added even more filter effects, had the kick and/or snare just hit at a machine gun pace, and then just sort of slammed the next section onto the end of the dizzying snare/kick hits.

In terms of Newgrounds material, this is pretty decent albeit VERY stereotypical. There is not one thing about this song that stands out from the crowd. The same synths, the same percs, the same melody lines, the same gates, really nothing about this really strikes me as unique or different from 90% of what I hear on a daily basis on Newgrounds. Does that make it bad? Not really. But does sort of make it boring for me.

I will say the big positive in this is it shows you know how to work effects into your DAW decently well. Granted for the most part it's all filter effects, but you used them in ways that the kiddies here will love. Like I said, I find it to be lazy writing. But the kiddies swoon for that sort of stuff.

To summarize the main points to focus on in your next song to make it better than this would be:

-Less filter sweeps.
-More varied percussion rhythms.
-Less reliance on gates to create melody lines for you.
-Harmony lines to counter balance the melody lines, instead of just filtering the song to make it sound different in sections.
-More varied and unique melody lines, with less emphasis on repeating and more emphasis on growing the melody throughout the song.
-Use more intricate effects. What you are using right now seem to mainly be filters, which are way to easy. Challenge yourself next time bud.
-Use less stereotypical percussion samples. I'm sure you could manipulate the stuff you have to sound more original than what you used in this song.
-More varied and unique synths. What I'm hearing basically sounds like the most stereotypical synths with just filter effects on them to make them sound unique. Try mixing it up so they are more unique and memorable.

3/5 and 7/10 overall. It's a solid song for the most part, and the kiddies here on Newgrounds will swoon when they hear it. But all the same there is a ton of work you could do on it to make it a lot better.

-Gravey-

Box-Killa responds:

:P thanks for your kiddy swooning opinions xD

[Paper Lighter - Enteroar]

Well...

It is interesting how you used some pizzicato strings in this song. But really this is not something I would really get into all that much. But you asked for a review, so here I am.

I think the mix of instruments, both synths and sampled real strings together, helps to make this sort of work. The first minute or so of the song is probably the best in my opinion. The middle section that sort of backs off a bit volume wise is sorta weak. I would do some work there to change things up a bit.

Honestly, the song just doesn't flow really all that well. There is no significant pattern of play. I'm not saying you should repeat the same patterns over and over when writing a song. But there is no real rhyme or reason to where and why sections change or flow from one into another.

The overall sound is not bad. The song's structure just really didn't do anything for me. But I'm really not a fan of trance music, so maybe that is part of it.

3/5 and 7/10 overall. Decent song, but could definitely use some work.

-Gravey-

Enteroar responds:

Yeaaa, Ima violin player so I thought Id try to add something different to it! :)

Think song was really an expriment, but I DID try having a structure in this song! Guess you didnt notice it );

That was something I had a lot of trouble with is trying to make it flow well, it drove me nuts. I spent like 2 hours trying to get it to flow. Can you message me some suggestions on how to make my songs flow?

Thanks for review sir! :P
~Enteroar

[The Natural Motion]

Nice...

...but there is definitely some room for improvement.

First off the mix. You use a nice array of instruments, and the choir helps out as well. The choir though I think could use a softer attack to allow them to sort of ease into their parts.

The mix is alright, but it feels like you put a compressor or limiter on the master channel. Because there are moments I can hear the reverb getting that warble effect I hear from so many song on Newgrounds. And it is often cause by compressing tracks after adding reverb, or compressing the master channel too much.

The piano is decent, but the quality sounds really bad. It feels like you are really hammering it instead of delicately tapping the notes. I'm guessing you are using a sound font which does not have multiple attacks, so it is probably not something you can really help. But I'd lower the velocities as bit anyways.

The composition itself isn't bad, but the main theme in the beginning does seem to stretch out for quite some time. The first two minutes really feel like it is just the same thing repeated over and over again with new instruments just being added at various points. I would do something to break up that monotony a bit.

I like the break and how everything sort of grows back into place after it. I like the ending bit, it is quite fitting and resembles the main motif enough to be recognizable. Yet it isn't the exact same so it is distinguishable from the beginning. Very good job there.

Overall it is a solid submission. But there are some things to tweak in my opinion.

4/5and 7/10 overall.

-Gravey-

Theledge93 responds:

i thought the sharper, more distinct attack on the piano made the melody really get stuck in your mind, and i tried to build around that lingering sound in your head. the second part was more of a refreshment, so the first part didn't get stale. but i definitely recognize your other points. except for the quality and that warble effect. I simply can't hear it. other than that thanks for the review!

[Lumbunga]

Fail...

You posted this in Latin in an attempt to work the system and make front page. Because of this, you get straight zeroes. Do not cheat the system.

-Gravey-

HeavenSent responds:

i put it in latin becuz it has a latin vibe! also ur the one to talk seeing as how you cheat the system every other week >.> lrn2review better.

[The Artist]

Nice...

First off I like the piano, but I would back off the velocities a bit. It feels like you are really pounding on that poor thing.

The reverb sounds really great actually. What did you use for the reverb? Because it sounds like a real true hall atmosphere. Which really helps to sell this.

Another thing to think about would be extending it. It's quite short. I'd lengthen it by adding a section or two, or something at least.

4/5 and 8/10 overall. Nice to see a piano piece here on Newgrounds for a change. :-)

-Gravey-

Grandvision responds:

Thanks! I just increased the reverb and room size slider in the Truepianos vst to maximum because I love reverb a lot. Also, yes some notes hit too hard thus later making clashes. Will do!

[Live on]

Very Fluid...

This flows very well and has a very wonderful warm tone to it. I'm listening to this on my Altec Lansing speaker system and it sounds amazing to say the least. The mix is superb from what I can hear, but then again I'm not listening to this with phones. So it might be a bit biased on my system.

I really like the composition, despite the fact it isn't exactly mainstream in design. You vary the sound just enough to keep things interesting, and the overall ensemble fits the tone and mood of the song structure wonderfully.

Despite all of that there is just a little something lacking. I'm not sure exactly, but this isn't one of those pieces that just fascinates me. Do not get me wrong, it is a solid composition. Just seems it could use a little more love and tender care in my opinion. It's almost there, just not quite for me yet.

5/5 and 9/10 overall. Nice composition my friend.

-Gravey-

Grandvision responds:

Thank you very much. Is it lacking a main melody under all those variations of the compositon? I tried to make it lively and happy to say the least. Well it may be that it's not that epic or film score like. You enjoy really drum like and percussive orchestral tracks? I want to do those but I haven't got quite round to practicing those a lot.

[Oblong_8]

Wonderful...

I just really love the tone of this. It has an ambient yet vibrant atmosphere. I feel like I should be floating through space while listening to this song. Or maybe just let my mind wander unhindered.

I like the mix of instruments a lot. The guitar is really nice. It has the perfect sound for the song, and adds a little flavor to the mix when it comes in.

Also, I love the electric piano. It's just percussive enough to grab my attention. Yet it is soft enough not to ruin the mix and tone of the song. Really good choice in electric piano for this song bud.

5/5 and 10/10 overall. Really enjoyed this.

-Gravey-

Tokolos responds:

:) thanks for the review Gravey!

[Muss: Odd]

It's Odd...

There isn't much to say really. To be honest it's rather dull and unexciting. There just isn't much here. It's short, and doesn't have any sort of logical structure. Not trying to be negative or anything, but this just doesn't seem like you spent a whole lot of time on it.

The flute is pretty drab. I think you could do a lot more with it. It's melody lines are pretty uncontrolled and just sort of out of place. I think if you layered it and varied the types of attacks used with the flute it would be better.

I do like the pizzicato strings in the background. They have a nice tone to them, and really set the mood well.

4/5 and 6/10 overall. It's not bad, but definitely not one of your better submissions.

-Gravey-

FairSquare responds:

Well, you are right, i didn't spend much time on this.
But about the melody.. i actually the melody :p
Anyway, thanks for the advice and the review! :)