samulis's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Remembrance Day]

A great start :)

The low registers sound too muddled, in my opinion. You should consider having perhaps some French horns or instead use a string ensemble spread out across several octaves for a stronger effect. You might want to consider using a snare drum and cymbals in there, it would lend to the song quite nicely. The break before the end is odd, but I reckon it's a choice of style.

A lovely piece. I find it very honorable and kind of you to embark on writing a piece for this day. As I'm American, we have our own Veteran's Day which is similar, and I can relate to the respect deserved by those who serve and have served.

Best of luck,
-Samulis

WingoWinston responds:

It's you again!

French horns are pretty sweet. The sampling I have for french horn is a lot nicer too. I might consider actually making a fully orchestral song for once... maybe during christmas vacation.

Thanks again haha.

[It Twas A Foggy Night]

Hmmm...

Doesn't really sound like classical. The guitar solo is all over and lacking in form... to be honest, it sounds like someone is playing random notes.

Keep working on your form and consider what section you enter your song under carefully.

Classical is a lot more selective than other genres because if you want to get any recognition for 'good' music by professional composers, it has to have form. I would advise you to enroll in a music theory-related class or consider taking out some books on basic formal structure in music if you wish to learn how to write some music that will get high regards (there are even a few guides on the forums and the web you can use). You have a long ways to go, but you're not too far off from me when I started writing music... the only experience I had was from band class for four years. I then took it upon myself to take some electives with music theory and study on my own free time to improve, and I'm still not that great.

I quickly skimmed through your work... I don't see a ton of improvement, but keep working. Also, consider the audio portal your stage for the world... be sure you are 100% sure you would want everyone to hear your next piece, but never be afraid to ask for advice.

Best of luck,
-Samulis

Atlas responds:

Yeah not sure what to put it under and classical was the closest thing to what I thought this might be. I am the same way also, my only experience is from 4 years of Band as well.

[(ERS) Tyren's March]

Unconventional, but engaging.

Very dark and has that nice off-kilter (3/4) feel for devious marches. :)

Is that an anvil I hear back there? It really needs more reverb. Don't be afraid of adding some really deep strings under there too as a drone, that'd make it stronger... even a timpani roll could do that too. Another nice idea would be a loud bass drum to hit on the 2nd and 3rd beat to counter the timpani. Don't be afraid to bring your percussion louder (esp. timpani). At 0:52/0:54, I was expecting the song to widen up with some serious instruments.

During some periods, it might be nice to hear a trombone counter-melody. You used them (or something that sounded like them) extensively, but a quieter variation could be used to great effect with quick walking-bass-esque phrases under some string parts. (eight notes, climbing the minor on the first 4, then turning into the 5th, so A-B-C-D-F-E; then changing for the next chord and so on in the background a little). It's good to see someone else who works with the sixth chord a lot. :)

1:24 was especially lacking that deep element I was talking about before... I could feel a need for a descending bassline there with measure whole notes to accent the changes. Lastly, you should consider looking into various types of endings and find one that works. The old 'fade out' doesn't cut it for marches unless you're going for a feel.

Really a great piece, Perhaps I'll check out some more of your work in the future. Keep it up!

-Samulis

Tainlorr responds:

Thanks! That was probably the best constructive criticism I've ever received on Newgrounds. Props! Most people would just be like "make it more epic" or "add more drums."

[In the Company Of Brothers]

Nice, but a few things...

Nice job on this, but I feel there's too much reverb. Also, it might be nice to see more of a build-up with more instruments. It's great dramatic music, but you could take it so much further. I can imagine this finding its way into a game in a variety of places... it's really a great piece. The bass seems out of place... it sounds like an electric bass... you should consider finding a good string bass sound somewhere or consider my advice below.

It seems like the song wants to turn into some sort of gentle rock piece... I would advise you to follow the song where it leads you and to not care about traditional restraints. If it sounds like it is on the border of a different genre, which is really neat to see.

All in all, a nice piece. I don't know why folks voted it down. I enjoyed it greatly. :)

[Cheeses I have loved]

Nice

Very nice piece... I can almost feel a latin influence in it. Keep submitting, I want to hear more!

I may suggest a tiny bit less reverb, as the strings almost sound a little washed.

["Exit to the West" Loopab]

Excellent

Normally you find two three types of work in the Classical listings... the first is what happens when MIDI becomes a relative term and you end up hearing some techno beat in the background. The second is some random person playing some heart-warming song on a baby grand that has a mic hooked up to it. The third is a piece that offers a true feeling of orchestral classical, the classical I look and strive to see and/or produce myself. This is most certainly of that third category- good instrumentation (although expensive, gosh I wish I had enough money or my folks agreed with my idea of budgeting XD), a flowing and harmonious melody, and the perfect chord progressions. It almost flows from the speakers like ocean foam on the beach... that's the kind of classical that belongs here. Keep it up!

XayberOptix responds:

Thank you for such an uplifting review! I am glad that I have met your expectations. :) I will be posting another song that is an orchestrated composition at the turn of the new year. Stay tuned. ;)

[Calm {Chair Oh Key}]

Great tune

Normally, I would say something bad about the quality of the instruments, but the melody and progression put that aside. The one thing I find off is how the melody is not the cleanest. One big tip would be to spread out the instruments' pan location so they give a more spread-out sound. There are bits that could be improved, but other than that, it's a great piece.

If you would be willing, I would love to see if I could work with the MIDI and some VST instruments to make a cleaner piece.

SquattingDog88101 responds:

Wow thanks a lot! That was just the kind of advice I was looking for.

[Lunaticks]

Has a gifted feel

The odd mix of old-feel instruments and modern feel is an odd but very nice mix. I would certainly not call it the best thing I have heard, nor is it very close to my cup of tea, but it shows knowledge of music theory and the FEEL of the song is very clean and surprisingly structured. It's like how Wagner always made his songs come out of a mess of woodwinds and strings into a beautiful light, you managed to 'hit the nail on the head' with your off-beats and hits, if you get what I mean.

Keep composing and arranging, sounds good.

Short-Factor responds:

Your review is slightly confusing but I take it to heart. Thanks.

[Hill Top Cruise]

Great job recomposing!

Recomposing is one of those tricks that one has to learn through practice and experience, not through any guide or class. You did a good job and kept it flowing, even the ending was good. I've tried and played around with chords I have taken from compositions and such... what do you use for your samples, Soundfonts? VST? They sound pretty nice.

Short-Factor responds:

Custom synths, some custom samples, and a little bit of soundfonts. I also like taking apart drum riffs by slicing and reinventing percussion sounds. I did that somewhat for the drums in this.

[Princess Tune]

Beutiful...

It's a nice piece simply because it starts off quiet, goes through quiet, and ends quiet, but there is a change... there is a movement from gentle to strong. I simply love how the brass comes in and that last chord in the song is simply perfect. If I were to expand upon this (which, unless you have the MIDI, I probably couldn't), I would have the instruments hold that last chord for two measures, add a timpani roll with a crescendo, then have either a pizzicato violin sound take the melody, have a French Horn take the strings, and have your low brass keep on 'chugging away'. At that point, it would be nice if drums came in and the melody picked up. After a few sections of that sort of thing, the song could perhaps transition into some sort of regal-coronation thing through a fanfare played on a trio of trombones backed by Cellos and a strong trumpet solo above.

Just a few ideas. I would love to arrange it, but I don't have reason on my computer. :(

Angelus1818 responds:

Hey man!

Thanks for the in-depth review! I could work on exporting this to midi for you, maybe I'll get it to you in a few days ;)

Thanks again, I'll work on those suggestions you gave me.

-Angelus