samulis's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[redemption]

This is a NGADM Round 3 List-of-Ideas-For-Possible-Improvement.

Production: 27.5/30 (Great)
Composition: 26.5/30 (Great)
Instrumentation: 13/15 (Great)
Originality: 9.5/10 (Great)
Interest: 13.5/15 (Great)

Overall Score: 90/100 (Great) or 9/10 or 4.5 Stars.

=======
The Good:
- The track really sounded solid throughout. Nothing seemed out of place mix-wise or style-wise.
- The addition of the children playing was an interesting but, in the end, effective choice in my opinion. I felt it really fit with the simple feel of the song.
- The piano- simple, innocent, child-like. Really fits perfectly with the mood and image of the song. I almost would have preferred a bit more hammer noise to give that super close intimate vibe.
- You really expressed a clear arc in the body of the song and brought the listener along for the trip. I thought this piece was quite effective emotionally.

The Not-so-Good:
- I felt the drums in the first half felt a bit naked and thin/choppy... they didn't really "play with the track" but rather along side it. Be careful when mixing percussion into a track to pay attention to the atmosphere around it, both with the timbre and the dampness. I would suggest discretion in this piece with the drums rather than steady, active grooving, to better accentuate the more atmospheric vibe. An active, choppy groove will support a more pop/electronic feel, while a more chill, smooth groove will support a more ambient feel. In that regard, I feel this track had a little bit of multiple personality disorder and couldn't quite come to terms with which of those two it really was.
- On the subject of drums, don't forget about the effectiveness of drum fills and especially don't forget about making "smoove" transitions, especially in a style like this!
- While I thought the work with EW's voice was interesting, it sounded really forced and fake. I would suggest to write out a part next time and have him sing it. The performance of the human voice is incredibly nuanced and cutting and pasting bits will never create a realistic performance, no matter how advanced it is. I understand a stylistic reason for this cutting and pasting, but I think a straight performance would better fit with the musical style proposed in the second half of the piece.
- Although childhood is a simple subject, that doesn't mean you should limit yourself to simple ideas. Some of those most gorgeous and rich sounds are those with a little bit of bitterness and tension to them (ex. 1: https://instaud.io/2OE), and some of the greatest most joyous sounds are those which are preceded by the darkest sounds. Just food for thought. :)
- I wish that final "chord" was down an octave, just as a release... just a thing. XD

Note: while a casual observer might think there's a lot wrong with this piece, quite the contrary. I quite liked the piece (as noted in the interest category). I just have some comments that took a bit of explaining, as is the case when we set aside the simple things and get deep into the complexities of the craft.

johnfn responds:

I guess I should eventually respond to this in full, but I have to say it's pretty weird that you're comparing my etherealwinds stuff to a full blown vocal performance. Actually this sort of vocal chopping/slicing is really common in more contemporary electronic music - Burial comes to mind. I don't think anyone would say that he needs to get an actual vocalist rather than just continuing his path of sampling like crazy.

What I'm trying to say is ITS A STYLE THANGGGG

Uh but thanks for the review. I know the drums are whack, its cuz I'm still using free samples I've accumulated from the internets. LOL. Also because I'm bad at drums.

[There]

This is a NGADM Round 3 Review.

First, a breakdown of your score:
Production: 29/30 (Incredible)
Composition: 27.5/30 (Great)
Instrumentation: 14.5/15 (Incredible)
Originality: 9.5/10 (Great)
Interest: 12.0/15 (Above Average)

Total Score: 92.5/100 (Great) or 9.25/10 or 4.5 stars

========
The Good:
- A REALLY original entry as a whole!
- Very memorable piece... I definitely have the melodies and ideas stuck in my head afterwards, but beyond that, I can't seem to turn it off loop.
- Really great use of glitches, effects, and combination of timbres of instruments to create some memorable and just plain badass atmospheres.
- There were a lot of dynamics, a lot of ideas. It also takes several listens to get all the details and the track doesn't overstay its welcome even at 4'25".
- Vocals came out great. I really enjoyed them and the tone they added to the piece.

The Not-So-Good:
- The track felt somewhat disorganized (docked a few points in composition). It would jump between ideas a lot, and even with common material, it kinda all just blends together- it lacks a coherent arc underlying the overall form... it just kinda got big, got little, went here, went there. While this isn't a major consideration for the style, it is something to keep in mind for advanced craft.
- While the piece had some great ideas, had great contrast, and grooved nicely, I feel like it could have been taken to another level. I'm not really sure what this is, but I feel like maybe some more variation on individual sections would have been part of it, like having the main idea in one section be played on different instruments or having the drum groove change completely in that part.

Your Rubric (rough comments):
http://www.newgrounds.com/dump/item/d61cb129f3f6376b21d54253a791fee3

Keep Compos(ed/ing)!
-Sam

garlagan responds:

Cheers samulis !
That Rubric is beautiful. That's some serious work!
Really glad you liked that track. The Not-So-Good are really helpful by the way! Totally agreed on the 'jumping between ideas' part. That's generally what i need to work most on. Getting a track to be overall more coherent.
Thanks a lot man!

[A Girl's Champion]

This is a NGADM Round 2 Review.

First, here's a breakdown of my score:

Production: 24/30 (Above Average)
Composition: 26.5/30 (Great)
Instrumentation: 12/15 (Above Average)
Originality: 7.5/10 (Above Average)
Interest/Emotion: 12/15 (Above Average)

Total: 82/100 or 8.2/10 or 4 stars. (Above Average)
==========
I won't bother saying anything about the piece, because that is not what is important here.

There comes a time in a composer's life; several times, in fact; when they, like a mountaineer reaching a precipice, have slowly climbed their way up the abilities of their method of music, raising the bar with each new work, slowly demanding more and more of themselves until this time comes. It happens that the amount of energy and time it takes to meet the bar they have set for themselves is so extreme that they cannot bring themselves to reach it.

When this time comes, it is time to cease thinking vertically, to cease trying to climb above the precipice where nothing but air and birds fly. It is time to think horizontally, to reach out, to find new influences and new directions. Whether those are brought back and blended into the original method of music to create something new, or whether those are pursued in replacement of those original methods, this is a valuable experience.

Not a lot of people put thought into what the words "Above Average" really mean. Above Average might mean "below my criteria" to you, but to me, it means above and beyond my expectations. It means you surpassed the requirements with flying colors. If what you can do in a half-assed, off-day, "lack of effort" time is "Above Average" then you are a darn good composer and you had better be proud of what you can do. There are people out there who spend weeks on a piece that is merely "Average".

In truth, all of our views as judges is tainted because we know what you are like when you stand on the very highest point of that precipice. You have shown us how high to the heavens you can stretch your fingers, grasping at clouds and spinning music so incredible it brings anyone it touches to tears.

This music is rare, it is special, and it only happens once, maybe twice in one certain branch of one's artistic musings. It is your "master thesis" on "epic Bosaian", that thing you have been working on for the past x years of your life. It is your Theory of Relativity, your Noah Webster's Dictionary, your Ring Cycle, your Bible. Yet like those things, it is not a feat that one person can redo over and over again. It is not time to "move on", but rather time to "spread out". To explore how far your musical vocabulary can bring you and what new places and tricks you can add. You can always teach an old dog new tricks, you just have to figure out the tricks first. ;)

Keep compos(ed/ing)!
-Sam

[~SW~ Magnet Subway]

This is a NGADM Round 2 Review.

First, here's a breakdown of my score:
Production: 28/30 (Great)
Composition: 27/30 (Great)
Instrumentation: 13.5/15 (Great)
Originality: 8.8/10 (Great)
Interest/Emotion: 13.5/15 (Great)

Total: 90.8/100 or 9.08/10 or 4.5 stars (Great).
========
The Good (or, rather, Great):
- Very skyewint, so fusion, much great. Wow.
- There was always something new going on here and there, which kept me listening carefully. A lot of diversity in 4 minutes even though it didn't "feel" diverse. I think that's perhaps your best gift as a composer, is being able to find a way to always make your work diverse yet still have it convey the same meaning across fusion elements.
- Production, sounds are very Skye. 'nuff said.

The Not-So-Great:
- I felt the tuned wooden taps that were going on were a little stick-outish. I swear I thought someone was knocking on my door at one point. You could probably cut them out and not really lose anything.
- I think it would be nice to hear some traditional subway noises other than the ambiance at the start. Not required, but nice.
- Drums might be a bit dry imho, esp with that wet Civ III-esque claves going on. :3

SkyeWint responds:

Oh, you used my review format with a little more score detail thingy at the top.

The little tuned tap clave things were a little cool thing I found and thought I should put in for giggles. Also, liked the sound of them. <3

Drums are a bit dry, I guess. For the most part. Plenty of percussion, I felt. Didn't need any extra stuff.

[On The Glass Edge]

This is a NGA- HOLY FUCKING SHIT.

First, a breakdown of my score for you:
Production: 28.5/30 (Incredible) -includes performance
Composition: 28/30 (Great)
Instrumentation: 14/15 (Great)
Originality 8/10 (Above Average)
Interest: 12/15 (Above Average)

Total: 90.5/100 or 9.05/10 or 4.5 stars. (Great)
======
The Good:
- I'll start by saying, I am NOT a metalhead... or even really a rock person... but I fucking loved this song. It's so incredibly tight, so carefully produced, so fucking badass.
- The use of effects was particularly enjoyable and, most of all, TASTEFUL. I see tracks that are just flooded with effects sometimes, but this was just right.
- This is just awesome.

The Not-So-Good:
- Nothing really... I mean, if you added like, some weirdass fusion stuff it would be more "original" I guess, but as for what it is, it doesn't NEED that.

KICK HIS ASS, SEABASS!
(aka Keep compos(ed/ing)!)
-Samulis

PirateCrab responds:

Hnnnnng the fact I can turn a non-metalhead out of their comfort zone and give them something they still enjoy seriously makes me proud!

Samulis, I salute you. Seabass will return with more dastardly destructive riffs and excruciatingly eccentric effects. MWAH XOXOXOX

[Can Your Cow Do This?]

This is a NGADM Round 2 Review

First, a breakdown of my score:
Production: 27/30 (Great)
Composition: 23/30 (Above Average)
Instrumentation: 13.5/15 (Great)
Originality: 8/10 (Above Average)
Interest: 10/15 (Average)

Total: 81.5/100 or 8.15/10 or 4 stars (Above Average)
========
The Good:
- Really professional sounding production. Great work! This track just shines all around no matter what I listen to it on.
- The cow sound was entertaining, but I would have liked it to be more prevalent in the piece, even just one or two more times. It feels more like a easter egg than an actual gag.

The Not-so-good:
- The piece doesn't really stick in my head. It's sort of... well, just exactly what a great dubstep track should be. Aside from the moo gag, there's really nothing remarkable about it aside from it being well crafted.
- As a whole, the piece managed to not *really* overstay its welcome, but it was on the verge of it. Be careful about how long you make your pieces without having periods of strongly contrasting music to balance it out.

Keep compos(ed/ing)!
-Samulis

[Memoirs of an Old Dreamer]

This is a NGADM Round 2 Review.

First, here's a breakdown of my score:
Production: 20/30 (Average)
Composition: 26/30 (Above Average)
Instrumentation: 12.5/15 (Above Average)
Originality: 8/10 (Above Average)
Interest/Emotion: 11/15 (Above Average)

Total: 77.5/100 or 7.75/10 or 4 stars (average)
=======
The Good:
- The composition was rather pleasant as a whole, as was the nice variation through the orchestration. It was a lot more than the average fair for most of this type of music I hear compositionally and orchestration-wise.
- You had some nice ideas (Greensleeves, much?) and used them in acceptable traditional ways.
- There was a clear attempt to express emotion in the piece through a variety of means.

The Not-So-Good:
- The use of the virtual instruments was poor. This sounded like MIDI and nothing like an orchestra. Any and all attempts at emotion were quickly consumed by this lack of humanization. Always take the time to make sure the patches you select fit the compositional needs. Be sure to use dynamics and balance between all the instruments. Compose to work with what you have, not just with what you think, play to your strengths. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE take some time to familiarize yourself with the patches in your sample libraries and compare them to real recordings to find what sorts of functions they are most suited for (harmony, melody, etc).
- The piano lines were bizarre and ruined the emotion, especially the chromatic stuff. Always remember, more heartfelt things must be SIMPLE. They must emphasize chord tones. Use leaps of fifths/fourths and passing tones. They must be something you would sing or whistle or hum and remember. Chromatics are only useful for tension and the application of atonal composition. Consider instead, the pentatonic scales, or perhaps, if you are daring, wholetone. These will much more give a feeling of wonder or dreamlike emotions.

Keep compos(ed/ing),
-Samulis

Jay-Turner responds:

Thank you for your review. I am entirely in agreement with you, I actually think this is perhaps the worst thing I have composed haha. Nevermind.

I think I tried to go beyond what my software is capable. I have extremely limited woodwind instruments, but what I had in my head was very woodwind inspired so I tried with what I've got. I don't think that was the wisest decision for a competition though (As in, not the best time to experiment). I think I realised that I was unhappy with it quite early on but I persisted, but beind fed up did make me do wierd stuff (like the chromatic bit).

Its funny you should mentioned Greensleeves, after I finished it and listened back I realised the same similarity myself.

So, overall I think you giving it a 4 star is very generous. Thank you. I'll heed your advice for when I next have time to work on some music.

[The Mouse Went Up The Clock]

This is a NGADM Round 2 rev- oh jesus, I am NOT going to sleep tonight!

First, here's my personal score breakdown:
Production: 28/30 (Great)
Composition: 28/30 (Great)
Instrumentation: 14.5/15 (Incredible)
Originality: 9.8/10 (Incredible)
Interest/Emotion: 12.5/15 (Great)

Total: 92.8/100 or 9.28/10 or 4.5 stars (Great)
========
The Good:
- Pinning a genre on this is almost impossible... there's cinematic here, pop there, a bit of baroque flavoring, some creepy clown music... it's just a thing of your own.
- The composition and orchestration is so intelligently designed that, as Step said, you didn't have to rely on cliches like soundscapes or effects to get a story or emotions across. This is something I think very few pieces and even fewer composers can do, and has great value.
- Mastering is super solid, even with some of the less-than-pristine virtual instruments, thanks to careful work and some good blending.

The Not-So-Good:
- I would prefer to hear more tension and release in the piece, or, at least tension. Bernard Herrmann (Psycho, Vertigo, etc) would be a great place to start. That kind of crunchy tense harmony is very useful to get your hands around as long as you don't use it in a cheesy or tasteless way.
- I would also like to hear you two move out of your shells a little more with future collaborations. ;)
- I would lastly like some happy pretty harp music or something so I will *maybe* be able to sleep after listening to this. :3

Keep compos(ed/ing)!
-Sam

[Deflect]

This is a NGADM Rou- wow, this track is nuts!

First, here's a breakdown of my score:
Production: 25.5/30 (Great)
Composition: 28/30 (Great)
Instrumentation: 13/15 (Great)
Originality: 9.5/10 (Great)
Interest: 11.5/15 (Above Average)

Total: 87.5/100 or 8.75/10 or 4.5 stars (Great)
========
The Good:
- Awesome to hear some nice juicy chords!
- Tons of interest in the piece. It's something I don't just need to listen to several times, but really WANT to. You really take me on an aural journey.
- Some really fun sounds/synths mixed together in great ways. Lots of creativity is clear! Definitely super enjoyable to listen to, even after 5 times.
- Really great work with transitions! Effects are great as well.
- Mix is solid as a whole.

The Not-So-Good:
- The drums seemed odd so dry surrounded by everything else being so wet and lush. Not sure if this is a genre thing, I know less about Drumstep than I do about the art of underwater basketweaving.
- The song doesn't have a clear form. This may just be your preference, which is fine and all, but it can be misleading.
- You don't have 10,000 fans yet. D:

Keep compos(ed/ing)!
-Samulis

garlagan responds:

Whoa, thank you samulis! Really glad you liked it!
Interesting thing about the drums being too dry. Never really thought about it, I'm probably too used to the sound. I don't know much about drumstep either!
Thanks for the greatly detailed review!