Score: 8

"You've got talent for this stuff too! :D"

submission: ~Conquer~

date: September 26, 2007

It's definitely quality classical music, especially for... well, how many times, exactly, have you made a classical song? XD It had its downsides but the good parts definitely made up for them. My comments are below as they came...

Great atmosphere so far, I like it a lot. :D

I don't like the transition at 0:43. It felt a bit too abrupt - you changed keys, emotion, and quite a few other things. Then strings come in, and they clash with the choirs... :\ Not one of the better parts of the song. The following part is better, though. :D

Is that a xylophone I hear? XD Well-used, though there are more fitting, similar-sounding instruments out there, I'm sure.

Overall it's quite a diverse song - diversity would have to be its biggest strength, in my opinion. :D

The transition at 2:45 is also a pretty big one. It switches, abruptly again, into a triumphant mood for the rest of the song. I like the section on its own but the transition... well, keep trying with those, I have trouble with them myself. :D

About all I've got to say, I enjoyed it! :) I'll vote 4. Keep up the good work. :)

Score: 8

"Has its ups and downs."

submission: FL - Summer Rain [Remastered]

date: September 19, 2007

I think I just might leave a monster review on this one. ;) We'll see...

First thing that comes up to me is that you're using the VERY recognizable FL Keys and... correct me if I'm wrong, but VEC? 1 or 2, I can't tell. If you're using any common samples, go ahead and FX them, heavily! That way it'll sound LOTS more original, and in turn that much better. ;)

I hear the bass on the offbeat - this is quite commonly done, and though it's quite catchy, and works well almost all the time, it comes at a price of originality - dropping the bass on the offbeat is one of the most unoriginal things you can do with it, unfortunately. Next time, try arping it. Play with rhythms you'd call ridiculous. Change the 'Snap' on FL Studio (which you PROBABLY use XD) to 1/2 step, and experiment until you have something that sounds good.

The composition of this all is nice, and you've paced this song pretty well. Was this, by any chance, inspired by cornandbeans's Lazy Summer Days? :P Sure sounds like it... I notice that you switch between piano breaks and climaxes, several times in the song. If that's the deal, then take, say, a part of the song from one low point to the next (preferably the biggest) climax, and then the next low point, and work on it by itself as an original song, polishing it until it shines. Putting that kind of effort into a shorter song will almost all of the time give you something a LOT better than what you have now. ;)

Claritywise, there are a few things that need addressing. I'm noticing you're stacking your hits in a fashion that cause your song to clip... careful, there. ;) Use less hits at these points. If you absolutely HAVE to, though, then lower the volume on all of them so they don't clip, and mix/master them individually and as a whole. If that still doesn't work, then bring them back up to normal volume instead and lower the master volume, and start mastering the hits. If THAT doesn't work, then you need to get rid of a few hits. ;)

The general mastering could use some work... do you use FL Studio 7? Even if you don't, you probably have some version of Fruity Parametric EQ - I reccomend you use EQ 2, though it's up to you. Use it to master your songs, it helps me a lot when I master mine. ;) When I master mine, I generally end up cutting the middle frequencies - where buttons 3 and 4 would be, for example - a bit, so there's less clutter in the song. Then I build on that by raising the 5 and 6 knobs as needed until I have some nice, sharp, clean treble. I boost the kick by raising the 2 knob a bit, and then toy with the 1 and 7 knobs as needed until the song sounds good. It's up to you how you master your songs, and different songs often need different mastering, but that's the general formula that's worked for me nearly all of the time. ;)

Hmmm, anything else? This is a very good song, though songs like it are very common. If you want to get known on Newgrounds for songs like these... you're going to have to try VERY hard. ;D I reccomend taking up different, more original genres that less people do, but it's up to you in the end. If you want to stick with this style, go for it, and good luck. :) Just a thought you might want to consider.

That's about it, I enjoyed this song! I hope my comments help you in the future. Mind stopping by my page sometime? My latest could do with a review, especially since it's some of my best and I'd really like to see what lots of people think. ;) Find it at http://www.newgrounds.com/audio/liste n/96663.

Great work! Don't hesitate to PM me in the future if you want another review for a song of yours, though no guarantees on my availability. I'll try. :P Keep up the great work.

Score: 9

"I haven't reviewed one of your songs in a while..."

submission: ==(Glowing Galaxy)==

date: September 12, 2007

And since you went so far as to send me a [crazy] PM about this one, I thought I'd review it. :P

It doesn't quite sound so epic, really, but it is more melodic than most of what you make. It's in a major key too, and it works. Some of your composition is brilliant. :D

The tom roll at 0:41 doesn't really fit, in my opinion... I do like what comes right after - that high-pitched, heavily reverbed, sliding synth.

It does get a lot more epic around 2:40, and even more melodic. You should have built on it! You build on it differently, though. It works.

This could almost be listening music, except for the tom rolls, which are too loud, and the high-pitched sliding synth, which does get quite overpowering at times. The section at 3:53 through to 4:10 is a big example.

What I'm finding about this one is that it's generally the same stuff over and over, with very similar changes. True, you do your best to keep it diverse but it doesn't really work. For ambient listening music, diversity works fine but then the aforementioned loud parts get in the way... :\

Enough criticism, though - I'll end on the note of your atmosphere, which you set up and build amazingly. The impression the beginning gave me was that this was going to be a calm, gentle kind of song. A 'watching space' sort of thing. But I instead got a 'watching the quirks and little things of space' image. The song was happier, almost humorous and playful-sounding in places - like 1:26 to 1:29, for example, which is a perfect example of this playful feeling. :D Great job, there.

I enjoyed this song! Here's my 9/10, 5/5, and a download. More like this later on is a good idea, you're good at it. :)

Oh, by the way - if you read this review first, which you probably didn't, check your PM inbox. If you checked your inbox first, then you saw the PM which directed you to this review, and you don't need to look at it again. :P That's all.

Keep up the great work. :D

Score: 8

"A bit too used to submitting in Classical, are we?"

submission: _-={He's a Pirate Dance Remix

date: September 11, 2007

After all, it is a DANCE remix, and you submitted the demo version under Dance... unless you think that it's Classical with Dance influences and not the other way around. :P But it's neat to see you're exploring genres, I'll give you what I think! Now that I'm in my real element, I'll give a nice juicy one too. >:)

Great use of vocals in that entrance! I'd have liked to hear it a bit more often, on the other transitions, though...

The first thing that stands out to me is that, as far as dance influence is concerned, your synths all sound quite the same, and quite video-gameish. I'll hazard a guess, correct me if I'm wrong - mildly FXed 3x0sc? The one exception is the sine in the beginning, which is quite an original touch and works well as an intro. It also works pwnsomely in the little interlude starting at 0:48, which happens to be my favorite part of the song. :D Here's a tip for your other synths, though. Try throwing whatever effects you find onto your synths, and play around with them. I like to use the Fruity Flangus, for example, to spice up a synth when it sounds rather dull, and I've been playing with Fast Dist these days, too. :P If you use FL Studio 7, pull out a Fruity Parametric EQ 2 on the Mixer channel of one of your synths and play around with the knobs until it sounds good. :P I once started with the default 3xOsc preset - as in, right when you open it up? I ended up making an NES-like distorted electric guitar purely with the FX I added on. XD

I'll comment on that bass of yours - it's on the offbeat, which works and can be quite catchy sometimes, but is also very unoriginal. Creatively arping it works out - once again, it's an experimenting sort of thing. Listen to other songs of this genre to see how they do it (assuming that they don't have an offbeat bass too, which could happen) and use them as a template.

You don't do too much harmonizing, which is a bit of a disappointment - your bass stays on C for a lot of the song, for example.

Something about your claps - this song is in 3/4 time, so the claps can't simply sit on every other beat like they would in a 4/4 song. I'd have either left the claps out entirely or experimented with the rhythms so I had a consistent one-measure-long clap pattern that sounded good. The kick is fitting, though nothing amazing. You might want to switch it up a bit on the transition measures, for diversity's sake. You could throw in a bit of extra classical percussion at those points too, for extra effect. :D I can hardly hear your hihat - it's closed, and closed ones usually play eighth notes or sixteenth notes in this kind of song. If you want a hihat on the offbeat, make it open for the most effect. ;) Finally, your snare rolls - they sound a bit off to me. I can't really tell how far off, but they SHOULD be ending right as the measure does. It could just be the 3/4 time throwing me off, though... XD

Oh, wait, I just noticed a 4/4 section... does that mean this song goes in both 3/4 and 4/4 time? I hardly noticed! o_O Great job bringing them together like that, I hardly noticed. Or was it unintentional on your part, too? XD

As far as the orchestrated parts of the song go, I don't have very much to mention. I don't think Dance always works well with orchestral influences, though you make it work. Not in a particularly unique or amazing way, unfortunately, but I can't say there's anything negative about it. :) If we're not talking about how they go together, though, I will say that there were times when the orchestra was a bit overpowering compared to the synths... but other than that it's all just fine.

A great effort at what came out to be pretty good, MaestroRage! :) You should give it another shot soon, you could be doing techno/dance as a side genre! :) Hope these comments have helped. :) Oh, and just something I'll say about what I've been up to lately, while I'm at it: There should be a new pwnsome submission on my audio page very soon... >:) But that aside, great work! I definitely enjoyed it. :)

Score: 9

"Hey, look, it's the song..."

submission: ==(Autumn is Closer)==

date: August 19, 2007

The song you gave me a preview of a while ago! :D Here's a review...

Great atmosphere, the effects sound quite real. :D The wind does sound a little bit synthesized, though... Are those drums in the background? They're quiet, and I get what you're trying to get across with them - but it's almost easy enough to miss them entirely in my opinion. This idea is a good one, but make them a bit more noticeable next time. :P

The piano is well-chosen, and the octave it's at fits the mood of the piece. It wanders a little bit but for the most part, it works very well. :D It could have done with something in the lower ranges, though... I don't know, a note in the C3-C4ish range, every 2, 4 measures? Would really have added some depth to the song, especially if you had put off adding it in until the second half. Though if you're going for a light, mellow feeling, I can see why you'd stay away from it - it adds a bit of intensity as well.

That sliding synth... I can't say I remember it from last time, but it works! :D Like the piano it wanders a little bit... this actually could have been a countermelody on the piano, in my opinion. But you wanted a seperate synth, which works just fine as well.

The ending is a bit abrupt, but well-done! Gives me the feeling that Autumn's not closer anymore, but rather that it's HERE. Of course, it's really not yet, but you get the idea. :P Anyway, good job with it.

That's about it, here's my 5 and download. :) Looking forward to your next...

Score: 8

"Hey! :)"

submission: *Rave-a-thon*

date: August 16, 2007

Took me long enough, huh? But I was going to get to this soon enough... :P

A bit of a slow intro - I was expecting something faster, better. You know what I mean? The intro to Tranceformation(I'm not going to bother checking if I spelled it the same as you did), for example... that was golden. :D

Once the song DOES get going, though... it's good! :D The string thing is a bit old, but it works. :D

Nice use of that sliding bass guitar! :D Used very well. Not too much else to say about it, but you used it creatively and you were creative to use it in the first place. :D Also your melodywork is very good, though could do with a bit more rhythmic diversity.

That bass of yours is on the offbeat... and it's not very original of you to do that. I mean, sure, it works! :D But I've gotten past that and you've been at it for... what, just as long as I have? Longer? XD Come on, you're better than that. Arp it, delay it, go crazy, just don't drop it on the offbeat and walk away. ;)

Hmm. When you use the reversed kick... is it just me, or does the song distort? Careful. :P In fact, the song's clarity is... second-rate. And that reminded me... I've been mastering my songs a bit lately, and experimenting with different kinds of speakers and headphones. They've been sounding a lot better, too. :D Even if it just means using Fruity Parametric EQ 2 or something, you should give it a try sometime, it really makes your songs sound a LOT better. Right now... your hihat is weak, and the kick distorts in places - again, especially when distorted. Mastering can make that better without touching the volume knobs. >:)

Sheesh, you know what I realized? I sound like I'm advertising mastering. But really, you should give it a try sometime. :P

That's about it, hope I've helped! :) Looking forward to your next song, hopefully it'll be even better. :D

Score: 8

"Huh, odd title."

submission: _-={The Djsou Forest}=-_

date: August 16, 2007

Care to elaborate? :P

So it's another collab with LadyArsenic? Neat. Unfortunately, I'm not hearing too much singing in this one. I hear something at 0:36, but it sounds like it could be a choir as well. Did she simply collab with you the normal way this time? :\

Anyway, whether it's your choir or LadyArsenic singing, the singing becomes... buried, under the rest of the song. I have to strain my ears to hear it, and, considering the part singing usually would play in a song, I don't think I should have to.

Huh, at the end - the song simply cuts off. It sounds like it was supposed to loop, but it feels like it loops too soon. It loops perfectly - great job there - it just loops a little too soon.

There's not much new about this song. Your MAC7 entries were great, and you had put tons of effort into them - but this could have been done before all of those, in my opinion, just as easily. :\ Personally I'd rather see better submissions that come less frequently than average ones coming often. Come on, you know how I am about effort.... ;D

That's enough criticism, it's all I've got, anyway. :P On to the positive sides of the song. I'll start by saying that the atmosphere set up by the river and owl effects is great! :D I'd have liked to hear a little more - maybe the owl once more, or some other sound effect. It's simply the river playing through the entire song and the owl hooting.

Now, what I'd like to know is HOW THAT TURNED INTO CRITICISM ON ME! >:( That was supposed to be praise! XD

I can see you're using the guitar as well, and it's well-used! :) I especially like what I'm hearing starting at 1:32. Quite original and far away from your usual composition style. (Ha, that was praise and STAYED praise. >:) )

I think that's about it. It's a decent song, but more effort could be going into songs like this. Don't get me wrong, I like it. :P But, again, I'm more for the occasional pwning than the frequent "good job." ;) Keep at it, both you AND LadyArsenic. ;D

WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, I FORGOT THE IMAGE!!! :D Here it is! It's another piece of imagery, with a lot of the figuring out left to be done. I had fun writing this one, hope you enjoy it. :D

A dark figure leisurely walks through the forest, unaccompanied. It's nighttime, but the dense trees cover the stars and moon. The forest is nearly blackened, except for a few visible moonbeams shining through openings between the branches.The sound of a river can be heard from far away, and the dark figure walks towards it.

They approach the river, kneel down, and dip their hand into it. It is very cold, and the current is very fast. The figure stands, and sees a light on the other side of the river. Fire. There are voices. There is laughter. The figure sits and watches.

After what could have been any amount of time, the figure stands up. They turn around, and start walking in the opposite direction. East. The figure's shadow follows behind.

Here's the end of the review, for REAL this time. >:) Hope you enjoyed it.

Score: 9

"Congrats on making the weekly top 5! :D"

submission: This Must Be A Dream

date: August 15, 2007

I'm going to review this before all the one-liners come flooding in. :D I've already downloaded this, and I've listened to it a few times. I haven't had the chance to review it until now, though. (Well, actually, I'm kinda being forced to if I want you to notice this review. :P)

Nice wind-voice-ish-effect at the beginning, it works. :P You use those vocals quite well. Harmonized well and everything, tempo's just fine, good job there. :) I also like the orchestrated part, I wasn't expecting that but it works quite well. :D

So this is a remix? Well, then, I can't give you full credit for your melodies then, though I really doubt you copied absolutely everything, and I also doubt that you didn't add anything of your own. Mind filling me in? :P

It's a different style of song, one I can't appreciate quite as well as Trance, so I don't have too much criticism to give. One thing, though... those loud, reverbed hits? You usually it twice together like at 0:55? It was a bit too overpowering. Be careful... :P

So you made this with Cubase? It's REALLY good for trying a new program. So how long have you been using Cubase? :P I can't believe this is your first project in Cubase. XD

Not much of a review by my standards, just a bunch of random comments not strung together at all. :P It's not quite my genre for reviewing, though I definitely enjoyed it! :) Keep up the great work, Carbo, and congrats again on the top 5. :D

Score: 9

"Nice chill-out song..."

submission: ==(Frost)==

date: August 13, 2007

Nice intro, I like that pad and your use of drums and that distorted-ish effect.The piano enters a bit suddenly, though...

I can't recall ever hearing you use piano... but you're good at it! The composition and the general sound of the piano are awesome. :D You could do with a bit more diversity, though - I'm hearing the same general melody over and over and over, etc.

Wait, what? So you're saying that those are actually RHODES? Not a guitar? :P It's sure convincing that they're a guitar. You should try to harmonize them with the piano a bit more, rather than having them play their own stuff (which works, but this could be better).

The drums are a bit odd - they sound good, your samples are chosen well, but there's a lot of reverb on them. I'd normally call it excessive, and suggest toning it down - it works just fine, though. I'm not so sure about when they get extra loud towards the end, though, is that supposed to be a buildup of some kind? It kills the chill-out feeling, and my ears. :( Careful.

A rather short review by my standards but I haven't reviewed one of your songs in forever, so I thought I would. :P Looking forward to more...

Score: 9

"Finally, a decent amount of time!"

submission: _-={Deranged Sanctuary}=-_

date: August 11, 2007

I've been meaning to review one of your songs for a while now, but I've never had a big enough amount of time - knowing my reviews for your songs, I'll need a decent amount of time to review 'em, and, knowing my computer, I'll have to do it all in one sitting or I'll risk losing the review when the window stops responding. XD I have been keeping up at least listening to them, though.

A different kind of song, I can't recall ever hearing a song quite like this from you. Quite rhythmic, and driving - almost energetic in a sense, though I doubt that's what you were aiming at. :P All of the instruments fit together so well, and how they all come together harmonywise is great, too. I can't say I've ever seen that kind of skill from you... you've improved here quite a bit. :D

Is that a panflute? :O It fits so well, and reminds me of certain parts of GoldenSun, for some reason... have you ever played it? Such a great game. :D

That sitar... I'm not so sure about it. It fits just fine, but I think there are instruments that could fit even better, while contributing better to the image you have in the description. That's just what came to mind when I heard it.

Not much else about the song, so here's my image...

Far out and isloated from the other ruins nearby, a fairly large, but not quite enormous, building sits - also ruined. It's obvious it was built with the intent of being a place of worship, due to its structure. However, it is worse-ruined than any of the ruins it is isolated from. Its builders were followers of a largely unaccepted belief, thus the isolation. Still, people would go out of their way to vandalize or destroy parts of it, even in its prime. And now, whoever invaded and wreaked havoc... this place of worship before could have been compared to the rest of the ruins afterwards. By destroying it as well, they were in almost a literal sense kicking a dead, bloody horse.

You'd think by now it would be simply a pile of stones - however, destroyed, lifeless, and uninhabited as it is, it still stands, stubborn and refusing to die. A memory of the past.

That's all, hope you enjoyed it! I enjoyed this song, that's for sure. ;D Keep up the great work and good luck in the MAC. :)