Karco's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Intercepted]

There's potential here. Build on that atmosphere!

You start out okay... that note progression is good, but could have been better. It's definitely something I'd hum. You give off a nice atmosphere with it - I'll go into that later.

Harmonies... that "da-da-da, da-da-da," thing is overused, though, and I think you could have found something better to use than that. The bass in the later bits of the song is too quiet and should be a bit more noticeable. The synth you introduce later on that plays a note every other beat (the first and third of the measure, I think) doesn't fit at all and generally makes the song worse. And ending with it was a bad idea, too... you could have had a good one with the synth you started with playing the melody. A mellow pad would have worked much better in my opinion.

It sounded like you didn't put any effort into your percussion in this song at all. You definitely could have tried harder... are those presets from FL? You could have tried to find a more realistic snare, which would have fit the idea of the song much more. Your closed hat doesn't work at all, and in my opinion could have used some reeverb. The kick I could barely hear.

Your choices in synths and drums didn't work at all. You could definitely have put more effort into that... it sounds like you did for the first bits of the song, but towards the end you took whatever you found that remotely suited your idea because you wanted to finish your song and move on. Again, drums didn't work at all, as I said and went in-depth about in the previous paragraph.

You could potentially have a very nice attitude to this song... I get a lonely, wandering-in-the-desert feeling from the melody, which is good. Should you have built on that with better harmonies, percussion, and synth/drum choice, it would have been a very good song... so next time, you know to start with an atmosphere and stick with it!

I hope all this advice helps you out in the future. Don't hesitate to PM me if you want me to review a specific song of yours, or if you just need a bit of advice on a certain subject. ;) Why don't you visit my audio page sometime at http://www.newgrounds.com/audio/view.php?id=1828837 and maybe leave a review for my latest, Lost in Time? Thanks, and I hope I've helped. =)

[Ground-7]

I've played Chaos Faction, and...

...I definitely agree. It has the perfect feel for that game... there's tension all over the place, it's fast, and I can definitely see this in a button-mashing sort of game.

It's a nice song... the melody isn't anything I would hum... it's too fast for that. Hah! But it's still pretty catchy, which is good.

What I especially like with the songs that you make, this included, are your harmonies. You're very good at making those and they add a lot to the song - sometimes in a few songs (like this one) they can detract from the quality, but not by much.

I've heard this percussion in other songs of yours... the good thing is that it I don't get tired of it as quickly because it's good.

Synth choice and drum choice I have no problem with - they're really good, in my opinion. Your synth choice is perfect. I think you could have used better drums, though.

You know what's really ironic? I didn't know you existed until I found your NGAP Radio flash submission... and then, it wasn't because you made it. Rather, it was because your song Euphorium showed up on that, I liked it, and found your songs. Hah! Either way, I'll probably be around to review your submissions as you submit them, as you're one of my new favorites. =) I'm looking forward to it - keep submitting.

[Old School Techno (Loop)]

Crashes, huh?

I'd like to see how you use those...

Melodies... well, I see you're trying to stick to riffs now, as you've been told to over and over. This is a decent effort for someone who doesn't like to. Still, it definitely needs work.

Hey, that's your first harmony! Good job on trying... but, frankly, it sucks. >_< Here's why: it sounds like another melody altogether! Also, it doesn't quite sound like it's in the same key, and instead of blending with the melody to make a more... melodic song, it's causing chaos. You need to work on your harmonies a LOT... well, that's what practice is for!

Percussion... well, it's good that you're finally using some variety with it! The section with the crashes, actually, wasn't at all necessary. Your claps aren't really necessary either in the beginning, but when you introduce the kicks along with them, it sounds unexpectedly catchy and works very well in the song! Consider this your first percussional breakthrough - learning how to use a kick and clap together! =D See, this is what happens when you take my advice. =P

(And you still have a LONG way to go... >_<)

Synth/drum choice... eeew, eeew, eeew. One day I'm going to look up a synthesizer just so you don't have to use those. Your melody and harmony synths don't fit, and are, honestly, headache-inducing. I hope I'm not being too harsh - but you seriously need new synths! XD Drums... nothing fits, really... I have an idea. How does your drum program work? Can it use MP3s found on the internet? Because I know where a PLETHORA (a TON) of drum MP3s are. I think they can really help you out.

Attitude and atmosphere... well, you do so badly in all three of your songs that I really can't judge you here until you get better with the four other categories. (Melodies, harmonies, percussion, synth/drum choice.) Don't take that as an insult... it'll come with practice. I promise. =) Just don't quit yet and be patient.

Well, I've given another fairly big review... is it just me, or is it shorter? Is it just me, or am I fairly sleep-deprived? I should be giving this review in the morning, when I can make it huge... ah well. It's fairly big already anyway, and I don't want to keep you waiting. =P

Overall another good effort. I can't say with an honest conscience to keep up the GOOD work quite yet, though. =P I can definitely say to keep trying, though. So do that. =P I hope these reviews give you some kind of motivation or another. Because I'll review every time as long as you're submitting me and PMing me reminders. ;) Hope all my advice helps, once again.

New-Milkman responds:

Yes, I do need new synth. I changed the sound more that the previous two songs, but I guess it still wasn't great...

The harmony was a bit of a half-assed harmony attempt :P I will try harder on the next song, I just wanted two beats in one song for some reason...

Good snare + claps? Yes! Now that I've done one combonation well, I'll have to do another good one (which might not happen...). BTW, the drum program I use doesn't use any mp3 files or anything. I select a step, choose a drum, adjust tone, decay, punch and... I forget the other one. Then I select where I want that drum to make a sound, and then reapeat untill I have the song made. The most annoying thing is that the BPM isn't set the exact same in the two programs I use (synth set at 148, drums are set at 149). I don't care if it is a small difference, it's annoying!

Hopefully I get better at this, so then you can tell me how well I do in attitude. Thanks for another extensive review!

[Power Unveiled]

What's wrong with the title?

I suppose I'll find out once the song starts.

I see that Drumr style again, which is good... you're trying to get that originality - I hear different samples! That's good.

This is a really nice melody you've got going there... now if only you had a touch more skill. Imagine what you'll be making in a few months! =D

Harmonies I have no problem with, though some of them are a bit too loud and detract attention from the melody... or was that the melody? Hah!

Percussion... it's subtle, which is good for this song, but it could have used more effort than what you put into it, I feel.

Piano? This is a new one... not. Why am I not surprised? And you do it well... repetition of notes wasn't quite a good idea and it detracted from the quality, but there were no clashing notes, which is good.

Synth choice/mixing... some could have been a bit quieter, some a bit louder - it was musical chaos. Good musical chaos... but you could have put some more effort here.

You have that great Drumr345 style again, and I like it a lot. No problems in terms of attitude.

Overall another great song! Keep submitting and keep up the great work. You're good at this. =)

[Waltz of the Light]

Another good song.

Hmm. I see a style... after reviewing Video Game Loop 1 and this, I see a style of yours... and it's a good one.

It starts out a bit too harshly, in my opinion, as the harmony I'd expect to be a bit less "jumpy."

Aah, that's better... a bit of legato never hurt anyone. Notes are longer and the song is smoother... I definitely like this part more.

Next section... and it's pretty good. Well-composed here. Plenty of harmonies, and no clashing notes... they didn't have to be so high, but there's no problem here.

It would seem you're good at classical songs as well as electronic! And looking at your other songs, you tend to make songs all over the place in genre... that can be a nice habit.

Keep up the good work, I'm looking forward to more. Don't hesitate to send me a PM if you ever want a review for a song you've submitted... it's never too much! ;)

Epitaph64 responds:

Thanks for the awesome review. Really need this kind of critique. Not just "man that was awesome," or "man that sucked." I will definitely check out your stuff as soon as I'm on a computer with speakers. Thanks for the help!

[Video Game Loop 1]

Good job, I like it.

I can definitely see how your inspiration came from Pokemon. You catch the feeling perfectly. I can also see why you like the beat for this song... you did a vert nice job there.

Your melody is catchy and fits the video game idea perfectly... no problems there. The harmonies also give it that "retro" feeling.

My only problem with this song would have to be your synth choice. Your synth that plays the melody is too loud, in my opinion, and too high. I think it could either be lowered an octave, or you could just find a better synth to use... this one just pierces my ears. >_<

Other than that, it's a very well-done song. Any chance you could stop by my audio page at http://www.newgrounds.com/audio/view.php?id=1828837 and review whichever of my three latest you feel like reviewing? It would be nice. Thanks, and keep up the good work.

Epitaph64 responds:

Thanks for the review ^_^ I checked your page :D

[Crazy (Distorted Electro Remix]

Darn it, I owe you so many reviews now...

Well, I definitely owe you something for reviewing my four most recent. =P I'll review this. Maybe someday I'll randomly come by and surprise you with a review for one of your older songs because there's nothing else to review... we'll see. =P

You open the song nicely... not much to say. What the... you held the "a" in "crazy" for...16 measures, and then you mix it into the song??That's just ridiculous. XD This made my day for the second time. XD And what's even funnier is that it blends in with the rest of the song as a synth which doesn't really fit as I forget it's someone's voice. At the end of the buildup, I thought it would go into some sort of hardcore song, but apparently you go into another one. What the heck? You pulled it an octave up! You sure do know how to make a techno song funny. You've earned yourself a 10 for originality, hands down. =D

Hah... this time you didn't hold it for an insane amount of time. Aww... still, you do a pretty good job with this song. No problems with your harmonies, you do great with your harmonies as always, no problems with synth choice (save when the voice turns into one, hah!) and... gah, those are some really nice effects you ended the song with. I want them. Bleh.

Overall another great song. Keep submitting your stuff so I can keep reviewing it!

DJ-RISE responds:

'Well, I definitely owe you something for reviewing my four most recent. =P I'll review this. Maybe someday I'll randomly come by and surprise you with a review for one of your older songs because there's nothing else to review... we'll see. =P'

LOL. That'll be the day that I die!...Or get kicked off the net..Whichever comes first. XD

'What the... you held the "a" in "crazy" for...16 measures, and then you mix it into the song??That's just ridiculous. XD This made my day for the second time. XD And what's even funnier is that it blends in with the rest of the song as a synth which doesn't really fit as I forget it's someone's voice.'

XD I like to surprise people...Like before my mum was coming around the corner in the hallway and it was dark...So I politely said 'BLAH!!!!' (at the top of my voice, mind you) and she crapped herself while screaming in terror. ROFLMFAO!!!!!!

'At the end of the buildup, I thought it would go into some sort of hardcore song, but apparently you go into another one.'

LOL. I was thinking of getting the massive build-up then cutting all sound for a beat then bringing in a minimalistic drum beat and synth as you may find in some Electro tracks. I guess there are still hints of that idea there. LOL. But after the second build-up I got rid of any hints of that idea and went full-out energetic Electro. LOL.

'What the heck? You pulled it an octave up! You sure do know how to make a techno song funny. You've earned yourself a 10 for originality, hands down. =D'

OH! I try. XD :D Thanks for the 10. Much apprecated. :P

'Hah... this time you didn't hold it for an insane amount of time. Aww... still, you do a pretty good job with this song.'

I've kept this idea bottled up for a while now. LOL. Its just like a good bottle of wine. It matures and gets better with age. LMAO. And for the record I'm not a fan of wine. XD

'No problems with your harmonies, you do great with your harmonies as always, no problems with synth choice (save when the voice turns into one, hah!)'

LOL. I love working in harmony. It is so much fun. Especially in Trance...I think I've said that before..........LOL. But its true!
The voice turning into a synth was a little experiment.

'those are some really nice effects you ended the song with. I want them. Bleh.'

The FX I used are top-secret and locked in a volt deep in the Nevada desert.....or so I like to pretend! LMAO.

'Overall another great song. Keep submitting your stuff so I can keep reviewing it!'

No mum's were hurt in the making of this comment..Or WERE they!? [Bah bah baahhh]

THanks for yet another great review! :P

[[DPS] - Gliding Alone]

Nice job with this...

Hmm, it starts out nicely. Some real atmosphere you've got here... I like what you do with the percussion, having it there in the second, third, and fourth measures in a set of four. I've done that before.

Your vocals I find a bit unnecessary, and you only use them in the beginnin of the song and forget about them later on.

It's very chilled out and quiet - your buildups don't fit very well, though the rest of your percussion does.

Your melody... well, it fits, I'll give you that. It's nothing I'd catch myself humming, though. It could have used a bit more variety.

You do well with your harmonies... no comments here. You had just the right amount of them - you avoided a mistake I happen to point out quite often these days. Nice job here.

No problem with the synth choice, though you could have put a bit more effort into your choices.

Again, at times you have some really good atmosphere, which is one of the highlights of this song. This is where you did the best, in my opinion.

Overall a decent song... it definitely deserves a better score than it does right now. I've voted 5... keep up the good work.

Dj-Powerstorm responds:

Thanks for the reveiw. I'll take on that advice.

[Draze - Immortal Combat]

You should do this more often!

For a second attempt, this is genius! You need to make more of this... it's awesome stuff.

You really like to glitch things up now and then, don't you? It adds a lot, done right.

Faults include the quality, which now and then gets a bit scratchy in buildups and similar places. It's not too bad, but could be worked on a bit more. Also, I feel the drums were a bit weak at times, for there was so much going on melodywise/harmonywise that it sounds like you almost forgot about them. They're good but could have used a bit more attention and effort. ;)

Overall another good song. Keep up the good work, you're definitely one of the better audio artists here at NG. =)

[Draze - The Phaze Way]

Reminds me of your earlier songs...

It starts out nicely, though if those are vocals I can't hear at all what they're saying.

This somewhat reminds me of your song, Ashes [Hot Techno] in quite a few ways - did you know that was the first song which I listened to and downloaded from the Audio Portal? I have a lot to thank you for, Draze. =P

Is that glitching like from Bass It Up 2? Nicely used.

There wasn't much going for this song... it had a lot to it, but there wasn't much to keep you listening. I think either there should have been more melody work, though making the kicks harder and louder than they were would have helped too.

You have some really nice parts to this song... you've overall done a very good job. I've voted 5 and downloaded it... and now on to reviewing your next song. ;)