SoulSecure's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Arctic]

Well, it started good and then drums with too much punch for me came in and then a vocal sample and then WHAT IS THAT? OWWW, DUDE WOAH! IT'S TOTALLY DISORIENTATING MY BRAIN! NO MAN, OH! I'M FALLING OVER NOW! SOMEONE HELP! IT'S AWFUL! NOOOOO! IT JUST KEEPS GOING!!!! Oh, OK it's over now.

Look, I cannot understand how you heard this mix and thought it was good. That sidechained synth is so incrediloud it's unbearable. I can't really tell what else is going on in the track as a result. I've always hated this kind of compressed, "WOAH LOUD!" style of mixing and I've heard way too much of it during my years here on NG.

Your song isn't terrible in it's composition (I think? it's hard to listen to, period, so I'm a little unsure of myself). The percussion at 0:50 is actually pretty sweet. All the loudness needs to go and you should put a lead melody during those parts (that are currently intensely loud).

The bass drum is too loud. Your bass line synth is too quiet. Your snare is alright, but your hi hat should be on the left pan and your second snare should probably be on a 'roundpan' (moving pan) or something.

There's potential here. Just needs work and some more melodic variation.

B3yondMusic responds:

Thank you so much for this. I have been trying to make more music but haven't had any good ideas. I got this idea but couldn't figure out how to make it sound exceptionally good. Thx for this and ill work to make it fit what you said.

[My rendition of 'Enjoy The Silence']

My favourite Depeche Mode Album was Violator and I think you captured the feel of this song rather well.

The mix is a little messy, though. Might want to remove some freqs here n there, but my main gripe with this is that the melody during the chorus, or bridge, or w/e is a synth that is far too similar to the other synths being used and it becomes obscured in the soundscape. (in other words: it doesn't stick out enough).

I suggest using a different synth there. (the part that starts at 0:45). Pretty cool, though.

tallestrose responds:

I'll admit: I'm a noob when it comes to mastering songs, especially EDM tracks. I still have a lot to learn about compression and EQ, though I completely understand what you mean when it comes to the 'lead synth'. It doesn't stand out. I'll improve on that in future songs!

Thank you so much for your review, I really appreciate it! :)

[The Banshee]

I really like this song. There, I said it. In any case, I love the atmosphere you went for here with the instrument selection. Very much a water/ice sound to it. Reminds me the old Sonic games on the Genesis.

Your percussion really makes the song, though. Greaaat selection of percussion samples!

When that chord playing synth comes in around 1:00 with the timbre modulation on it, I was impressed with the specific modulation you did to it. Very nice sound. Good to hear something tyhat is a bit different from other house songs on NG.

Your mix is good. I might put in a slight more hard panning in there, but it's your song.

One of things I thought this song needed was some more complex lead melodies. It's a little stale halfway through especially considering the length of the song. That's not to say the song itself is stale halfway through, but the melodies being presented are stale halfway through.

I think this is a good song to chill out to and I find it generally enjoyable.

MaxPoly responds:

I intend to focus on melody a bit more in my newer tracks, since that seems to be a common criticism.

Thanks for the review!

[Nebula]

SLICK! JUST PLAIN SLIIIIICK!

You've got yourself an amazing track there. It sounds like it came directly out of my mind (you know, that stuff I wish I could make, but it just stays stuck in my head).

Great job! Hope you move to the next round!

AlteredSignal responds:

Thank You. I spent 17 hours on this - maybe worth it, we'll see.

[I am made of sock]

You've got to be kidding me. I love this. This is the house music I remember, not that new crap that people call house. I don't really have any criticisms. This is just pure awesome.

Reminds me of the first three Sonic The Hedgehog games.

PolarTrance responds:

Thank you, yeah the bass is actually really close to what the older sonic games used. I made my bass using the same synthesis aka FM, which is what the genesis used in it's synth engine.

[Free2Play - Crazy]

I gotta say, I don't usually listen to NG house, since I like the OLD house music, but I'm glad I clicked on this one. This is a pretty stand up (although pop-dumb, but I do pop-dumb stuff too) house song and having live vocals is something you don't get in a lot of electronic music, much less on NG.

Your piano melody on the right pan should variate or drop out at 00:49. It doesn't fit there. In fact some variation in that melody PERIOD would be a good idea, especially during the verses, but then leave it the way it is during the chorus.

Mix wise... Pretty great, fitting for house. Might cut a little of the low freq on the piano reverb, though (hearing reverb of hammer sounds in the left pan). Push your bass up a bit in volume as well.

You have a good sounding mic. What is your set up?

The panned delays on the vocals are pretty sweet. Your voice sounds like Jimmy Urine mixed with Daman Albarn and considering they both do electronic music this is a good thing. (Do a cover of Park Life :P)

Overall, it is as you said, "a mediocre single," but we need more singles with live vocals on them here.

Good work.

Free2Play responds:

Yeah it was kind of a weird concept I had to try and not vary it to make it sound more like house? It was a dumb idea.

Thanks for your review!

Oh yeah and my mic set up is hillariously bad. I don't even have a pop filter. I just know how to mix and record my voice after like 10 different songs utilizing it.

[Easter Proclamation - Lay]

He is risen!

I like the reverb, it may have been nice sounding if you turned down the dry signal on your vocals a little for effect.

Troisnyx responds:

Gotcha. Thanks for the tip. Happy Easter to you too! <3

[Fubaka's Archive #9]

I like this.

I feel like you need to add a bass drum that doesn't just sound like an obnoxious clipping sound with reverb on it. Your glitches were pretty sweet, though. A few obvious mix issues, that I won't even elaborate on since this is a WIP and you'd fix them anyhow.

If I were to go forward in this I'd probably push some pads in there. Probably a violin-like synth doing another melody over what's already there as well. Then a spot where the beat slows down and slap some vocal verses on it and a super groovin' bass line. It sucks, cuz I can hear it in my head, but it's YOUR song, y'know?

Anyway, I think this has big potential as a groovy chill/breakbeat song.

Fubaka responds:

Hey, if you want (and have FL Studio), I could give it to you and it could become YOUR song!

What you are describing in terms of adding pads was the Idea I had in mind, but I couldn't find a sound that fit well enough. As I said, I had it stewing in my archives for months due to that fact. You are welcome to try in my stead, though.

Thanks for reviewing!

[Gasto]

Awesome. I'm actually writing a video game sounding chillout/lounge song like this and this has inspired me to go back and take a look at working on it again.

The length of the song is perfect (literally AND objectively). Your mix is fantastic. Use of filters is satisfactory. Theme is constant. Plain and in your face with a few nuances.

I wouldn't change a thing. Great song.

ScottJacob responds:

Thank you very much :)

[Act and Consequence]

Pretty neat. You use sounds I use myself, so this was interesting to hear what other people do with the same kind of sounds you use. Come to think of it, this reminds me of a song I wrote over two years ago.

Your drums should be mixed differently. Your drums are panned oddly, they're quiet and they sound a bit lo def if you get my meaning. I'm having trouble trying to think of how to explain how to fix this to you because it would be such a long and boring explanation that wouldn't make sense to begin with, even though I could fix it in not much time myself. Ugh. Try to play with them.

The composition is cool, but there should probably be more definitive variation in the song.

I like the instrument choices. That (I guess it's a) guitar synth reminds me of 007 GoldenEye and Perfect Dark on the N64.

I like how you panned your assorted noises. They work out nicely for the ambiance and whatnot.

You've got some mixing to do, but it's a good song.

LexRodent responds:

Thanks for the feedback man.
I'll keep working to polish my mixing skills. The "lo def-esque" sound of drums as well as the synth guitar were (as you noticed) nostalgic choices.