SoulSecure's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Fleeting Forest Lights]

I was about to say that the opening needed to be longer (that very very beginning), but then I looked at the artistic context and it fits perfectly.

I think if you added a bass line it could interfere with the story being told and might make it ominous sounding. If you do want to add bass instrumentation, I'd say to use strings over a pad, but that's up to you and if you want to add bass to the EQ, I'd prefer it if you simply pumped up the bass on the resonant ambiance.

The song isn't negative in any way when it comes to notation and orchestration. That being said, I don't see how the song is 'repetitive' in the sense that there needs to be more variation. I'd say it's fine the way it is.

I do think the strings <em>maybe</em> should be placed further on the outskirts of the pan to give it more depth. I am worried about throwing <em>other things</em> out there, because I wouldn't want to ruin this nice cricket sound in the pan (that's just me, though). It might be a good idea to explore the possibilities of moving other instruments out there, though. If you can put other things out there, I think the strings might be fine where they are.

At 1:44 you have this synth come in that has too much low-mids/mids (not sure which at the moment) in the EQ. It's a little jarring, but that could be the sound you're going for, idk.

The percussive, bassy synth you use liberally during the Ritual (to good effect) is a little overpowering at that point. This may just be due to everything being squished in the center pan at that part.

The cricket sample really does a good job of filling out the song.

Just got an idea that you could use a bass drum if you felt like it. I believe that would work. Doesn't necessarily have to be a kick bass drum, but could be a really low drum.

You could play with velocities and volume sequencing a little more, but that's not necessary.

Cello solo would sound great in here :)

To sum it up, it's a fantastic song that I only have a couple little problems with. Well done!

Krichotomy responds:

Some low resonant ambiance might help balance out the frequencies, perhaps without removing the dryness in the background created by the crickets.

I didn't mean for the synth at 1:44 to be as jarring as it was. Oops!

Ah- I adjusted all the panning before I had made the Deliberation, Ritual, and Night's End sections, and then I sorta forgot about panning after that.

The bass drum might sound nice but it doesn't fit into how I envision the piece. A cello solo might have been nice but I don't know if I could have constructed an acceptable one with my soundfonts. I might try it some time. :)

Thanks for taking the time to write that long and useful review!

[FD - In Vitro]

This is awesome. It reminds me of work and techniques I've done in the past. Inspiring for me, really. Makes me want to visit that kind of way of making music again.

I love how it's got a bit of a mysterious and calming feel to it, but it makes me yearn for crazy industrial music to just bust through it all. :P

There's not much to say here. You've got an accomplished sound and mix. Rather professional sounding.

ForgottenDawn responds:

Oh, many thanks indeed :) I've been always a sound design enthusiast even though I lack the technical expertise to actually make virtual instruments from scratch, but no matter, I can still try to bring their full potential in my works. Glad I've been of inspiration to you, looking forward to your creations.
//FD

[Abyssal Depths]

Oh man, don't make any changes to this! It's right where it should be.

I use sytrus as well. You can make your own sounds pretty easy with that thing.

Funny enough, I was just thinking how it reminded me a little of EarthBound when I read that review below. :P

The mix is great. No outlandish frequencies. I'd say you got this song in the bag.

JRob responds:

It takes a bit of practice to make great synths in Sytrus, though. For simple leads and arpeggiators, it's pretty easy, but really good sounding pads can be tough to make.

I've never played any games from the Earthbound series, so I have absolutely no idea which game in the series it's from, or even which song - a rather odd coincidence that two people would get an Earthbound vibe from this.

[Contemporary]

Shit son, there ain't no reason you shouldn't get a spot on the album!

Personally, I hate dubstep wobble stuff, so I hope you don't mind that I skipped that bit and will not let it impact my review.

I really enjoy the distorted sound you got on the piano. The intro is beautiful and you definitely have an ambient feel and that awesome distorted organ-sounding sustain/long release just melts my heart. I seriously could have dealt with the whole song sounding like the intro. Recording with a crappy mic was a good move.

Then everything gets pretty wicked. Fast percussion with a step beat, a bass line that sounds like an udu being played at times and these beautiful, soaring violins that get accompanied by some nature sounds. Marvelous.

It should go without saying that I loved the second verse and outro as well. I personally feel that you could have made the song perfectly fine without the wobble, but I hear from dubstep enthusiasts that the only good part for them is the wobble, so I'm not expecting anything to change here.

The mix could be crisped up with some upper range EQing on the master, but I enjoy the sort of sound it has now. The only noticeable issue with EQ I have is the snare. The snare is the thing that really needs some crisping up. I don't want you to fry it, though. If you can't get it to work just leave it alone, y'know?

It reminds me of PSO and Gunslinger Girl, which are huge pluses for me.

Great work!

[Collision Course]

Straight up excellent!

itbegins responds:

You're excellent!

[New Dawn]

Don't listen to these sods about the structure or the drum lines. Everything sounds perfectly normal compositionally. In fact, this is one of the few moments where I like something you've done.

But holy compression, Batman! Your drums sound like they've been put through Soundgoodizer! This does NOT compliment your instruments, this is not some crappy trance song where you can get away with that kind of technique. Not to mention that your drums sound like they were recorded in a separate file and then inserted in. They do not sound integrated into the song.

Fix up your mix and I'd say you got a good nugget on your hands.

DESHIEL responds:

I did violate them drums in EQUO, because the original quality was very poor.

[Revisit]

I love the warmth of your instruments, but your drums... I feel like they should be very crisp in contrast, but they have the same muddy tone. The cello sounding synth is too loud. It sounds a little messy in the mix too. The mix issue could just be because of all the issues I mentioned though.

Another issue I have is that I find this song to be pretty happy sounding. Not getting any melancholy, man.

Otherwise, it's an alright song. From this I could see you doing something really cool.

[(F) _Ventilation_]

Cool use of gating. I really enjoy the fullness of the sound. You know what? I really like this. It's Akira Yamaoka-esque and extremely pleasant. Well done.

Fubaka responds:

I thank you for the kind words.

Stick around, cause more music is coming!