TaintedLogic's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[WAR OF ART]

I like the breakbeat at the beginning and the synth pads that fade in over the first 15 seconds. The vocal samples are cool, but could use a bit more “pizzazz” - i.e., mixing effects like reverb, echo/delay, etc. The harmonic content is pretty bland, and after a minute or so I was itching for some additional instruments to be added to the texture, especially melodic ones. The breakdown at 1:28 was a good way of switching up the energy level, though. I like that you switched up the beat at 1:50, and the organ riff sounds cool, and also much more dynamic than the harmonic riffs that came before it. The transition at 2:34 came on fairly suddenly, though, and overall the texture throughout the piece is fairly minimal. The key change at 2:57 was a good idea, although by then the vocal samples got seriously repetitive. Overall, creating a stronger sense of ebb and flow in the texture, especially within each section of the piece (beginning to 1:50, 1:50 to 2:34, and 2:34 to the end) would really help take this piece to the next level. But as it is, I like the sound design, rhythmic content, production quality, and atmosphere here. Keep at it, Winkwing! ^_^

Mixing, mastering, and balance
1.75/2
Structure, transitions, phrasing, and variety
1/1.5
Melody, tonality, harmony, and texture
1.25/2
Instrumentation and sound design
1/1
Emotion, atmosphere, and catchiness
1/1.5
Originality and uniqueness
.75/1
Overall (how do the elements above interact?)
.25/1
Composite score
7/10

[Ritualistic Alchemy]

I like the foreboding atmosphere at the beginning, the storm sound effects, and the percussion that sounds like a ticking clock. The demonic vocals at :35 and the cinematic flair of the rest of the sound design are really great together, and the sense of build into 1:07 is nice too. The drop itself is a bit minimal, though, and I might’ve filtered out some of the high-end frequencies on that atmospheric screeching. The majestic breakdown at 1:54 is absolutely gorgeous, and I like when you integrate the orchestral sound design with the energetic beats at 2:24. The string arpeggios at 3:00 are a good way of re-introducing the listener to the ominous overtones of the piece, and I like the way the drop at 3:30 leads with the bass this time, as opposed to the upper-register content. I really like the jittery vocals during the outro at 4:47.

Overall, I think my favorite element of this piece is the production quality - everything sounds really loud, clean, and clear in the mix - although sometimes the harmonies could’ve used a bit more room to fill the atmosphere (the synth guitar at 3:54 comes to mind). The composition is enjoyable, despite the minimal drops, and the sound design is top-notch. The arrangement and harmonic framework are a tad generic, but otherwise you really made this piece your own with the apprehensive mood and instrumentation. Keep at it, WingsOfAsh! ^_^

Mixing, mastering, and balance
1.75/2
Structure, transitions, phrasing, and variety
1.25/1.5
Melody, tonality, harmony, and texture
1.5/2
Instrumentation and sound design
1/1
Emotion, atmosphere, and catchiness
1.25/1.5
Originality and uniqueness
.75/1
Overall (how do the elements above interact?)
.75/1
Composite score
8.25/10

ESHRR responds:

Thanks for the review! I’m excited to start the next round!

[[unfinished] behind us]

I like the soothing, mellow synth at the beginning. The bass at :10 is a bit too loud relative to the other elements of the texture, although maybe the distortion on it is what’s really bothering me. The drums at :19 are a bit dry, and could use some more mixing effects (especially reverb) to help them contribute more to the atmosphere of the piece. The quirky synths at :38 help fill that void, but at some point in this piece I would’ve liked to hear some more dynamic melodies. The reverb automations at 1:10 or so are pretty sweet, and I like the re-intro at 1:17 too. The spoken word vocals at 1:35 are also a tad loud, and don’t blend in with the instrumentals quite how I want them to. I also would’ve liked to hear some more variety during the refrain at 1:55 compared to the first time those riffs appeared. Still, overall I enjoyed the sound design and atmosphere of this piece a lot. Also, the mix is loud and clean, despite my complaints about certain elements of the texture being too loud at various times. Overall, I enjoyed this piece a lot - it’s spacey, catchy, and smooth-flowing. A good combination of attributes to have for a song about moving on. :) Keep at it, VirtuaLI! ^_^

Mixing, mastering, and balance
1.75/2
Structure, transitions, phrasing, and variety
1/1.5
Melody, tonality, harmony, and texture
1.5/2
Instrumentation and sound design
1/1
Emotion, atmosphere, and catchiness
1.25/1.5
Originality and uniqueness
.75/1
Overall (how do the elements above interact?)
.5/1
Composite score
7.75/10

VirtuaLIkimono responds:

OH AH THANK YOU!!! I am very glad that you liked this track. I spent a lot of time on it. I'll take your comments into account. It was difficult for us to work on the sound, as we are not very experienced musicians yet.

[HTUOY]

I like the smooth pads at the beginning. The vocal samples and vinyl scratches fit into the texture nicely, as do the crisp drums with the sleigh bells. Christmas in July indeed. At first, it threw me off that there was a small gap between each note in the pads, but by the time the beat comes in the texture comes together smoothly regardless. The ascending saxophone line at :44 is nice, but I would’ve like to hear a full solo. Otherwise, this piece is seriously lacking in terms of harmonic content, and is overall pretty minimal throughout. You clearly have a good sense of rhythm and progression, and the occasional stab of the jazz piano is really nice, but the composition still could’ve had a lot more depth and a stronger sense of ebb and flow over time. I’m also not sure how to make sense of the piano riff echoes during the last 20 seconds here - was the piece originally supposed to be longer than this? Either way, my favorite elements of the piece are easily the sound design and mixing. The composition could’ve been a bit bolder here, but otherwise the progression and harmonic content that are here now are also enjoyable. Keep at it, Viraxor! ^_^

Mixing, mastering, and balance
2/2
Structure, transitions, phrasing, and variety
.75/1.5
Melody, tonality, harmony, and texture
1.25/2
Instrumentation and sound design
1/1
Emotion, atmosphere, and catchiness
1.25/1.5
Originality and uniqueness
.75/1
Overall (how do the elements above interact?)
.5/1
Composite score
7.5/10

[Tankmen's Hotrod]

I like the gritty texture at the beginning - sounds like the Devil is sharpening his pitchfork. The guitar riff at :08 is a bit muddy and indistinct - I can’t tell if the recording quality is bad, or you tried to add distortion or other mixing effects, but either way it could be a lot sharper. The orchestral sample at :23 feels a bit out-of-place, and then the distortion and indistinction on the second round of guitar riffs at :28 is even worse. Admittedly, I’m a little confused about what’s going on here. Which of the sounds I’m hearing are samples. Which were recorded. Which were manipulated in your DAW and which are fairly “raw.” Either way, it doesn’t really sound like a cohesive or structurally complete piece yet. Sorry. I think integrating the gritty synths at the beginning with the guitar riffs might make for a compelling grunge track, but first the guitars should definitely be re-recorded or otherwise polished up in your DAW. Seriously, please let me know how the different elements of this piece came together so I can offer you some more constructive advice. But for now, keep at it, VoV! ^_^

Mixing, mastering, and balance
.5/2
Structure, transitions, phrasing, and variety
.25/1.5
Melody, tonality, harmony, and texture
.5/2
Instrumentation and sound design
.5/1
Emotion, atmosphere, and catchiness
.25/1.5
Originality and uniqueness
.5/1
Overall (how do the elements above interact?)
.5/1
Composite score
3/10

VilestOfVile responds:

I think the same thing about it, actually. No need to apologize, criticism is what I'm always looking for :3
Yes, samples were used and I think this one could've been better. I'm currently in the middle of saving for FL studio because fuck Bandlab.

[song for ethan to rampage through the streets and slaughter people]

I like how the intro goes right into this climactic build-up. The synth guitar at :10 sounds a bit thin, and probably could’ve been given a bit more space in the mix. The rhythmic content and creepy atmosphere (especially with the strings at :53) are great, although the build-up into 1:14 ended up being a bit of an anti-climax, which was a little disappointing. The fat bass at 1:36 was a bit surprising, but in retrospect it fits in with the rest of the sound design here well. The way you made it sound like a door creaking open at 1:36 is so cool. Overall, the texture is pretty minimal and bottom-heavy here, but you nailed the creepy mood and you channel the cinematic energy of the piece very well. I still would’ve liked to hear a fuller soundscape and more melodic content at some point, but I won’t complain too much. Don’t want Ethan to rampage in my direction next. :) Keep at it, Vidu! ^_^

Mixing, mastering, and balance
1.75/2
Structure, transitions, phrasing, and variety
1.25/1.5
Melody, tonality, harmony, and texture
1/2
Instrumentation and sound design
1/1
Emotion, atmosphere, and catchiness
1.5/1.5
Originality and uniqueness
1/1
Overall (how do the elements above interact?)
1/1
Composite score
8.5/10

[Stell]

I like the quirky synths at the beginning. The beat at :25 is a bit dry - I felt like this piece needed an injection of energy after a while, but the drums aren’t doing that for me. The melody at :51 is nice - sounds pretty introspective in a way. I would’ve liked to see you do more to fill out the atmosphere - reverb and other mixing details, perhaps. By 1:18, the texture of this piece is coming together nicely, but the arrangement still feels a bit formulaic. That is, the texture shifts every 8 bars or so, but within those 8 bars there’s not much of a sense of ebb and flow. I like the dreamy bridge at 1:42 - I like how the synth melody is very jumpy, covering a wide frequency range. The rest of the piece is pretty repetitive, though, and could’ve used some variation vis a vis the first refrain at 1:18. Still, I like the pensive mood, sound design, and mixing here overall. This sounds like a piece that would be in the background of a documentary on outer space from the 80s. :D Keep at it, Veenomn! ^_^

Mixing, mastering, and balance
1.75/2
Structure, transitions, phrasing, and variety
1/1.5
Melody, tonality, harmony, and texture
1.5/2
Instrumentation and sound design
.75/1
Emotion, atmosphere, and catchiness
1.25/1.5
Originality and uniqueness
.5/1
Overall (how do the elements above interact?)
.75/1
Composite score
7.5/10

[Doll Bals]

I like the eerie atmosphere at the beginning and the cutesy sound design of the waltzy section at :06. The flute solo at :26 is really nice, and you transition seamlessly back into the minimal waltzy string pattern at :49. It’s a pretty simple piece, yet whimsical. I would’ve liked to see you do more with the progression, fleshing out the composition into a fuller narrative. At times, the piece is also pretty minimal, and I’m also not sure how to make sense of the dark piano chords at the beginning in light of the cutesy mood for the rest of the piece. I understand that this was made to pair with an animation, but as a stand-alone piece it could use some more harmonic depth and variety. The production quality is good, although the flute melodies could use a bit of a boost just to stay above the strings. Still, this is a charming piece with good sound design, melodies, and progression. Keep at it, guys! ^_^

Mixing, mastering, and balance
1.75/2
Structure, transitions, phrasing, and variety
.75/1.5
Melody, tonality, harmony, and texture
1.75/2
Instrumentation and sound design
1/1
Emotion, atmosphere, and catchiness
1.25/1.5
Originality and uniqueness
1/1
Overall (how do the elements above interact?)
.5/1
Composite score
8/10

[deconstructing the human ego]

I like the nature sound effects at the beginning - they contrast very heavily with the eerie, distorted atmosphere at :12. The distortion also overwhelms the part at :25, and it’s very hard to make out the vocals clearly. Part of the problem might be that there was a lot of reverb in the texture, but frankly I just wanted to see you dial back the distortion and rein in some of these volume levels. The whole stop-start structure of the vocal phrases also didn’t really work for me - it just made the arrangement feel disjointed. The choppy fluttering effect on the vocals at 1:57 is pretty cool, and I like a lot of the other compositional details here, from the dreamy pianos and synths to the rich atmosphere (minus the distortion). But then there are the atonal, distorted parts where I can barely discern any harmonic content at all, like at 3:10. I just - don’t think that sort of section really helps you advance the narrative aspect of your piece at all. Sorry. For what it’s worth, choppy arrangement aside, I really like aspects of the composition and sound design here. But I also think that limiting the distortion and clipping would be a relatively easy fix that would sell me a lot better on this piece. Keep at it, Vai5000! :)

Mixing, mastering, and balance
.5/2
Structure, transitions, phrasing, and variety
.5/1.5
Melody, tonality, harmony, and texture
1/2
Instrumentation and sound design
.75/1
Emotion, atmosphere, and catchiness
1/1.5
Originality and uniqueness
.5/1
Overall (how do the elements above interact?)
.75/1
Composite score
5/10

[When I Dream of You / あなたの夢を見るとき]

I like the cutesy lead synth at the beginning and the melodic content. The rolled hi-hats and “B” melody at :25 are really nice, but admittedly I would’ve liked to hear some more drums in the texture to add some energy and drive to this piece during the first minute or so. And then when they finally come in at 1:18, they’re very thin and minimal. Part of it might be that they need a boost in the mix, but I think it’s mostly the samples themselves. I also would’ve liked to see you fill out the atmosphere of the piece a bit more, either with reverb, pads, or other harmonies. The sweep into 2:40 is nice for a change - most of the other phrase endings here are stop-start transitions, which can get old quickly IMO. I appreciated the layered harmonies at 3:50 - the texture feels a bit busy that way, but it’s certainly better to be a little too bold than not bold enough close to the end of the song. :) Overall, I really like the sound design, mixing, and melodies here. The arrangement felt a tad formulaic at times, though, and I still think the composition could have a stronger sense of ebb and flow here. Still, hard to go wrong with the upbeat mood and cutesy, memorable melodies. Keep at it, V1ZION! ^_^

Mixing, mastering, and balance
1.75/2
Structure, transitions, phrasing, and variety
1/1.5
Melody, tonality, harmony, and texture
1.5/2
Instrumentation and sound design
1/1
Emotion, atmosphere, and catchiness
1.25/1.5
Originality and uniqueness
.5/1
Overall (how do the elements above interact?)
1/1
Composite score
8/10