TaintedLogic's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[:RoXas -Onto the oasis]

I like the climactic nature of it at the beginning, and the instruments worked well together. It does progress a little slowly, but I thought the drop at 1:05 was really cool. The kick is a little too loud IMO (even for dubstep), but I liked how you were going for something a little less heavy-hitting. Throughout that whole mid-section from around 1:30-2:30, I felt like it was a bit bare. You may have needed another harmony part or something, just to keep it engaging. Also, I thought it was a bit bizarre that you used the kick so abundantly at 3:15 (as well as other places) in order to transition into the drop. The snare is usually used to make smooth transition more so than the kick. It does get a little repetitive, but I still thought it was pretty cool overall. Nice instruments and mood. Maybe a little more melodic development and dynamic contrast would have added something. Anyway, keep at it, man! ;)

RandomDanceOfHappy responds:

ive been working on this alot trying to make the violin have a harmony with a different melody but i couldent get the flow how i wanted x/x
kick is strong but so is the sub bass was watching the sub bass lvs more then the punch part of the snare and yea i agree to much punch c.c
can agree with it being bare but lazy ness was kicking in
standerd risers in old dance use both a soft kick and snare to work up i just was lazy and only did a short kick ill look in to fixing it to sound more proper :3
thanks for the awesome review n.n in all honistly im really burnt out of makeing this song so i decided to put it on ng before its really finished cos im going to work on other projects till i can come back to this n.n
once agen thanks for the review
:Roxas

[oh I did not know]

Okay, this song is pretty random. There are absolutely no common themes/instruments between the various sections, which are never repeated. I know that overly repetitive music is bad, but this is the opposite problem: not enough structural connections/transitions to keep the listener grounded. This is very confusing to listen to. Your instruments also sounded a lot like presets (probably because they are), but if I were you I'd prioritize working on your compositional skills. I did like some of the riffs - :30 for example was pretty chill and melodic. However, notice how you don't transition properly into that section from the jarring dissonance of the first 30 seconds. I think you have 3-4 separate songs here that you're trying to mash into one. You can create variation on the music you already have without being overly repetitive yet while still making a coherent song. That can be a challenge at first (believe me, I struggled with that a lot throughout 2013), but with time and practice you can learn to structure songs well. I hope this review was helpful for you, buddy, and I'm sorry I couldn't give you a higher score. ;( You have potential, so keep working at it! Good luck, my friend. ^^

flashmakeit responds:

Oh I thought I deleted this song. That is very good advice. I have to come check out your music.

[The Empire Falls]

I like the climax at the beginning. The distorted sound really adds to the mood I think you were trying to create - it's very dark and ominous. It is very electronic, but I can still see why you called it "cinematic." I really like how the drums stop-and-start around 1:20. It's well-structured and smooth-flowing, and I love the instruments and moods here. Nice job with the filters and mixing too. This is a really cool piece, bro. I have a few small complaints though: the ending was a little anticlimactic and sudden, for starters. If you wanted to make it sound more cinematic, you should really aim for some more dynamic contrast, probably at least with some melodic content towards the end. I could picture perfectly some dark strings added in there...maybe some sort of punchy lead to add to the drama, too. Also, after a certain point it started sounding a bit dry without the drums, and I think that's one of the reasons the ending didn't appeal to me so much. A simple crash can go a long way. Still, interesting work here. Keep it up, man! ^_^

Ikerion responds:

First helpful reivew i have seen in a while! like thanks!! :D

[Climbing Blade]

I like the instruments and mood. I think you need to work on your mixing a bit, though. The drums could sound clearer, and they will if you EQ the instruments more. Especially make sure you get rid of the low tones on all of the instruments except the bass and kick - it can get really muddy and distorted down there. This track is pretty repetitive, but my main problem with it is that there are almost no transitions. You might even be able to get away with just sticking a simple crash in there occasionally, but some more work with the drums or (if you'd prefer) sweeps and risers would be much appreciated. I do like a lot of the riffs and stuff in this piece, though. It has a lot of potential. Hope this review was helpful and keep at it, man. ;)

Draith-Vicious responds:

Thanks for your feedback. I listened to everything again on my Logitec 5.1 Surround system and my Razer Kraken pro headset and I can't really notice any of this muddy sound that you're talking about. I spent quite a bit of time cleaning up all of the instruments and sounds and everything sounded pretty clear to me. I didn't do any transitions because I wanted to keep it close to the original just with more modern sounding instruments. Maybe I'm just not hearing these things but if you would like to take this track and clean it up a bit or fix up the drums like you're talking about I would love to hear it but as it stands I'm pretty satisfied with how it turned out.

[Medley of a Shattered Mind]

Beautiful! It's very dark and reflective. Makes me think of sad memories at first, then a strange floating sensation. It's hard to describe...anyway, I loved the subtly distinct movements, and, as is with all your piano improvs, it flows really well. I really liked the chord at around 3:18 that was quite a bit more staccato than your usual style. Still, I'm going to have to call my favorite chunk 2:30 - 3:00. But, really, it's all so beautiful! :'D If one could dare to suggest an improvement to be made for this piece, it might have progressed a little too quickly at times. Still, amazing work LSD! Keep it up, my friend. Also, I have a challenge for you: can you make a piano improv that is not smooth and flowing, but rather punchy and jarring? I'd be interested to see what you do with that idea... >:D

LucidShadowDreamer responds:

Aww, thanks :3

For some reason, I've always been drawn to dark stuff... It's good that it makes you think of memories, as that is kinda the point! This does indeed flow well, but this is not an improv. I might as well stop making songs if my improvs were this good XD

Oh, you noticed 3:18? Very well done my friend! It is intentional, although I accidentally overdid it a bit. Luckily, Phonometrologist saved the part with a perfect amount of reverb, so it sounds quite nice :p

I do agree that this does progress quite quickly at times, however, I'd like to point out that that is intentional! That said, some transitions definitely could be smoother... THAT SAID, I'm often a fan of rough, unexpected transitions and modulations :3

OOOH! I like that challenge. I will take it on for sure (I have in fact done more bouncy and unflowing pieces earlier, but it has been a long time since...). Thanks for the suggestion!!

Lastly, I'll try to reply to yourm PM before wednesday. Believe it or not, I've had a pretty full schedule lately o.O Hopefully, things'll call down soon again so I can focus on my projects as well...

[The Last Dance]

I love all the squeaky-sounding FX. ^^ I liked the instruments and the melodies. Pretty soulful and emotional, although I thought the quality wasn't exactly top-notch. At times it lacks some harmony parts and structural support, and at others it's pretty muddy and distorted (like 1:34). Interesting atmosphere you got going on here, though - sounds medieval at some points, old-western at others...then there's that piano thing at the end. :) Also, a little bit of 90s-style trance in there around 2:30. ;O I was going to comment that I liked how you brought it full circle in the end, and that it should've just stopped at :08, but that was before I realized that it had looped. XD Pretty good job with the looping. That said, I'm still not convinced this is your maximum potential, Ale. Seems like you need to update Cubase/add more memory to your computer, though. ;( Still, it's very unique and interesting. I'm looking forward to hearing more of your work, my friend! ^^

LucidShadowDreamer responds:

I like those squeaky thingeys too :3 I use a certain kind of plug-in on normal percussion to create that effect :p
I agree that there'smuch to improve on the quality! I'll try to get better eventually, and I'm sure I will be :D

I don't know what is so muddy at 1:34, but it might be that one weird intrument in the background (I honestly don't even remember what it is or why I put it there o.O)...

Really? Old-western? That's not how I see any part, but I'm sure there's some influences from there, as I love Western music XD Trance though; that I buy ;)

"but that was before I realized that it had looped. XD Pretty good job with the looping"

=> At least it loops somewhat well then! Especially if one doesn't anticipate it :)

I definitely hope this isn't my maximum potential; in that case, I'd be a bit disappointed :/
I most definitely should update my Cubase! It'll cost much more though :(

Thanks for listening and reviewing, Andrew! :'D

[Lamm - Realm 3: Thorns]

Hey, this is cool! I love the instruments, especially the grouchy bass and the oriental-sounding synths. I love how it almost sounds like breakbeat without the beat (there are a lot of starts and stops in the syncopations, if you know what I mean). This is a catchy and pretty unique piece. It also loops really well. Nice job, MetalRenard! ^^

MetalRenard responds:

It's not actually a synth, it's a sampled instrument from Ra (EWQL), so you have good ears!
Thanks for the kind words!

[Fifty Winks]

I was going to say that you overdid the reverb a bit, but by the end I was convinced that you used just the right amount. I love the instruments, especially the spacey pads and stuff. The mood is just fantastic - relaxing, yet quirky. AW, COME ON! You could've at least thrown a crash in there at the end. ಠ_ಠ Still, this is a cool piece. I like the title a lot. You should do this 6-songs-in-a-week thing more often. ;) Keep it up, LE! ^_^

LunacyEcho responds:

=> overdid the reverb =>

I was thinking of automating the reverb for the drums, since the intro sounds really weird. But, sleep got the better of me.

=> spacey pads/mood =>

You know, I find that I write the best when I'm tired. Sleep probably overpowered me a bit in this one, but generally, the songs I write in early mornings turn out to be my favorites.

=> ಠ_ಠ =>
ಠ_ಠ
ಠ_ಠ ಠ_ಠ ಠ_ಠ ಠ_ಠ ಠ_ಠ
This emoticon is amazing.

=> 6-songs-in-a-week =>

I really would, but: a. laziness; b. break is over, and I don't think I'll have another extended period of time where I have nothing to do for a very long while. You never know, though!

Thanks for reviewing! :D

[All the Raps]

How the hell do you already have 6 submissions in 2015? 0_O Anyone, I love this piece! It has a lot of character, and is super catchy and funky and cool. That said, I think you had a couple of balance issues. For example, at :29 the organ is really drowned out by the drums. Otherwise, I love the groovy drums and the guitar. It's well-structured, yet simple, but it loops really well. Personally, I couldn't really picture someone rapping over this...sounds more like an 80s/90s coffee shop groove or something. XD Anyway, keep up the great work, LE! ;D

LunacyEcho responds:

=> 6 submissions =>

Quantity over quality, my friend. ;)

=> organ =>

I once again fall victim to bad mixing! I need more earphones.

=> couldn't picture someone rapping =>

Really? I sort of based it off of Run-DMC era rap beats, mainly 'It's Tricky'. I guess it sounds nothing like modern rap beats, though! Coffee shop groove? Interesting...

Thanks for the review! I know you've been really busy lately.

[Winterscape]

Ale, I haven't reviewed one of your pieces in a year! :O Seriously, though, arpeggio nightmare?! No, this is beautiful! I love the tranquility and the progression. The emotion is fantastic, and as always it's very flow-y and majestic. I love how you create contrast with the more punchy sound at 1:59. Sufficiently varied, well-structured, and smooth-flowing, I don't hesitate to call this my favorite piece of 2015 from you so far! ;) Ahh...there go my beginning-of-the-year jokes again. Anyway, keep up the great work, my friend! Looking forward to the orchestral version you make of this in 2025, btw. Remember - you promised! XD

LucidShadowDreamer responds:

I've been waiting this entire year from one of your reviews! Finally I got one; I was almost getting worried XD

The arpeggio nightmare part was solely intended as an inside joke between me and LunacyEcho (there are in fact a ton of arpeggios of differing kinds in this track). It really pleases me to see you consider this piece to be beautiful, as it's a very cherished composition of mine. This is a piece I'm really emotionally invested in while playing, if I'm not always.

1:56 - 2:20 is quite possibly my favorite section of music I've ever created. It seems simple, but I feel as though the melody, chords and arrangement of that part hold a lot of power in it.

This is among my three favorite pieces from 2013, actually. Two of which are yet to be uploaded! The thing is, they are so difficult to play without mistakes that I've been too lazy to make proper recordings. I'm intindending on changing that soon though (I'll probably cheat a bit by editing the few mistakes that'll appear in the MIDI files)!

Thanks!
I've promised nothing!!! But I will make one, eventually. Unless I die or something D:
Now see what you made me think of :'(

Anyhow... Can't wait to see what you'll upload this year (when you get a bit of free time, especially) :D