Everratic's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Event Horizon]

This is an NGADM audition review by request.

I like the guitar riff in the intro as well as the guitar solos later on. I think the composition peaks from 1:50 to 2:12, where there's a sense of congruence between all the lines and each instrument has some breathing room. The ending with the sub bass wave is well-executed

I think the track lacks a memorable melody or theme that gives it an identity, and consequently, the melodic lines often feel like disjointed improvisations around an unchanging chord progression. Additionally, there are sometimes too many competing lines.

Regarding production, there aren't major flaws, but it lacks refinement:
- Some instruments are masking each other, which can be partially addressed with EQ but also depends on the arrangement
- Some synths and guitars sound a bit harsh, likely in the 2-4khz area
- The percussion feels weak and could be more prominent. It's not just a matter of volume, there has to be space in the mix for their fundamentals.
- I don't sense much thought behind the use of reverb. I think you can create a more spatially dynamic mix and interesting atmosphere by using reverb more intentionally, but this only works if there is space in the mix.

I think some issues in both composition and production can potentially be addressed by thinking more about what you want to compose before you begin. What type of atmosphere and setting do you want? Do you want to tell a story or create a certain type of experience? What emotions do you want listeners to feel? If you get specific enough, but not too specific, it can help guide your decisions throughout the music-making process. It also helps to have reference tracks and to have a habit of deeply analyzing music by other producers (not just listening for pleasure).

You can clearly write interesting music. With consistent practice and studying, I'm sure you'll do much better in future competitions!

Sakita responds:

thanks, i really appreciate it, going to work in those aspects on the future

[Missing Mini Mushrooms! - AIM]

Congratulations! This is so cute and catchy.

Irish-Soul responds:

CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU TOO! <3333

[Gently into the night]

I totally agree with etherealwinds! It's deeply emotional and spurs me to contemplate my life. I almost never hit the download button on NG, but this is an exception because I never want to lose access to this track. I look forward to your NGAUC submissions!

mjattie responds:

Thanks for the very kind words!

[Happy Days!]

This is very fun to listen to! It instantly boosted my mood haha. Congrats on reaching your follower goal!

I'm glad to hear I'm an inspiration. It's cool to know that you tried recreating sections of my songs. I never heard a cover/remake of my music so it would be fun to listen to.

I have some mixing comments:

- The mix feels overly bright. I suggest experimenting with -1 to -3db bell cuts between 2k and 16k hz on all the instruments to get a feel for how it affects each sound. Some instruments need that brightness whereas others can sound much better with a warmer tone. Overtime, you can develop a taste for how bright or warm you like each instrument.

- If you haven't already, I suggest filtering the reverb sends with a lowcut 6db slope between 300-400hz and a high cut with a 6db slope between 4k-7k hz. This ensures that the reverb doesn't get too muddy or bright. If you're using delays, some of them have a built-in EQ filter where you can apply the same setting.

- The bass range is fairly weak. The kick and double bass blend together into a mush. You can try to find a kick that sits nicely below the double bass and EQ the double bass to give the kick some more breathing room. Using a lower key for the composition can also help give the double bass some more presence. Also remember to cut out some of the double bass' mids to make room for other instruments that need to occupy that range. If you darken the orchestral instruments, especially around 4k, you can boost that area on the kick so it pops out and has more presence.

- In regards to the arrangement, while composing, I suggest occasionally taking a global view of your composition where you can see all the notes simultaneously. Look for any overlap or lines that are too close together. Each musical line, whether one instrument or a blend of instruments, should have plenty of breathing room without competing with other lines.

Tangerine responds:

Omg, thank you so much. Mixing has always been my weakest skill with music! It's probably about time I start taking it into consideration a bit more xd.

I'm always a bit fearful and iffy with the low end because I am scared to make things sound too muddy. But a piece does feel weak and substanceless without the bass. But I guess it ends up muddy anyway. I'll play around with it a bit more!

Thank you for the feedback!!

[Sky]

This is lovely!!! I wanted the resolution at the end so badly haha

HollandAlbright responds:

Thank you so much!

[AIM - The Outcasts Meet Thingie]

This is pretty relaxing and fits the vibe of the art well. Overall, there's a healthy amount of variation so it doesn't get stale, but perhaps the percussion rhythm could vary more.

Creeperforce24 responds:

True, this is more focused on the instruments, thanks!

[FD - Abyssal Echoes]

I love it!

ForgottenDawn responds:

Thank you :)

[(AIM 2024) I miss You]

It fits the artwork very well! The chords and instrumentation effectively capture the nostalgia intrinsic to the art. The repetitive, continuous nature of the piano line brilliantly reflects the art's looping animations.

Some areas to improve:

1. It seems like you attempted to have a climax at 4:10, but it didn't hit the mark for me. There are two main reasons, as far as I can tell. First, the composition isn't very dynamic due to heavy compression and a lack of dynamic automation on the instruments, which diminishes the impact of adding voices. Second, there aren't enough substantive changes to make the listener feel a sense of movement on a musical journey. The final section feels the same as the first section but with additional voices and an echoing countermelody.

2. As mentioned, I think the level of compression diminishes the emotional appeal of your lovely composition.

3. Depending on the sample libraries you're using, you can improve the realism by automating volume and dynamic level.

There is more I can say, but I just want to focus on my primary thoughts.

Good luck with AIM!

DigitalProdigy responds:

Thank you so much for the very detailed review. I will definitely take your advice in my future music productions. Since the artwork was a digital piece, I wanted to make the music have a more of a robotic sound, not necessarily a digital sound, but more of a steady,even, with consistency, if the artwork was of a still life form, then I would have made the music more of a realistic,warm, natural sound, but I played the piano with the aftertouch turned off, and made sure all the other instruments had the same effect, but I understand what you are saying and I will keep all the information you have provided in mind when I write my next piece of music.

[We Are Free [NGADM 2023]]

This is fun to listen to! I’m glad you tried vocals — you did a good job!

The tonal balance is drastically improved :D I only have one minor mixing comment: I think you can scoop out more frequencies between 200 and 600 on the instruments with a lot of low mid presence. That can increase clarity and reduce the masking of the low strings.

Benji-G responds:

Thank you Everratic!

[Eclipse [NGADM 2023]]

This is enjoyable and exciting to listen to :) There's never a dull moment.

The overall mix and use of reverb is much better this time! Mainly, I think the high end is too boosted. I analyzed the the track's frequency spectrum and noticed the high end is loudest by a noticeable margin. With EQ, I added a -4 db high cut at 9khz and another -2.3db cut at 4khz and noticed a drastic improvement in balance and clarity. I'm not suggesting this as a solution - it's better to make changes on an individual level. What I do suggest is being more selective with what instruments you boost the high end on.

Benji-G responds:

Hey thank you! Being more selective with which sounds to boost the high end on is a great advice, and not something I've really thought about. I tend to mix all instruments individually most of the times, which may not be the best way to go about.
I'll definitely think about this in the future.