ADR3-N's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[On the Floor]

Really glad you didn't leave any copyrighted bits of song in here. Otherwise we couldn't host it. I have noticed though, your transitions are hugely loud. Also sounds like you're using a lot of loops. Although that piano bit in the middle was pretty interesting. Watch your volume leveling.

[Homo Ex Machina Intro]

Interesting experiment. However, would be way better if it looped, and that instrument is really, really sibilant. Too short for me to really critique otherwise. This feels less jazzy and more spacy with the straight rather than swung beats.

[Zilda]

I'm not sure if this is intentionally low-fi, but the drums are way down in the mix. The leads are overly loud, and the mix itself is pretty quiet. I also really don't like the strings. Kinda seems like the chords are just ported up and down. I would do some research on music theory, particularly avoiding parallel 5ths. Kinda makes your track sound generic as is, and not in the generic background theme kinda way. Granted, I'm listening on laptop speakers, but still. Needs lots of shaping up. Melodically, it's pretty suitable as a background or menu theme.

jacklehamster responds:

Thanks, it's good to have the perspective from someone who's fluent in music theory. I looked up parallel 5ths on Wikipedia and I have no clue what that means...

[-Wingless-]

This is good, but I really hate those plucky guitar-y synths. The strums are... tinny and weird with such short releases and no breath. That said, this is a great move from your usual style, and you've mixed it pretty well. Hashtag quality, no sarcasm intended. I'd give another star if I didn't spend so much time around acoustic guitarists that I got spoiled. Sorry!

[Song of Storms (EMBL3M remix)]

Not really digging the intro. Feels kinda trite because it's so naked. Would have preferred just a straight dubstep intro in the vein of 1:33.

Otherwise, song is fine. I do feel like it's a bit overcompressed, even for dubstep -- to do with certain frequencies peaking, an unwieldy low end not either A) multi-band compressed (since your goal is loudness in dubstep) or B) surgically EQ'ed or hi-passed to fit in better with the instrumentation, and vice versa for the instruments.

I personally prefer multiband compression a-la FabFilter Pro over surgical EQ in most cases because it allows you to keep the punchy bass where you need it, without getting that flat overdriven bass sound. You can also use it on your perc to get a little more sizzle, while at the same time avoiding sibilance.

Your use of FX was good.

I don't like the run at 1:14. Feels again, naked. Pan it around, switch to another instrument. something. Also, watch that high octave on your bass. The volume gets out of control, and then it suddenly goes from taking up the just-right amount of space in a highly compressed track to /totally/ flattening everything and its mother. Keep an eye on that. I recommend leaving about 3-6 dB of headroom before going all loud-max on any track. Just pumping volume can actually deaden your listeners' ears to what's going on, to the point they quit listening to your transitions and hit the skip!

Can't really go wrong with Song of Storms though. Enjoyed the piece.

EMBL3M responds:

Thanks for the review!
I agree, this track could be improved in lots of ways. It was my first song made with my monitor speakers and I was getting used to how they sound in general, so it was bound to be bleh I guess xD
Again, thanks for the review!

[Tear Down That Wall]

I came here for the George Bush samples. Please tell me you plan on sharing those in a .zip somewhere. And if you do, let me know.

Also, for a song dressed up as both a contest entry and a shitpost in one, this is lit. Nuff said.
<3

Quarl responds:

lol, thanks for the words. I just uploaded a zip file to mediafire for you. Peace ADR:

http://www.mediafire.com/file/rbehvdba0rcegve/GWB_OldCutups_2000_2001.zip

[2017 Demo Reel]

A wide range of expressions and impressions, but I feel like when you drop your voice, you're doing the little throat cheat we've all tried at one point or another, dropping the tongue to get that artificial depth. Otherwise, it's lit!

[- 1024-bit Travel -]

Love the writing. It's simply wayyyy too loud and distorted though. Also doesn't seem to do anything but pump in and out.

[Summer Stuff]

"like a lemon up here" kinda threw me off

This reminds me of "Summertime" by Kreayshawn, only less focused on "[my] bitch"

Also, I may be a little more partial to this song right now because it's cold, and damn if I wasn't just talking about wishing summer lasted all year long.

Your vocal equipment is still hurting you a little, making your voice sound a little bit boxy/tinny. May look at a few tutorials to manage that with a multiband compressor or something. I've been looking into that lately.

Nice little outro footnote. Rarely see concise ones like that in hiphop that rhyme.

I'd like to see more of these. Feel free to cop a beat whenever, man. :)

Cyberdevil responds:

Haha, listening now I'm a little disappointed I used 'lemon' on two lines though, could've varied my words a bit better there. XD

Hadn't heard the Kreayshawn one, love the vibe there too, do hear the similarities!

Feeling that same way now too that autumn comes a knocking. The cold a creeping. It slowly flows in, the snow then deepens, woe with no reason, yet just a second of sunshine... is so appeasing.

I missed this review in 2018 somehow, sorry 'bout that! Hopefully recording quality's improved quite a bit since, agree it feels a bit bland and metallic here, not much power in my voice either.

Thank you, will do again soon hopefully! :)

[From Ash To Alabaster]

This is a monster track. Honestly, the only thing holding it back is your vocal equipment, and that's not hard to fix -- I can hear a little rattle going on. Really impressed you took the initial theme, crafted a tight narrative, and weaved a pretty hook. Jabun really took that to the next level, by the way.

You've got a great accent for hiphop and a nice, almost asymmetrical stream-of-thought flow that makes your poetry run like conversation. Does it come natural?

Cyberdevil responds:

Hmm haven't noticed the rattle myself, good ears! I think my breathing technique needs some practice too, but otherwise you're right, not optimal studio equipment yet. He did take it up a notch, agreed!

Thanks. When inspiration really flows it does sometimes, I think this was one of those, but often it take s bit of practice; polish to get it right. Appreciate the feedback! Guess I'd better really focus on quality recording stuff!