ADR3-N's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[4. Spark of Life]

The song is clipping like crazy throughout, kind of sounds like black metal. Better micing equipment for those drums is a must

In terms of playing and musicality, I would give a solid 9/10, however. Very nice rhythms and runs. Lyrics are also confounding in a good way. Guitar tone is also good. Reminds me of dropkick murphy's

Would you mind discussing some of your recording equipment? Perhaps someone here has suggestions. I run a scarlett solo rig with their bundled mic. That may work for your purposes if placed in the right part of the room.

lokimiah1 responds:

I just used my phone. In the years between me putting this together and now, I have since found a much more favorable placement for the phone where things *don't* clip, so rest assured, at least that much will be fixed. Aside from that, though, the rawness is deliberate - hence why I continue to use my phone. Some albums I would recommend to get a feel for my preferred production sound would be Vincebus Eruptum by Blue Cheer, Zen Arcade by Husker Du, Damaged by Black Flag, Wild Beyond Belief by Satan's Satyrs, Songs About Fucking by Big Black, and the Brown Album by Primus.

[Apocalypse]

I think the drop around 50 is a bit overcompressed but I LOVE the rawness to this mix, and 1:10 when you did that quick fade in and out surprised me nicely!

Could so with a bit less static on your bass, and more growl in the high mids to identify pitch, but that's still such a cool sound!

[firework love]

Overall, I love the vocal lines and overall theme. Actually, I think you could roll off the high end of the vocal a bit, and experiment with both low and hi pass on it.

The mix in general is quite sibilant. I find myself wanting your kick fuller, more snare volume, and less sibilants all around, including on your synths. The mix is lacking low mid, and could use a heavier bass, perhaps down an octave.

Otherwise, great ideas. Love it! I honestly would ask for an acapella. I think you have a beautiful voice, and that chorus is infectious!

kiiri responds:

if you really do want the thing I can provide it

do be aware I sound much worse without every instrument ever drowning me out

[3Dodge]

In terms of composition, great!

Mix and instrumentation wise, there are some things I would change. For one, the mix is pretty quiet and it sounds to be unmastered. Some compression would do you lots of favors applied to the master channel -- careful to do this once you are satisfied with how you want your song to be, and not during the entire process. Even an internet mastering service would help.

In terms of individual instruments, your lead guitar is a little dry sounding. It could use a chorus, delay, or reverb to give it some space. The same is occurring with most other leads, so they sound flat.

Your rhythm guitars could be double tracked

Your kick and snare should be the loudest parts of your mix. hi-hats are a bit too loud. They should be audible but not overly obvious.

Brass could also be panned wider for effect and other instruments used to double this part for extra texture

The breathing SFX through 1:26 could be panned left or right for effect

Otherwise, hold onto this idea. It's a fantastically written piece that just needs some polish!

Jotrocken responds:

Unfortunately i can't use my project file anymore. Due to some problems with Komplete Kontrol/ NI VST (Support could help either).
But I keep that in mind for future mixes and mastering or if i someday make a new mix.

Really appreciate your feedback.

[In My Dreams (ft. Katty Heath)]

Some pretty banging trance! I wish there were a bit less reverb on portions, to make that sidechain a bit more effective. At points the pianos sound like they are overdriving, especially on the sides and in the right channel around 2 min.

The vocals also could be mixed a bit louder overtop the instrumental. Less reverb on the pads or a sidechain on it when the vocals come in would help

Otherwise, great!

Olindel responds:

Thank you very much! I'll apply these improvements for my next track!

[Burrito Monkey]

I think this is a very interesting idea, but it's pretty short, and the loudest instrument is your.. bell lead? I hear some guitar samples out of key with that, but they're quiet enough to be noise.

What I would like is to hear more of your kick and snare, so that they cut through the beat and give it some more oomph

That bass line is not a bad idea at all. It's pretty interesting, but it shouldn't be all that I can hear clearly. Other than that, not bad, just wish it were longer!

JAM-POWER responds:

Thanks for the feedback! (Sorry it took me a while to respond)

[eni. - pixels]

Nice, skillful manipulation of that bass. I think taking down the volume on the 808 slightly and pushing the sounds such as 38 sec would help out a bit with cohesion.

Otherwise, short and somewhat unvaried, but still great!

[Heart Of Asia]

I don't have a lot of complaints, as your writing is great, minus it is hard to make out your bass notes (mostly sub) at 1:20. I can hear it being pushed louder than it would need to be if there were just some more character on the square's high and mid. That leads to the rest of the track sounding sub heavy and flat, and the hihats and treble get pushed high to compensate.

I would actually take your hihats and crashes down by 1 dB or more, and perhaps your kick and snare by a bit less than that. Your lead could use a bit less wet FX, a tremelo pan, and a slight amount more volume. In the outro, the lead an octave up can safely come down in volume without harming the track. As is, the song is very sibilant

I would prefer a different bass entirely, such as a ramp or pulse, or a reese bass for that matter modulating heavily, to give the low end some oomph.

Otherwise, fantastic!

[Chocnoon - Nadir (CCCXXVI)]

This piece is pretty muddy -- lots of reverb, lots of choruses or delays that are bleeding together and impeding the clarity of mix. Snare is not audible over them. I advise turning down instruments until the kick and snare are the loudest in the mix, and turning down hihats until they are not prominent.

I don't really like the high kick. It sounds like it is not in the same key.

Your writing is not bad but looking at the track, you see that virtually every section is the same volume, and there are not a lot of transitions or identifiable sections except key changes.

In short I like your melodies a lot but there is a lot covering them up, and they could use to be developed more. No matter what though, don't stop producing what makes you happy. The only person you should really compete with is yourself as you were yesterday. Don't stop until you make the kind of music that makes you rave <3 The problems I'm telling you about, I have experienced for years, and I still do sometimes. Keep it up. I believe in you!

Slimetok responds:

Thanks!

[e v e n w h e n t h i n g s g o w r o n g]

I think the intro vinyl is a bit too loud relative to the chords coming in, as is the sweep! However, olskool feel is a vibe

The low mids on the piano at 1:04 could be tamed, and a bit more high end until 1:21 allowed for.

1:28 that transition noise is a bit sibilant and loud! Thoughout it is quite evident. I would advise to pick either one or the other -- loud and not sibilant, or quieter and still sibilant

I love your melodic lines.

Beyond those minor gripes, I don't have much for you. Great work!

icantpronouncethis responds:

Thank you for taking your time and listening and leaving suggestions.
Definitely gonna work on my mixing games.