ADR3-N's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[What's The Use]

I didn't expect your vocals. They add a lot to the otherwise lackluster string and flute synths. I think you would benefit considerably using Spitfire LABs libraries for those applications or techniques on your guitar such as bowing instead. Your live guitar elements are great. I would have been utterly deceived had I just had a peek at the beginning.

Nice work! Thanks for coming out to NGUAC!

[Fallen Down Nostalgic]

This does sound pretty nostalgic, like a distorted childhood memory. I think the sound of the record cloud come down in the mix a bit.

The detuned bass is an interesting choice and the writing of said bass does a lot for the piece as a whole.

As an outro or a credit theme, this would be gorgeous. I would appreciate a longer, structured piece with different phrases.

Thanks for coming out to NGUAC!

[Tavern Song]

Congratulations that none of your instruments sound rough or forced on their face -- you have great libraries. I recommend a lot more sensitive handling of velocities, as it sounds like the same exact attack on each instrument for every repeated note. I really appreciate your outro.

Thanks for coming out to NGUAC!

OliRO responds:

Thank you for the comment, it is really appreciated! I will definitely work on my velocity game, you brought up something very interesting. I never thought about changing velocities for recurrent notes, it's very smart.

[PEEL THE SCAB]

SCAB

Only complaints, high frequency elements of percussion are slightly too loud. Lead could come down somewhat. Wants more bass.

At 52 seconds the high frequency elements and mid highs are again quite high in the mix. I think this is actually due to compression after hearing the rest of the piece. 1:46 is closer to ideal levels but I still think there is a lot more room for bass frequencies in your piece, and the leads could come down ever so slightly.

Nice work. Thanks for coming out to NGUAC!

OneBigParadox responds:

Appreciate the feedback alot! Thank you!

[Everlasting]

I think the vinyl cracking effect is a bit much at 35 seconds. I'm double checking myself to make sure it isn't clipping on my end.

Your transitions sound very smooth, which I like. I enjoy the thickness at 1 minute

1:12 I would like a bass that stuck out more against your snare. You could simply take away a bit of that low pass filter on the lower notes to give it some depth.

Your percussion leveling is perfect with the exception of hihats which are a bit too heavy for my liking.

2:40 hihats are REALLY up there. Almost painful relative to the bass, which sounds noice btw

I think 3:19 transition is abrupt and somewhat unnecessary relative to 3:30 and after.

Beyond that, really enjoyed the listen. Thanks for coming out to NGUAC!

[Partialism - Windows XP [NGUAC 2022]]

I don't think any of the ideas you showcase here are bad. It sounds like it was made in basic 65 for sure, but it's not bad.

What it suffers from is relative unintelligibility -- separating the quiet from the loud sections, what is a verse, what is a chorus, can the bass be heard clearly throughout and is it supported by clearly audible kick, snare, etc. I think it would benefit you most to try a hybrid of this type of work and more easily heard percussion such as that of the sega genesis. Also, pulse bass may work better.

The mix itself is pretty quiet and gets muddy at points when there is too much going on. Fix that and I think it'd sound just fine!

I still enjoyed the listen. Thanks for coming out to NGUAC!

Tetriform responds:

Thanks for the feedback!
I have been experimenting with 16-bit a lot more lately, but mixing is still a sticking point
It is definitely something I need practice with but the important thing is having ideas to begin with, and unfortunately they don't come as easy as they did :/
I think I will enter a 16-bit composition next year, by which time my mixing abilities should hopefully have improved :)

Cheers
Jack

[Species]

Not bad! I think your lead at 1:27 could come down by quite a bit and the reverb could be cut down on most instruments with the exception of at 1:50 for effect.

Beyond that, the piece is pretty banging. Your drops are a standout to me for the genre, especially with what sounds like those descending bongos.

Thanks for coming out to NGUAC!

rajbeatsofficial responds:

thanks for listening & for the detailed feedback ADR3-N!! i appreciate it <3

[Madness, Act 3]

Up to 1:11 I have no comments beyond you could probably use nicer synths and more velocity editing for your snares and synths. I recommend slightly less reverb.

Your writing is fantastic though, as is your phrasing. I really enjoyed the listen.

Level wise I would bring down the timpani very slightly, your snare more to the front with less reverb, and spread out the panning a bit more. Anything that is long notes or repeated notes, I would add less reverb to.

Beyond instrument quality and a little of mix, I have not much critique if any. Keep doing what you do.

Thanks for coming out to NGUAC!

Rhombys responds:

Thank you for taking the time for your critique, and your listen!

[Sample - Robbin Dat Bank]

Песня заставляет меня чувствовать себя, будто я стала глупее чем раньше и не понимаю откуда вся эта страха.

I think what this track lacks is a solid bassline to tie everything together. It feels like noise, stress, and a little bit of banjo kazooie. The structure is just fine. I'm not sure what else to say about it. Even the mix is not bad, just feels kind of as it were dropped for a joke. Sorry if that is not the intention!

Thanks for coming out to NGUAC!

[He'll knock all day]

I appreciate how strange this piece is but not the velocity of those open hihats being the exact same on repeat hits. That's very distracting. I would take down the open hihat level.

You manage to make synth guitars sound alright so there's that.

For your outro, I think the synths besides the sax are a bit too loud.

The mix is clean due to minimal treatment of the entire track as a whole. I'm not sure about some chord choices, particularly in the intro. And I'm not sure what to make about the track. Very interesting!

Thanks for coming out to NGUAC!

SirSandman0 responds:

thanks for the feedback!