ADR3-N's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[New World Order]

This reminds me of the good old days on NG. I think there could be more melodies sprinkled throughout, pads, and so forth. However, this is definitely a track to revisit at some point. Those drum fills you peppered in really keep the track going.

Also, the bass could use centering from 320 hz and below. It sounds quite wide in the stereo field and a bit pushed back by FX.

Other than that, nice work! You're quite a variety pack of styles. Kudos

WolfSystemStudio responds:

Yeah, it was a bit of a labour of love this one. Not really my bag usually but I like to try and branch out.

I kind of went for a Payday 2 sorta soundtrack since thats my only point of reference.

[Jazzy Intro]

I think the trumpets might be a bit too cluttered, but this does sound pretty cool! The writing is not bad at all -- just recommend some other instruments besides trumpets to hide those synthy articulations (or different types of trumpets represented, with different FX)

and by that I don't mean swap all of them out, just some!

WolfSystemStudio responds:

Yeah, the trumpets are difficult to get sounding right. Yet to find a half decent sounding brass sound.

I keep going back and giving it a tweak but it never sounds right haha

[X3ll3n - Bring Out the Flame (NGUAC Finals 2023)]

I think remastering this song later is well worth it, as at present the mix is screaming hot to the touch. Look at the waveform

As for your writing, as always it is stellar

You seem to point out other items of critique I would have in your description, so I will leave that here and say I agree with what you have already pointed out. Again, it doesn't all sound bad, the build prior to your final drop was actually clean because it was minimal, so perhaps dialing back compression for other sections and upping select levels may get you the sound you want. EQ wise I think it's just fine.

X3LL3N responds:

I'm glad you like this !

This song is both a huge win and a big disappointment on my book. I think it's more creative and interesting than what I usually make, but the mix is one of the worst I've ever had to deal with and the song really underperformed due to when I posted it.

I'm not sure how I'd be able to mix it better, so
I'll probably ask peeps from the audio pub for help :)

[Dragonslayer]

I'm not the biggest fan of the effects on the vocals prior to 49. They manage to sound unclear and centered. However, if those extra distortions and frequencies were spread out somewhat in each channel, I think it would work.

The drop is heavily over distorting at the mixer level. This is a bit muddy and not typical of what I am used to hearing from this relatively new genre. I however do really appreciate what sound design elements I hear, and the song overall structure is great.

We are clipping again before the second drop, which I think shouldn't be happening. I think mixing at a quieter volume would help.

Other than these gripes however, the song is well done. The basses and sidechain elements are probably best done.

veryfakeguest responds:

Thank you for the feedback! Unfortunate to hear these issues arising as I don't think they have been a problem for me before. Nevertheless, I'll take note of your comments and watch out in future projects, thanks!

[xX FIND MY CURE Xx]

The mix on this one is not quite clean -- drops are so sub heavy at points when they are most resonant, various frequencies are soft clipping. The vocal performance could use manual de-essing, but the lyrics are pretty poignant. I think at other times there is a shrill s' sound when there are no s' present, on the bridge.

Beyond that, great arrangement, and the writing of the drops is great. If the mix were fixed, I would give damn close to a 10

IrisStar responds:

Thanks so much for the review! It really helps to have some technical criticisms! <3

[FACUNDO GARDIOL - Summer Fan ( Glitch Hop )]

I don't have a lot of critique to give for this track. Overall, the drops stay fresh throughout, the switchups are entertaining, and beyond a bit of overcompression and extra volume on the sub, it just works!

SPIRALi responds:

Thanks!! :D

[Obsidian Knight]

You were right, this is a sub bumper! I think you have the idea down for bass music, just need to get that bottom end sub under control, and get some mixing study under your belt. I think that is holding me back from fully enjoying this piece.

The melody is not bad by any means, and neither is the accompaniment, but it seems most of the attention was given to the bassline in terms of mixing and FX. The melodies are a bit dry and stay where they are in the left and right channels respectively. At 2:30 they open up a bit more, but the bass fades out of the picture. A bit more balance between these two moments I think would help a lot.

But no matter what happens, don't give up. Great work getting this far!

SednovaNova responds:

Appreciate it. I will take this into account.

[The Depths]

I think the mix on this leaves a lot to be desired. The choice to add a snare in the intro, 19, without leading into a drop following, and it feels like the snare is hiding. The high frequencies stick out most on it, also drawing the listener's ear to this repetitive snare line. I may have tried hats instead

at 1:06 I was also expecting a drop, not a pre-drop, another interesting choice

Now the drop at 1:24 legitimately has GREAT things going for it, such as the chords are so tasty, the lead works. I think some study of contemporary mix in your genre of choice will bring you up to pro level, as your sound design and composition are ALMOST there, and the mixing and sound design are 90% of the battle.

Great work getting to the final round. I'm proud of you, and you say this is your best work, but with ideas like these, I think the best is yet to come

Rici-Ellipsis responds:

Thank you!! I agree. I do struggle with the technical side of music production and I think my strong suit is the composition itself.

[DEMONIC SAVIOUR]

Wonderful work with composition, arps, and chord progression

Mix could use help! The hihats are up so, so high!

Lead also could use to be double tracked and have more wet applied to it. It would sound better panned as 2 slightly different performances, panned 5 to 15 percent left and right respectively

The rhythm guitar also should be two different instances, panned 100 percent left and right.

And note I have not much to say about your writing at all, as there is quite literally nothing wrong with it. It's nice and spirited. Great, great, great!

recme responds:

i was hoping for mixing comments, as thats my weakest suit. ill experiment more with panning. though i do not understand the rhythm guitar comment. wouldnt that make it mono? im guessing you mean pan some notes 100 left and right.

a different sample shouldve been used for the hihats, yea. now i notice it. shouldve done a deeper sound :P

thank you for the help!!!!

[A Fighter's Song]

You are coming out with damn near a whole album this competition. Great job, and great spacious chords. I think your mixing is sounding a bit better each time.

For this track, your vocal performace is great. I think the backing vocals could be compressed harder and brought a bit more to the front

best mix, 1:39

The bass drum is not sticking out heavily as on other more mid and top heavy sections. I think it could be brought down just a bit still

Vocal FX are also sounding better.

Great atmospheric lyrics.

Mischa-head responds:

Thank you! I've found the deadlines really motivating to get things written, and all the feedback has been really helpful. Really glad I entered the two audio contests.