ADR3-N's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Mikaiah - Hesitation]

Just a few items of critique here for this monster of a song!

I find myself wanting more bass in the sub range throughout, occasionally a bit less sibilance on bit crushed instruments, the kick and snare to cut through more audibly, less reverb overall -- or shorter tails (especially on big sections where it can wash out the low-mids and bass)

Your lead writing is good, but I would potentially cut sections here and there, as the song is LONG and maintains the same feel overall. Ear fatigue is real. Such a long song is also easy to listen to over and over, want to get to the good part, and give up on mixing and writing new parts.

But beyond that you've done a great job!

Mikaiah responds:

Thanks for the feedback! I'm glad you enjoyed it regardless, and i'll try to keep all of those things in mind!

[Divine Mother]

You have a wrong accidental note in your sine bass octave jumps. It's the 3rd chord shift. The top octave should come up or down one semi tone or be detuned slightly to fit into the chord.

The breaks are utterly insane btw. noice. I think the kick and snare could come up in the mix. The pads and strings are burying it, especially with the lots of reverb on them.

The final drop is sounding good

I really feel with as similar as the song is throughout that 7:49 is a long time to keep the song going. Perhaps you could cut some sections, or change up the bass instrument/line

The insanity of the drums is appreciated however could cut through the mix a lot better either with sidechain on the kick and snare frequencies to reverbs, or something along those lines.

Thanks for coming out to NGUAC!

MangleDark responds:

thank you very much for doing such a well structured review. would love to receive more comments like this

[DreamStory]

I'm unsure why people are harassing you with these low ball scoring reviews. Going to leave a 5 here because F that noise. My actual NGUAC score will differ.

There are some issues -- the leads are VERY loud on drops and throughout. I clearly hear kick and snare, but also, I want to hear your pads too! 1:42, the bass is almost inaudible relative to the leads and counter leads.

In general, the longer a note is held, the less it needs to be in your face

Compositionally, I did enjoy the piece

2:20, the sub is almost inaudible. I hear it mostly because of a resonant ring in the 20khz range which should not be that loud. Bit crush noise?

3:07 is starting to sound closer to a good mix. Try turning those leads down if you ever revisit this, and bring the bass up overall. Perhaps low pass the bass to eliminate that heavy resonance, audible even at 4:16. See what happens!

LtFS responds:

Apparently, this year I won’t go beyond tryout... Thank you for your feedback!

[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.

[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)

[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!

name 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.