ADR3-N's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Through Time]

This reminds me of a lot of spacy synthwave and new wave pieces I used to listen to. I really like the slow and pensive melody and its interaction with the bass. I think you could center the bass more -- less chorus on it. Actually feel the same about all basses throughout the track -- less reverb on them, less chorus, unless you feel it absolutely necessary, as you have long notes holding out low frequencies throughout, which conflict when you change chords and don't let the track breathe when you have a cutoff.

The drops have a sub bass just kinda hanging out there being muddy. I think it could be turned down and the track feel more clear.

Other than that, I enjoyed your piece. Not bad at all. And much respect always hanging onto that good old idea you had until you're able to execute it. It doesn't have to always be out with the old, in with the new to be good. Thanks for coming out to NGUAC!

MrSpud8 responds:

Yo thanks so much for the the feedback, I'm still relatively new to this so any and all feedback is appreciated!

[blank.set]

When things finally get moving around 20 seconds, this is pretty lit. I'm not sure exactly what's going on with the drop. Perhaps the bass could use a bit of high mid presence to help it stand out against the mandolins. Kick and snare also need to come out in the mix more if that happens.

That said however the mandolins themselves sound fantastic, and your transitions are positively ethereal. 2:10 is closer to an ideal mix but I still think the mandolins and bells are too high in the mix. Is this house?

I actually think I'm having trouble relating the melody of the bass to the mandolin samples themselves. So perhaps I'm not a huge fan of the writing but the elements are good enough to overlook it for the most part.

Thanks for coming out to NGUAC!

nascene responds:

Thank you for the feedback! really appreciate it :)

Yeah, I agree that the elements kind of feel detached from each other. I like that they sound nice together, but I do have to work on getting them to actually relate to each other. I was noticing while making this that each instrument seemed to take focus at different parts of the drop. The bells, then the mandolin, then the bass, back to the bells, etc.

I will work on keeping my songs more 'glued' together next time (like keeping the sounds consistent and not taking turns being the point of focus, idk how to phrase it)

As for the genre, idk if this is house or not, maybe just general electronica or something ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[Dototototo (WIP)]

Your writing is pretty great. I especially enjoy your surprising chord progressions.

I think the mix is okay for what it is. The drums make mixing everything else a bit of a challenge. I think the organ chords on the sides are pushing the rest out of balance. I would take them down, bring the bass up, and bring the lead up.

At times it was hard to understand exactly where transitions were going, and reverb made the melodies a little unintelligible, but I think you did a great job with what you have.

Thanks for coming out to NGUAC!

NicolasPL64 responds:

Thank you so much!
Yeah, I should've mastered the track. At least I know I'm in the good way in terms of composition, sadly I didn't have the time for mastering the track or improving the mixing.

[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!

[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!

[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!

[Dance of the dead]

Composition wise, I really enjoy this, even if it's a little simplistic and relies heavily on reverb for effect -- and is short. Nice work setting the mood. The piece very much matches what you describe, a somber, wonky little dance of dead men.

Mix wise, I would take down the reverb somewhat. Everything seems relatively in its place beyond that, likely owing to the simplicity of the piece.

I think this would make a nice intro into a grungy, sad metal ballad. As is, it feels somewhat incomplete.

Thanks for coming out to NGUAC!

CielOuvert responds:

Thank you, I do believe it could mesh into a more upbeat style later on. I'll have to experiment a little with that.