MetalRenard's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Sons of Valhall]

In-depth review for you, my friend.
I think you've done a great job in the composition side considering your goal. It fits perfectly into the style you set out for.

You wanted feedback on mixing so here's what I think.
Your instruments need to each have more "identity" in the mix, they need to find their own spaces in order to make the piece shine. For example, the track is quite muddy, around 300 to 400hz there's a lot going on and it would benefit from a few instruments being moved away from that area. The brass would benefit from a boost in the mids (1000hz) and I would take a little away from the 400hz area at the same time.

The percussion sounds weak, unenthusiastic. By fixing the mix the percussion should come out more, helping to bring out the "boom", the resonance from hitting a drum. If it doesn't, allow the drums to take up more of the low-mids. The percussion's transients are quite good already (the first sound made, where the drum is hit, is the transient).

In general I think the piece needs more high frequencies too, more "bite" or "shine" (giving you the mixing terms there).

You did use the stereo spectrum well though, it's wide and the instruments sound authentic too, which is a bonus.
I'll send you a PM with some more stuff. :)

SoundChris responds:

Hey there MetalRenard,

thanks a lot for helping me - your review was really useful! I have tried to change a lot of things in the mix and i think i have learned a lot while remixing this. I still dont have an idea how frequency modulation works, but i hope i will be able to understand more, soon. I plan to start a second study in audio engineering in 2014 t learn more about the technical aspects of music production. I definitely will also still try to find out how the EQ really works :D

Sorry for me being so late but i had some law exams to write ... finally i have got more time for music again, which is just so awesome!

I wish you a merry christmas and a happy new year (if we wont hear from eachother before).

All the best for you and thanks so much for your support. Highly appreciated :D

Chris

[Draesdne Adaas]

This is not a NGADM review... I'm here by choice! lol
___
Actually I feel that the organ is used perfectly, despite having read opposing reviews from others. All due respect to them, their opinion is as valid as mine. I can really feel the atmosphere of this piece (there I go, on a wild journey into metaphoratopia), I think you did a good job.

Next time you should chain Bosa down until he finishes his share of the work. ;P

samulis responds:

I tried, but Bosa is my superior. That would be betrayal! :(

Thanks for your thoughts. I liked the organ too, but I think it was too irregular for what a lot of people were expecting.

[Divine Prayer [Live]]

Man that's beautiful... <3

samulis responds:

Thanks. :)

[WWUOTBT [8bit]]

It's a cool little piece of music but it really lacks any kind of depth or development. It's a shame because you've done some pretty cool stuff (hence why I follow you on here ;) ).

Calamaistr responds:

wellll the depth is in the details, like i made sure the melody at the 2nd part is as guitarish as possible, added a pretty cool 8bit xylophone in the background etcetc. :)
-cal.

[There's A Time For That]

Wow this is a really charming piece of music, I love the atmos and sounds you used to compliment the music.

ZipZipper responds:

Thanks!

[The Return (WIP)]

Nice work! I has a good atmosphere, I liked it a lot. The harp is really pretty.
You've mixed it well too.
May I suggest some kind of snare sound for the percussion towards the end to really finish it off? :D

steampianist responds:

Thank you for the suggestion I will try that When I start working on it again :)

[_.-:| Time Alone |:-._]

Did you ever upload the 2nd part? This was really good. :)

Wolftacular responds:

Second part's one of those songs I start and never finish! I should get back on it sometime, I really liked it.

[The Holy Pixel]

Hi! I was a replacement judge for NGADM round 1 and this is my review of your track!
I scored mixing and composition/arrangement separately so I'll explain here what score I gave you and why. 8/10 in my scoring scheme is "Great", 10/10 is exceptional. To get 10 the piece needed to go beyond expectations, to have a unique sonic quality and present an original aspect (or several) in terms of composition.
____
Production: 7
Each individual section is well mixed and you have good sounds. A lesson you still need to learn is that mixing isn't just about the broad strokes, it's about the details too. If you want to transition between two completely different things quickly you need to work on the mixing side of this too.
(If we were chatting via PM I would give you an example but I won't link to things I've done in a review).
Composition/arrangement (where valid): 7
Well it certainly is unique. That scored you a lot of bonus points. On the other hand it's a little repetitive and you really need to work on your transitions from a composition perspective too.
Most people struggle with this aspect so don't worry too much on a personal level.
You just need to put more time into constructing the details.

7/10 good work on some aspects, lacking on others. Over all good score though, congrats.

Slug-Salt responds:

Thank you so much for taking the time to listen to my work so carefully. I'll take your criticism into serious consideration for my future work.

[Normal Mapping]

Hi! I was a replacement judge for NGADM round 1 and this is my review of your track!
I scored mixing and composition/arrangement separately so I'll explain here what score I gave you and why. 8/10 in my scoring scheme is "Great", 10/10 is exceptional. To get 10 the piece needed to go beyond expectations, to have a unique sonic quality and present an original aspect (or several) in terms of composition.
____
Production: 9/10
Very good mix. Everything has its place and all that good stuff. On the other hand I found the voice too shrill.
Composition: 7/10
Well it fits the genre, that's for sure. I feel you could have done more with it though, for example around the middle I feel like it's just dragging on and on. Something in the background to add more depth at that point would have been great, just some wishy-washy synth or anything to create a change from always hearing the same sounds in the same places. Diversity is a great tool.

8/10, good work garlagan, you know what you're doing.

garlagan responds:

thanks for the feedback MetalRenard!

[Brolo]

Hi! I was a replacement judge for NGADM round 1 and this is my review of your track!
I scored mixing and composition/arrangement separately so I'll explain here what score I gave you and why. 8/10 in my scoring scheme is "Great", 10/10 is exceptional. To get 10 the piece needed to go beyond expectations, to have a unique sonic quality and present an original aspect (or several) in terms of composition.
____
Production: 9
It's a good mix, the sounds meld well despite the difference in textures. I admit I may be biased because usually I hate retro sounds as they assault my ears and since yours didn't I added a point... Hey, sue me.
Composition/arrangement: 8
I'm a sucker for when good rhythm meets good melody. Some of your melody work is lacking that... spark, but the two married so well I really enjoyed listening to this.
Also it's a little unusual and I like unusual things.

That's 8.5/10 for you my friend.

Mawnz responds:

Thank you for the review MetalRenard, you along with the other judges are doing an awesome job that is very much appreciated!
I think i agree with your opinions there. There is something missing and I couldn't find just that, unfortunately...
Glad to hear your thoughts on the retro sounds! Thanks again for the judging, keep it up!