Score: 8

"Here's a big review (I focused on helpfulness ^_^)"

submission: Electrified Snake

date: February 29, 2008

I want to start the review off by sayign this one might turn out very long. There's a lot of room for improvement here (which is not too bad- most aspects are pretty good.)

So first off- there seems to be a bit syncing issues- you do quantize everything right? That cheesy pluck synth does very much sound out of sync with the drum beat, at least in the start. I'm not sure if you just haven't quantized everything or it's something else, but it definatively is worth taking a look at.

Another issue is the mixing/mastering- small creaks here and there, the bass and kick are crapped out- both of these are signs of a small amount of clipping, or overcompression. I'm guessing you have compressed the master track or something of the like- you want to take down the input gain quite a lot- the track will not be as loud, but much more pleasant. If you have some visual aid that shows the levels in real time on the compressor (usually a linear meter) try finding the balance where it is as loud as possible without clipping or stuff like that. Just use your ear really, it's the most reliable tool you have. If you're still on. :P Apart from that it generally sounds good.

Drums are generally fine- except they sound way basic altogether. Kick is mostly a very weak thump- I suggest you choose another sample, a much more offensive one would fit the hard snare used better. Hats are good as is, might just want to make them a bit louder.

So for the synths- those are also very basic, and they all lose some of their tone with the lot of clipping and peaking (attempted to describe it two paragraphs up) but I can hear most of them are based on saw waves. Some are very harsh- try some low pass filter (with a cutoff around 3kHz) on the one that is introduced around 0:57 for a more pleasant tone.

For the song structure, I don't have much to add. It's all good, and should stay the way it is. One little idea though- how about a break with pads only shot into the middle of the track? It would emphasize the busiest part and make it seem more intense. See it you can work it out ;) As said already though, everything is really as it should be when it comes to song structure/composition.

Still needs a ton of polish (mostly when it comes to mastering/mixing- but trust me, you'll automatically get better at it all the time:) before it's truly great. You sure got a good first version though, good work!

Score: 8

"well gud"

submission: ¤{<Major Arcana>}¤ - Moon

date: February 29, 2008

Of course there's not too much to say. It's just... REALLY SHORT- it sounds much shorter than it is too. I know very well how I would continue it- but I'm pretty damn sure that technique isn't gonna work for you with this tune - I usually just add whatever I think fits - the reason it wouldn't fit here is cause it would majorly fuck up the Japanese-inspired structure of the track. And it wouldn't be so Japanese anymore. So I'm stuck really, I don't know how it could be continued :O

Sounds very minimalist, no overwhelming reverb or anything (which would actually work considering how few and clear the instruments are. Not really a good idea though, but some more of it could do good. I'm an unnaturally passionate sucker for the reverb effect, so don't take my idea in this parenthesis too seriously). Still my imagination does go for a walk:

It's night, and I'm standing on the top of a hill, watching the moon over me on a cloud-free sky. And of course I'm a resting warrior. That is probably the standard image you'll get when listening to pretty much any epic Japanese-influenced music. So you did that very well ;)

For eventual additions, I'm not too experienced when it comes to ethnic sound, but some more present percussion might do the trick better. Now there's only a few soft timpani hits and cymbal clashes very sparely used in the background- a very long decay gong hit to mark a new part of the track could indeed make it more imaginative. Ever considered adding fx? Might be terrible, but maybe something that fits the theme of the song... I'm just spewing any ideas I can think of now :D Truth is I don't have much advice to come with. You did a good job.

The only real con is its length. A small improvement would be to add stuff around to give it a fuller sound, but this empty/lonely etc feeling might be the essence of the track so I'm not too sure about this one.

</bleakreviewandrandomideathrowing>

OVERALL: I LIKE. GOOD.

I won't hesitate- I'll ask for a review in return right here and now ;D

Score: 10

"well good"

submission: Blue Wine

date: February 29, 2008

It's not much, but damn it has a nice sound. Those delays were used well, though I think you could be a bit more creative with em. Marimba/woodblocks sound great too, really gives it an ethnic feel. I could see so much more to it though, now that you're on it. My imagination could go wild- shakers, congas, other percussion like that- then pan flutes and some more pads- etc. A bit of analog lead synths maybe- some dominant melody could really get it going.

You sure have got something- and as I've said already- I highly suggest you continue on it.

Score: 9

"yayayayyy"

submission: Anger inside

date: February 29, 2008

Needs to be made longer, so it could fit my usual anger fits better- make it last a few days and it could come close to a soundtrack for my next burst of rage because I spilt a drop of coffee

:/

Vewy well. Does turn out a lot more powerful with that squirky and loud bass. I like it that way. Drums are good, but in the end you seem to overdo it a tad- all these snares are hurting my rotten brain of liquid methanol :(

Great work anyway

Score: 9

"well good"

submission: ~EnV~Jump (Preview)

date: February 29, 2008

Hard stuff again- always been wondering how you trancenuts make those powerful kicks. Well since those are mentioned I might cover the other drums too- snare's a bit silent, but has a great tone. Can't hear the hi percussion, but one can hear it's there so it's all good :D

Could have the clean lead a bit louder, right now it's more like just mumbling in the background- great melody on that by the way, you really can make it awesome later in the song with a bit work. I love that (insert name for it) detuned lead too, can't really expect anything else than that from like, YOU

As usual, you got something great going. I'm sure this'll be a hit when finished.

Score: 9

"Great"

submission: A Real War Beat

date: February 29, 2008

It all sounds good- though some of the orchestral work sounds distant when put behind those very raw, unpolished hip hop drums- it sounds like there's practically no reverb, mastering or anything at all- which makes it stand out. If it stands out in a good way however, I'm not too sure about...

Great melodies and harmony throughout. I could very much see a pure classical track evolve out of it- as I personally don't like the mix of orchestra and hip hop too much (I don't listen much to hip hop, so sorry if I show blatant lack of knowledge in this area, lol)

Not much more than that to say, you did a great job.

Score: 10

"fuck yeah"

submission: Ultimate Guitar Solo By Satan3

date: February 29, 2008

It really is the best solo ever to be created. I've studied music for years and years, so I know this shit could only be made by a unnaturally talented musician. It truly is a shining diamond of a solo. The melody was of course very well though out, but the way you played it is what truly makes it great. And of course the vox that follows it.

Fantastic. I have no suggestions for improvement, as there is nothing to improve.

Score: 9

"Yeah"

submission: -=LJC=- Grinsomnia

date: February 27, 2008

As already said by another reviewer, your drummer definitively needs lessons- no, wait, I need lessons from him, so he can tell me how to play drums backwards (0:10-0:12). I'd like to see a video of that drummer-

I'm getting carried away.

Piano's good. Period, no comments other than that. For improvements, I'd think some synth fx here and there could do good, but if it's strictly a piano/drums only piece, then fine. It does turn out pretty damn boring after a while though. Would be wonderful for like, background music

well good

Score: 10

"nice"

submission: mindthings-Our Eyes Are Blue

date: February 16, 2008

Ambient from start to end- the introduction with a majestetic string chords and overreverbed fx, it makes a promise of "Wow, this sure will be some huge ambience". It didn't really keep that promise, but it does evolves into something very neat.

There's a beautiful piano going through the song as a main instrument-I couldn't possibly think of a nicer tone for it to have in this piece. Maybe a little lighter could do good, but don't consider that since it's pretty much perfect. Most other instruments are the same way, feel very subtle and calm- and of course, over reverbed <3. Drums are a bit harsh and "in your face, bitch!" though, might want to do some filter stuff with em- and to reverb those god damn hats too >:

hoo rah

Score: 6

"oh wait"

submission: Neonecropopulace

date: February 15, 2008

I can notice 3- no, 5... no, maybe even 7-10 preset (garageband I assume?) loops here. They don't fit together at all- and another thing where there's room for tons of improvement is how painfully recognisable the loops are- it could be a good idea to edit the loops somewhat- see, maybe chop up and rearrange a few of the audio loops, and jiggle around with the notes of the midi loops. Things like that would make the tune sound tons more original. From what I can hear there are some original (aka, like, composed with notes and synths) stuff there too, so I'm not entirely sure.

And- might want to take a new look at the sequencing- it's a bit flooded, nothing stands out much now. Take out a few tracks and focus on making the best ones sound good, it's better to have a structured and simple track than a complex but messy one.

Mixing's a little issue here too- a lot of distortion throughout the loudest and busiest parts. Take down the master volume a little- and have the acid-kind of leads a little lower in the mix too. I really think doing those changes could improve the audio quality of it quite a lot.

Ok hope my crappy review was of any help :D