Saltbearer's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Blizzard]

Like the atmosphere you're going for, and the general ideas coming through with things like the (offbeat) booming, section-capping kicks.

I get the impression that this is a bit thinner and more sparse than you'd like it to be, and the solution to that is to just pile things on, really. Imagine 2:04, but with continuous, wide, echoing jingling, and something like this croaky saw's lowpass sweep 24 seconds in: https://youtu.be/hUtypA3kT6g?t=24s … 2:14 sounds like it's calling for some sort of ominous low-end – maybe a cello, maybe something more overtly digital like the sound I linked to. Some form of background instrument tracking chords alongside the main melody might help it sound less dissonant. Anywhere throughout could stand to have a very subtle additional layer of ambience. You get the idea.

The flatly-repeating samples, and similarly flat volume envelopes (especially 4:09) are uncomfortable for me. I suggest experimenting with granular synthesis - it's a MAGICAL thing. You could take a sample like the jingling, set a range for playback to start within, and trigger a bunch of layers with random variations to make each instance more unique (and give it a little tail while you're at it). ~ For volume shaping, just enough manual adjustments to suggest that there is change going on can go a long way, if you don't want to go all out on it.

s'yeah, keep on experimenting. I'LL FOLLOW TO MAKE SURE YOU DO. 8) And don't let go of those old melodies. I still have my own helpful little 10+-year-old GarageBand doodles floating around in my head and slipping into things I make…

annie4star responds:

Thanks!

I'll have to take a look because I still have the FL file and I return from time to time to tweak it. I remember wanting more, but I wasn't sure what sound I was looking for. I think I have been playing with the track and individual channel effects as I learn FL Studio more. I'm going to grab a screenshot so I can access this more easily.

I can look up the terms and maybe find some tutorials on YouTube. I mostly just jumped in and looked online as I came to technique snags.

Oh, GarageBand! My 2007 MacBook Pro refuses to die so I may still have access to those. I made a remix of the source song for this, and it has some peaking issues. I want to remake it in FL Studio but that I can't find an equivalent to one particular circuit synth.

I tried making a 20+ minute fantasia once and parts of it are a mess! My favorite part out of it is still a dark interlude from one character. I went into that one with a bass and bassoon, followed by cello.

[RIDDIM]

Intro: Conceptually, a solid fit. The instruments themselves sound nice, you did a good job with layering, mixing, etc. It all feels just a little rigid and pointy. Softening/humanizing the choir attacks and note timings/velocities more would particularly help IMO.

Drop buildups: Probably the weakest point. The first one especially needs a couple more layers of instrumentation and/or automation. Feels like it goes on a bit long with thin, static-sounding repetitions. The detune for the last bar of each build does feel appropriate, at least.

The meat: SOLID. That bass is *fun* to listen to, its movements have a very satisfying degree of swish and timbral rhythmicity to them, and there's enough going on all around it to keep the eardrums excited. Nothing feels like it's out of place or in direct conflict with another element. Could toss some random variations into the beat, but it's *always totally okay* to just let other elements hog the spotlight.

Ending: Abrupt… the timing feels odd, like it comes halfway through a build and then flatly fizzles out. Can we blame it on your laptop struggling toward the end of the project? Because I know that feeling. :[ Thankfully you fought through. All it really needs is something like a couple of long filter sweeps, and maybe a high end element to emphasize the bookends of the section and suggest a peak in energy. Maybe even offset it all by one beat at 4:08.

Overall, this sizable helping of dancecakes with foreboding syrup drizzled over them will continue to impress/satisfy a large body of listeners, and you should stick a marshmallow in your cocoa.

ActualElf responds:

Whilst I have replied to you privately, I wanted to publicly say what a lovely and well thought out review this was, you picked up on a large majority of the issues that are in this track that I myself see, issues that I accept when I listen in order to enjoy it how it is and how my production ability at the time allowed it to be, even though I knew then and know now it could've been so much more.

I always try and find a balance between accepting my music as it turns out and also seeing what it could be if I tried harder. The extreme ends of that spectrum being releasing half-baked music due to accepting too much and allowing myself too much leeway or being so harsh on my own music that I don't release anything because it could always be better.

I allowed myself a good amount of leeway at the time this was written because of my frustration with my set up and also my own poor production decisions which could have been bettered with more time and dedication.

Reviews like yours allow me and probably others to strive to better what they create but also enjoy their music for what it is and their songs as "Steps along the way".

- <3

[Night Shift]

Nice lo-fi scratch on the beat, and nice rhythm! Very pleasantly gray and floaty, dynamic, progresses well. Sucker for those stretched vocals.

... I feel like I should be able to rec you something that scratches the exact same itches, but I'll just leave you with Yagya's album "Rigning" for foggy beats and Objekt - "Dogma" for a slow, pulsing one with a great soundscape. Also Nova Planet - "Forest of Dean" cuz why not. I'll be sharing this now!

Asserter responds:

Taken a while to get back I know, but thank you for those recommendations quite a lot.