mutty99's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Sleeping in an Empty Room]

-Official NGUAC 2020 KO Round Review-

Interesting track, i like the piano sound you chose. In the first 23 seconds the pad could have been introduced more gradually in volume before the drum section starts at 0:24. About them, the kick and hi hats are spot on, but i found the snare strangely compressed, to the point where it feels drained out and off place. It may be not that big of a deal, but i ensure you it impacts a lot the first half of the track. The synth pad at 1:12 is good as well, even if it could have been juuust a little lower in bass frequences and volume. I liked the second half of the track better, especially at 1:36 when the drums come in. Putting distortion on them was a good choice, since it changed the pace for the better.
Overall, i enjoyed your track quite a bit, and i found the concept and melody both interesting and well-thought: just a little bit more tweaking here and there, and its potential would have grown even more. Good job!

Originality: 2/2
Composition: 2/2
Structure: 2/2
Tecnicity: 1/2
Impact: 1.5/2

Total: 8.5/10

BeeFef responds:

Thanks for the review. So, there wasn't actually a pad at the beginning. I think you were just hearing the reverb on the piano. The reverb starts right away, so maybe I could've just brought the mix of the reverb up over the intro. For the snare, do you mean compressed in terms of volume/dynamics or in quality? If it's the latter, then the sharp lowpass filter you hear is intentional. I processed it to give it that Skype call sound and make it sound digitally lo-fi. I understand that some people may not like it, but I think it's kinda cool when used in the right way(s). At 1:12, maybe a gain automation on the sub bass would be good. And yes, I will continue to work on this track, as I heard more issues with the mixing/mastering on this and still have yet to release this track other than on NG.

[F-777 - Deadlocked (Full)]

The music lives up to its reputation. This track is very hetereogeneous and has a brilliant sound design and concept. Props, F-777!

[Talurre - Cruel Future]

Neat stuff =)

[Early Mornings]

Reminds me of Mimiga Village from Cave Story. Very nicely done =)

[hard time keeping up]

-Official NGUAC 2020 KO Round Review-

Magical8bitplugin is really a great vst, as i can hear in many compositions on this site.
The sounds are carefully processed, and i like how you balanced the triangle bass. The only thing here is that i found this track too overwhelming: even if its catchy and with original rolls, i'd have enjoyed it better if the melody came out more on its own. I think you've watched Eliteferrex 8-bit School Videos just like i did because of magical8bit, and also because you used one of the techniques mentioned in his tutorials, the one i call "Stereo Pan": at 0:37, you put the arpeggiated vst in both left and right stereo channels. That's a nice idea, but as a result the sound is too loud, and it covers the melody too much, making the listener a tad bit disoriented. Lowering the volume of the arpeggiated vst would have helped the mix quite a bit.
Despite the complaints, i enjoyed the sound selection and the "Castlevania" feeling you went for. The concept is not bad as well.

Originality: 1.6/2
Composition: 1.5/2
Structure: 1.4/2
Tecnicity: 1/2
Impact: 1.5/2

Total: 7/10

[Santa Monica Highway]

Nice depth, this is good synthwave!

[Inerasable Memories]

My favourite from the album 🎧

[Static Symphony (feat. Sunnexo)]

Even better than Hyperdrive =)
I'd fit this in a Cave Story context. This is a masterpiece!
1:36 Best section of the track

[Eddy's Workshop]

Dem underground, this rocks!!

[Benjamin, The Great!]

I think you're a potential winner.