mutty99's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Nebulous - Paranoia (NGUAC 2020 | R3)]

-Official NGUAC 2020 Final Round Review-

You decided to take a totally different direction comparing this submission to the one you sent for the KO Round. I like the fact you wrote some sort of context behind the track, it’s a sign of dedication. The beginning is really good, and the glitch effect at 0:26 is even better; the build-up at 0:40 really shows the tension growing as well. I’m not too much fond of the first drop; in that sections the mix has a higher volume in the high band than necessary, therefore making it sound too bright and less impactful. This applies even more at 2:00, where the bass, while being deep and nicely EQed, doesn’t back up for the atmosphere: a deep synth pad could have worked out pretty well with it. The second drop, while still being a bit too plain, is much better and more balanced. Overall, pretty ambitious and well-structured piece, with some ups and downs, but pleasant enough to listen to.

Originality: 1.4/2
Composition: 2/2
Structure: 2/2
Tecnicity: 1.35/2
Impact: 1.75/2
Total: 8.5/10

ShockblastDeluxe responds:

Thank you so much for leaving a review about it!

[Stargazer]

-Official NGUAC 2020 Final Round Review-

This is by far the best submission I’ve heard by the Composition category. The concept matches perfectly with the guitar you chose, and I like the way you processed it as well; the strings pad doesn’t interfere with the main instrument, and that’s a really good thing as well. For some reason, I also get Steven Universe vibes while listening to this: you know, the scenes at the beach where either Steven or his dad play guitar, with their friends listening, while “Stargazing”. Coincidence? Back to the review, the only aspect I’m not fond of is the finale, where you ended with an E right after “playing around” with D: that was a bit unnecessary, to the point where I ended a bit confused. Apart from that little critic, this is a simple but really solid track, good job!

Originality: 1.94/2
Composition: 2/2
Structure: 1.65/2
Tecnicity: 1.6/2
Impact: 1.81/2
Total: 9/10

Thomastique responds:

Thank you for the review!

I didn't know about Steven Universe but I looked it up and I get what you mean 😁

For the final chord I just LOVE ending on a 6/9 second inversion (without the root).
To me it sounds very open and calming.

I can see how it can sound a bit confusing, because I didn't use a lot of fancy chords throughout this song and then the end hits you with the 9 (E) as the top note.
But for me, the ending might be my favourite part of the track 😜

[Tea Cup Massacre Epsilon: Descent Into Madness]

-Official NGUAC 2020 Final Round Review-

The beginning leaves much to be desired: the different synths come in too abruptly, making difficult for the listener to adapt gradually to the atmosphere. From 0:45 onwards, the track becomes much better, evolving in a more complex and balanced sound. The best aspect of your song is that you’ve organized it in a pretty original way; every part is quite different from each other, making it more interesting as time passes. The section that begins at 3:18 is the most solid and appealing: powerful and decisive section with a lot of strong appealing synths, especially at 4:11 where I got quite some goosebumps. This track gets better while listening to it, making a sort of “journey” effect which I found really interesting. You did a really great job!

Originality: 2/2
Composition: 2/2
Structure: 1.9/2
Tecnicity: 1.5/2
Impact: 1.8/2
Total: 9.2/10

RosesWolf responds:

Oh wow, I gotta be honest, I really didn’t expect such a positive response, especially given how great the discrepancy between the first and second drop is, and the vast amount of silence used. I’m honestly at a loss for words. Thank you so much! Really nice to hear the journey idea paid off!

[Be Gay Do Crime]

-Official NGUAC 2020 Final Round Review-

This is a rather strange track, with an even stranger title. The sounds are pretty unique as well, and the composition is interesting enough to motivate us listening till the end. This mixing technique is uncommon but more than valid, and I had a decent time listening to the piece; the concept that rotates around the track is also solid, and doesn’t get out of control, which is a good thing. I don’t understand why did you choose “synthwave” as a genre though; even if it slightly resembles the atmosphere of synthwave music, i think this is a more “miscellaneous” kind of composition. The track lacks a bit of depth as well; a synthwave bass could have worked out pretty well if mixed and eQ-ed properly. Despite my complaints, you still did a good job on your entry, and props for taking the risk of producing something unusual among the finalists.

Originality: 2/2
Composition: 2/2
Structure: 1.55/2
Tecnicity: 1.55/2
Impact: 1.6/2
Total: 8.7/10

zybor responds:

Thank you for your review. :)

Being original and unique is the whole point of my living.

Fun fact, I recently discovered that I'm an INFP, despise I didn't believe in all those thing, it fits me so well especially resonate with the work I did here. No amount of criticism can change what I do but my own, I'd just keep getting better with non-conforming approaches.

[Amazona NGUAC 2020]

-Official NGUAC 2020 Final Round Review-

Bringing Trance in the final round is a bit risky, yet you did a pretty good job with it. I don’t understand why you panned most of the mix to the left… Also i think the rising vocal chop at the very beginning is too loud when it ends and the instruments roll starts; on the other hand, the sound design is really solid and bright. While the technical and structural aspects are more than spot on (apart from the left pan of the mix), this track lacks virtuosity. It is big, full or rich sounds and ambitious indeed, but develops too slowly as time passes; 7:00 minutes of trance require a lot of different stuff, but also a heterogeneous chord progression as well. I wish you could have experimented more with notes, and maybe created a more intriguing melody. Still, I’m really fond of the part at 2:39, great and powerful emotional flow. Overall, the track stands up for itself and it’s pleasant to listen to. What a way to go out!

Originality: 1.45/2
Composition: 1.5/2
Structure: 2/2
Tecnicity: 1.47/2
Impact: 1.88/2
Total: 8.3/10

TerraNation responds:

Hey thanks for review, Risky indeed but trance something i been doing since i was 12 years old.
Yea notice that on my mastering process, Idid not upload mastering version so it wasent intentionally going left, "Vocal chop" Its acctully simpel fx chord from sylenth 1 i like to have alot of sounds going on beacuse make song more flow with energy. yea i could sure cut down few 1 or 2 min on the song. Trance is very easy to fail with alot elements trust me i like 5 different melody for this track and match them together is hard. But again for me take few extra weeks would have make song different for sure.

[Happy people want to dance]

-Official NGUAC 2020 Final Round Review-

I remember how this track was when I first heard it; I think you’ve updated it changing a few things at some point, improving some aspects here and there.
The lack of originality of this submission (Since the same chord pattern repeats itself over and over) gets backed up by the structure, which is pretty good and well written. About the sounds you used, you’ve chosen nice synths and made a good use of the phaser function in the beginning and in the end of the song; they give all together a really pleasant Synthwav-ish sensation, to the point of relaxing the listener quite a bit. Like I already said, this piece could have been better if you’d made some variations in the chord progression; still, good job for making it this far in the competition!

Originality: 1.2/2
Composition: 1.6/2
Structure: 1.77/2
Tecnicity: 1.6/2
Impact: 1.63/2
Total: 7.8/10

retrize responds:

No, I didn't change anything

[Hand In Hand- NGUAC 2020 Final Round Submission]

-Official NGUAC 2020 Final Round Review-

Welcome to the Final Round! You’re the first contestant I’m scoring.
Your piece is pretty interesting, not something you see on Newgrounds really often: I really like the direction you decided to go into with your concept, giving some Springteen/countryroad vibes. The guitar is well chosen and mixed, I wonder if it’s real of from a VST; either way, brilliant execution. I like that you updated your track in the meantime as well; beforehand your voice was a little detuned in the beginning, but now the intonation is correct, and that is going to benefit your score a lot!
The instrumentation is solid and blended properly as well, with various and originally blended drums, despite the mix having a little downside; in the chorus sections at 1:09 and 2:44, I think that the vocals are a tiny little downpowered. To be clearer, I struggled to hear the lyrics a bit. Everything else seems more than alright to me: the mastering and balance are spot on, the ending is very well done, and I overall had a good experience with your track. It’s nice to begin scoring with a good note ;)

Originality: 2/2
Composition: 2/2
Structure: 2/2
Tecnicity: 1.7/2
Impact: 2/2
Total: 9.7/10

ConnorHeather responds:

damn! what great feedback thank you! much appreciated! To answer your thoughts, it is real guitar, everything is recorded with live instruments, This one in particular uses no midi.

Again thank you i really appreciate the time you take to go in-depth about the 'how and why' behind the score!

[A Dream]

Wow.... this track is so sad. I've pictured my own concept.

The music could adapt well also in a sad death scene: anime style, mc and his soulmate, main douche villain kills soulmate, heart-ripping scene and final goodbyes. That kind of scene, yeah.
Imagine then this music followed by Sheol (Xtrullor feat. Panda Eyes), where the mc gets enveloped by uncontrollable rage. I get shivers only by thinking about it.
Powerful composition.

Everratic responds:

Thank you for the review! I'm glad it had that effect on you.

[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.

[Nebulous - Dusklight (NGUAC 2020 | R2)]

Love the vocals, great job!!!

ShockblastDeluxe responds:

Thanks!