Codefreq's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Zerodecoole's Theme]

UPDATE:

Thank you for clarifying. That said, I'm standing by my rating and review. I don't know this user, so I'm giving this piece the benefit of the doubt.

Original 4 Star Review:

"I think it would be a good thing if you put in your description what your thought process was when you made this piece. That way I can judge based on how clearly your intent came across rather than my own taste and preference. Also, I may be able to provide a more accurate rating and better feedback as a result.

I'm curious where the title came from? It's interesting. Is Zerodecoole an original character?

Also, even though I'm not sure if this is what you want, I think this piece could work as a loop if you cut off the silence at the end and changed the submission setting from "song" to "loop."

I hope this review helps. :)

More info about how I review music here: https://codefreq.newgrounds.com/news/post/1089806"

Belthagor responds:

@Codefreq Zero is a forum user and I made this as a theme song for them, like a song that plays when a person walks in the room or does things. I think it would work better as a loop as well, while continuing to be a theme.

[Stormy Seas]

I'll say this: I think you nailed the fantasy-adventure theme. It reminds me a bit of Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, which is just as well; that game is all about sailing on a boat, sometimes through stormy weather.

I think it would be better both as a loop and with a longer length to make the phrases more even. Right now the piece ends suddenly after a 2 bar phrase, so if you decide to loop it, I suggest either taking out the last two bars or adding two bars and getting rid of the silence so it can loop properly.

Great work! I hope you find this review helpful. :)

More info about how I review music here: https://codefreq.newgrounds.com/news/post/1089806

[Runa - Black Hole]

IMO The epic feel of this song at first is almost like a trailer for a movie where a giant spaceship is about to be sucked into a black hole.

That goes away after the initial triplet-style dubstep-elements come in. After those initial dubstep parts, it goes back to being the trailer. Then the second, non-triplet style dubstep elements kick in and it feels like an escape level in a video game.

I think the triplet-dubstep elements are the one part that gets in the way of the vibe it seems to me you are going for the most.

Otherwise, I think your intent is quite well expressed. This includes the thumbnail artwork and the title you chose.

I hope this helps. :)

More info about how I review music here: https://codefreq.newgrounds.com/news/post/1089806

Runanova responds:

I really appreciate your feedback. Knowing what people feel like when listening to your tracks always makes me happy! I'm glad most things are actually coherent and I'm already planning on making a fully orchestral version of it!

[Avoid The Strangers]

I can see this as a song for a game that's like Hotline Miami meets Metal Gear Solid. There's elements of action and elements of stealth. Given the title, it somehow works and fits together even if that wasn't what was intended.

Speaking of intent, what was your thought process going into this song? I suggest putting that in your description so I could provide better, more helpful, feedback as well as a more accurate rating. I could also base my review less on my own taste and more on how well I thought your intent came across.

Another question I have is this: out of curiosity, why did you chose the thumbnail artwork you did for this piece?

I like the song, though. Neat take on the Synthwave genre. :)

More info about how I review music here: https://codefreq.newgrounds.com/news/post/1089806

NandinAnubis responds:

01. I would rather that the co-listeners themselves imagined something when listening to the track, so that in the future the co-listeners would share their impressions.
02. I accidentally got a minimalistic track

[Play Inside]

UPDATE:

Thank you for clarifying. You definitely hit the nail on the head with regard to moody atmosphere and foggy environment. I still don't quite know if the title and thumbnail fit the song, but your intent still is a bit clearer now than it was before.

Overall, nice work. :)

Original 4 Star Review:

"Interestingly, I get a Metorid Prime vibe from this piece. It's got atmosphere.

The title and song thumbnail image don't make much sense to me. I'm curious, what were you thinking when you used those elements?

Also, on a related note, I'm wondering what your thoughts were when you made this piece. Knowing your thought process will give me a better understanding of where you are coming from. Therefore, I can give you more helpful feedback and a more accurate rating, as well as base my review on how well I thought your intent came across rather than only by my own taste.

That said, I do like the piece. It's relaxing and reminds me of stealth games, too.

I hope this helps. :)

More info about how I review music here: https://codefreq.newgrounds.com/news/post/1089806"

RJ-Dub responds:

Thanks so much for the review!

If I'm being perfectly honest I'm not sure if I'm familiar with any of the Metroid soundtracks, I remember playing a little bit of the first one (NES) when I was younger but beyond that it's been my only exposure to the series. I was trying to go for a bit of an overcast, cloudy mood, and was inspired by this track from a compilation that was recommended to me on youtube https://soundcloud.com/camilo-gomez-918693624/last-known-spy?in=camilo-gomez-918693624/sets/jazz-noir-mix

Glad you enjoyed it, hope I was able to instill some insight as to what I was trying to go for :)

[H~ "Starlight Paradox" {Preview}]

I think it would be in your best interest if you provided in your description what you were trying to do here. It would help me be better able to give more helpful feedback, a more accurate rating, and allow me to base my review more on how well I thought your intent came through.

For example, why title your piece "Starlight Paradox I ~SS~"? Knowing that would help me get a better understanding of where you are coming from.

I will say, although it's short, I like the piece overall. I think your thumbnail artwork does match the title. Not sure about how it fits the piece, though.

Technically, there are parts in the second half where the volume is distorted in a way that sounds unpleasant, and the ending is awkward because of the way it stops so suddenly. I wonder, was that intended?

I hope you find this review helpful in some way. :)

More info about how I review music here: https://codefreq.newgrounds.com/news/post/1089806

ssymboint responds:

Thank you for your honest opinion. I really do appreciate it. I did try to fix the distortion in the second half but failed :p. Yeah I don't know about the title or thumbnail either so I guess I just did that on the spot. Anyway thanks again for your honest opinion and constructive feedback. xD

[Artificial Ascension]

When I first started this song, Immediately I was transported to a natural sandy beach. It was an incredible feeling. I felt like I was there (don't worry, I'm not high. ;P)

That feeling lasted until 0:22 in. It still felt like summer but it wasn't quite the same level of immersion. After that point, it felt almost like Super Monkey Ball, if there was a level that was sandy coastline beach themed.

It's incredibly well mixed. I have no idea what you did, but on a technical level, it sounds great!

I'm not sure what you were going for, exactly. Could you provide what your thought process was for this song? It would help me be better able to provide helpful feedback. That, and It could improve the accuracy of my rating and allow me to base my review more on how well I thought your intent came through, rather than my own taste.

A couple of things to think about:

I'm curious about your title. Why did you pick that?
Your thumbnail artwork for this piece is hard to make out. Could you clarify what you chose and why?

Both these pieces of information will help me get a better understanding of where you are coming from.

I hope you find my feedback useful. :)

More info about how I review music here: https://codefreq.newgrounds.com/news/post/1089806

[To Better Days]

There is a degree of hope and themes of general optimism present throughout this piece, like the end credits to a movie. Thematically, it matches your description quite well.

Not sure what can be improved here, regarding how well it seemed your intent came across. 5 stars. :)

More info about how I review music here: https://codefreq.newgrounds.com/news/post/1089806

[Airfly]

There's some very Minecraft-esque instrumentation going on here. It's quite peaceful.

I think it would be beneficial for you to put in your description what your thought process was when you made this song. That way I can judge based on how well I thought your intent came across rather than based on my own taste. It could also affect my rating and possibly allow me to give better, more useful feedback.

For example, I find the title you chose, Airfly, to be interesting. Why did you pick that name?

Technically speaking, there seems to be some digital clipping at around 1:36 - 1:43. I suggest messing around with limiting, equalizing, and/or volume so the signal comes through more clearly.

More info about how I review music here: https://codefreq.newgrounds.com/news/post/1089806

SarahRBC responds:

Oh! Thanks for your opinion! I will change the description. I pick that name because i was trying to find an inspiration, so i loock at the window and saw something on the music. The rythymic was supposed to be calm, and air makes me happy, and calm.. some way.. ''Technically speaking, there seems to be some digital clipping at around 1:36 - 1:43. I suggest messing around with limiting, equalizing, and/or volume so the signal comes through more clearly'' yes, sure..