Codefreq's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[just wait a minute]

UPDATE:

Thank you for taking my review and suggestions seriously. :)

Now that I have a better idea of where you're coming from, I can safely say without question your intent comes through really clear. I have no more notes. 5 stars!

Original 4 Star Review:

"There's a couple of things this reminds me of: a loading screen for a sci-fi game like Tron 2.0 (2003) or some outer-space RPG, or, for some reason, Bioshock. I think the latter is because, to me, this piece has an underwater vibe. That's not a common thing to do, to give your piece an underwater vibe.

I'd love for any game I own to have this as a loading screen loop because it's perfect for that. Soothing and present but not annoying or overly catch to the point where it could irritate the player.

One suggestion I have for you is to change the submission format from "song" to "loop". I think it would fit the "loading screen" vibe more appropriately. If you do that, I also suggest fading out the end or not fading in the intro so it can loop more effectively.

One other thing; when clicking on this piece, I noticed the icon artwork looks very much like a fire decimated some area. I'm not sure that fits. I'd like to know why you chose that so I can get a better understanding, as well as provide a better review and maybe a more accurate rating.

Great job! :)

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

baryiscool responds:

so indepth !!

i will put it on loop and update the song so it fades out so it can be looped !!

also i made the CD fire because it is hot right now and i'm sweating .. no other reason
i could also change that to more of a blue background

if you read this then that means i have prob changed it <3
thanks for the review though

[BlighterProductions - Pulsar]

I think you really nailed the "outer space" feeling. Some parts feel like exploration, while others, like the more active parts, make me think of space combat. As far as Drum & Bass goes, it's not super energetic but I think that plays out in your favor because the synth pads in particular give enough space within the song (no pun intended) to both give a sense of scale and reflect exploration and wonder. The percussion also gives a sense of action. I think of a Star-Trek-like battle scene near a pulsar when I hear this.

Not sure if that's exactly what you were going for so I'll give you benefit of the doubt, but the sound of the song really matches the concept and title. Very nice work.

I'm curious, what were you going for?

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

BlighterProductions responds:

I tried a little bit stepping out of my comfort zone this time (since most of my recent music was very ambient) and I kind of started to miss the energy in my music. Trying out of the box first, but soon figuring out things that befitted really well with the song (like the alternative melodies playing through each other, which I believe to have resulted in my best work) and that manifested over time into what we will now know today as “Pulsar”.

I’m very satisfied with the results overall, and trust me, I am not easily satisfied with something. Thanks for the review. 😉

Also, I’ll make a music video for YouTube very soon.

[Seeking Freedom]

I think it would be good for you if you put in your description what your thought process was when you were creating this song. It would help me give better feedback and a more accurate rating and I wouldn't have to rely on my own taste, but rather how well I thought your concept came across.

For example, I don't see how the title correlates with the music itself. I suggest elaborating why you chose that title.

As far as my own taste goes, I'm not crazy about it, particularly the vocal pitch-shifting. I've heard many songs with that exact effect and have never been crazy about it. I wish I could provide feedback that is more useful, but right now I can't.

I hope you find this review to be a little bit useful at least. :)

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

[Moments Of Our Youth]

I can kind of see myself reminisce about the past with nostalgia. The audio in the beginning is quite immersive. However, I think the louder parts with the percussion is not what I was expecting when I read the title. It takes me out of the experience because those parts, the percussion in particular, are very in-your-face. I was expecting something a little more subdued and maybe dreamier.

In a situation like this, I think it would be beneficial for you to explain your thought process regarding this piece. If you talk about your decisions it may help me give better feedback and a more accurate rating.

Nonetheless, I hope you find this helpful. :)

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

shlowmo responds:

Thanks for the comment! Yeah the percussion is pretty in your face. I guess when I was making the track I was in the mindset of "make the drums kick hard" not realizing it could drown out the rest of the sound. Also doesn't help I didn't use a reference track for master.

[space cowboy]

This piece really nails the idea of an astronaut cowboy floating in space; a vast, untamed backdrop of dark wilderness with only stars and the nearest sun to light the way. It's so vast and lonely it's almost claustrophobic. It makes me think. I wonder what he's wrangling?

My only gripe is the sudden cut-off at the end. I think there should be some extra space at the end to let the instruments fully fade out.

Other than that, I think you did a fantastic job with the immersion.

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

[Uncharted Waters]

As far as conveying an underwater theme, this really does a great job of putting me in an underwater-themed arcade game where I am operating an underwater mech or a submarine in a side-scrolling shoot-em-up.

As far as that goes, this piece works. I only won't give it 5 stars because I know nothing about Warframe or the character from it, "Hydroid", thus I don't have enough background to say how accurate the representation of Hydroid and their abilities are. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt.

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

shadowsoflight777 responds:

Thanks for the review! I appreciate the thought that you put into your review process, and I'm glad you enjoyed the track - the vibe you got was what I was hoping for with this one.

[Want To Change]

I can appreciate the idea of trying to sound like a genre you like. It's frustrating when you can't get the sound to be like what you are trying to emulate.

I don't think it sounds strictly like Dubstep, but I'll say this: Like in voice acting, an inaccurate impression can lead to something really cool and unique. I believe that's what you did here. Nice work. :)

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

Quarl responds:

Music is much the same as other arts. Painting is a good example. You can always do your own thing but if you want to really improve as a painter, experimentation will only get you so far. If you want to paint photorealistically you study the techniques other painters use instead of trying to reinvent the wheel. You study classic masters. If you want to paint landscapes you'll watch Bob Ross videos while emulating.

I'm not doing anything unique here but I'm in love with your kind words Code Freq. Thanks dove :)

[Retrospect]

I think it would help me provide better feedback and a more accurate rating if you explained your thought process behind this song. That way I won't have to judge your piece purely by my own taste.

That said, I like this piece. I think it's well mixed and nails the 80's retro-futuristic Synthwave vibe. I'm curious about the title, though. I think I understand, but I'd only be guessing what your reasoning is for naming this piece Retrospect. I'd like to hear it from you why you chose that title.

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

[Silent killer '88]

UPDATE:

I appreciate your response, thank you. :)

In terms of the title, It's good that you clarified. It sheds a little bit of light on what you're trying to do.

I'll give you the benefit of the doubt on this one. Without seeing what the story is, I can't say whether or not I think it fits.

Original 4-Star Review

"This piece is definitely eerie and creepy, like something out of the 3D Legend of Zelda games. I will say I'm not sure why you picked the title. Silent Killer works, but why the '88?

It loops seamlessly, which is nice.

I think you could go further with the instrumentation. Right now it's kind of minimal. If that's what you are going for, that's fine, but there's no indication that that is the case. My suggestion is that you add some additional creepy sounds here and there. They don't have to be in-your-face, but even subtle textures and note dissonance could enhance what you already have and make it even creepier. Think Metroid Prime 1-3, for example.

I hope you find this review helpful. :)

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

BlighterProductions responds:

The ‘88 is a reference to the year that a fictional character I made up called “Testificate 517” started to manifest itself in the year 1988. I’m currently working on the story but I wrote the music on purpose like this because I think it is relevant to such a story.

But thanks for yet another very helpful review. You’re the kind of people that need to make the comments.