Codefreq's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Day 283 (Terra Falling)]

The poetry isn't bad. However, I'm not basing my review on it.

As for the audio, I think there is potential for something emotionally resonant that projects vivid and immersive imagery. Unfortunately, the song's production seriously gets in the way of this. It has a lot of distortion in it and the mid-bass is overpowering, to the point where it drowns out all the other sounds an is irritating to have on repeat. You uploaded this as a loop, and as such, it has to be easy enough on the ears to warrant listening multiple times in a row. I recommend changing the mix so it's not distorted by lowering the volume within your software. I'd also recommend some EQ to reduce the low-mid end. You can still make it loud with tools like compression, limiting, and normalization and it would be less painful to listen to than it is in its current state. I've said in my other reviews that the listener shouldn't have to raise the volume for their specific song. That principle works the other way, too.

In addition, There is not enough information in the description to say what you are trying to do with this piece. Poetry is what it is; poetic and free to interpret. That doesn't translate well in describing your thought process when writing the song. If I knew what you were trying to do, I may change my rating and review to reflect that rather than my own subjective opinion.

I want to like the piece; the dreamy aspect of it fits well with my personal taste. I just think the mixing, as it is, leaves a lot to be desired.

I hope this helps. I mean what I said constructively.

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

VibrantMan responds:

Oh, these are recordings of transmissions, I don't have any control of frequency irregularities.

[Fortune]

This feels very action-oriented, like a battle. It's pretty good, although, technically speaking, some of the synths get drowned in the mix.

It sure is fun to listen to, though. I'd like to see this in context of a turn-based game like early Final Fantasy or something.

I'd love to see more from you and your friend. You guys did a great job. :)

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

Shihotori responds:

Actually I chose to have that particular synth in the back, sort of like a layer. Since I don't intend to write a complicated bassline and I don't intend to make a pad sound (that wouldn't sound very chiptune anymore tbh xd) so I went with that sound and have it sit in the back.
Thanks for the comment anyway!

[Fantastic Journey]

The feeling of fantasy and child-like adventuring comes through really clearly here. Do I think it comes across as playful? Yes. Do I think it comes across as peaceful? In some parts, yes. Overall It has a "Get-up-and-go" vibe to it.

You obviously spent a lot of work on this piece, which is why it's a bit hard for me, as a fellow songwriter, to not give it 5 stars. However, I think the messages of playful and peaceful aren't as consistent throughout as they could be. Sometimes it's playful, and sometimes it's peaceful, with stark contrast between them, but at no point is it both.

I think a complex piece like this needs a video or image, or at the very least, a description of the imagery going through your head for each part, for me to really get a sense of what the different segments represent.

Personally, I like this piece, although classical is not my preferred genre. If it were strictly about my opinion I'd give a different score, but I'm reviewing this based on how clearly I think your intent comes through regardless of my taste in music.

As far as that goes, I think you did a great job.

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

VociferousMusic responds:

Thank you for the feedback. I do appreciate it, whether be it positive or negative.

My phrases probably were a bit unclear, so you most likely misunderstood it partially. Actually I meant this piece is very playful in comparison to my recent soundtracks.
I never did intent to have the piece be emotional and playful at once. While I enjoy to provide lots of different feelings within one track, I prefer them to come one by one, and not all together. :)

You definitely are right about the point about a picture or video being required to feel what I intended to express with the piece, so I do fully understand that it's rather hard for someone to feel it, especially when that kind of music isn't what you listen to in a regular manner.

[The mind of Smiley Cindy]

Woah. :o

This is so compelling! I'd love to have seen the animation that went with this.

This could absolutely be an unofficial Daedra from Skyrim. Or a deranged serial killer's dream.

Mixing wise, the instrumentation is a tad too quiet, especially when compared to the voices. Apart from that, it's an amazing piece. You should be proud. :D

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

Skashi95 responds:

considered, I'll update the audio

[KEEP FIGHTING (feat. RealMrSnuggles)]

Some parts of this (particularly the very beginning) have almost a Rocky vibe; the feel that says... well... "KEEP FIGHTING!!!" ;)

It's simultaneously hopeful and uncertain at the same time, a difficult combination to pull off.

The abrupt ending leaves me wondering what will happen, adding to the uncertainty. Not sure if that's your intent, but the shoe fits.

Well done!

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

[Pandemic Nightmare]

This track certainly captures the essence of being in the situation room figuring out how to handle the virus... on the Gameboy Advance. ;)

There's a sense of seriousness and urgency in your description and I think it comes across clearly in your music.

The only thing I could say is the mixing, while balanced, is a bit quiet. Given the waveform's current state you could theoretically just use normalizing to boost the volume. The reason to do this is so the listener doesn't get inconvenienced and have to raise the volume just for this one song.

Still, I think it's a good piece. Great job. :)

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

[Make]

What a neat blend of sci-fi and fantasy! :)

Epic orchestral production combined with Dubsteps synths; I can really see the scope of just how epic the story is based on the sound.

The only suggestion I would make is that you should pull back on some of the Dubstep sounds. A few of them are overpowering and get in the way of the epic nature of the story IMO.

Still, very nice job!

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

DJStormblastXL responds:

Thank you very much man for this "story" feedback :)

[hypothermia]

I could see this in a Genesis-era game like Sonic The Hedgehog, as well as a Super Stickman Golf level. You've expressed a unique image of an urban environment with lots of snow and falling icicles in it.

IMO The name "hypothermia", however, doesn't fit the energy of the rest of the song. You may want to change the name.

The mixing is quiet. I recommend adding a compressor/limiter and/or normalizing the audio so the listener doesn't have to raise the volume for this one song.

The ending is abrupt. I suggest either having the piece resolve or find a way to cleanly loop it.

As much as I enjoy the imagery you've expressed, I think expanding the arrangement would make this song really hit the point home about feeling cold. Though I think the writing is good, I think experimenting with effects plugins and/or trying different instruments that make the song sound "larger" in scale would be beneficial.

That is, however, assuming you are going for a vast, snowy landscape feel. It's a little unclear what kind of ice level you want to make this piece for (retro-themed, compact, urban, modern, expansive, etc.) so I'll give this song the benefit of the doubt.

Either way, you did a fine job.

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

gamerjaym responds:

thanks

[BluFlame - The Seven Seas]

Somehow, you managed to have a pirate-sailor adventure vibe come through clearly despite using the very urban-city-oriented sound of Dubstep. You get bonus points for that. :)

The mixing is well done, too.

Personally, I found the ending to be a little anticlimactic given the bombast of the rest of the song.

Even still, awesome job!

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

TaylorBlue responds:

Hey! Thank you for your feedback, it's always appreciated.
I completely get what you mean about that ending though... by that point I simply didn't know what else to do! However, you're not the fist to say that, so from now on I'll try make those endings extra spicy when built up to like that :p

[Factory Beat (loop version)]

Nice choice of instrumentation. Synth-based dance music is usually urban-oriented by default, so the style fits the name really well IMO. I can see the factory where this takes place in my head.

I think the only thing I'd suggest changing is taking off the last kick of the beat or doing some kind of edit so it's an even number of bars. As it is, there's an extra beat if you loop it.

Still, great job! :)

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