Codefreq's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Tranquility]

The description matches the vibe of the song very well. I feel like this could be playing in the background of a Japanese botanical garden.

The only thing I'd suggest is using some compression/limiting and/or normalizing to increase the volume enough so that the listener doesn't have to change the volume when going to and from listening to this song.

Overall, great job!

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

SharkwithSideburns responds:

Hey thank you for your response! It means a lot, I'm still learning how to balance the noises in terms of loudness so this really helps :) I appreciate the feedback!

[Extra Terrestrial]

To keep my review and rating as helpful as possible, they are going to be based on my criteria for review which you'll find by following the link at the bottom of this review. You should know, though that, subjectively speaking, I think this is one killer dance tune. :D

Anyway:

I think the mixing is very impressive.

I wish you talked more about what was going through your head when you created this as well as when you came back to it. Knowing what your intent was helps me give you more constructive feedback.

For example, Why pick the title, "Extra Terrestrial"? Nothing this song presented to me says it involves aliens or is a particularly alien piece. Without your perspective to clarify your intent, it's difficult to provide helpful feedback.

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

Ultimatepalmtree3 responds:

Thanks for the review, glad you like the track! I’m not really sure what bought me back to this after so long. I guess I wanted a challenge, wanted to see the difference of how far I’ve come maybe?

I was also terrible with titles; it was chosen because I made it on Halloween, so aliens, spooky etc. Terrible I know XD But I decided to keep it for now until I come back to this track.

Thanks for the feedback, I really appreciate it!

[Luminous]

Not sure what happened with the upload, technically. The waveform doesn't match the song at all. That's not a knock against your song, It's just strange. I'd recommend replacing the audio file in this project just in case.

Anyway, here's my review:

First, I'm curious about your thought process, both behind the name and behind the song itself. Without your perspective, I can't give much in the way of constructive criticism.

Subjectively, I think this song is pretty good. It's a bit repetitive and ends without resolve, which
I'm not personally into.

I'm afraid that's all I can say unless you give a bit more perspective. If you do that, I may be able to help further and possibly change my rating.

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

HellFighterEDM responds:

I'm not sure what happened to the waveform either, it seems to happen to me sometimes.

I usually just make songs every once in a while, it's kinda like a side thing but I don't think that should matter in your review since I appreciate criticism and would like to improve. Naming my songs is probably the part I struggle the most with, I'm not sure how I'd rate myself on this song in that aspect and I did struggle a bit coming up with an ending which, I'll be honest, I'm still not really happy with.

But anyways, thanks for the review!

[cold]

What vivid imagery in the description! There's a sense of innocence and childlike amazement and awe on what's going on throughout the track. It paints a very clear image.

The mixing is great!

It almost feels like a dream, right up until the 2:38 mark, when suddenly you wake up and a vague image of the dream is all that remains.

Great job! :D

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

BurneMusic responds:

thank you :)))

I always try to think of the imagery behind a track when i make it

[Loop7]

Nice! To me it sounds kind of like a clean futuristic city not unlike Corneria from Star Fox or something out of Custom Robo or something.

There's a couple of things I'd like to point out. First, as this is a loop, I think the ending should not be so abrupt. By this I mean the loop builds its instrumentation and cuts off before starting over. That sudden transition from loud to quiet is a bit jarring for a loop. I suggest transitioning more smoothly by reducing the instrumentation slowly over a couple more bars.

The only other thing is the song is just a little quiet. You may want to add compression/limiting plugins and/or consider normalizing.

Even still, I like it. :)

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

Joeyag responds:

Thanks for the review. Mixing and stuff is really not my strong suit, so tips are always welcome.

[Project Mind Drain]

UPDATE:

Thank you for addressing my review. :)

It's much clearer now what your intent was. The 1980's retro feel comes across really well.

As far as the guitar goes, I actually didn't notice the first one at 1:09 the first couple of times around. I was referring to the one at 2:08. Since you've clarified the last part was just for kicks and not an attempt to add to the original song, that segment makes a lot more sense.

I'm still not quite sure how the title fits the motif of the song, but other than that, great job! :)

Original 3 1/2 star review:

"I suggest providing additional information about your thought process while making this song. As it is right now I can only comment regarding my personal taste rather than how effective your intent comes across.

Also, I'm curious about the name. Why call it Project Mind Drain?

Personally, I like this song, although I feel like this should be two different songs. The part with the guitar feels like a complete departure from the rest of the piece.

I hope you find this helpful. :)

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

ThermalLaser responds:

Thank you for the thorough review. I'll try my best to answer your questions and comments.

My thought process at first was to keep looping and layering onto the opening motif. When the melody at 0:27 was added, I thought "this is kind of sounding like an 80's synth song". From that point I had the direction I wanted to go with this piece. I wanted it to sound like the theme from an 80's action/sci-fi movie. This is also the reasoning behind the title. Kind of sounded like a cheesy 80's action/sci-fi movie plus it describes how I feel with all this self-quarantining stuff going on (LUL).

I don't know if you mean the part where the guitars come in at 1:09 or the riff at 2:08. I feel the part starting at 1:09 really brings the themes of the song to an epic conclusion. 2:08 however, is just a meme I do at the end of songs sometimes. It's not considered part of the "real" song, just a little farewell jam session.

Again, thank you for taking the time to write a thorough review, it was very helpful. I hope I've offered some insight in this response.

- Thermal Laser

[The Flame Rival]

Epic. :)

The Flame Rival is an interesting title. Where did you get the idea for that?

About that correlation between cover art and music; I'd like some more detail on what you were thinking so I can judge based on how effectively I think your intent comes across rather than simply my own taste.

My taste: I like this. It didn't wow me, but I like it.

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

TheSentiment responds:

Thanks for reviewing! Glad you liked it! I got the idea for "The Flame Rival" from 1. the discord username of the artist of the cover art (her nickname was "vermin rival") and 2. the feel of the art itself (the art depicts a woman with dragon wings and fiery-looking hair).

I read your guidelines, and am very glad that you've taken such time to plot out how things should be judged. I agree with and am thankful for your thoughts :)

[Never been to Edmonton]

UPDATE:

Thanks for adding your thought process. In the interest of focus and cohesiveness, my suggestion would be to make the title fit with the general vibe of the music. An example would be something like this: To me, this song makes me think of relaxing at home while outside there's a fog causing poor visibility outside. so I'd call it "Chillin' in the fog" or something. You don't have to use my example; everyone thinks about music differently. Just thought I'd try to help offer perspective with how I think about titles for my songs.

I hope you find that useful. :)

Original 4 star review:

"I'm curious what your thought process was with this piece. If you provide this, I may change my rating to reflect how well your intent comes across, rather than purely my personal taste.

Along those lines, why the title, "Never been to Edmonton"?

This piece is well mixed. I like it. It's kind of dreamy. :)

I hope this helps.

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

Vertlain responds:

Hi. Thanks for your comment. The thought process was: I want to make something a bit different, maybe a bit Royksopp-ish.. (obviously I don't know much about that kind of music). Not long before finishing the track I figured out some of the ideas were clearly, though unintentionally inspired by a band Faunts. Then I thought: where do these guys come from anyway? Wikipedia said they are from Edmonton, Canada, which I'm yet to visit... Yeah, I know. I'm not that good with titles. ;p Glad you like it.