Codefreq's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[child of the woods]

Wow, this is powerful. Music like this doesn't come often. I'm floored. The lyrics and the music work perfectly together.

Technically, it's great, too. The music is quiet, but I think in this specific instance it highlights the small, yet strong and determined voices that the piece is about.

Truely amazing job! :D

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

Troisnyx responds:

Oh gosh, thank you for the kind words ;_; <3

This was a heart-wrencher to record and produce; I'm just grateful that it touches others similarly. I'm grateful that it has touched you this way, too.

[Search For The Chloroquine Crystal Cure]

It reminds me of Zelda and Pikmin in terms of spelunking in caves during the hot weather; that cozy and humid feeling. :)

I actually think the current mix is helpful for getting the RPG feeling across. The dynamics are very good as it is. Maybe it could be louder a little bit, but it may mess with the dynamics. Your choice.

It's interesting that you did this using live takes and no sequencers or computers. As a songwriter myself who uses the computer as an instrument, I find this to be as baffling as it is impressive.

Great job! :D

Midnights-Ocean responds:

Hey thanks so much! I always liked the music those old games used for caves. Yeah I think those quiet mid sections could do with a little boost here and there. Maybe next time I polish this, I'll do that. : )

[The Zatesee - Niagara Fury]

UPDATE:

Thank you for your clarification. Now I understand where you're coming from. It's not a bad song. I stand by what I said about it sounding "loop-oriented", but now I see that this was made for fun. You get bonus points for engineering your own loops rather than using stock loops.

Original Review of 2 stars:

"First and foremost, I'd like to see in the description your thought process when you made this. As it is, I have to judge by my own taste rather than judging by how effective I think your message and/or thoughts came across.

What's the story behind the name? Currently, it doesn't make much sense to me why you called this Niagara Falls.

I have a problem with how "loop-oriented" many of the sounds in this song are. I realize you said you made it in Garage Band for iOS. I get it, Garage Band is an easy-to-use tool to get your feet wet in music. That said, honestly, it really sounds like that's what you did. You need to put more effort into making your music your own instead of using what sounds like mostly built-in loops.

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

Ohmterra responds:

Thank you for you're comment.

The original story of this song was when I went to Niagara falls Canada, and decided to make a song while on my trip. The original, which is named "Falls" Is still on my account.

Around a couple months later I make Niagara Falls in the attempt to remaster the original. It took like 10 version before I was satisfied.

Now I make a song called Hraunfossar, and make it close as identical as I can. Someone suggested naming it to this song. I got the idea then to work on it, and actually make.

Now with looping. I made all of the sounds minus the drop kicks and topper. Other than that, everything is original to the song.

Again, Thank you for your comment,
-The Zatesee

[Take Me Away]

UPDATE:

Thanks for clarifying the title.

Original 4 star review:

“This song very well could be at the end credits for a cinematic indie adventure game. I'm not sure about the genre pick or the title, though.

What's the meaning behind the title?

I'm not experienced in hip-hop, so for all I know this could be an instrumental hip-hop track, but to me it sounds more like instrumental trap music, especially towards the middle.

Still, not bad.

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

Aterum responds:

Hey there, I tend to label most of my stuff hip hop modern because the genre picks are somewhat limited and the track is definitely influenced by hip hop.

The song title came about because when I worked on the original version of this track: https://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/282481 (11 years ago!) I initially titled it "Journey" which became "A Journey's End" and when I remake a song I tend to Re-Title it with something thematically similar in this case it's like "Take Me Away on a Journey" it might also have to do with being stuck inside haha. Thanks for the review!

[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

[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