Setu-Firestorm's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Ironman Rap Beat]

Highly underdeveloped

I think that's the fifth time today I've used that term "underdeveloped". Anyhow, I'll get to the reviewing.

You have a good beat going for the song, although I'm trying to understand what you're trying to do with this; are you trying to establish a custom beat to the song or are you trying to do a complete rendition of the song itself?

So, getting into the grit, I'm not sure what program you're using for this, but if it is at all possible (unless you only have that option) I would get each drum seperated into its own audio track and EQ them to the right sound. You can do a lot to bring out the richness of a drum set by applying the right EQing. There are many sites online where you can research such things. Also, learn about compression -- it will greatly enhance the performance of the punchy kick and snare drum.

Aside adding a bassline and bringing up the volume on these instruments, I would advise learning mixing and EQing and go from there. Otherwise, you're not off to a bad start.

T-Dugg responds:

thanks I use FL so that is an option to me. Thanks alot for the feedback.

[[GF]AliVe[GF]]

Great techno piece

I wondered at first why your melody in the opening sounded familiar, but I guess it's just me.

You did an awesome job. Everything is just perfectly mixed and compressed. I have to say that for your first "serious" work, I'm greatly impressed.

Keep up the good work!

GroundForce responds:

thank you very much for your review!

[GF]

[*Street Mix*]

Not too bad but needs help

First of all, exercise some organization. This piece feels like it packs good punch, but then goes out into the street and gets lost wandering aimlessly. Form a structure to the piece and follow. Your beat is awesome and catchy, and arpeggiated synth is good in moderation as well as your scratches.

Secondly, I would recommend adding a bass part. Hip hop is more than just the drums; it's the bass and additional instruments that make it happen.

You're on the right track; just develop your work more.

eyechieftrees responds:

There was bass, you idiot. Turn up your fucking speakers, or buy some new ones.

Thanks for the awesome review! =]

[Atheist Fatwa]

This is okay.

Personally, I would've brought your synth string up in volume and upped it an octave. It sounds like the lead melodic instrument sitting back in the mix where it doesn't belong. Bring it in the forefront. Also, you had a drum part come in that was louder than the previous. I would fix those levels to where they balance at the same volume.

Also, add a little more filler. This can be just a simple chord pad or even a distort guitar rhythm to keep it supported.

However, these are just my opinions. The piece itself is decently done. It's well composed; I just feel it could use some more work.

Kasualty responds:

Yeah, I only spent a couple hours on it. The next song of mine will be better.

TY 4 the review.

[Kindoms]

Interesting piece

It has a bit of a light and dark vibe that ironically blends very well. I could see this as kind of a Silent Hill BGM. Wonderful execution of choir samples as well as establishing the malicious underdrones that support the piece.

Bad-Man-Incorporated responds:

I really, really wish I had the patience to use reason more. I did play piano for a time and have some nice ideas. Sadly, I'm way toooo lazy to draw out every single note. hahaha.
Glad you liked it man. Cool as hell review too. I only uploaded this, to make you jealous of the chorus samples...although, there are sooo many more...that are really cool too.

Thanks again, man!\m/

[Rage-Metaljonus]

Eeeeee

This piece makes me want to set furniture on fire. Hell, maybe later.

*shrugs

Anyhow, this piece really drives, but not like the average metal piece. This one more drives like a semi truck on fire plows through a trailer park. The guitar riffs are smokin' and very original (at least from what I'm used to with metal). The drums are crazy fast, but believe me, I've heard people play drums like that and it is indeed very believable.

If your other music is as amazing as this, then there's no reason you shouldn't soar to high heights as a metal musician.

Keep it up!

Metaljonus responds:

Thanks for listening man! I know a few drummers who can play this kind of metal which is good. :)

[{I Don't Need You Anymore}]

Very Driving piece

This piece begins simple and escalates very well. It drives with the pulsing of heartpounding action, as if there was a chasing scene with a sense of desperation for the person to escape from those who wish to extinguish him.

The drums were awesome in their execution and mixing, although there were some synths that I personally would have set back a little more in the mix and less in the foreground, but it didn't appear to be a flaw -- rather, it seems to be a matter of style.

Awesome job, cornandbeans. Keep `em coming.

cornandbeans responds:

:D thanks!

I tried a bit of compression on the song (as a whole) whereas I probably should have worked on the individual channels. You might have been hearing the sub-bass though, that tends to overpower a bit. But you're right, it is more of a style. Without it, the drums sound weak. And being that it is drum n' bass... yea. :P

Thanks for the review! :)
~cornandbeans

[What is a n00b to do?]

Great song

Although it's very simple, I just really appreciate the humorous originality of the piece.

this is going in my music library.

Dan-Plus-Add responds:

Thank you, I appreciate that :)

[Solus- Endless Space]

Endless space

This is a very simple piece, but it was obviously designed that way. It flows wonderfully, and has a relaxing spacey mood to it that very much accomplishes its purpose.

SolusLunes responds:

Cool. Glad you like it, and that you could see into it as well as you did :D

[Endless Dance]

Not bad at all

I would take out the percussion in the very beginning. For starters, real percussionists don't play that fast and jumbled. Secondly, the orchestral instrument samples are not really that great (but I wouldn't nail you on that, because I understand that there's not much you can do about it).

Also, this piece sounded like it didn't really know what style it wanted to be. That is something very fundamental in a song's composition that you as the composer should consider.

I give this piece an "8" score because while I believe it could benefit from better planning and execution, it was still a very valiant effort and I can't deny that for what it is that you did a fairly good job.

Just think about those pointers.

Quarl responds:

I somewhat agree with you about the bongos at the beginning, as I now somewhat regret putting them in, however, there is absolutely nothing wrong with them. It's not that jumbled, and any percussionist who considers himself a "professional" can play a rhythm that fast. The only thing that was technically "wrong" with the bongo section was how digital it sounded. Real bongos usually don't sound as good at that speed. Also, they really didn’t fit in with the rest of the song, thus my regret.

Moving on, I’d like to say that this song wasn't supposed to sound like something else. Just because something doesn't sound like a denominative doesn't mean its lame. In fact, we wouldn't be able to enjoy the liberties of modern music if it weren’t for the crazy musicians on the fore front, revolutionizing music as we know it.

Another thing to keep in mind is that I'm playing around right now, seeing what I can do with the program I’m using. I only have three weeks of experience with digital/tonal music, so in case you didn't notice with my other submissions, all I’m doing right now is playing around with different sounds and genres until I can find something that feels right for me.

Still though, I can't knock you for trying to give me some pointers. In fact, I wish more people would leave reviews like yours. However, there's still quite a bit of "review" you left out. The 8 overall was generous, but you still could have been more helpful if you explained why you gave me a 6 for clarity and diversity.

Oh, and about "planning and execution," well you see I'm a drummer. I lay down the rhythm section before I even begin to play around with the melodies, so technically planning and execution are non existent when it comes to my songs. You hit the nail on the coffin there.

Thanks for the review dude!