Setu-Firestorm's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[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

[Phreakanoid]

Good loop

I know that I'm being hypocritical saying this, but the piece can do without the reverb (I'm a reverb whore, so I really can't talk). Considering what it sounds like you were trying to do here I believe it needs to be more foreground with less of the reverb.

It would be good for a chasing scene in an abstract sci-fi movie.

[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!

[_-={An Ambitious War}=-_]

Wonderfully done

Very well composed and executed as well as mixed.

I'm not surprised to see that you've scored several projects here already.

I mentioned it previously, but I'd really be interested in knowing what VSTi you're using for this. If you say this was Edirol, I'm going to cry. =P

Awesome job, keep it up!

MaestroRage responds:

I used Edirol for earlier works, but not this one my good sir, I use East West Symphonic Orchestra Gold, but to be honest FL doesn't operate that well with it, so I will probably resort back to Edirol and other sources.

I'm glad you enjoyed the piece, thank you for the review!

[Overworld]

Interesting piece

I personally would've done something with that distorted saw synth; it was okay, but it does seem like it stabs this piece right in the gut.

Other than that, great piece. It's definitely suited for a futuristic set game.

Johnny-Beat responds:

thanks, firestorm. opinions such as yours help determine the ubiquitous mindsets that people have toward music. On a level I can agree with you, as the saw is very blunt. Contrarily, i wanted it that way in order to properly emphasize the breakdown in the middle of this peice. However, I can conclude that through remastering I can tone it down a little, AND keep it noticable.

Thanks for the review!

[{Daydream}]

Relaxing and innovative

I absolutely love well-composed and well-executed ambient pieces. This piece paints an image equivalent to that of a daydream, very successfully.

So far, you seem to be one of the few artists I've come across so far that I find most of their music download-desirable.

[DK3 Breakbeat V2]

Great work

Okay, when I can pick out several of your songs at random and find them awesome, that says a lot about you!

Great job, and good luck on OCRemix. I hate those bastards. They have a notorious habit of rejecting good mixes and accepting annoying crap.

cornandbeans responds:

yay :D thanks man

so... the judging is gonna probably start tomorrow..

and I completely agree with you about OCRemix. I've already been rejected twice. :P

[Harry Potter Techno Remix]

A very ingenious remix

The Harry Potter theme was one I never could have imagined as a remix, but you pulled it off so sweetly. I love it!

Great job!

[BUD]

Not bad, but not complete

This piece is not very well mixed (it shows that the song either is peaking or did peak before you applied some sort of limiter or peak management plugin). Other than that, it needs more than just two instruments going. You really should layer more on top of this.

Not a bad piece of music though, just build on it.

VegetarianMeat responds:

There were more than two instruments, but they were just for atmosphere. I know what you mean though.

Thanks for the review :)