Phyrnna's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[X.-Raining Fire-.]

Ooh nice. :3

I certainly do think that the name fits the song. Let's get into this. The starting percussion is nicely done, and it sets the mood for it.
The electric guitar that comes in at 0:13 is rather subdued. I think you could maybe EQ it a little differently. The level of it is fine, it's just the sound of it.
The lead synth that enters at 0:27 is nice. It follows the melody nicely, and it stands out a good deal.
The vocals are nice, but I really do think that they could be EQ'd to sound clearer. Maybe a high shelf on the higher frequencies and a low pass to cut off the ultrasonic frequencies.
The piano that enters in at 1:49 is nice. But a little overlayed by the other instruments. I like its sound at 2:10, where it's nice and clear. The brightness fits the song well also.
The guitar at 2:04 has the same problem as before in my opinion. Maybe a little different EQ could help.
Great song overall, just a little more tweaks here and there.

-HFX ^_^

[Is This True Love? (Piano)]

Live?

I was looking down below at MICHhimself's review. Is this a live recording? Or live as in you used a keyboard+midi cable?
Either way, it's great. It's got good expression and variation. The part at 1:23 was really nice. It uses the same accompaniment pattern that I use a lot. Although I do think that you could have done more there.
But overall, this is a wonderful entry for the Mac09. I'd enter too... but I have no time. x_x
Good luck~!

-HFX ^_^

Zero123Music responds:

yes, live as in keyboard+MIDI cable
Thankyou very much - and I felt it became a little too repetitive, I may update it with all these suggestions in :)

thanks
>>Zero

[More Than Words (Lira's V]

8D Ultra Long Review FTW! 8D

Writing this review as I'm listening.
First thing that struck me when your vocals entered is the lack of reverb. Not that your voice always needs reverb to sound good, but Pulstate's instruments are already coming out with lots of reverb. So I think it would be better to mix some reverb into your own voice so that it fits in better.
The next thing I'm noticing is that your voice seems to not move around much pitch-wise. But I think the main problem here is that the EQ is off. I think you need a little bit of peaking on your higher frequencies to make your voice clearer, and maybe even a high shelf a little above that. Of course add a low pass if you do the high shelf or the ultrasonic frequencies are going to get dizzying.
The part at 2:59 where your voice comes back in has a nice delay effect. Well used... although I think you should work on it a little more. It sounds a little inconsistent at some points. Perhaps add a delay to certain parts to emphasize certain words, such as the "here" at 3:11 and the "alone" that comes right after it. Now if you had reverb in there also, that delay would sound really great! Although I think you could get a better effect with a increased decay in reverb too. Maybe use both delay and longer reverb decay together?
At 5:00 when your voice enters again, I think you should increase the volume of your voice a little so that it stands out a little more. Or better yet, raise the levels in the EQ so that it doesn't all get louder, but the parts that you want more clearer will be more clearer.
The part at 5:45 sounds fine... but if I was doing this I would change your voice by using reverb effects. Namely I'd lower the dry signal output to somewhere about 75% so that it gives that "distant" sound, which I think fits that part well.
Agh... 6:43! When your voice enters in, I think it sounds practically perfect except for one big thing. It clips!! >.< You should go check your levels a bit there.
At 7:15 where the drums keep panning between left and right, I think it would be neat if you added some vibrato effects via use of a LFO envelope, or a sung vibrato. I think it'd fit those weird drums.
Well, that was all for your vocals. *looks up* That's a long review... @_@ I talk a lot. :X
Anyways, I think you shouldn't use compression on your vocals AT ALL. Why I say that is that it kills off the dynamics that MAKE your voice great. I'd use EQ only on your vocals and use that to bring out certain frequencies and make your voice clearer.
Anyways, as far as lyrics go, great lyrics. :3 I wish I could write like that. >_>;

-HFX ^_^

Liralei responds:

Um. Wow. That was an impressively long review. I appreciate it tons. <3

What makes me sad is that I can't put any of it to use because Audacity isn't powerful enough to be that sensitive with my vocals. :P Nor could I find an appropriate reverb plugin to use-- my attempt to compensate for that was putting a delay on the ends of each line. Which clearly wasn't terrible audible. Eeeek. Oh well. Also, I feel worse because Audacity doesn't let you put effects into a separate channel (unless you literally copy the vocals twice, and then apply effects to one and lower its volume, which is what I did for the delays at the ends of words in the main verses.

I also used a very minor delay on the part at 5:45, which I hoped would be enough as well, but I guess I undershot with that one. Thanks for all the feedback-- I'll definitely plink it at the friend who offered to master it for me after I put this up! :P

[-:YRX:- MMZ2 PowerfullRemix]

Better. (RAWR!!)

This one I liked better than your Megaman X2 remix.
The intro that you put there is really nice. I actually like how you did it. 0:27 was an interesting part. But a nice lead in to the main melody.
The instruments that follow after that in the main melody are nice. I have no complaints about those. The percussive instruments do get to me though. That "kick" isn't my favorite type. It's like a synth kick. Nonetheless, it can use an EQ. Raise the bass end and treble part, and drop the in between.
The snare also sounds like it doesn't fit. It just kinds of hits in, yet it stands out too much on its own.
The drum beats are pretty good. They're nice and fit well.
Overall this song is a good tribute to the original. Maybe a little work is needed on getting the instruments to go together better. But not bad.

-HFX ^_^

YouriX responds:

Even thou you have good points. I must defend my beloved Kick this is where taste for sound comes into play. You may find the kick rahter irritating but in my ears is music baby!! And my friend who is also in music production agree with me. And the Hithat well i got kinda lazy but it isnt that bad c'mon :P But im glad you actually made a usefull review wich i can debate with and loving it!
But im glad you like the end part wich is also my fav part!

Thanks for the comment!

[ZeroX2 PowerFull MegamanRemix]

Interesting take. (RAWR!!!)

I've heard the original of this song (played the game) and this version is quite interesting.
First off, I was kind of thrown off by your introduction to your site. At 0:29, I don't know why you have that second of silence. It doesn't seem to fit in the song very well.
The lead synth that you chose to play the main melody is a nice choice. Although personally I would have chosen a more dramatic instrument for the piece.
The choir that enters at 1:07 needs to be changed or just taken out of there. I'm not sure what choir you're using, but it sounds.... bland. Try lowering the dry signal level on the reverb settings. It tends to give a better result while working with choirs.
At 1:54 when the drums come in, it doesn't fit very well. The kick has too much echo to it, and the reverb is overall too high which makes the drums not fit in very well with the melody. It's not as bad in the other parts of the songs, but you should still lower the reverb and echo.
The part that goes from 2:08 to the end... the choir sounds off. I don't know what you did exactly, but it sounds dissonant to me between the choir and the melody. Maybe you should look into it? That and the choir still sounds very synthicated (I just made that word up). The choir is kind of stuck half way between a purely synth choir and a real sounding choir.
Now for the song itself...
Your arrangement of choir notes is very boring. The choir accompaniment only seems to have two notes vertically at any one time. Either that or it's one note that has frequencies at two places. I think choirs tend to work better with more layers on them. It gives them more depth and more feel. Plus adds to the dramatic part of the song. As for arranging the choirs, don't keep using only the first inversion, and use a good mix of chord inversions to make an interesting choir.
The part at 0:56, it's an interesting addition. I wouldn't have written that type of accompaniment to this song, but it works. So no complaints. The instrument itself though sounds almost as if it's going to peak, and overall could use a little better mastering.
THe lead synth that plays the melody from 2:32 til the end isn't bad. But it clashes with itself. I don't know what to tell you to fix that. Maybe use a slightly different synth?

Overall, not a bad cover version of the original song. Although I'm still liking the original better. Just work on a few things and this song will be even better.
I think I'll take a peek at your site.

-HFX ^_^

YouriX responds:

Wow what a review almost a whole assay. BUT i cant edit this song since its got like 3000 listens. But i will take your advise at heart its really usefull. And can be used for future projects. I wont promise you anything spectacular when i make a new song but i will do my best.
Thanks for the comment.

[Kazmo & Kerrie - Another Way]

Come another day.

Well here's a nice long review. :P
0:24 sounds a little out of place. I think it's because of how that filter/EQ/whatever jumps in so suddenly. A little too sudden.
Kerrie's voice is nice, but I think it could use a little more projecting? I'm sure an EQ can help with that. I think right now it sounds a little cut off in the higher frequencies.
The piano is nice, but I think it could definitely be made to stand out a little more in the song.
I think the mix between instruments and vocals needs a little different balance. For some reason your mixing here seems to emphasize a lot more on the synths, and it really doesn't do justice to her voice.
As far as song structure goes, the first half-ish of the song gets a little repetitive. It starts getting a lot better afterwards.
Keep at it! :D

-HFX ^_^

[Franswa - Impressions]

Vocals! [RAWR!!!]

You know, I actually really like this. The beat is really catchy and hip. The only problem that I'm having with this? Lack of variation and repetitiveness. But for this beat, I don't think there's a lot more you can do with the beat itself. What it needs is vocals. Some awesome hip hop vocals on top of this would sound really great.

-HFX ^_^

EternalXIII responds:

This song has a long way till it's done. the sample I used through out will be cut up differently for a chorus and bridge. It will break the repetitivness... I just get mad lazy during rough drafts. Especially with samples... TY for all the reviews !

[pixels( Opiate Stunna)]

First submission! [RAWR!!! <-- using that one now]

I like to always go back and listen to artist's first submission. That way you can get a feel for how they've changed.
The song is a little on the repetitive side as it repeats the same theme over and over. The theme itself is nice and the percussion goes well with it.
I think the main lead instrument could've stood out better.
What I do like is the glistening sound effect you have, one place being at 1:05. That sounds to either be a bells glisten, but it's probably a cymbal brushed.
Not much more I can write... though I already wrote a bunch. :P

-HFX ^_^

EternalXIII responds:

thanks for the review... AGAIN!!! lol. I haven't listened to this song in such a long time. It is mad repetitive. And I do the same thing. I think I reviewed one of you earlier songs yesterday! ( I reviewed a couple, I love your music! it's so beautiful).

[Franswa - God's Love Remix]

I like the piano. [R4RT]

First things first. Kudo's on the piano. I'm not sure if you just took a sample, or if you wrote it out from scratch. Either way it's really well done and sounds realistic enough.
The ambient background sounds that you added were nice. They're not harsh on the ears and they do provide nice accompaniment.
The snares and kick are alright. I do think the kick could have stood out more. The snares are fine as they are. But the kick is a little lacking in the beginning and the end.
Where's the thread for this? I might want to try my hand at messing with this piano. :3

-HFX ^_^

EternalXIII responds:

Go to CrimzonWolf777's page (He's the first reviewer) and the track is called god's love. ty for the review! I'll return favor! I don't remember where the thread is!

[[LY] .-- Tempered Grace --']

First review? ^_^

Bassy goodness indeed. There's a good bass on this song.

The guitar sound that starts off the song sounds nice. At 0:13 it seems that you applied a filter on it? Or is it just another synth on top of that? Either way, it sounds nice. Although it is a little muffled. That might be the sound that you're looking for. But if you were looking for a more clearer sound, it'd probably be best to EQ the sound a bit differently. Adding a peaking point in the treble a few octaves above the bass usually makes it sound more crisp and clear.

The kick that enters in at 0:20 is nice. It's not as strong as many other kicks that people use. But it fits this song just fine in my opinion. After all, you already got a strong bass going in the background and the kick doesn't overpower or conflict with that bass.

The stick-ish sound effect that you added at 0:24 is nice with the reverb effect. It has a nice surround sound feel to it by the way you applied the reverb. No complaints there. The sound that followed right after it at 0:25 is nice too. Although later in the song at 1:28 to 1:48 it seems to get covered up by the hats and snares(?).

The lead instrument that comes in at 0:48 sounds interesting. It fits, although to me I think the reverb on it seems a bit too wet. Maybe you could lower the level of the wet signal in the reverb a bit?

The break from 1:49 to 2:02 is short. Which isn't bad, but it just feels rather empty and doesn't seem to help with the flow of the music.

The clap from that point afterwards is nice with the modifications to the echoes. Although I think that from 2:31 to 2:44, it shouldn't have that much echo to it. I sounds out of place with the relative quietness of the song. Same goes for that stick sound effect at 2:55. Less reverb on those.

Good song over all, and a good improvement. ^_^
I hope my review helps. :D Although I myself am not as established really. >_<

-HFX ^_^

la-yinn responds:

o_o

That's quite a long, and useful review. Exactly what I was looking for! Every single aspect you look at and tell weather it fits or not, I like.

And cough, not established? Last I heard you had a song in the weekly top 5, AND in the all-time top 30.

Thanks a lot for the review, it sure does help! ;D