Phyrnna's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Reminisce WIP]

Nice nice!
I do like the chord progression you used. However as the previous review stated, you should probably mix it up a bit. For one, I'd recommend adding some variation to the left hand part. Also, adding in a B section would help too although I suppose you'll get there when you make this a full song.
Sounds decent so far! Keep working on it!

~Phyrnna ^_^

Xsalvaz responds:

Thanks a lot! I turned it into dance. But like I said below, I can give you the FLP for the piano and you can work on it.
~X

[MMBN2 Virus Busting Redux]

I'm a huge sucker for Megaman style tracks, and even more so for tracks from the Megaman games. Your cover is pretty wonderful to listen to and I can totally listen to this on repeat while playing a Megaman game!
Great job!

~Phyrnna ^_^ <3

EliteFerrex responds:

Thanks a bunch! I'm a huge fan of your tracks, as well, having heard most of them from many an Epic Battle Fantasy.

[Polargeist Menu Theme]

This is quite amazing! I can totally see it working. :)

My only gripe with it is that it's on the short side, but otherwise I like it. I like your combination of instruments. Again, I wish that at the end you built it up again. But I suppose that's a way of saying you've left me wanting more.

Great job!

~Phyrnna ^_^

Step responds:

Heyyy, thanks for leaving a review, means a lot coming from someone as distinguished as you.

I'm happy you liked it; it is quite short but it's just a menu theme and people don't stare at a menu for that long haha. I quite like this though, and while I don't think I'll be expanding it, it would probably work well!

Thanks again :3.

[Upon Arrival]

Honesty here, so no offense intended when I say that this isn't really good at all.

Compositionally, I found the piece rather boring, but that's a personal preference. The song doesn't really go anywhere.

Composition aside though, the sound is what gets me. The drums stand out from the pads like a sore thumb. They could certainly use a bit of reverb or delay. Or both.
As mentioned in one of the previous reviews, your kick in this track is very weak. I'm not sure if you have access to and/or have been acquainted with FL Studio's Maximus plugin, but that baby is your best friend (if you know your way around compressors and expanders).

Otherwise, there's not a lot in this track. It's a rather simple track, and I think it could be expanded upon quite a bit.

Keep it up! AND VISIT THE FL HELP TOPIC IN THE AUDIO FORUM!!!!!!!!

~Phyrnna ^_^ <3

BrokenDeck responds:

<3 <3

[-The Journey Home-]

I would say that this is certainly a piece that matches the definition of what Dreams of Splendor is about.
Your piano skills have certainly gotten pretty good and I thoroughly enjoyed the song. Certainly going to download it!
Thank you for the wonderful song!

~Phyrnna ^_^ <3

Back-From-Purgatory responds:

You are very welcome!

[The First Kingdom]

In terms of composition, I don't think the piano fits very well with the rest of the instruments with the basic arpeggiation that you're having it play over and over. The rest of the instruments sound fine to me, and there don't seem to be much in terms of clashing instruments.

The song does get quite a bit repetitive though, and could certainly use a second part to it.

Now sound-wise.... there's much to be desired. Being a fellow FL Studio user and EWQL user, I would suggest that you play around with EW a bit more to bring out more of the sound from it. Stormdrum is excellent, but for the drums you have in there EWQL Symphonic has all that you need.

You should also look into EQ and compression to help bring out the sound. Being an orchestral piece, compression isn't that necessary but you should use EQ to help it out. Particularly the piano, which could shine a lot more with proper EQ.

Keep it up! :D

~Phyrnna ^_^ <3

P.S. I think you've got potential, so I scouted you. :D

LittleDrumCircle responds:

Hey!

Sorry for the late reply, I forgot that Newground exists! But I'm back now. I would like to thank you for your reviews on my two pieces on here, and I see what you mean. These pieces are quite old, and I already released my second album. I'll upload them later today.

I am trying to get the instruments more balanced.

Anyway, thank you for your support!

[Up, Up and Away!]

And this is why I love your music! Has touches of good nostalgia while carrying your own style. :)
There are a few mixing issues here and there, but I think it's pretty good as is. GJ doesn't give much time to develop songs. xD

Troisnyx responds:

I know how it feels with the mixing... Part of it doesn't feel right. But well, I will be glad to ask for pointers on improving the song nonetheless. I'm glad you loved it. Thanks! ^_^

[Happy Sunday Morning!]

Wow! This totally sounds like Kirby! xDDD

I'm looking forward to seeing what your team is gonna bring to GJ! :D

Troisnyx responds:

I'm looking forward to it too, except that I probably won't be up at the time of the game's release. ^_^ x

[Cool Acoustic Drums]

I'm not sure if you're using a MIDI controller for your drums or if you're writing them in a DAW, but they could use some more liveliness. What I mean by that is each of your drum hits sound the same. Now generally a performer will hit that drum about the same each time, but they'll maybe bang it harder for one part, and softer for another. What would make your drums ten times better is if you adjusted the velocity (not speed) on your drums every now and then. Also, as a little trick when you're using drum samples and not real drums, trying hitting different pitches of the drum now and then too. Like maybe a half step up or down. It's subtle enough to not sound too different, but just different enough to replicate a drummer hitting different parts of the drum and getting slightly different pitches.

Just my two cents on your drums. I hope it helps!

~Phyrnna ^_^

SeanRamey responds:

Hey, thanks for giving me some tips! I did do them in a DAW. These drums do have varying velocities, but I can't change the pitches of them, at least I don't how anyways, but thanks for your input! :)

[Mother]

This is a very beautiful piece. I'm quite agreed with what NobleOneNinja said below. The piano is great, although a recording from a real piano would be better. After all, that way you can also capture more emotion. The sax (I think?) is a great subtle touch to it all. I like the simplicity of the song and the emotion it conveys. The song also loops well, as I really didn't notice the looping until I noticed that it had been playing for quite a while.
Very excellent job, and I hope you can find some solace somewhere. If you ever need to talk to someone, I'm here to listen. You know where to find me. ^_^ <3

Take care.

~Phyrnna ^_^ <3

Troisnyx responds:

It was an oboe, not a sax, though I can understand picking one over the other.
Thanks for the review, and I trust we'll speak soon.