Phyrnna's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Kazmo - Take Off]

3,2,1, Houston we have.....

This song. :P
This one's nice. I like your originals. Although your originals are easy for me to distinguish from your remixes... they've all got your style in it. :P
Let's see...
What I'm reviewing now is way better than what you sent me earlier. There's a bunch more effects, and it's nowhere as repetitive. Sounds pretty good now and has good variation.
Definitely still at the WIP level. It can certainly be improved.

-HFX ^_^

P.S. I wonder if this will hit Top 5....

Kazmo responds:

My Style!!! :D

Tell me where I can improve Mel :3 I like hearing your insight.

Thanks for your review and support!

PS I have no idea... :P

[Ambient Trance WIP]

Congrats on getting top 5.

Irregardless of its Top 5 status, I'm going to review this as if it were any other song. :P

The entrance for the song is really nicely done. It progresses slowly and smoothly. The bass enters nicely, and the bass itself sounds good. The following piano is nice and relaxing, and it has a lovely gentle sound to it.
At 1:05, where you have that slight "transition".... it's alright. In my opinion it went a little short and too quick. I think it would be nice to also include some sort of ambient effect in that part and extend it a little.
Now one main problem I have is after that transition. The song just goes back to the exact same thing with claps added. The claps themselves are alright... although in my opinion they stand out a little too much. Perhaps lower their level a little bit? On the note of percussion, the snares also need to be changed. Their level is just fine... but I think the snare sample you're using has too much trouble for its own good. Perhaps EQ that sample with a raise to some of the bass frequencies... or use a different sample? I wouldn't recommend changing the sample though, since you do have a nice sound there. Just maybe a little EQ.
Again, this entire part after that transition is basically the same thing plus claps.... I would've probably tried adding some instruments or changing something. Possibly add a supporting instrument behind the piano? A suggestion could be to add a harp, that doesn't play the main notes, but acts as the "echo" of the piano and ping pongs from side to side. Shouldn't be too hard with a delay set on it with the dry level set down to 0.
At 1:56... I think the song is overstepping its welcome. That is, it's gotten too repetitive for me.
The cymbal exit at 2:13 is nicely done with the effects on the cymbal... but I personally think you could've exited differently. The cymbals could be kept in it, because what you have right now definitely gives it a certain touch. But maybe do something in the exit with the piano?
Well done song. I'd like to hear a completed version of this whenever you do finish it.
And congratulations again on Top 5.

-HFX ^_^

gregaaron89 responds:

Wow, thanks for the huge review! :D

I'm glad you like the intro, I'm pretty proud of that on this song, it's something I usually have trouble with and people think it takes to long and is too repetitive. Yeah I really like the sound of the bass :) And I can't stop using piano lately lol. I think maybe next song I need to not use it because I'm relying on it too much.

I agree with you that the transition at 1:05 is a bit weird. I can fiddle with the automation on that, it shouldn't to be that hard. There's not really that much going on there to mess with. I thought about cutting to a short silence at the end followed by a sole sound leading into the next section but I thought it was a bit early in the song for something drastic, I was leaving the big stuff for later in the song, gonna do an epic build :D

I dunno about the claps, dukelukeprod said the opposite, that they were too quiet and didn't have enough high end (well he likes house) I guess it's just a stylistic choice but I am going to mess with them to get them perfect. I like the volume they're at.

I don't know what snare you're hearing, the only snare sample I used is mixed in with the clap if that's what you mean.

The part after the transition is gonna see some major changes. I'm rewriting the piano part there and I'm probably going to even change the chord progression because even though no one mentioned it, I think it gets a bit old. Something a bit more complex, too. I'm gonna throw in some uplifting trance vibes into this song :) I probably will give the piano an accompaning synth, something that keeps the energy level up. Maybe even a short progressive trance style drone in the key of F before it drops out (how many genres can I fit into this?) >:3

And the cymbal exit is actually temporary since that isn't the actual end of the song, just the first half. I'll probably have some very quiet stuff going on before a huge buildup and then the second half is a complete mystery but I'll figure it out. I'll make sure to kill the repetitiveness first.

Thanks again, I'll PM you (and everyone else who's interested) when it's finished.

[{425} CraZe]

Congratulations on the Top 5.

Congratulations on making it to the #1 spot in the Top 5. That's quite a feat. ^_^ I do hope you get good recognition from it.
Personally, I don't like this song a lot.
The beginning is actually alright. The synths are a little weird, but that's not a bad thing. The part that starts at 0:25 is really nice and it's also very catchy.
One thing that's really good about this song is that you have a good lot of variety in the song itself. The only thing is that it has a little too much. I think the song need a more concrete motif that it could focus and center around.
I like the little break at 2:01. The part that starts up after it is great, I only wish you had extended it a little more.
Of course, this is all up to personal taste. I personally liked you "He's Going to Be" and other songs better. But nonetheless, congratulations on your #1 out of Top 5 spot.
Great job!

-HFX ^_^

Michael425 responds:

I definitely made this song in a funky creative style that may only appeal to some. That was my goal, and is my goal for all of my songs, except remixes.

I've heard that my songs have been repetitive in the past, so i tried to add as much variety as possible to this song, i guess it didn't work to well.

I hope you like some of my future songs.

Thank you for the great review and your support.

[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.

[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!