Larkeep26's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[-*Memories From The Stars*-]

Overall: good song!

I love the piano / string riff throughout the song. It's a nice line and helps keep you interested.

There are only 3 small things that I would like to constructively criticize.

-The hi-hat at the beginning sounds a bit awkward. It sounds like the hard hits are on the 'offbeat' when I feel as though it should be on the 'on-beat'. Also, the velocity seems a little too low on every odd hit. It's makes me feel a little anxious or like I'm not quite getting my fill - if that makes any sense. So, perhaps just bring the volume up a bit more. This is only at the beginning though. It's perfect for the rest of the song.

-Second, I realize that it's very difficult to find a good brass sample, but I have to say that the trumpet sounds very digital and a little too perfect. I'm entirely sure how to fix this. Perhaps tampering with the ADSR (Attack, Delay, Sustain, Release) a bit will give it more of a natural feel.

-Overall, especially on the piano and trumpet, there needs to be a little more effects. Reverb, delay, stereo enhancer, panning - these can really help give an instrument depth and a more naturalistic feel. There's a specific part towards the middle (2:35 - 2:50 ish) where the piano needs some reverb and maybe a slight deay - it sounds very dry.

Anyway, aside from all that, I think it's a great track. Well written. There's many things to keep the listener interested. Everything seems to fit well together. Hopefully my review was more helpful than insulting. Take it for whatever it's worth.

Thanks,
Larkeep

DjRocALot responds:

Yeah, I really appreciate these types of reviews, cause they give me a point of direction of what to fix etc! Its not insulting, its helpfull. And the reason that its helpfull instead of insulting, is that you point out the mistakes in the music that can be better, which I can / will make better. The improvements are soon to be heard, so be sure to keep your ears and eyes open! :) After all, this is made in FL studio and the sounds that I have there are not exactly natural and real, they are really mechanichal, unless you do some serious mastering to them.Anyways I dig the review ! Thanks for pointing out things I can improve!

Roc A Lot

[Reasoner- Dear World]

What a composition.

This is why I listen to music. Wonderful story and an even better musical interpretation. I usually write a lot in my reviews but I'd rather just listen...

[A Valiant Effort]

Only a few things.

Firstly, I love your writing. The melodies and riffs are great. Some really innovative ideas coming out. I thoroughly enjoy when the bass comes in. It's a great contrast to the song.

I've listened to a bunch of your songs and the overall feeling is that you could use some work on finding some better (or refining your existing) instrument samples. Some of the synths and drums especially sound very dry with little to no effects. Effects, such as reverb give an instrument more depth and make it sound a little more natural. By giving your song more depth, you'll create different levels. The listener should be able to hear multiple levels of layers throughout the song. As I'm hearing it now it sounds like it's all in the foreground.

So, by using things like stereo enhancers, reverb, delays, panning you can really turn a song into something exceptional. Think of layers. This goes with the mix as well. You should look at every layer carefully and make a thoughtful decision on how loud or soft it shoudl be. Example, the synth at around 2:10 sounds too loud and takes over the song completely.

I hope this was ok and I wasn't too forward. Please take this as my opinion and for whatever it's worth. Like I said, I love the writing and creativity.

Larkeep

NinjaEskimo responds:

hey thanks, this really helps :D

[Kazmo - Sinking In]

Sounds awesome

I love the mood of the song. The writing is catchy and very mesmerizing. Also, you have some really great transitions between the different sections. Great work with the frequency filters - a lot of people over-do it with those and I think you've done it very subtly but also very effectively. Especially at from 2:40 to 3:03. The fade ins and the dips are very interesting to listen to.

As for some critiques:

I only have one and that is that the piano that comes in around 1:50 sounds very digital. Dare I say FL Keys? Anyway, it's really tough to get a realistic sounding piano with synths but I thought I'd just throw it out there.

Thanks

Larkeep

Kazmo responds:

Nope, it's not FL Keys, it's a Rolland soundfont. I feel that it just fit the song better than the Steinway soundfont I have, it pierces through the lead more, the Steinway is a tad too soft.

I'm glad you enjoyed it! :D

Like I've said before, I feel that transitions are sooooo important in trance. And yes, I'm learning that it's not always about the filters, FX play a huuuge part in transitions, and combinations of filters/automations are key.

Thanks for the awesome review!

[NEON :: Px]

Great

This is a wonderful ambient-trance song. It's flows very well and it's easy to get lost inside its smooth melodies and beat.

Thanks for posting

Larkeep

GrantProjectXero responds:

Glad I could help take you from reality :D
-Px

[Electric Cirus]

Needs something...

I'm not sure how you went about putting that together. It does sound very circus-ish. Definitely something you would hear at a circus.

My only criticism is that you should use something other than an organ and add a little bit of effect like reverb or a very subtle delay. This with give it a bit more depth. Perhaps some other background sound effects would do well such as a crashing symbol or some commotion going on. Something to also give it more depth and also tell a story.

You're on the right track, it just needs to have a little more to it.

Thanks,

Larkeep

TheMysticCreature responds:

Thanks, your words made me think about it, so in the future i will try and do it. Not to mention i didn't put thought into it at all.

[Hong Kong]

This is a wonderful piece!

I'm a little biased because I like Asian culture and music.

Aside from that, the score is incredible. Not to mention it sounds like you've recorded a full orchestra...have you?? I don't have enough good stuff to say about this. The more I listen to it, the more quickly it becomes a favorite.

I love the 2 different instruments used for the melody at the start. The way they're somewhat off from one another makes it so interesting to listen to. Not to mention the choice of instruments used. That hot air flute (I'm not sure what it actually is) is mesmerizing.

I love how much emotional power music can have. It really makes or breaks any video game or movie. You've accomplished so much with this piece.

Thank you for posting this song.

Larkeep

nathanallenpinard responds:

Much thanks to your comments Lark,

The "orchestra" is all virtual, utilizing the Vienna Symphonic Library, and a great deal of East West libraries. I still need work on the brass though as they sound more "fake' than the other things.

I don't quantize my stuff if I can't help it, otherwise it sounds TOO perfect, so when things are off like that it sounds a tad more natural (within reason)

[R Gaze]

Great

The piano sounds much better.

If I can play the other end of the spectrum from Darthduba's post, I'd like to say that I wouldn't change a thing on the piano. I love the dark, muffled sound and think that its EQ makes this piece what it is. Some of the strings could use a little refining, I agree with that. The stereo enhancer would be nice.

In my opinion, don't touch the piano. That's why I favorited this track.

Larkeep

Rwinius responds:

i chose the cut-off piano sound as a foundation for this song, i probably wont change alot, ill try out some effects though, and see how it plays out..

Thanks, once again, for your opinion, id be more than happy to notify you when the next version is up, if you like..

[CHILL (Bigbeat Virus mix)]

Some really catchy stuff

I love the 8-bit style mixed with a really solid drum loop.
A lot of your riffs are wonderful and the song only gets better as it goes on.
Great mix as well, everything is well balanced.

Larkeep

[R Ideal]

Great composition

I'm interested to hear you record something on a real piano. You've got a good ear for writing this style of music. The only downfall is that it sounds digital.

I think you're a great asset to this site because you write great movie-type stuff. Things that can really be used for flash projects. I've been listening a lot lately to a bunch of songs in the audio portal and some people seem to just write things that may not work very well in a movie. Your music does.

Thanks,

Larkeep

Rwinius responds:

hey thanks man i really apreciate that :D im just a newb with this kind of thing, im aiming to one day produce great epic music, like maestrorage and such great newgrounds artists..

sorry im a little late with responding, i didnt realise you reviewed this :)