josielemmings's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Pirate Introduction]

Maarrrvellous! I haven't heard your music in a while, and when I logged in today, this was at the top of my "Latest From Your Favorites" section. I think it's my favorite song of yours. It really starts getting depth by the end.

As for the dulcimer, EWQL Goliath has one. It's and old piece of software, but it gets the job done. Something that might help you with long songs is recording each instrument, one at a time as a .wav, then combining the files and mastering the combined file. It's a pain, but that's how I had to do all my songs.

AshleyAlyse responds:

Oh, wow! Thanks for the info! I'll look into that! Thank you for zee review! :) I already do that with most of my songs, then combine them together in Audacity. Such a pain. :/

P.S. Please don't quit composing, you're awesome, dude! Even if it turns into a side hobby, please don't quitttt. I'll be sad. :C

[Alessa's Harmony Memoria]

Another beautiful piano piece

That's amazing that you played this song from memory. Since it's not yours originally, and I don't remember the original song perfectly, I'll only comment that the effects you added are a nice touch. The very last note sounds harder than the rest of the song, but that's just nitpicking. Great song!

Matt-Porter responds:

I tend to panic when recording and that final closing chord almost always gets me. I've literally spent hours recording the same song, only to mess up one note during the recording, usually the last. That would definitely be the case here, but it was good enough by me :) I'll eventually just start recording super long files, and cut out the plays that go well, with no pressure.

Thanks for the kind review, much appreciated.

[Waiting (Clean)]

Calm and Beautiful

I'm impressed by the flowing piano. The tempo even quickens, but the piano transitions cleanly, and the synth follows suit. I like the bright synth, and the piano's reverb helps it blend nicely. Even without the effects in this version, the combination of the instruments puts you on the beach.

Matt-Porter responds:

I'm glad you like it's flowing nature, I too felt that was a strong point of this otherwise simple piece. Thanks for the kind words, much appreciated.

[(ERS) Main Titles 2012]

Main titles indeed

If I had to pick 1 aspect of this song that I liked the most, it would be the instrumentation. You did a superb job putting it together. I would have added more bass in the section after 0:53, because the high strings seem a bit flat without the contrast. I also don't like the bass kicks at the end of the song. Besides those 2 details, this is a great song. I agree, it does sound like the main titles to an action movie. The sticks, soft choir, and the quick, light strings, especially at the beginning, reminded me of Danny Elfman. It frustrates me to see a song this good get carelessly zero bombed.

[Behind Dark Walls]

Good but needs percussion

I like how the heavy piano at the beginning sets the mood immediately. I also like the way the intensity rises and falls in cycles. It could be improved with more variety in the climaxes. The low piano becomes monotonous after a while. One necessity that is completely missing is the percussion. I realize that the piano sort of replaces the percussion in this song as the tempo keeper, but I think percussion would have broken the monotony, and added emphasis.

[RD2011 Hear you Scream]

Nothing but the Best

Wow Hania, you always impress, but this song is something else! How generous of you to put this on Newgrounds, where it can be downloaded for free! I think you should try to get this played on the radio, if you haven't yet. Your voice and the effects you give it are top quality, but the lyrics are equally as impressive and artistic.

The instrumentation is fitting, and in fact, it has given me some ideas of things to try. I particularly love that ominous guitar. The bass strings compliment your voice nicely. Even the little things, like the gong rides, are placed well, and they give you an extra edge that takes this song to a whole new level.

The only thing I might experiment with is the volume of the vocals at the beginning, or maybe use reverse reverb to lead in. It just seemed a bit sudden the first few times I listened to it. I say experiment because I can't tell if it would actually sound better with the dynamic change, without hearing it for comparison.

You've incredibly talented. It's always exciting to hear that you have new music out. Keep it up!

[Waking Up (name already taken)]

A Good Song to Wake Up To

You're good at this. At this point, there are only a few suggestions that could help you take your music from good to great, because you seem to already have songwriting skill. Even the transitions are smooth, which in my opinion are the hardest parts to do.

Here are my suggestions:
First, invest in some higher quality instruments. The synths are fine. The drums could be replaced cheaply. Finding a low cost replacement for Slayer might be harder. Most importantly, buy FL Studio! I know it has nothing to do with your song's quality, but it will save you frustration in the future. When I started music, I had the demo version too, so I respect anyone who can put a song together with that.

Second, adding something high pitched during the parts where the bass synth and the drums play together would bring it out a bit more. I'm thinking a quiet atmospheric synth sweep, or some quiet bell runs up or down the octave. You could also add another percussion instrument there, or switch up the bass drum kick, maybe every other measure so it still has that driving dance feeling.

Finally, some EQ could give your song a unique sound that distinguishes it from other songs made with FL instruments. Reverb on the drums to match the synths would be good. But that's all mastering, which you said you haven't done yet. Overall, this is a good song. It's catchy, even without the mastering. I looped it while writing this review, and after listening to it that many times, it has grown on me even more.

Mushu-Productions responds:

Thanks! It's good to finally get someone that gives GOOD advice. I know I need to get FL studio, it's been on my wish list for quite some time lol. And about adding a higher pitch synth during the drum and bass part, that's where the "words" are to go (I.E. the synths that I never put in). When I wrote this song, I envisioned it with strong vocal melodies, so I'm way ahead of you on that part. = ) I EQ'd some during recording, mostly to Slayer since it's such a murky instrument, but my skills are a bit mediocre when it comes to that sort of thing. Again thanks SO MUCH for the great advice. Hope to hear from you more in the future. = )
Peace -
Dustin Lane
Mushu-Productions

[[oove] Requiem]

Very original

You deserve a 10 purely for creativity. This is sick! I was intrigued when I read it was an orchestral/dubstep mix, and honestly, a little scared. Before this I had only heard your song Heartbeats, so I didn't know if you could pull off dubstep. You certainly did! Nice job with the panning. The ending is attention grabbing. I like how it breaks down, and then blasts you with awesomeness.

broove responds:

This one is definitely different from Heartbeats :)
Actually I had this idea of mixing classical music and dubstep/drum'n'bass for a long time and although I'm more or less satisfied with this song, there's still so much to be done.
And I'm proud of the ending.
Thank you for an awesome review.

[(ERS) Modern Movie Music]

Modern Movie Music Indeed

Dude you got zero bombed. No worries, I'll bring you back up. I think you did a decent job capturing the feeling of modern cinematic music. I can hear elements of a few different composers. The strings and chord progressions remind me of Tron. The brass is similar to a very dampened version of Inception. It needs percussion though. That would add emphasis. I like it overall. It really does remind me of Tron the more I listen to it.

[Violin concerto n°1 first mvt]

Very Good

Wow! This is impressive for your first song. I can't tell if you played this or used samples. Either way the mixing is good. I'm looking forward to hearing more music from you.

nicomezi responds:

I used samples.
(there is some other stuff from me on youtube *hint* *hint* )