SteveKaOs's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

["Air stones" WIP]

All About Strategy

This isn't too bad but yeah, I can see where quality can be handled better if you got more knowledge in FL Studio. Believe it or not though FL Studio is extremely easy to learn once you know all the basics - you just need someone to point you the right direction.

Organization: this is pretty simple though I'm not the best to get advice from on this point cuz my listings are usually pretty ugly too but I keep them organized in a simple way so I don't get lost. The easiest way to do this is piece your song together per sample you want to create. For each pattern I'll do the most significant pieces on it and then title it something like "Kick Set 1" or "Lead Melody 1" this helps me identify which pattern I want to use later. I usually leave the wave tables alone unless I'm using controlled animations or want to cut up patterns that section usually looks like hell for me. You just need to find your preference for that.

Mastering Keys: Make sure that you check your audio tracks and that they don't rise over -10 this is to allow anyone who wants to mix your track to manipulate it easy without any sounds trailing. The second thing is compressions and limiting. Limiting helps your track with low-high outputs and avoids clipping while compression tweaks lows-mids so that sounds such as your kicks come out with a much better overall sound. You don't have to know too much about them just use presets and find the one that works for you! Also use soundgoodizer for things like your snares.

The biggest thing is don't get concerned about experimenting. I've flirted around with that program so much that I've got all sorts of knowledge just because I was experimenting and that's where you'll learn to create things that others don't have like I have my own bassline that I use for my electro house tracks I created.

Ableton is, hands down, the best music software on the market. I plan on buying that when I get my money saved up for all my hardware.

Hope that answers all your questions, if not, go ahead and PM and I'll get you tutorials and such to help you out. Happy producing!

ErlendHL responds:

Thank you very much! :) I'll PM you about what I don't understand.

[Reality Driven]

Dig Your Voice

It's gay of me to say but you got a Sean Danielsen (Smile Empty Soul) sound in your voice and I like it but you need to sing louder than your guitar 'cuz that bitch is beating your ass through this whole song lol I'd record both separately then master them. You can also use a program like audacity to try and get rid of as much of that background crap as possible. Overall it sounds good from the sounds of it but I gotta hear lyrics man.

PseudoMoron responds:

Wow, thanks man. I really appreciate the compliment :) I've tried to wean myself off the Conor Oberst impression, but I'm struggling to find a balance between that and my normal high-pitched "I'm from England" voice. I've considered getting a mic for band practice as I'm also often annoyed that the vocals are lost over the instruments. As for Smile Empty Soul, I'm not familiar with them (the only post-grunge I've heard is Cold and Foo-Fighters) but from what I've heard on youtube, the vocal association is a great compliment. You have me converted :D

[ruffi - Catch me on the Moon]

Not Sure About The Lyrics

Beats really good sounds early 90-2000s and I dig that old school feel. The vocal cuts are excellent but I'm not too sure about the lyrics but then again there's some spots I can't really hear them. think you can post them in the description? Other than that good good you got my approval!

emoruffino responds:

thanks! i'll get around to posting those lyrics soon for you....

[A - Freefall]

Good Good

This is pretty good. That beginning part was drug out a little bit and I would have put a short pause between that final tear in your build-up to your climax to bring out that moment of anticipation but overall a good track. Keep it up man this is good!

Audikore responds:

Allright man, Will do :D

[A - Shocker(Demo)]

Guru Josh?

This got a Guru Josh influence? That lead sound sounds similiar to his. I like it though it's definitely old school and I think it could use some sexy vocals and you'll have hit. Make sure that if you're going to have a slightly long intro to add some sounds here in there to keep the listener thinking "what's coming next?" you know? Also compress that kick too. Great potential with this track. Good shit mu man!

Audikore responds:

was it? i didnt know that, maybe we use the same VSTI. still, i never heard "Guru Josh" before. anyway, will do. Thanks :D

[Likey leaky]

Definitely Not Trance

Was liking the sounds at the beginning... Then I realized they trailed for a solid 2:12 minutes. This is a hip-hop track there's no fluid 1/2 beat and you're using a different bass rather than a punch. It's not bad just really repetitive.

seltekkodes responds:

i didnt know what to call it

[Norato - Music is art WIP]

Interesting

I don't really know how to approach this track because I don't know what you're going for. I can definitely say the construction of the track is very good; transitions, build-ups, effects and motion are all very fluid. The only real thing I have to say is this doesn't sound 100% mastered as some sounds lose quality the more other sounds come in. Just make sure you keep your attention to the sounds to make sure everything comes out the way you want them too.

I just got yelled at for not throwing my track out not fully mastered lol so I'm helping you out now.

Norato responds:

:D thanks 4 review. And yes, song is not mastered at all. Since now I can say that lead will be turned down a bit, H + C hats neither and Kick will be turned up. Also, this song is missing Bass and Sub-Bass sound that I prefer adding almost as the last one (last thing to do is mastering).

At the end I wanna say that there will be melody change to not sound so monotone.

[HT || House/Drumstep WIP]

I Like It

This has got some interesting depth in it. I like the slow=paced drum n' bass set you have throughout this track it's fast but the kicks make it feel slow. Love the use of the saw bass to structure it to sound house-ish and a little dubstep in there as well. It's unique without a doubt. Keep me updated on this WIP.

If I may, I would add some drops. To me, if you can rise this track just right and get a nasty drop I promise this would be a spotlight instantly. This has got great potential, I want to hear more so keep me updated!

HyperTrough responds:

Thanks for the great response man! I'm starting to feel really good about this one now.

Just added an arp in the mix and I'm just up to the drop now! ;D

Can't wait til it's finished, and I'll be sure to keep you posted. ;)

[Wild boy - lil wayne ft. lil b]

Needs More Bass

This needs more bass in those kicks. I can hear some sort of sub in the back but it doesn't sound like it's got power. I like the snare drops and transitions between each bar clip. It's a good tracks I just think you should hit some more bass. You using compressions?

EmpireMusic responds:

nahh i actually didnt add anything, i just got grove st acapella, and wild boy instrumental 2 sec in the acapella blends in, but the acapella isnt fully clear, still has some drops n static from original song, so i couldnt move the acapella anywhere but the spot its in, i no i wouldve cleared the track up more 2 thank 4 the review tho god bless

[XS - Awaken]

Like It

I like this. Though, I probably couldn't listen to this over and over again simply because I feel like your climaxes are pretty linear - just feel like they're missing something. Love the lead melody though, no doubt and the drum variations are pro. Overall it's a good track minus some of my own personal critiques but if the NG crowd likes it then I say "win"

Jimmypig responds:

I agree totally, and I'm glad you still enjoyed. This for me was more of a learning how to get that big sound kinda project because I'm still trying to get better and I have a lot to learn. I'm actually really suprised with the top 5 for this being as simple as it is but very grateful! Add my FB for future stuff