trunotfals's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Sunrays [16-bit] ★]

SO I LOVE THIS. I dont know if this is an official review for the NGAIC for me as stated in the rules, because I dont have much to say other than can you possibly PLEASE walk me through the sounds. I see people using genesis sounds. Are these sounds from the sega genesis? Sure sounds like it. And are these the only sounds the genesis uses? I must learn more.

Yea this is definitely not my review cause I MUST KNOW. Please and thank you.

Okay here's my review I changed my mind cause I felt bad about only asking about the sounds when I'm actually a part of the NGAIC ahah.

I LOVE THE bass line, its phenomenal. Its driving and gives the piece a great feel. I love the synth chords you have here. The panning on these synths is really heavy, at first my ears thought that it was quite uncomfortable. But it settled in a bit for me. Now, when the drums kick in, I fully expected the hard panning to stop. To me, the hard panning is a great tool between 0:13 and 0:27. It's one of the many ways to create tension in music, other than tension chords and resolves. The problem for me though, is I want that tension to resolve, my ears want the hard panning to stop, and when the drums kick in at 0:28, I really wanted the panning to stop then. It would have been a perfect moment to do so, it would have solidified the chords in my brain. It would create resolve from the tension of the panning, and make the beat hit all that much more for me. BUT, all of that is picky, I still love it. Just friendly feedback!

The small little arpeggios underneath the chords are great, the main trumpet melody is great, love the genesis whistles and stuff, LOVE the percussion, you did a phenomenal job with the percussion. Driving, intentional, the bongos are GREAT, you hit this bongo groove between 0:53 and 0:58, LOVE it. Half time groove? Yes please. Great transitions, the piece is a little repetitive, but for this genre, I think it's almost required, so that's not a criticism more than an observation, great ending, 4.5 out of 5 for me, well done!

[Desert Fever]

What VST's do you use? I have zero critique on this one, this, is, amazing. I would really love to know how you made this., and pick your brain someday.

Official nguac score; 10/10, only perfect I've ever given.

Well.

Done.

VociferousMusic responds:

Thanks for the review - I feel honored to have received the first 10 score from you :3

I'm using the Kontakt 6 player exclusively since a while, and the soundtrack contains the following libraries:

- Cinematic Strings (Doubles Basses, 2nd Cellos, Violas, Violins)
- Amadeus Symphonic Orchestra (Bassoon)
- Action Strikes (Tambourine, Shaker, Taiko)
- Acoustic Saz (Saz)
- Ethno World 6 (voice at 3:35 and 5:31, Sitar, Shellhorn, Udu)
- Tina Guo Cello (for the 1st Cello phrases)
- Saga Acoustic Trailer Percussion (Cymbals, Toms, Sticks)
- World Impact Global Percussion (Bongo)
- Organic Voices Volume 2 (all other voices)
- Ilya Efimov Duduk (Duduk)
- Shahrazad (Clarinet)
- Ney v1.1 (Ney flute)
- Lumina (Alto flute)
- CineBrass Pro (Horns, Trombones)
- Voices of the Apocalypse (background choir, shouts)

[Nebulous - Paranoia (NGUAC 2020 | R3)]

I dont like this track, in a good way, because it elicited real fear especially after reading your idea of the track.

the intro is really interesting, maybe utilizing some aspects of FL Gross beat, or maybe your own production, but the over-all vibe, is truly terrifying, which is what you were going for i assume.

I am trying to judge this simply on overall composition which includes the scary parts. and honestly, you truly

TRULY,

created a scary and anxiety ridden vibe that made me 1; creeped out. 2; uncomfortable. 3; honestly scared to listen to it.

great job with your vibe here. I have very little criticism because this music you've created hit me in a scary, and weird way.

Overall Composition; 8.25
Overall Production; 7
Overall Impression; 9

Score; 8.08

---offical NGUAC review--

ShockblastDeluxe responds:

Heh, well, thanks for listening! :D

And I hope you've been able to recover from it. :P

[Remembering the Fallen]

I love the somber aura youve created at the beginning, the motiff being introduced in the piano is so subtle, and well done, then the flute taking it over, then the trumpet taking it over in a very patriotic tone, so well done as an original piece while also not leaning way to heavily into patriotic ideas on its own, then you add the war-time style snare with the trumpet at the same time, beautiful, and the way you transistion these ides into a dramatic conglomerate, honestly very few wrods, very emotionally moving, and I;m blown away. great motiff, great variations, great execution, amazing.

Overall Composition; 9.25
Overall Production; 8.5
Overall Impression; 9

Score; 8.91

potato-stick responds:

Really appreciate it! I spent a lot of time considering these variations and have been working on orchestration that properly evokes certain stylistic tendencies such as the trumpet and snare for a military band feel. I wanted to cover a lot of ground while creating a somber, yet honoring tone so I appreciate you taking the time to take a listen.

[NaNo - Happy pluck]

Over all, a great submission, but it seems bit over mixed, and super loud and high end heavy over all, which really pulls from the over all impact of the piece. Not much constructive feedback other than that, well done over all, just a bit loud in general and over compressed. I feel like your first drop went on way toio long without any variation. Good efects in the background of your interlude or second verse, but overall, pretty good.

Overall Composition; 7.5
Overall Production; 6.75
Overall Impression; 7

Score; 7.08

[Be Gay Do Crime]

Its interesting, despite that this piece is incredibly repetitive, it keep me interested, and wanting to listen for more. Its a very interesting and original soundscape you have created here. I'm impressed by it, and also wanting more at the same time. I'm so conflicted.

The textural changes you make by bringing the layers down are always a welcome surprise, yet, throughout the whole piece, i still find myself wanting more. ANd like I said, always still interested in wahts going on.

The big problem I have is the piece creates constant tension, which is good in the sense that Im always listrening and interested, but bad that I never get a sense of resolution.

Overall pretty good mix, though some percussive elements could be a bit clearer, and possibly, probably, a lot less reverb on everything.

Overall composition; 6.75
Overall Production; 8.25
Overall Impression; 7

Score; 7.33

zybor responds:

Thank you :)

The uniqueness of the work and emotion of a listener when they listen to my work are more important than anything else. I don't do fancy bullshit "epic" sounds because I know no matter how hard I try I'd never be myself. I must be myself and I will not give up integrity to fool myself into doing music that does not represent how I feel, and how it can communicate with the audiences.

My works are for thought-provokers, not gallery-shoppers.

[A Journeys End [NGUAC 2020 Final]]

Dorian is the best key, I love your slower sections, so much, you really perpetuate and encompass the dorian key beautifully. I may be a bit biased with this review, but dorian is SO GOOD. I love the piano you chose, the high end percussive/noise that happens is very relaxing, almost ASMR to me, and I want it. That Minor i chord to the Major IV chord is just one of the most satisfying sounds in the language of music to me.

Mixing here is pretty great, the middle section was very dramatic and emotional, but I felt it lacked a stable melody, and instead built the melody around the chords you built, which wasnt terrible, but it felt like a generic background to a video game or something, which isnt BAD, persay. i could literally see this as a soundtrack to something. But the way you wrote those slow moments with the piano, PHENOMENAL.

God I love dorian.

Overall Composition; 9.25
Overall Production; 8.75
Overall impression; 9

Score; 9

Well done!

[The Concept of Time]

Well as many people have said, VERY Hans Zimmer, He is a HUGE, if not the biggest inspiration for my orchestral compositions I get contracted and whatnot. Lots of cinematic inspiration here.

Mixing, TOP NOTCH for an orchestral piece. The B section was an amazingly executed change in your piece. And the end section, so intense, so dramatic. I longed for a bit more originality, because as Everratic has said, it does seem to utilize common cinematic orchestral tropes in your themes.

That being said, this was amazingly composed and mixed and mastered. well done!

Overall Composition; 8.5
Overall Production; 8.25
Overall impression; 8

Score; 8.25

KevinMueller responds:

Thanks a lot for your review and score! I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)

[Alabaster]

Im interested to know the production techniques you used for the noise at the end, i could see the ending being a really unique transition into another track off an album. It a little obnoxious, but sometimes artistry in music requires some experimentation and making someone uncomfortable with transitions like this in order to make a statement, and thats what my mind wants to do with that ending. I honestly kind of like it.

ass for what muffy said about the desynced drums come in, i kind of agree with him, however i almost see that as the transition into the uncomfortable noise at the end. I kind of like weird percussion thrown in, and you keep the same beat throughout.

Now overall, the chord progression ends up repetitive yes, and i find myself wanting to latch onto a solidified melody.

the beginning swells really build up an ambiance that does not match your chords and over all song. it makes me think something intense and dark is going to happen, then you have this very vogue and uppity drop happen and it throws me off and leaves me disappointed in a way.

Big ups for individuality, mixing, and instrumentation in your track, those were your highest scores within my categories.

Overall Composition; 6.75 (transitions had a 9 in this category)
Overall Production; 9 (all 9's)
Overall Impression/Execution; 7

Score; 7.5