CryNN's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Machinery]

Yo why ur not like frontpaged???

This is dope! Id tame down the high frequencies a bit but this sounds great already!

NoMoreKawaii responds:

Thank youuuuuuu

[Super Bright Colours]

This is an official NGADM review

This is something I can listen to over and over again and never get tired of hearing.
This submission hits all of the producer's sweet spots, and I really like the result.

This track’s style isn’t any different from your previous ones. Those lush, dreamy acoustic instruments surrounded by simple synths are really typical of you. This track has even more to offer. It’s so colorful that I never really thought that it would be possible to even create something like this. You did an excellent job of arranging all of the elements so that they all fit together perfectly. The key now was to stay consistent and not let the composition devolve into a jumbled blob of sounds.

This submission has its own stronger and weaker parts, which I can hear. It's nothing too extreme. It really went super hard and funky when the drums came and I really really thought they would last longer ;-; the part after them is probably one of the weaker ones. The saw pad creates a neat contrast, but it might sound a bit too loud and aggressive. It also could have a better transition into the last part of the track.

What's amazing though is how you made the simple synths sound so colorful when combined. When used correctly in the track, even a simple square synth can produce lots of cool textures. You've nailed that part.

Overall, I thought this piece was quite original and innovative. You outdid yourself in the arranging department, which contributed to the high quality of this entry. There were a few little flaws that could have been polished, but overall, excellent effort!

Good luck in the final round!

[Uxvellda - Fire Phoenix]

This is an official NGADM review!

It was a blast to see your competition with the other dubstep contestants. You’ve managed to defeat every one of them and here you are. Fire Phoenix. Let’s dig in!

The track starts with a more cinematic approach which I really like. It doesn’t feel like a dubstep track at all and it gives off a very epic vibe. I definitely think that the piano in the intro could be less modulated, more natural sounding which would add into the raw, natural feel of the orchestral part. Then a massive drop comes after the very cool and clever sprinkle effect.

The orchestral section sounds super dope. It’s heavy, it has a nice flow and in general it still sounds like something bigger is coming (which was the intention I suppose.) The orchestral arrangement is one of the best things the submission has to offer. Those violins are just great. My main problem, that really puts off the track’s objective is that the overall mix is compressed a bit too much. I noticed the drums aren’t as heavy and dynamic as they should have been, which makes the drop parts that are serving as the main structure element, sound smushed and that’s a big issue. Turning up the gain on the compressors or taming the mix with reducing them might help the track to reach more loudness and aggressivity.

The breaks in between the sections have nice contrast. I especially liked the one with the vocals. The second drop was your time to shine, but it felt somewhat underwhelming in terms of dynamics. The sound design on the bass growls is very nicely done, but the compressed mix made them sound a bit less raw. They are very resonant in some parts and I'd recommend cleaning their EQ up and putting more texture on them. Again you did a really good job on the arrangement part there.

The last section starting with the second breakdown was the ultimate climax moment of the track. This part was probably the best one apart from the first breakdown. Loved the vocal additions and I wish the last part lasted longer or had a bigger build-up to the outro.

This was very fun to analyze and review. You’re one of the more creative individuals from the contest and you absolutely smoked the arrangement and atmosphere category. In contrast, the track could be executed way better if it weren’t for the mixdown and production issues.

Good luck!

-CRY

[lost winter]

This is an official NGADM review!

Ohhh boyy look at you steaming through the NGADM with prog house! This one in particular is probably one of your better submissions so far and I really enjoyed listening to it. You’re giving me a tough one to compare progressive house yet again with other submissions that are completely diff lawl.

The track starts with an already complex groove that might be introduced later in my opinion, the hats are rolling, the shakers shaking, but a more bare intro might be a better move since it could bring more life to the progression with the other elements starting later. The first mixing details, that could be improved, came to my mind as soon as I heard the groove. One of them being the bell/triangle percussion that is resonant at 8.7 and 14.6 kHz (which isn't that big of a deal when you think about it at first since it should sound resonant, but it’s way too much and it's really noticeable.) The second one being the space around 3khz, which I think could be filled with a nice, deeper shaker. Not a big deal though.

Another subtle mixing issue is the bassline masking the kickdrum around 200hz. I think the acid could be more colorful, and less boxy around that area. That would bring more space to the kickdrum, and more variation to the synthwork. The kick could be more subby, but that might be my personal preference. The bass will sound alright on big systems.

Further into the track I noticed that it has more variation than your semi-finals entry. The break that comes around 01:35 is just at the right moment and the breakdown is really nicely arranged as well. Apart from that, I think the section before the breakdown comes in should have more automation for the listener to expect that a big break is coming. Other than that you did a great job.

Another thing which I want to mention is how nicely you’ve put the background elements such as the FMmy rising and the reverberated offbeat pads. They are carrying most of the atmospheric part of the track just nicely. Also those plucks? Sheesh!

Summa summarum. The track is really clean apart from the details I mentioned above. The loudness is just at the right spot. The synthwork is really well done. I just wish there was more movement on them to create more emotion and feelz (filter automation, reverb, delay), especially on the bassline. And the structure is a bit better than in your previous track. GJ!

-CRY

Sequenced responds:

There are a lot of atmospheric elements in the track so I fear a more subby track could be a problem.

I didn't really notice the resonance on my system or my car. I can check again.
the acid interfering with the kick could be a compression issue on the master, because it seemed OK on the mixdown.

[Oruga - ADM'22 Round 4]

This is an official NGADM review

The melodic progression just hits the right spot. Certified goosebumps.
You went full piano style this time. Dynamics and the tempo changes follow the piano for the entire composition making it linear and minimalistic, and thats what I really like about it. And when the violin came in... holyyyy.
The piano is serving as the carrying lead of the composition until probably the second half when it almost vanishes and it's used as a supporting instrument, which kinda leaves the minimalistic idea behind and that's a shame in my opinion.
When it comes to the mixing I really liked the mixdown apart from some details. The dynamics could have more contrast especially where a piano section ends with the ritardando. Just add more movement and air to it and it'll make it sound super natural. And I kinda felt the bass could be executed a bit better, it wasn't as saturated and full as I thought it might be, which could give the composition more power in general.
Nonetheless apart from the critique I gave, I think you have an excellent potential and i'm looking super forward on your next works!

-CRY

[A Villager's Dream]

This is an official NGADM review

This is giving me some epic main theme vibes. I cant say i hate anything that has been added there and the overall piece sounds really professional.
The leitmotif in the track is really reminiscent of the soundtrack from the new Rings Of Power series. The section transitions from the moody to the upbeaty/happy ones just instantly remind me from the compositions in the Hobbit parts and I was surprised on how you can manage to compose those parts with the atmosphere being really similar. Few more tribal drums and youd have a perfect epic Hobbit theme, but I think it's for the better if you'll maintain the atmosphere a bit more unique. I'd personally love some ethno sounds thrown in to make the composition a bit more versatile.
The structure is rich, flowy and very smooth. As I said before i dig those transitions but I expected them more stretched out maybe? Some just play right away before I really start to enjoy the previous section and it might be better if those sections were more progressive. For example the part 00:54 has some very good potential but the next section came a bit to early for me.
The mixing is a part you really outdone yourself. Just tame few instruments like the shire flute or those huge crashes, they were unnecessarily loud. The overall composition sounds crystal clean:*

Wish you the best in this contest!

-CRY

Everratic responds:

Thank you for the detailed review!

I'm glad you noticed the inspiration from LoTR soundtracks. I watched the LoTR movies, RoP, and listened to some Hobbit themes within the past few months. You mentioned that the atmosphere is also similar, and there may an unexpected truth to that. I read on wikipedia that both the LoTR and RoP soundtracks were partly recorded in the "Air Lyndhurst" hall. That happens to be where most of the string libraries and percussion in this song were recorded. I purposely used distant mic positions to get that coveted hall sound.

I thought about adding some more ethnic sounds like a bagpipe but there were some technical complications and I dropped it.

I agree that some sections could be longer. I'll try to work on that next time.

The shire flute has over 8 different plugins trying to tame it and it's still not enough xD I'll try making the cymbals quieter next time, but I do like it loud so I'm not sure if I'll stick with it.

[NGADM 2022, Round 3 - (D O N ' T) W O R R Y]

Massive Lapalux vibes from this track. The vibe is insane.

[Inquisition - ADM'22 Round 3]

This an official NGADM review

A stunning piece from the start to finish. The entire composition resembles of a main theme soundtrack from some fantasy movie. The leitmotif is easy to remember and it really stands out from the composition and those "tempo mutations" you made on the melodies are really clever and they work outstandingly well.
I really wish the structure was more clear and progressive, but im just speaking from my personal perspective. The breakdown elements could be used more frequently in the chorus parts and so on... Otherwise I love the fact that you kept on adding more details to the composition.
As for the mixing, the brass instruments alongside with the flute rolls are a bit sharp around the 1-5khz area. Now, thats my main complaint. The ear is very sensitive at those areas and id reccomend to notch some resonances out in that areas. The width of the mix could be also bigger and I wish it had more movement. Im missing having those (on the other hand really epic) flute rolls more convoluted with reverb and effects. Might be an artistic preference though.
In short; apart from some details in the mixing and structure, I really much enjoyed the whole composition and I cant wait for more submissions like this one from you!

I wish you the best of luck in this contest.
-CRY

Santi-Montali responds:

Hey, thank you for reviewing. I'm glad you find this a good composition. I really get what you mean with all those mixing tips since I had to hurry to finish and didn't have the time to mix it. Besides that, listening to the track retrospectively, I think my brain actually molded to compensate these and now I can definitely tell it's too bright which is actually pretty weird since libraries tend to sound opaque. I did somehow managed to miss the convo reverb and that would explain the convoluted runs you were hoping for (and also the lack of warmth). I don't know if you are into this kind of music but the width is actually a problem when it comes to orchestral libraries since you have 4-5 mics that were pre-panned and messing up with the stereo image is often a problem more so than an artistic preference. You were probably expecting this to sound more on the modern style of cinematic music which tends to be ginormous, and I'm often looking for some kind of mid ground between that and the classical orchestra sound (might be too hard haha). Anyway, sorry for the long response. Again, thank you so much for listening! :)

[Uxvellda - The Rise of Mankind]

This is an official NGADM review

What makes this piece jawdropping is how much passion and power youve put into a simple chord progression which is epic by itself. The atmosphere just hits the right spot and those vocals are the perfect pillars to build on.
I really wish this track was longer and had more movement, if I ignore the atmosphere and production, id call it very basic. The nice additions such as the toms rolls and the high melodies are neat but more contrast wouldnt hurt the arrangement.
The mix is alright. I really wish the toms and 4/4 kick were louder and fuller. It lacks impact in the low end drums which then badly transcribes to the overall feel of the composition. What I think is to tame the melodic instruments in order to make space for the drums.
Other than that, I think this one is really, really solid, but a bit underappreciated from your side. More time on this could make the piece even better.

I wish you good luck in this round!
-CRY

[Madness Alteration]

paradni atmoska. pro madness jako delany