00:00
00:00
thebitterroost

27 Audio Reviews

13 w/ Responses

Dude. Duuude. This is awesome. I was just pointed to this track via someone who said a track of mine reminded them of it, but I'd say this is pretty head and shoulders above me. The only mix advice I could possibly throw out would be to cut the gain on the rack toms and the synth that comes in at 0:30 (it's actually ideal up to 0:37, then seems to jump).

You know what this reminds me a lot of? Kiko Loureiro. If you haven't heard of him, check out the No Gravity album, I guarantee you'll dig it.

InYourDreams responds:

Hey thanks man!... Kiko Loureiro is AWESOME. Im a huge fan of him. I've been a fan since Angra and his solo stuff only make me like him even more :P. I've met him once at the Musikmesse in Frankfurt :D.

Love this piece, too, dude! As a fellow occasional insomniac, this song fits exactly what some of those long nights feel like. The persistent clock ticking is like the things you have to do on your mind, while the melody lines are you trying to pass time until something makes you sleepy, which generally fails (portrayed by low notes).

Only thing that kept me from the full 5 was the long intro. I think you could shorten the clock lead-in by essentially just starting the track around the 0:45 mark or so. I don't think it would take away from the building of the concept. Cheers!

SoundGalaxyOfficial responds:

Thank you for your thoughts and generous review!

Yes, I agree about the beginning that it might be too long (the clock ticking), but I wanted to make sure that the listener will slow down (the mind) and maybe make him/her sleepy a bit and in that little sleepy state this song could effect the listener even more!

After the contest ends (for me) maybe I will change that longer ticking part in the beginning.

Thank you for your tip,
and have a nice day! :)
~ Sound Galaxy

(PS. I've listened to your KO entry and I think it's great! I voted 5 stars too, but I haven't(?) commented(?) anything on it, because I don't really know much about the metal genre, and I don't really like to comment on something that is not my field at all because of lack of knowledge on the particular genre. Anyhow I wish we could compete against eachothers in the final round! :D (y) But maybe if we are not lucky enough to get in the Top 4, I'm still interested in a collab with you if you too. I always wanted to try to make some kind of action movie score style orchestral music with some serious metal elements. I think that would sound cool! :) Please PM me if you are interested. Thanks!)

Well, I think there's not much to say that hasn't already been said by someone below, and that's a good thing :)

Love the feeling on this one. The synth strings that come in around 2:15 give it a distinct sci-fi feeling. Almost more "awe" to me than innocence. Like a grand revelation or first-contact moment.

One thing I might do mix-wise is turn down the piano a bit. I know it's the focal instrument in this piece, but it gets a little loud at times. May also help cover up a few creaks from the bench and what sounds like might be some slightly detuned keys.

Phonometrologist responds:

Thanks for listening and leaving a review! I don't take these for granted.
"Almost more "awe" to me than innocence. Like a grand revelation or first-contact moment"
sure I can hear that as well. Know that this interpretation you gave can be correct since this is a piece about lost innocence. Reminiscing of the past and grasping for what it was like before then. I stand in revelation to that fact that I cannot go back as there is a gap of where I was and now.
The bench sound and detuned keys is something I'm fond of philosophically in my music. I like the reality of imperfection and the "organic" sound as one would put it.

Lovin' the chillness of this track. I'm not a huge follower of electronica, so I have no idea how it falls under a "-step" subgenre. I like it despite my ignorance, lol. Good use of space, very airy. Reminds me a bit of a more dance-inspired Tycho track, or maybe Ulrich Schnauss. I don't mind the swelling-to-choking pads, I think it adds some nice rhythmic tension to the rest of the flowing sounds. The mix sits nicely for the most part, but I would back off the gain on the white noise swells at 0:45 and 2:38. It kinda dominates those moments and takes away from the chill.
I hope you make more like it!

I saw your track via the post in the NGAUC thread. Don't worry about whether the genre is popular or not. The point of this place is to create and share content suitable for use in video games, and to that end, you've succeeded! This track would be right at home in any number of Nintendo games, Final Fantasy games, and so forth. I think some people take for granted the challenge involved in writing spirited and light-hearted tracks like this one. I know it's a skill that I sorely lack.

Mix-wise, I have no problem with your use of reverb. I don't think your brass parts really move with enough gusto to be muddied by the 'verb. If you ever do write a track where you want reverb on low strings/brass that play very quickly, you can just high-pass the reverb return channel or the bus being sent to it to help clean it up. The only thing I noticed that I think I would change is the primary flute track volume. The part itself sounds great, but kinda dominates the field once it jumps in. Maybe try cutting it a few dB at a time until you can still hear all the inflections that you want heard.
Great job, keep cranking em out!

SoundGalaxyOfficial responds:

Thank you for your helpful thoughts and tip!

Yes I think you are right about the flute's volume is too loud.
I'm going to change that,
maybe I was too excited to share this short song when I uploaded it to newgrounds
and it looks like when I'm excited to share a new song
it makes me do not so fine job on the mixing part.
Unfortunately at the moment my mixing skills are kinda bad,
so I need every single helping thoughts and tips like yours,
so thank you again and have a nice day!

(PS. Oh and special thanks for that "reverb high passing" trick! :)
I'm sure I wouldn't be able to figure that out by myself)

Feeling the chill, big time. Love the air on the chip pads and the integration of some non-chip synths to augment. Reminds me of Lifeformed, who did the Dustforce soundtracks. The low-pass filter on the drums (and the whole track?) kinda overstays its welcome. I figured it was just for the intro and would ease off, but then came to realize that it's more of a permanent "pink noise" EQ treatment. Give some more love to your treble dude! It wants to break out.

Bertn1991 responds:

Thank you so much. Yeah, maybe some aspects overstay their welcome. Ah well, I'm glad you enjoyed it for the most part. It's good to know that someone was feeling the chill : ) Respect.

Not normally much of a house/trance/etc guy, but this one got me! The chord progression has an energetic new age vibe, and your melody/arpeggios are varied and catchy. I know that the mega-cranked kick drum with mix bus limiter is kind of a staple to the genre, but maybe see about easing it in as the kick/bass comes in around 1:19. The compression ducks everything, including the pads/reverb/etc. It may be intentional, but it kinda took me out of the moment.
Keep it up mang!

Great composition! Love the melancholy vibe. You're getting (what I'm assuming is) some preamp hiss that builds in certain spots. The accompaniment sits nicely for the most part, but you may not want the rhythm strings to be as loud/panned-left as they are (and maybe slightly decrease the attack). It will help them blend and sound more realistic.
Keep it up dude! Definitely worth a scout. :)

Great sounds! What do you use as your sample library? Whatever it is, I should probably invest in it.

Jakey-San responds:

Thank you! I used a multitude of libraries - CineSamples, ProjectSAM, East West to name a few, as well as synth sounds from Omnisphere and Zebra.

Duuuude. This track is the shit. Love the incorporation of airy pads with chip leads. Drum samples are punchy, layered, and thick (love the classic snare+clap+gatedverb), and all parts have enough reverb presence to bring them into a common space. Melody is catchy, bass is syncopated and not too overpowering. Good arpreggios and expressive use of modulation!

10/10 arps would arp again

I write and record metal, mostly. If you're a dev and like anything you hear, hit me up. I'll write you a boss battle jam or something. Honestly, not around on here much anymore, so you'd be better off just sending me an email.

Freelancer

Schoooool's out, for-EVER!

The Bible Belt

Joined on 6/25/15

Level:
2
Exp Points:
45 / 50
Exp Rank:
> 100,000
Vote Power:
2.69 votes
Audio Scouts
3
Rank:
Civilian
Global Rank:
> 100,000
Blams:
0
Saves:
0
B/P Bonus:
0%
Whistle:
Normal
Medals:
30