thebitterroost's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Bajo el sol, sobre las rocas]

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.

[Innocence]

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.

[Meet the Stream]

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!

[Pink Lemonade | 2013]

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.

[~Echo~ Eternity (WIP)]

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!

[Louise Dancing On The Moon]

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. :)

[Not dead YET!]

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