HybrisHybrid's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Breathe In Frozen Air]

Well written, needs some better effects/synths.

Off to a good start... The first synth is a very unique and clean arp that floats perfectly on the mix. Definitely my favorite of the track. The word that comes to mind for the bass is groggy. Wouldn't have been my pick for a bassline but it's texture actually worked well for this track. A lot of the other synths sound very basic, like unaltered MIDI presets.

I like how everything dropped at 1:07 and came in with something fresh. Only up to 1:30 I can already say this song has a very pleansant and diverse mixture of sounds. I like how they are coming together ~2:20. The drop at 2:30 was too unexpected and sounded thin. Maybe keep some percussion playing in the background (just a hihat, bass kick, etc.) or leaving another one of the synths in.

Some more effects could really bring this together more, especially reverb and compression. I get the feeling like you're focused on writing good music, but not so much on mastering it and making it sound as strong as it could. Overall I think it sounds like it has potential to be much stronger than it already is.

The ending came together well and in good time, but still dropped a little unexpectedly. I would suggest ending where you started, on the root (I'll assume you considered that, but I think it would have worked much better for this song). To reiterate, I think the song could have been even better, but musically was well constructed, enough that it still gets my five.

Nessbeatsfox responds:

Hey thanks a lot Hybris. To be honest, this was the first song I actually sat down and really tried to write when I got Fruity Loops. You're right, my main focus on this one was to write the song, not necessarily make it sound perfect (plus I'm still learning the program and just recently learned how to mess with the mixer). As far as the bass goes, I write a lot of rock/metal, and I guess I'm just used to a hard clean sounding bass. That's probably why I liked it.

I spent probably 45 minutes playing with the last 2 seconds of the song and finally just gave up and made it end the way it does. I really didn't know what to do with it. Thanks again for the review!

[Echoes (Acoustic)]

high quality, just not feeling it

I'm listening on headphones and I think the mixing sounds great. Really well constructed song all around, I just find it hard to relate to.

The intro seemed kind of tiring at first but came together very well. You also have some nice variations in the piece throughout from all the instruments. The voice is excellent, not really my style but dead on. I thought the bass was too twangy especially around 2:15. In that same spot I did like the drums though, showed some creativity coming from the percussionist, which was actually a little lacking in the rest of the song.

I don't know though... I like it but I don't like it. Its just hard to relate to. Ignoring the lyrics I can't tell what the song is expressing and get into it, and in my opinion its important to hear the music without knowing the words and know exactly what to feel. The song sounds very professional in that if I heard it on the radio I'd think it was some blink 182 or boxcar racer song I've never heard, but at the same time it wouldn't really grab my attention. Nonetheless, I think you still deserve 5/5.

[Scribble Scrabble]

Not bad at all just sounds unfinished

Definitely needs work but I like where this one is going. I've been trying to use reason and as a long time FL user I'll give you credit because reason is much more difficult to use in my opinion.

Its a little repetitive and it hints at a lack of effort on your part. Definitely could use a bassline or some lower tones at the least. I think some some strings or some soft synths in the mix would help as well. I do like how it progresses and how the two synths flow together - you did a very good job with that and shows you have the ability to make this work.

I really think the drums is what killed it and you know this - so why not fix it? Go back mix up the drums and even add a few more instruments to it, it would be much better. This is definitely a good start.

AndWHEEEEE responds:

I doubt I will do anything with it. It was just something I mixed up quick to get some practice on my keyboard. Uploaded it to see what opinions I could get. Who knows though. Might save it for a rainy day and fix it. Thank you for the feedback. It helps me out alot. Reason isn't to hard to use. It just that there is a ton of shit it can do. But I have never used anything else so I can't compare it to anything. Thanks again.

[Plastique]

Like the main beat but weak overall

I like the sounds you used because they're reminiscent of gameboy synths but honestly, they're weak. I think they could actually work here, but maybe some effects/eq could beef them up a bit? I wanted to say the mastering sounded amateurish but I actually don't think thats the case, it just sounds like there is no mastering.

Took a while to get the beat going but worth the wait. I like the toms used early on and they set my ears up for the main beat well. I like how it breaks down aroudn 2:30 and I like how it comes back in, minus the new synth you added in there. For the part where the beat comes in at about 3:11 I'd like to hear something more melodic that ties the track together, not some extra static.

The sounds are unique and its got a good forward pull throughout but overall the track is repetetive almost to the point where I lose interest. It works without the presence of a strong melody, but could still use one. I don't think it needs something completely new or different, but at the very least some more subtle variations would help throughout.

The beginning theme worked good as a beginning... but not so well as an end. Felt like you planted a seed and let this badass beat grow for 4 minutes... but then it up and decided it wanted to shrivel up into seed that it came from - just didn't work for me on this track.

Hope I don't sound too harsh, just offering my opinion. Overall I really liked the beat but there where those things I mentioned that I didn't like so take it or leave it. I'll give you a 4/5.

ericdrebin responds:

Thank you. I really appreciate your candid and in-depth critique. I'm so glad that you not only decided to review this track, but also that you reviewed it so well.

I was at a loss with this piece. I knew it wanted to go somewhere, but I couldn't figure out how to get it there. It took me about a week of messing around to come up with the song up to the breakdown at 2:30, but I couldn't figure out where to go from there. So I just slapped some cliches together to wrap it up.

But thanks again for the review. I'm definately gonna go back and rework some of the parts to try and male a stronger track outta this.

[Castle Augundus ~~ Part 2 [V2]]

5/5 DL

You're not the first to use reverb like that but I don't think i've ever heard it on classical music. It sounds very clean and very original and fit the texture of the song perfectly. There were some parts where the reverb was just a notch overdone but practically harmless to the song (and all i have is earphones that tend to paint the correct picture).

The song provided the feeling of stumbling apon a dark mysterious castle - I'll assume by the title of the song this was somewhere close to your aim. Even if not I really like the overall mysterious atmosphere of the song that came out from both the melodies and instruments playing them, as well as the effects. The song even loops well.

The drum line could have been stronger in my opinion, but still worked for the feel of the song. The hihat was one of the few things that seemed to have too much, or a bad type of reverb.

Overall 5/5 10/10 dl and plenty of listens in the future - hope to hear this in a good flash one day.

Zero123Music responds:

I am still a N00b with FL

I am rubbish with drums and effects.

I tried my best and with the 10 you gave me I am pretty glad

Thankyou

[HK - Playing Piano In Heaven]

nice track

A little repetitive overall but I like it, its original. The drums are uniquely mixed and catchy. The background synths come in smoothly and provide a good platform for the piano, which itself is simple but sounds good. I especially liked the buildup, it could have come in stronger but it the drum rolls were damn cool.
One thing I didn't like was at 2:20 the way it cut out, could have been more smooth but I was glad you didn't try to end it completely - the final ending worked out good.

[Dance With Me (Harx Remix)]

Remix eh

Can't say much to a remix - I've never heard the original so its hard to judge how much work you actually did on it - but regardless the song sounds great, nice bass and I like the synth lines and overall structure/buildup. 5/5 and dl.

MLeth responds:

Hehe, I pretty much redid the whole song. The only thing from the original is the vocals so.. :D
Thanks alot!

[bold understanding of regret]

Interesting

The sounds inside this song themselves are badass. I felt a good vibe listening to this one and there was a lot of energy pushing this song forward. The rhythm you maintained was crisp and unique although only a little bit jumbled.

It sounds tired in a way and I don't know if I like that. There are several loops that come in and out but there are no outstanding variations. From 1:44 to 2:20 you gave yourself a chance to really build the energy back up, but you choose not to. It fit well for the groove of the song, being an ambient track, but my ears wanted something to ease me back into the rhythm or to just hear something new at that point.

I can give you props because the song is well balanced. The synths sound great as well as the drums, nothing too muffled and I can understand each part separately as I listen. I like how the piano is split between the left and right channel, you should do that more with everything else - but just the way you did without over doing it - the two channels speak back and forth evenly.

Overall sounds great and it was interesting - Respect and 8/10.

snayk responds:

Thanks for the review.

I understand what you're saying about the song being tired, though I'd rather call it repetitive because the word is more objective -- but my point -- I basically wrote the song up to 1:17 three weeks ago. I added the alternate melody yesterday along with that constant screeching violin instrument. That probably has something to do with the lack of diversity; I wasn't in a constant creative state of mind like I often am when I write songs.

I typically enjoy my songs more when they were put together from 0-100% in one sitting/day, but I still like this one quite a bit.

Thanks again. I'm glad you liked it.

[The Chronicals]

Badass

This beat sounds dope. The blend of instruments leave a good taste in my ears and I could imagine some vox over this making it catchy and pushing it where the music alone can't go.
Don't know what to say about the modulation you put in eg 0:30 and about every 30/29 seconds after that. I mean I like them but maybe it just needs vox to tie it together.
Otherwise it just needs some more variation in it. These work good for raps, I've heard people make badass music with rap beats not near as good in quality, but with some more variations in the beat it'd be like cookies and the milk.

[[Dud] Modern Piano]

Good work

The beginning sounded a little off beat when I first listened. I assume that was intentional. Can't say I liked that too much, but it was an interesting touch.

By the time the song sped up I could hear it come together with a little bit more structure. This is a very unique song with interesting rhythm and structure altogether.

I really enjoyed this. I probably wouldn't have reviewed if I didn't think it was good. The melodies on the right hand are great and the variation in the chords you used go together well and kept it interesting throughout.

A couple things I gotta say against you is that, first of all, you should use more of the piano. Most of all go up and hit some of the higher notes, but the lower notes too. I don't play piano a lot (at least not very well :) but it sounds like you were in the same two or three octaves throughout the song and it started to get a little boring. Secondly (and I might be mistaken), it sounds like a lot of the left hand is playing fifths or "power chords." Whether or not thats true, I thought a lot of the time it sounded thin or hollow. Maybe its just the way your piano sounds, and maybe my first suggestion would have helped. Personally, I'd stray away from all the fifths. Instead maybe try some octaves, lower bass notes or play higher on the piano with the fifths.

Like Dexi said, I can tell you had fun playing this. Its a good song altogether (I don't wanna make it sound like I don't think so).

One thing I gotta say is I can hear expression in this song. Its got "feeling" if you know what I mean.... its the WAY you played this that really makes it good. Among other things, thats what I really liked about it, so keep it up.

Oh and by the way I don't get on Newgrounds very often anymore. Just thought I'd say that since you asked me to review this over a month ago... anyways, if you have more you want reviewed go ahead and ask and I just might. Otherwise, I hope my advice helps you out.

Dudidum responds:

Again you're a big help with your detailed reviews :)

That the beginning sounds a bit off is because I play the
right hand part at the very end of each measure. I wrote it
down in Finale Notepad and the Midi sounds exactly like I played it.

It's true that I only used a bit more than one/two octaves up and down from the center C. I don't know why I did this, perhaps because I'm not skilled enough to use the whole piano ;).

The left hand is a funny thing because I'm only playing one note at a time. It's very minimalistic and stays mostly the same during the whole song. But I thought that it sounded nice the way it was so I didn't alter it.
I'm always trying play a steady accompaniment with one hand (simple or complex) and then I'm playing around with the other hand.
Anyway I'll try some of your advice for the left hand :).

What I'm really glad about is that the "feeling" went through ;).
I could play anything be it simple or complex but without a certain expression it's worth nothing.

Thanks a lot for this long and good review!

ps: I sent you a PM since you offered to review more ;)