Softley's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Saria's Song 8-bit]

Brings me back!

Thats pretty cool! Nothing special but I like what you were trying to do. Nice.

It also helped, I have a student who wanted to learn this on violin and I had no idea how it went. Now I do! Thanks! Points for being helpful. haha

[Teh Final Battle]

No no no....

Holy.. I think thats awful. The beat sounds really cheap. Like off a casio keyboard I used when I was 4. There isn't really a tune there at all. I can hear the beginnings of one but the terrible synth effect used hid it. Change the drum loop and change that synth for the melody and maybe it'll be better. Also, try mixing a bit better. Those drums are peaking alot.

Iplaygames responds:

oh well... not everyone is going to like

[4 AM]

Not so great...

I didn't really think this one was so great.. Vocals were very flat (both in key and tone) The horns were really cheesy sounding, but they sort of grew on me. lyrics weren't so great, the tune was repetative and lacked much creativity. The drums were a bit messy. On beat, just too much unnecessary stuff going on there. I think the vocals could be improved if you practiced slowly to a chromatic tuner making sure you hit each note. Try and train yourself to know where each note is by feel. You might also look into broadening your chord progressions with suspensions, 7ths, 9ths and just all around cooler progressions. Try finding different ways of making the chords you want by inverting the notes, changing the fret possitions etc.

PS, I'm going into detail because I thought it had enough in it to improve on, not trying to bring you down! lol

HyruleanHyroe responds:

Well we always appreciate creative criticism! I am sad you think I sound cheesy, but I'll get over it. Thanks for the in-depth suggestions, though! I'll do my best to inform our guitarist, cuz he doesn't use the internet, and I really don't know what att that business with suspensions and whatnot mean, haha. Stop by again once our new stuff is done, and tell me if you think we've improved!

[\__\\-\Out of the Ashes/-//__/]

Nice return!

Nice work! Glad you got over your block. I liked the different synth textures here and how you mixed up the beats and melodies. Lots of variation in the textures, sounds, dynamics and beats. Really cool. I also liked the variations between low and high. It really takes you on a journey! Nice builds and drops throughout, carries you along.

[Dream Voyager]

Wasn't bad except for that middle part

That off key middle part ruined it for me... Talk about clashing! It didn't really seem like it even had a reason for being there except to make the song worse! Sorry, I did like the rest, just think about getting rid of that middle part thats off by about a semitone!

vlequang responds:

Off key middle part? I didn't notice. Lol

[Concerto in E Minor Techno mix]

Ok but not great

I wasn't a huge fan. I thought it was pretty cheesy and the techno portion seemed really repetative and contrived.. Sort of like you didn't try to hard with the techno part but wanted to throw it in to make it cooler.. I wasn't a fan of the synth sound you have there either.

[Shrouded In Thought]

Nice but cheesy

Wow, I think your idea here is really good, but of course synth orchestral always sounds way too synthy to take seriously. I like the variations in the dynamics and the chords and the counter melodies and the bass line, but I'd really loose that repetative snare drum line. Once the full drum kicks in its fine.

If you're interested in creating better orchestral scores, try garageband with the added symphony jam pack. Thats how I create my scores and back alot of my music. It sounds way way more realistic and that way your ideas will sound better and be taken more seriously.

But yeah, great job!

Cutting-Christ responds:

Isn't Garageband only for Macs?