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10 Audio Reviews w/ Response

All 20 Reviews

You know, I studied classical composition too. I went to St. Olaf College recently and graduated in composition. I live in Pittsburgh now and teach at a school of music, building up a production program. So, I'd say, you're on the right track with what I'm hearing from you!

Verbee responds:

Oh, that's pretty cool. I'm hoping to teach when I graduate, too, but that's a while away. This type of music is really different from classical when it comes to a lot of things, so it's a nice change of pace for me.

I'm curious to know what previous music you've done since this is your second attempt at electronic music. This is very good stuff.

Verbee responds:

Haha thanks, I'm actually studying classical composition at a university, and I've delved into jazz and rock before.

This is super cool! I really liked that arpeggiated synth and the mood you create with all of those sounds... all very good choices! The kick sounds a bit distorted and a bit lo-fi, which would be interesting to hear if shaped a little more so it's more futuristic.. but anyway, there's a lot to this track for only 1:12!!! Way to go!

SoTJake responds:

Thank you :)

I have to say that your pitch fluctuations really added to the psychedelic mood you were going for.. that was pretty awesome in addition to the environmental sounds of the birds and sound effects.. The chord at 2:15 was AWESOME. Even though this track may be confusing to some people, I think that there's something here very worth exploring. Keep on exploring SOUND!! I could totally see this in a Japanese movie from 1940, and you brought it to 2014. Rock on.

itbegins responds:

Thank you very much kind stranger

I have to say that I agree with Wayv on this review though the track is constructed very well! I suggest reviewing your speaker placement and mixing environment. It sounds like you have the right idea about everything you want to do, but the bass is very lacking in power, probably because your set-up may not allow you to hear it fully. The sub could really be a lot more present and full, which sounds like your intention! I hate arguments that are like "throw money here and you'll be ok" though in this case it just sounds like you have the right ears, but maybe the wrong environment! It may be as simple as positioning your speakers differently, or in another room. Either way, this is a very cool track!

Jayk-O responds:

I'm using $20 speakers from the source, most of my mixing is done by visual because my speakers are not very good. Thank you for your review :3 I'll see if I can get the bass working well

I love the energy and after hearing your review I understand a bit more of what you mean by more intense mid and high range synths! They totally work the way you are using them! It's also really great that you can then cool them down by removing some of the highs and kids to create a contrasting more chill section!! As a suggestion for the future I'd try giving the kick a bit more space by rolling off lows on anything that's not a kick or a sub, and if you want your snare to kick a bit more roll of the two areas where the snare hits on some of the synths. Totally voting for this one way to go!

MegaMettaurX responds:

Thank you so much for the insight and the vote! I'm still working on this piece though. I've been reviewing what needs to be done here, IE, EQ the snare a bit as there's too much high end. I also want to layer some bass line synths to give this more character.

An effort at making a loop with three instruments! I would say that the drums sound like they are in a room next door and the mic is right in front of the guitar amp. I suggest getting the levels right first, then seeing if you can EQ frequencies so all of these instruments fit in the mix. Also I suggest allowing yourself time for more thoughtful, complete reviews that don't just criticize and leave it at that. At least offer constructive feedback or analysis of some sort.

eatmeatleet responds:

thanks yeah

Incredible, this is a work of art!!! so is it dubstep? Is it techno? Maybe more... so it's relevant to today's music. The only transition I'd look at is coming out of the more aggressive section at 1:27.. maybe if there were a bar more of space there it might help to prepare the listener for the next section.. all other transitions were extremely engaging. The preparation for the final stretch from around 4:30 had great momentum and you can really feel the track as beginning, middle, end. The laser sounds at 4:30-3:45 were very cool, I would love to know how you did that. At times I felt the kick could have been a bit more present in the low end but very balanced mix. Please keep the music coming!!

Wayv responds:

Yeah, but if I put it under dubstep, all the wubwubphiles will be like "dude this isn't dubstep, where be teh wobbles?"
I think I made the laser sound myself in Harmor...maybe using the pitch envelope? I lost the flp. :P
Thanks for the tips!
EDIT: Oh yeah and I made most the song with this very kick sound, and I couldn't really change it later without spoiling the mix. So yeah, bit of a bummer

Hey!! I read your review so I had to check out some of ur stuff! The emotion really comes out in your stuff and I feel I'll learn from your music. Don't listen to tox, he's poison to the internet community.. Anyway great harmonic exploration!! The buildup and break add a lot to the feel of this music and I love the contrast between the sounds used. Emotion!! Sometimes I thought some of these sounds could be equed more to make them more personal to your music.. If you're not putting eq on all your sounds I recommend it to get the most out if them! Love to hear more in the future

Wayv responds:

Wow, well I can't say I'm not flattered by this review! All my music is emotionally driven, because in general, the emotion and desire comes before the skill and perfection.
I will say my production always seems to be somewhat lacking. I just keep on keepin on, learning on the way, and I will take your advise here into account.
Thanks!

Interesting ideas throughout.. cool intro that will most definitely get you some good reviews.. atmospheric stuff seems to do that, which is kinda why I don't do it.. but anyway, it gives a good first impression for the listener. Now I'd say this is a very polished track, and all the parts seem very carefully worked out. What I liked most about this track is how it shifts to different "genres" pretty seamlessly. Now onto the constructive criticism stuff!
I thought that the first section after the intro, starting :55 lacked hardcore on the drums. The reason is because the synths are not EQued to allow the kick and snare to cut through. Step one: put a high pass on the synths so that only the sub and kick are in the low register!!! Step two: cut out a small pocket in most of the synths where two main areas of the snare hits. That'll clean up your mix a lot.
For future stuff, if you're interested in connecting with this crowd, I'd recommend looking at the way songs are constructed as far as A section, B section, A section again, etc. Repetition (with subtle details altered) is very important to speak to your listener. Personally I didn't have a problem with it on this track, but the world would..
Overall, good work, and my hardest criticism is really not to you but to most ppl on this site: it seemed to me that the sounds and choices were based on what people may want to hear as opposed to what you can use to grow personally and musically. I mean, we've all heard those dub step sounds before! Be original and make your mark even if you face criticism.. that's the only way to push the envelope.

Back-From-Purgatory responds:

I never actually thought to make cuts in the EQing to allow more room for the snare... Why I didn't think to do that is beyond me... But I'll certainly keep that in mind for next time.

As for the second half of your review, I think you're kind of contradicting yourself... first you tell me to conform to the norms to appeal to a certain crowd... but then tell me to defy the norm even if I face criticism for it.

Regardless... I've no interest in my music being accepted by "the world". I won't bullshit, I don't write my music to please other people, I write my music the way I want to write it, and if people happen to like it, awesome. I love it when people like what I do, but I will not bend my methods to appeal to a larger crowd.
By methods, I do mean my preferred writing style, I'm not using that as an excuse to ignore criticism, I often agree with the short comings in my music, be it mixing, poor transitions, etc. But I've absolutely 0 interest in writing my music in such a manner that more people will accept it.

It's why I write music after all... is to express myself, not to express my interest in pleasing others.

Thanks for the review, despite my disagreement on catering to a larger crowd, I found your review quite helpful.

Joined on 5/11/14

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