Ragekaje's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[WARNING]

Interesting!

I am unsure what to think of this track. I really like the instrumentation and the mix, but the composition bewilders me. I really want to crank this and jam to it, but there are so many different rhythms happening that I cannot follow it. It certainly sounds like it could be in a video game, but I cannot think of anywhere I would expect it to be. There are no games, genres, or scenes that come to mind when I listen. The emotions or aesthetics you are trying to convey are lost to me.

The polyrhythms are certainly unique, but I'm not sure if it helps the track. It seems to want to go to two different places, but never reaches either. The light melody is trying to go one way, but the mid-range rhythm synth is trying something different. I want to move my head with the music, but I don't know whether to follow the drums, the bass, or the lead melody. The polyrythm technique is very useful for building tension, so I would use it sparingly. You should use it to build a crescendo. Also, I would very up the melody a little bit more, it gets repetitive a little too fast. I noticed it does drop down and plays an arpeggio in a minor chord, but perhaps have the melody play something different on every fourth repetition, or every third time in groups of four.

I am curious what software you used and what time signature you wrote it in. (or if each part was written differently)

In short, the sound is great, but the composition just needs to be a little clearer. Don't give up! :)

[Apocalypse - Shx Dubstep]

I like the composition! It has a strong build into a crescendo, and then rides that energy level for the rest of the duration. The oscillations are strong but do not drown out the quieter instruments playing in the background. My complaints are that it is not long enough, and there's a distinct gap in the lower part frequency spectrum. I really wanted to hear it go on for a little longer, perhaps to have another, but slightly different, quiet part and build back into the crescendo again. As for the frequency gap, I need a little more bass. When I say bass, I'm talking about the frequencies between about 100 hz and 400 hz. (my ears are not great in that regard and I don't have an equalizer to play with the song.) I would recommend looking at your frequency outputs in post, and make sure there are no drastic dips in any range. Watching the Bars visualizer, your song seemed a little lacking in the mid-range. Try to make sure its fairly balanced between 20 hz and 20 khz. This helps the song sound full on any set of speakers, as each set of speakers emphasizes certain ranges.

It does sound better than any Dubstep I could attempt! Keep up the good work! Don't give up!

RFetra responds:

Thank You :D Yeah i will continue the project, i'm trying to make something good to ear and it's hard but i'll keep it , thank you ;)

[Djent in 53/16]

This is sick! I immediately cranked this to bang my head with it blaring out of my Harbinger V2112 loudspeaker!

Your title hooked me. I really wish I could see the sheet music for this. Also, I had no idea what polyrhythms and polymeter were before seeing this. So, you have tangentially taught me some music terminology.

What program did you use to write/record/"perform" this?

My only complaint is the lack of bottom end in the guitar riff. I would recommend either allowing the bass section to fill in underneath instead of it playing such high notes, or to have a clean electric guitar playing the same section as the distorted one to fill in those frequencies that a distorted guitar has trouble filling. The latter would allow the bass to continue bouncing around in the upper register, which actually sounds cool! (also, I'm not sure how much you mixed this, but it actually sounds more balanced out of my tiny laptop speakers than out of my huge monitor)

I listened to this riff on loop the whole time I wrote this. I am still jamming out as I type!
Rock on!

[Cinematic Chipstep]

Its just missing a little something.

I like this tune. It has a somber melody with an ambient back-beat.

I'm not sure what kind of emotions you were trying to evoke or what kind of picture you were trying to paint. I was left feeling like its missing a little bit of something.

The "intro" runs on a little long. The bass waits too long to come in. I expected it at about 0:35. Adding a snare sound and cranking the intensity with the other instruments would help at 1:06.

Regardless of my criticism, it is a cool piece. It makes me think of that point in an old RPG where the origins of the world are revealed, or a large revelation changes the focus of the hero. I can imagine this playing over a montage of epic scenery.

[ChippyBeat Dungeon]

Need more bass to crank!

This is very cool! It makes me want to dash through a dungeon hacking up skeletons and slimes and kicking open chests for dank loot!

I really like the laid back melodies that still stir up some energy. They mix really well with the driving rhythms of the bass and the drums. I do wish there was a small spot in the track where the bass and drums dropped out to let the melodies create a little suspense for a measure or two.

The loop is pretty smooth and natural. There is a very small hiccup in the loop, but I actually did not notice it until I watched the time-stamp as the song ended.

I wish the bass was a little more full, maybe just a small boost around 150hz?

All in all, this is a very cool release for pixel day and I hope everyone hears it!

[The Message]

This is not my preferred genre, but you had me hooked from beginning to end. I like the synergy between the bass and the electric piano (possibly a guitar with some soothing effects, I'm not quite sure which) during the verses. The song really had a driving beat and kept a nice dynamic flow between each section. My only complaint is the lack of a "bridge," or "breakdown." About two thirds of the way into the song, I was expecting a dramatic shift in some form or another, be it key, tempo, instrumentation, or overall energy. The song kind of feels like it needs a "quiet part" or a "loud part" where the song could really hit home. Either way, that is just my two cents. I may be the only one who thinks so, or you may have intentionally written the song without that for a reason I am not noticing. Regardless of my criticism, it stands to be an amazing work!

Great song! I am definitely coming back to hear more!

[Solitude of the Valkyrie ~P~]

This song is amazing from start to finish. It evoked feelings of sorrow, humility, and realization of an overwhelming destiny. However, with these emotions came strength, confidence, and certain solace that only comes with taking up a torch and refusing to give up.

While there was no significant crescendo or rise in energy, I believe this plays toward the strength of the song, rather than against it. At first, I was let down by the lack of intensity, but I soon realized this song is not about a "final push," or moment of triumph. Instead, the subtle back and forth of low and medium intensity phrases evokes a certain confidence, mixed with patience. Visually, the song gives me images of climbing a mountain amidst cold, harsh winter storms. The act of climbing that mountain is not achieved in one leap, but with many small, firm steps.

This song is, without a doubt, fantastic!

I am curious about a few things:
What did your processes for writing and recording look like?
Are the instruments (including voices) recorded live or were they just beautiful sounding samples?
If they were samples, where did you find them? (you made those samples sound great!)

Keep up the awesome work!

[Maschine.]

Definitely an interesting piece. I like your distortion, but at the same time I didn't; it was what gave character to the piece but I feel as though it took some of the glory away from the melody.

[[fM!]-EndGame-]

I honestly don't know what to think of this piece. It seems like a good start but it seemed to have lack inflection; the piece stayed at the same spot the entire time, there was no temporal shift or melodic change. On a side note, I would've attenuated the sound of (what seemed like shakers to me, that sharp sifting sound, I can't think of how else to describe it) because it annoyed me but it would have worked better as a background sound. I think you have a good start here that needs to be expanded on. Don't give up, this can still be a greater piece! :D

[Lone X - Remember]

I liked it, the only complaint I have is that the heavy wub-wubs contrasted with the light synth melody. Other than that, I think it has a great sound and really brings across that certain lonely feeling, without sounding depressing.