sYrge's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[SVMMIT - Sojourn]

I fell in love with this song the most when the drumstep drop hit at 3:10. It was executed so, so well and it fit perfectly with all of the other elements in the song. It is exactly the style of yours that I enjoy greatly.
However, although they it isn't distracting at all, the rising white noise before the first drop was a bit overpowering, but that's really all I have to say.
Amazing job, dude <3

svmmit responds:

thanks a lot ♥
I didn't really notice the riser being so loud until now that you mention it, so thanks for the feedback!

[Pheidippides]

Oh yeah, I remember who pheidippides was, he was the messenger who ran all the way from Athens to Sparta and then back, and then died suddenly of exhaustion just after yelling "Nike!" the greek god of victory.

Anyway, I really love what you have here. You are extremely improving with your melodies, chords, and rhythm. What really made me attached to this song is the 8bit part at around 3:19. I absolutely love your synths there; especially that short plucky arpeggio at the beginning of every few bars. If I'm correct, (I recognize because I've done it before) did you use the serum noise oscillator with a volume lfo? If so, great job; if not, great job as well :) And best of all, it has a very nice contrast, but not too much so that it doesn't fit.

Having said that, I think it has a couple of minor problems. The very beginning of the song, there are the lowpassed chords and the drums. The drums are the main issue in this part, because they, especially the ride, are outlandishly high frequency compared to the soft chords, so i think a simple lowpass filter rising with the chords should do the trick.
At around 1:18, I'm not hearing much low end. I don't know if that was intentional, since the main drops come later, so I don't really know if you were trying to make like a drop or not.

Other than that, there isn't much else that really stands out to me as a problem, so amazing work, man! Can't wait for your next upload :)

MollusK-Music responds:

Yes, that's the one xD

Regarding your criticisms, I agree with both. That first section at 1:18 you regarded was not intended as a drop, in fact I greatly considered taking it out since it had little purpose. But, I left it in seeing as the chords were barely introduced. The drum-chord contrast issue is mainly due to the fact that I had to use my headphones for that particular section and I felt that when the filter was allowing more high-end it sounded too distorted. I found it quite peculiar as it was a rather soft sound, but I decided - most likely against all better judgement - that I should keep the automation rather slight.

Anyway, I'm glad you think my melody is getting better. I have been working a lot on various "Audio-fuckery" projects to work on certain aspects of my music; whether it be melody, sound design, structure, drums etc. Through that I've also discovered some love for more acoustic, unconventional drums. Which is why I have scoured the internet trying to find out where to get some high quality claps, similar to those used by Stèlouse and MYRNE. Yet, I really want to couple them with a nice, analog kick. So, maybe look for a future bass track with those... idk yet.

I'm really glad you liked the 8-bit section as well. If you are wondering, I did use a noise oscillator to make those whitenoise drum sounds. Everything else was essentially made with a square wave. I avoided filters for most of the sounds, to keep it as genuine as possible. Again, I was considering making a chiptune track at some point.

Either way, I'm glad you liked it and I appreciate the feedback, as always.

Cheers c:

[How2BassHouse]

Lol
Cool bass though :P

HOW TO MAKE VIRTUAL RIOT DUBSTEP

Step 1. Go to youtube and search "Virtual riot warm ups bass"
Step 2. Realize that none of them use a synthesizer you actually have, so then attempt to make your own.
Step 3. Get really frustrated because you can't do it, and then go to prime loops and buy "Virtual Riot Serum Presets Pack"
Step 4. Make warm ups bass
Step 5. Do nothing and then release it :)

MollusK-Music responds:

You actually just summarized how I learned most of my sound design xD

Anyway, I'm glad you liked the bass at least. If you ever cared to know how I made it, and/or, have Massive, I can explain it pretty easily. Essentially, it was just a sine and saw with some FM and filter stuff. Quite simple.

Cheers c:

[An Astronaut's Daydream]

This is outstanding and original. Or at least much much more original than what I usually make XD
Anyway, I absolutely love your melodies and chords and you pulled off a very emotional feel to the song. Your mixing and mastering aren't really top notch, but nothing is offputting at all (I shouldn't really be talking because I don't even try to master at all).
The only distracting thing is that the main snare isn't loud enough and it doesn't really function like a normal snare should.
other than that, amazing track, dude ;)
i think you should check out the artist SVMMIT (mrfaller on ng)

MollusK-Music responds:

I completely agree on the mixing/mastering front. I'm still updating the mastering to make it better, along with some other changes to make it less repetitive. I don't personally like having loud, cracking snares in my songs (With the exception of dubstep). But, that's just my personal take, so I completely understand where you are coming from. Nevertheless, I really appreciate the kind words on this one. I am always looking for things I do well so I can keep doing them. So it really helps when you tell me what you like/dislike. So, Thanks!

I'll make sure to check out SVMMIT on my next audio excursion. I have my own recommendations for you. If you like this type of music, you should definitely check out Hyper Potions and Deon Custom on Youtube and Soundcloud.

Thanks again, man. Cheers c:

[Work in Progress]

Sounds pretty solid so far. The drums sound good and work well with everything. However, i think you should make the lead pluck an octave higher to give it more melodic elements.
On the other side of things, there is that random Virtual-Riot-as-fuck transformer growl at the beginning. It sounds awesome in terms of sound design, but it doesn't really fit with the style. Other than that, the only thing is that the chords need to be way more sidechained, but I know for a fact that you're working on that already ;)
Cool stuff man!

MollusK-Music responds:

Thanks, man. Yeah the points you raised are usually those kinds of last minute changes I make before I release a track. What I do is leave the track for a couple days so I can get my own unbiased opinion on what should be changed. And yes, that thing is VR as fuck, I agree is doesn't fit. BUT! that doesn't mean it can't. I added that for no particular reason other than that I liked its sound so I intend to fiddle with it until it sounds fluid with the rest of the track. My general idea with this so far is to sound random as hell but still groovy and easy-listening. So I'll definitely consider the criticisms. Thanks again, it's always nice to see you here, sYrge.

Cheers, man c:

[Jumper - Purity (2016)]

I have been waiting for this for a really long time, and I'm quite impressed. You pulled off everything almost flawlessly and recreated a really old song with professional and new elements. Everything sounds really amazing, dude. The only thing is an insignificant arrangement issue. During the first drop, you first have a chord stack with a bass that lasts two beats. Then, for one beat, there's a pause, and on beat 4 of the measure, there is another stack with a different chord. The melody you have over it, which is the original purity melody, does not follow the same pattern by default. That melody has chords that should change every one measure. But with your different chord pattern with the second chord one beat earlier than before, the melody is no longer in sinc, but it doesn't really throw anything off. Overall, i'm extremely happy with this masterpiece. can't wait for your next upload! :)

[MollusK - Inner Machinations]

Noice :) I like the nature sounds.

MollusK-Music responds:

Ahah, thanks. They do indeed add some flavour and I plan to use more in my new tracks as well. I would record my own, but It's a cold, baron wasteland in Canada. Cheers, man! cx

[Nine Echoes ID]

Wow! i never thought i'd find something this awesome in the hashtags, but this is fantastic especially for your first time at this style. I love the chords in the drop and how there's a lowpass thing on them. The rhythm isn't super original, but it sounds good and fits perfectly.
On the other hand, there is this 8bit sweep composed of triangle waves (I think?) it sounds good, but the notes don't seem to fit with the key of the song. It's almost like it's a sample from another song with a different key signature was put into this song. Maybe pitch it down 4 half steps or something. Idk if that will work, so just pitch it somewhere that sounds on key.
Another thing is the vocal samples. The main thing is that they stand out too much, and what you can do to them has been mentioned in the comment below.
Really cool song though, keep it up m8 :)

NevoMusic responds:

Yeah, I usually use samples for my effects. I really should practice making my own, or at least put them in key. Also now that you mentioned it I could have made the vocals fit a little better as well. Thanks for the review, I found this quite helpful!

[!-Meteor Mining-!]

I love this! It's extremely unique :) I agree with everything DanielNeelMusic said, and I also think there should be more stuff going on with the high end in the beginning of the drop.
The second drop, however, IS AMAZING :D
Overall a really cool song, dude! :) Keep it up m8!

Atundra responds:

Thanks Syrge, awesome to hear you enjoyed it mate.

[Chaoz Fantasy - Remix]

Wow, sick remix :) I like how you had drumstep as well as drum and bass, but i think the snare could definitely be more powerful. Also, the piano you have at the beginning is really muddy and has way too many low-mid frequencies with that lowpass you have. You also have a lowpass on the synth at the very end that makes it sound very mid-heavy. It's very pretty, but it could use some cleaning up.
Keep it up m8 :D

KamillasRainbow responds:

Thanks for the review :)