Marks-a-lot's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[MH16: Heaven Is Close]

Mmm, Sweet Strings Galore!

It just keeps getting better my friend. And this song is very nice. Kind of sad, The song feels is if it is telling a story. A sad epic of a hero rising from nothing.

lol, that pan flute is pretty damn epic. You might want to make those drums a bit louder though. You can't be shy if you are going to throw those drums into a song. Especially if it is going to be an orchestral piece. The title fits to, I like how the drums are very realistic too. That is something that can really add to a song. The build in this song was phenomenal. I am going to have to say that my favorite part about this track was the horns, they added so much to the song.

You really are getting a lot better. If you go back and listen to how much you have changed from your first submission, even though it may not be that long, You can tell how much you have improved. It is like every one of your songs is like a photograph of where you were as a musician and maybe even in life. Great job! Before I know it I will run out of criticisms to give. When that day comes I will have a one word review. And I don't like one word reviews.

Good luck with the next track and keep them coming.

5/5
-[V]-

FairSquare responds:

Wow, that was a great review :-)
Thanks, i really appreciate it!

MH16

[Ghosts [Preview]]

Okay, now this is what I'm looking for

I found it, thanks for making it.

Those hoovers are pretty sick. And that pad is just GODLY! It should be called "Choir of The Gods" pad. That is what really reeled me in and force fed me, those pads are dominate. You have some nice Amen breaks in there to "sweeet" every Drum and Bass song could use a little bit of that. Nothing bad to say sorry, I usually give more constructive reviews. I kind of feel stupid but at least the song owns.

Hope you stay at the top, this shit bangs! Keep up the good work and keep on rippin' the DnB scene up on NG.

5/5
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Rawrthaas responds:

thanks dude

[[\Feels like Steel/]]

It's So...

Envious?

I thought it was great, I liked pretty much the whole song. Strings were arranged nicely just like one of the people before me said. The drums weren't too bad. Wasn't really a big fan of the snare here but I can't really think of any kind of snare that would work better so good job. And let me jut say that those strings are pretty chaotic!

hmm..what else, the panning. If you use the pannning on the hi-hats it can be a little distracting so you really have to think that out. You used it really nicely at parts but some times it was just a little too much.

One more thing that I can't really explain but I will just say it. The song felt a little flat, I don't know how you could fix that or what that means but that is just the impression that I got at some parts of this song. Sounds good though keep it up.

5/5
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paradoxphenomena responds:

Yea, I had my doubts about the drums and I did try switching it out but it didn't work so I stuck with it. As for the pan I quite agree with you but its adds a little bit more motion to the overall dynamics of the piece. Without it, the piece feels quite stagnant. Which brings me to your observation about it being a little flat. I can see where you are coming from, especially with the strings, which in this piece is more black and white. Part of it was on purpose but most of it was just my lack of tolerance. After working on it for so long I was mentally exhausted and it got to me so I just left it as it was.

Overall, I felt it turned out quite well since DnB really isn't my forte. I have you and the other NG'ers to thank for that. Your reviews and constructive criticism really help to reinforce and improve my pieces. Thanks for taking the time to review.

[Flooded Memories]

Is There A Guitar?

first I have to say that the title fits the song perfectly. And this is just a gorgeous song. I feel so cold listening to it, it's like that wind if actually hitting me. Oh, I just got to the guitar, that answers my question. so this is a guitar and piano piece, and a guitar and piano piece well done. It is good to hear a happy ending too.

Something that really would have put me over the edge would be a drum section or some kind of percussion in here. I know it is an ambient song but I'm telling you if there were drums I would have pooped even more in my pants. Great song, you will probably be hearing from me again somewhere down the line.

5/5
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[~|| My dark Side [full]]

Nice Song...

I think this is a pretty good song you have here. the strings complemented the piano very nicely and the whole thing fell together very nicely. I do feel the bit of darkness in it to, very good. I would have liked it a little more with a cleaner kick. That is pretty much the only think that caught my attention as something that sould be easily fixed. seriously though good song.

5/5
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T-Free responds:

Yeah, the kick isn't the cleanest, I'll fix it soon. Thanks for the criticism, I need help like this.^^

[MH16: The Power Of War]

Nice...

It started out sounding very war-like but the more it progressed the less it seemed like a war song. But that being said the song itself was actually a very nice piece of music. I really like the stuff you do with all the classical instruments, in this submission and in your previous ones. That horn progression that you have in this song is really enticing! I loved it, great job with that.

some things that I think could add more to the song...Maybe try and make an actual chorus riff that you could refrain to. And maybe an actual drum beat, those are some things that could add a little more "umph" to the song. But, honestly I think it is good as is. Nice job with this submission, can't wait to hear the next.

5/5
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FairSquare responds:

Thanks for the advice and the review :-)

[(Dj-NX) What We Are]

Sweet...

You don't have to classify this as misc though. You could definitely put this under trance.

Now for the actual review, Somethings that I felt could have been a little different was the pitch on some of your leads. Some of them were just a little to far up there if you know what I mean. I wasn't really sure about the acid synths in this one but that sort of fell into place so no harm done. Maybe you could have taken a little re verb of the acid lead. Besides that I felt everything was pretty good.

Some stuff that I really liked was your cymbal work, when the first part really came ion you had a very nice cymbal (very nice.) your drums aren't to bad either. I am a drum and bass kind of guy and I have to say you didn't have me yawning like most of the trance songs. Those strings were very nice to, that and you piano. I really really liked your piano progression as well as some of your others. You have some pretty catchy stuff here.

Ooo you just submitted this today...I hope it goes well for you (please no zero bombs.)

5/5
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NX177 responds:

Xd thanks man i like ppl like u.

[SM64 Jolly Rogers Bay RMX]

Hmm...

I have that same problem too, and it resets all my vst's every time I close out as well. But don't worry I have a solution....never quit out of FL! okay maybe it isn't a solution but that is what I do.

Anyway now for the review. So you are somewhat new to FL I take it? well some tips for your next song going by what I am hearing here and have heard in your rainbow road song as well. Umm, try mixing up your sounds. You don't want to make them so different that they don't fit just make some different synths that fit together. You might want to try putting certain sounds in certain frequencies as well. Boost up those drums too, and don't be afraid to tinker around with your FX and everything else in your mixer window. Try bringing in some different hi-hats to. Have one closed (like the one here) and then get another one that maybe has a more open sound to it. You really want to make those drums sound nice. Percussion is like the glue for a song in most genres.
you sound like you know what your doing with your chords and scales and plaything, unless this is a midi. And if that is the case study up and try making some of your own stuff it's nice to get out of your zone and force yourself to make some different kind of genres.

For this song itself it isn't to bad. I feel like the more I listen to it the more I like it. I never really got to play Mario 64 but I'm sure this sounds a lot like the one in the game. You have so many things happening at one time from one instrument that it is blending a little too much. So much that it is causing some lack of interpretation in your song.

so just try varying things up. The key is variety! Not a bad song

5/5, I'll give you some grace points...
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Yamalazoo88 responds:

wow. that was the best review someone has ever gave me. lol. oh and no, no midis are in this song!! but i do have to admit, i suck at drums. but there is not that many drums in the original. i added the bass guitar for some kick also. and i added a kick drum also!. but im happy im not the only one with the FL problem. im glad you took the time to write your review also!

[Xyirx - Tomorrow is Waiti]

Whoa...

Man this is some deep stuff right here. I feel like I'm drowning, in a good way of coarse. I just sat back and let the wind carry me away. The wind that came from another great submission by you. The story goes perfectly with the song. The cello hit me a little odd on the first note but it settled in when all the strings and everything came in. It actually sounded really good with all the accompaniment. Maybe if I was a girl I might have cried, you did manage to get a little water in my eye though. I better get out of here before I actually start to cry. thanks for the submission, another good one!

5/5
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Xyirx responds:

Oh, I made you shed? :D Oh, sorry....But I'm also happy that you're touched by the song.

People find the cello loud too, but I'd rather leave it this way 'cause it has strong dynamic which can lead you to the climax of the song more dramatically. I wanna thank you for good reviews and listening the piece also. :D

[Xyirx - Dragon's Embrace]

Ha, Good Job!

I was expecting something a bit different when I clicked on this one. But still a great song to say the least. I sense a bit of relief in hear to, how'd those exams go? Mine were cake ;)

I'm not really sure how to review this though. I don't think I have ever reviewed a solo piano piece before. I'll just say what I feel/think when I hear it. I feel that it sounds very warm and comforting. It kind of makes me want to grow old next to a fire place with a blanket and a rocking chair, in the winter of coarse. With some dim lighting and a heavy yet peaceful aura around me.

Thanks for the great submission, I am going to go check out some of your other stuff now so I might be popping up somewhere else.

5/5
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Xyirx responds:

I think people might expect a more powerful piece since I used the word "dragon" there, but actually, I just wanna convey a short message about motherly love. :D

I'm happy that this piece can at least give you some images to visualize while listening. Thanks for listening to this. :)