Marks-a-lot's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[MH16: Just A Loop]

Marimba Mahn!

its like Donkey Kong Country! best game for snes btw. I know what you mean about the inspiration. I've been running on empty lately, hopefully we can find some soon. This is a nice fun little loop though. Sounds like it has a little bit of mystery in it, and for sure a lot of adventure. lol, I'm trying to think of some criticisms or constructive things to say but all I can think of is DKC. I hope you can forgive me. Plus I'm in the middle of a poker tourney. 5'd

See ya later,
-[V]-

FairSquare responds:

Lol, i never really played DK Country. I only played DK on the Nintendo 64 :P
Thanks for the review and good luck with your tourney!

[Piano Echoes - Firebolt Drmz]

Really Good Stuff!

My 200th on one of the best songs on NG!

mjattie responds:

XD thanks lol

[MH16: Light & Loose]

I can hear it...

But I think you just missed what you wanted to achieve. your piano notes should be a little more quiet when they are harmonizing with that wind instrument. I sounds a little awkward there because of how that piano throws it off. and try getting a more even tone from your song. parts seemed louder than others. what program are you using? if you are using FL (what I use) you should really play around with your mixer. you can get to that by pressing F9, you probably already knew that though. just keep messing around in there and try to get some really equalized, nice sounds. that is where a lot of your work should be done, there and in you vst or whatever it is that you are using.

The drums sound good though, it sounds like you have that jazz shuffle on the ride pretty much down pat. the sax definitely gave it that jazz feel too. This song almost has a Dave Brubeck feel to it. If you like jazz you should definitely check him out. "Take Five" by his quartet has to be one of my favorite jazz songs.

You are definitely getting better, and the more you can convince yourself the more you can believe in yourself. And the more you do that the better your music will become. So have no worries and have fun when you are making your music. Don't forget that music is for peoples enjoyment not something to get popular or anything like that. Enjoy it and keep it coming!

5/5
-[V]-

FairSquare responds:

You know, when i first saw this review yesterday i was pretty dissapointed, because i thought my song was very good. But that was because i just finished the song and i was pretty excited :P
But if i read the review now, i can see you're right and give some very useful advice. I never use the mixer (i know how it works though), but i should do that.
And the last piece that you write is very useful too and not only to improve my music, but also as a person.
Thanks for this review!
MH16

[*Dark Tempest* [IZK]]

Nice Catch!

I like it and I like it a lot. I would have enjoyed it even more though if you brought all your sounds down but the drums, and then brought your drums out a little more. The effects and synths of this song kind of hide those beautiful drums. And my god there is a lot of re verb that I am hearing, but all in good form. Seriously though bring out those drums. At parts though it seems like your percussion is louder. I thought there could have been a little more punchy leads too. Nothing in here was really definitive, at least with your synths. It all sort of blended together in a giant airy mix. If you had a really dirty wav on top of this to kind of give a direction and rhythm to the song it would be a really really hot song.

The chemistry between the hats and snare were mind blowing at parts and really brought it together. I have to say that I enjoyed the drums most of all. Overall I feel that this is definitely one of the better drum and bass songs on Newgrounds and an enjoyable one as well. Keep throwin' em down for everyone to listen to!

5/5
-[V]-

Jenni-Harry4eva3 responds:

YEAH!!! Awesome! Another satisfied customer XD Well nearly lol. Thanks for all the tips. I'll try and update if I can fix it correctly. I knows. Bunch o' reverb lol. True... the equalizing was pretty difficult, and I tried as hard as I could to bring out everything without making it one huge square =/ SO, I guess this is the best I could have done. Duude, those rides rock my socks. The first time I heard them, I knew they had to be in there. Thanks man! I really appreciate it. Keep it real~

~[IZK]

[MH16: Flutes]

Aaahh so refreshing...

You definitely have a nac for classical kinds of music. But try not to limit yourself to only one genre of music. It helps to be versatile. there is a great ambient mix between all these winds that I am hearing. Great job I can't really pick up anything that needs changing, but maybe there should be more? great job any way. Keep it coming.

5/5
-[V]-

FairSquare responds:

Ok. I won't limit myself to only genre of music, but i think this is my main genre. I'm still going to make a lot of different songs too :-)
Thanks for the review!

[MH16: 4 O'Clock]

What' shup...

Damn! were'd you get those drum samples! those have to be some of the best samples I have hear on NG in a long time. Unfortunately I think the guitar isn't really something that can be achieved on NG. We just don't have the equipment for guitar sounds, it is way to expensive to even get a decent sounding guitar synth. and recording live is a nightmare, at least for me. So even though we may have skills at guitar (like me the beast I am) we just can't show it. I'm sure your next submission will redeem this one though. I can't bring myself to give you anything lower than an eight. I will still give you a five to for the effort and attempt. it's nice to see your trying something new too.

Til' next time,
-CJ-

FairSquare responds:

I have an VST called ''Addictive Drums''. With that program i always make my drumbeats (even in my previous song. You know, the one that's not hip-hop).
I thought the guitar sounded pretty decent, but not realistic. And recording live is no option for me, because i don't play the guitar.
Thanks for giving me a 5 and an 8 :-)
I'll try to work longer on my next song than i usually do and i hope i can make something really nice.
Thanks for the review!

MH16

[Breakbeat Machine]

Nice...

This is pretty dark. It kind of reminds of the old Goldeneye sound track for 64 (one of the best games of all time.) I can't really pick up on any major things that need changing, or things that need to be improved on. Sorry, I am usually a little more constructive in my reviews. And there is no way this should be a 2.19. Zero voters really piss me off, they are so ignorant. What are you going to do though. Stay strong and I will probably check in a few more times on your tracks. Make more breakbeat stuff, it's the shit!

5/5
-[V]-

Aeris responds:

sweet, i'll be sure to :D

i have you added to my favorites, your stuff is pretty aweome C:

[MH16: Clip-Hop]

I don't think this is very hip hop

Like the person below me said it's very ambient. I liked the bells though, that and the pad you have going here. I think you should get a smoother bass though. You put in like a Beverly Hill bass that doesn't really fit in. Try going for something a little smoother with no res that pushes out of the lower frequencies. I like your choice of percussion though. This song kind of reminds me of something but not sure what. maybe like a holiday song or something. That flute was kind of cool too, real zen like.

keep it coming, oh and can I ask you a favor? You know that song I made yesterday that did really well?...I put out the new one and I got zero bombed so I need a little boost in ratings. So if I could get a little boost in ratings from you that would be awesome ;)

5/5
-[V]-

FairSquare responds:

Thanks for the review and i'll ''upgrade'' the bass :-)
Going to check your song now, and try to boost it :P

[MH16: Hero's Are Needed]

A Song Machine Indeed

It definitely seems like you have found your niche. Another song with some nice strings, great job. The chords here sound very nice and full and your progressions are good too. I can't say that I liked the horns as much as any other part of this song though. I think these horns are a little to bright. maybe some slow crescendo horns would fit better. And less vibrato on your horns. But the horns were the only thing I felt were out of place. Timpani work seems to be okay. maybe you could use some cymbal work though, I don't think I have heard any hear?

It surely sounds like you are improving though. Another tip that might help you out is using your range of frequencies better. You really used up all your mids while leaving your high end and subs pretty much off the chart. Now I am not saying you would need subs for this piece but just know that they can be very helpful. You can compress some things to to help separate things a bit more. By doing this too you add dimensionality to your song (using compressors of coarse.)

Well, that about does it for me. keep on getting better and submitting your stuff. Let me know when you put out your next song. Thanks for your review and ratings to on my newest song.

5/5
always appreciative,
-[V]-

FairSquare responds:

And again, a very useful review :-)
But there are some things i don't understand, because i'm only just beginning making music.
You said i should use my range of frequencies better. I understand that, but i don't know what ''subs'' are. I think those are really low notes, but i'm not sure.
And then, you talk about compressing, but i don't have a clue what compressing actually is and can do for a song.
I'm going to try to learn everything though and if i need help i'll PM you :-)

Also, you're totally right about that i should be using some cymbals. I'm definatly going to try that out in my next song.

Thanks for the review!
MH16

[Mind Slaughter]

YES!!

Nice acid you have here, for a moment at least. this is a pretty cool song. Did you do the voice samples? I'll be honest it kind of sounds like mortal komba... Oh okay it is Mortal Kombat, nice. I can't wait to hear the final. The song has some errors and kind of flip flops too much. It is a little aggressive and the arp at teh end doesn't really sit well with my hearing but this is a WIP so I'm sure you'll work it all out in the end.

You're name is pretty awesome too, I saw you in one of my old reviews and I had to check you out.

5/5
-[V]-

DeathbyGamingX responds:

actually it was my friends voice he did that dj nipples for me