johnfn's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Swan Lullaby]

Really nice! Some of the transitions are a little abrupt, but the melody has a really nice childhood-like feel to it :-)

Chemiqals responds:

Thank you! That's exactly what I was going for, honestly! (Makes sense if you ever get to play The Unfinished Swan!) =P

[My Cortana]

ARGH! How come I have to be up against you?!?

Five stars, ya jerk. Take them and go away.

(don't actually go away <3)

[Here, have some groove]

My god... this is like the grooviest thing I've ever heard.

AWESOME

Jernemies responds:

Glad you like it :)

[Acidulus 8]

Oh, wow.

garlagan responds:

HELLO JOHN

[Are You Afraid?]

...

...

:O

[Foundry]

You've got a really good sense of dynamics and melody man. I remember thinking that in the last NGADM when I heard your entry, and I think you've gotten way better since then :-) Good luck in the tournament!

[Hope]

Yeah I am sensing some strong underdog NGADM potential here. :D Gorgeous track!

You know what this song needs though, is a slightly cleaner mix (the reverb is a bit too heavy, strings are too loud and muffle the piano) and a little more bass presence perhaps, like maybe some drums when that awesome solo comes in.

Solo is so gorgeous though!

One of the best tracks I've heard on here in a while. If we both make it in the NGADM I'll be with LunyAlex huddling in another bracket, as far away from you as possible. ;-)

Phonometrologist responds:

HA johnfn, if I do make it in, my goal is really just to make it past the group stage, so I'd be pretty much content with that.
I like the tips here. I really don't like using reverb, but I felt I had to implement it to at least get a more cohesive feel with the different instruments. Just used a 1.7s delay reverb with a wet gain of -19db.
The strings were done before I intended to add a guitar part so I was really going for some Samuel Barber Adagio sound with the high/climatic strings. It was close to it, but the guitar gave it a whole other feel. I actually lowered the volume of the piano in the middle of it as well. It really doesn't do too much different from the beginning, and I felt the attention needed to be adverted away from it to avoid an even bigger sense of repetitiveness. So, it was just a choice in how I mixed it, but your suggestions are well taken. If given the chance, I'll consider these for the next submission, especially the drums.
Thanks for the time in leaving a review as time is precious these days.

[Coffee and Cannon Fire]

Pretty good! Definite cinematic quality to it. I just thought that the transitions could be a bit more smooth - the song almost seems like a couple of different small songs at this point, but that is an easy fix with better transitions. Also, the percussion could have more delay on the reverb to make it bigger and add a little more to the overall atmosphere.

Anyway, nice job! Totally get that pirate battle feel. :D

LunyAlex responds:

Thank you! Transitions are indeed still my weak spot. I appreciate the insight; it will be put to good use!

[~SW~ Bells of Atlantis]

The clicky sounds are weird as heck and kind of jar with the atmosphere imo. I really like the muted piano or whatever at :20 though. Pretty cool atmosphere.

SkyeWint responds:

The clicks were somewhat of an experiment, I suppose. Some of the clicks sounded bubbly to me, which is why I kept them. The other one, which is part of the background percussion (heavily reverbed at the start), I can see how that could interrupt. In retrospect I kinda want to remove it.

[I made this for me]

I really hope you do well in the NGADM because I absolutely love your style. Every instrument choice you make is a good one imo. Also... only 4 hours? god darn it.

The only reason I'm giving this 'just' a 9 is because I'm unfairly comparing it to "Alone and Adrift" which is the best song ever.

...But yeah good luck with the NGADM :)