johnfn's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Shi And Silence]

=== This is an NGAUC Audition Round Review ===

Wow, this is a really nice piece! The sound choice and design is just immaculate. The drums sound fantastic - I love whichever pack your using. (That's right - I don't even know what it is, but I love it!) Furthermore, they're mixed really well. The vocals, too, sound pretty awesome. Both the whispered sounds and the higher female vocals add a bunch of atmosphere. Yes, that's what defines this piece: ATMOSPHERE. I would have liked a more solid melody or at least a bit more defined chords so I could really love this piece, but even as it stands, it's a really fantastic piece of atmospheric and ambient work. Great job!

Mini-scores (See http://johnfn.newgrounds.com/news/post/936953 for what this means and how to improve)
Mixing: 4/4
Arrangement: 3/4
Composition: 3/4
Overall (this is not an average): 8/10

JeremyKingVA responds:

Thank you kindly! :D

The drums are from Soundiron's "Apocalypse Elements" library. Atmosphere was definitely what I was aiming for when I composed this, haha. Glad you enjoyed the piece!

[Into Fire]

=== This is an NGAUC Audition Round Review ===

This song intrigued me right from the intro - it's very unique! (Also, the piano sound is good. I'm a stickler about good piano sounds. ;-)) However as we get into the song, the side chaining is a little too aggressive and the mix is a little wonky (sometimes instruments like the piano get too quiet, they seem like they duck out of the way of the kick). On the other hand, the chord progression is neat and the instruments fit together well. They all have a sort of icy tone to them - it makes me think of a winter wonderland... but with a DANCE. Or something.

Mini-scores (See http://johnfn.newgrounds.com/news/post/936953 for what this means and how to improve)
Mixing: 2/4
Arrangement: 3/4
Composition: 2+/4
Overall (this is not an average): 6.5/10

[G4CE'sz - Travel]

=== This is an NGAUC Audition Round Review ===

So this was a really ambitious piece! A nine minute long song is a rarely seen feat. Furthermore, you have multiple different sections, which is a good idea, because they keep the song interesting and moving along. However, I felt like there were some problems with this track. To me, the worst was probably that some of the chords felt a little dissonant at times, and the pluck sample does not work so well with the longer strings.

Mini-scores (See http://johnfn.newgrounds.com/news/post/936953 for what this means and how to improve)
Mixing: 3/4
Arrangement: 3/4
Composition: 1+/4
Overall (this is not an average): 6/10

KayJay-Artique responds:

Thanks for the review :)

[/Across Universes\]

=== This is an NGAUC Audition Round Review ===

When I first saw your track, I was like, "Hmm, this guy's name is EverReverb. That does not bode well for mixing." Well, congrats on making me EAT MY WORDS. This track is a really really solid techno track. The composition is really solid and the mixing (ha) is stellar. Right when I was starting to think it was getting tiring, you totally switch it up (at 3:30). I would perhaps prefer a new chord progression to be introduced at some point or maybe a stronger melody, but I'm not going to lie; this song is very good. I feel like in the old days of the portal, you could have been one of those guys who got really popular making energetic, speedy techno (like dimrain47 and the rest). Instead, you're in the underdogs division. Bummer. Well, whatever. Congrats on the great song!

Mini-scores (See http://johnfn.newgrounds.com/news/post/936953 for what this means and how to improve)
Mixing: 4/4
Arrangement: 3+/4
Composition: 4/4
Overall (this is not an average): 9/10

AED4 responds:

Yeah, I know my name xD Actually i came up with it back when i still abused reverb. Thank god I seem to have grown out of it :P (But i will still keep it cause I think it sounds cool...)

One of the biggest obstacles I'm always facing with composition is indeed switching chord progressions smoothly. Often it tends to sound almost as if the song would fell apart... But that's only something to practise!

I was afraid that the section at 1:57 was sounding too muddy with the arp piling up with the saw, but fortunately that seems to not be the case.

And I am deeply honoured by your thoughts. Newgrounds techno acts as a major source of inspiration and energy for me :)

Thank you for your detailed review and encouraging words! This really keeps me motivated :)

[Þar sem stilltur er sjár]

=== This is an NGAUC Audition Round Review ===

Aww, this song is really sweet! And not only because it's a father/son production. The orchestral arrangement is really well done. The melodies are really nice (though I assume those are mostly your dad's work), and the ending on the harp warmed my cold and robotic heart. You do a good job of introducing more than one main theme, but one thing I was hoping for was actually a little *more* variation. Unfortunately, due to the slow nature of the piece, it still feels a bit repetitive.

Mini-scores (See http://johnfn.newgrounds.com/news/post/936953 for what this means and how to improve)
Mixing: 3/4
Arrangement: 3/4
Composition: 3+/4
Overall (this is not an average): 7.5/10

[Hardstyle attempt - Loving it]

=== This is an NGAUC Audition Round Review ===

Well, this song is super abrasive and explosive, which is not ALWAYS my favorite type of track. However, I have to admit, there is a really nice and catchy melody in this song. The melody that comes in at 0:50 is both dark and yet quite bouncy and catchy. Best of all, it's quite memorable! I actually wish that you would have spent more time focusing on the melodic aspects of this song and less on the rather atonal and abrasive/dark sections (like the intro), because IMO that is really where you shine!

Mini-scores (See http://johnfn.newgrounds.com/news/post/936953 for what this means and how to improve)
Mixing: 3/4
Arrangement: 3/4
Composition: 3+/4
Overall (this is not an average): 8/10

[AIM The Legend of Uncle Dave]

=== This is an NGAUC Audition Round Review ===

!!! THIS SONG IS AWESOME. I freaking love the “wall of acoustic guitar” approach that you took. Perhaps the recording quality is a little low, but that’s fine. The composition is really, really good! It’s made of multiple different sections that are all really interesting. You have also arranged the piece really well. My only real complaint is that this song may be like :30 sec too long - you repeat the main melody perhaps 1 time too many.  That is a small complaint, however! I looped the song three times when I first heard it. Then I got into arguments with other judges about why they hadn't given it 10/10. Sooo goooood. I want more pls.

Mini-scores (See http://johnfn.newgrounds.com/news/post/936953 for what this means and how to improve)
Mixing: 3+/4
Arrangement: 3+/4
Composition: 4+/4
Overall (this is not an average): 10/10

Daveisgr81 responds:

Thanks so much for such a positive review!

I am working on upgrading my recording equipment, just bought two C1000s and a mixing desk to improve the quality of my recorded sound. I'll see if can develop an arrangement that does more with less of the material too!

There will be more - I strongly recommend you check out No Regrets in the meantime!

Also, I love the amount of feedback you're providing. Super useful.

[Syzygy (NGUAC Entry!)]

=== This is an NGAUC Audition Round Review ===

Yo, Coolasp1e! This is a neat track. If you’re doing one thing right here, it’s definitely that you’ve got the arrangement down. The transitions are well done, and you constantly move from section to section. The song is never boring! What’s really missing here, however, is a stronger melody or chord progression. The song stays interesting, but it needs some way to be memorable. 

(Not going to lie, however, that one instrument at 1:35 really stands out like a sore thumb.)

Mini-scores (See http://johnfn.newgrounds.com/news/post/936953 for what this means and how to improve)
Mixing: 3/4
Arrangement: 3+/4
Composition: 2/4
Overall (this is not an average): 6.5/10

Coolasp1e responds:

Gee, thanks man! I agree that instrument pops out...and I also do realize that I need some sort of good melody to be rememorable. Thank you for your review man!

[The Power]

=== This is an NGAUC Audition Round Review ===

Hey, ChronicBurnR! There are some really neat chords in this piece. I instantly get the feeling like I’m exploring an abandoned enemy spaceship or something. (Don’t ask how it could be both ‘abandoned' and ‘enemy’.) The mixing is also pretty well done. However, what’s really missing here IMO is the composition side of the piece. I want you to do more with melodies. Also, switching up the chord progression at times could be nice, too.

Mini-scores (See http://johnfn.newgrounds.com/news/post/936953 for what this means and how to improve)
Mixing: 3/4
Arrangement: 2/4
Composition: 1/4
Overall (this is not an average): 5/10