johnfn's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Desert Market]

(Note - I review pretty harshly, so don't take a low score personally! I just want to show you how to improve.)

It seemed very disjointed, like it lacked coherence. One way to improve this would be to add some backing strings, like a string ensemble. The lead violin line clashes with the chord progression that you're trying to establish under it. The percussion should be more present (add some high hats and shakers in there while you're at it!).

I would also encourage you to learn some music theory, because I hear a lot of dissonance.

Anyway keep it up and work hard and I'm sure you can uncover the good song here. It's gonna be good when you finish, I can tell!

CDMusic responds:

Where do you hear dissonance? Honest question, seeing as it's all in key and transposes to the natural minor. I also don't understand where the lead violin line clashes with the chord progression.

I know music theory, I studied music for 4 years at university :).

[Not Forgotten]

The snare at 1:55 is really working for me.

Piano chords at 2:08 is a little dense and dominates the soundscape. (I don't know what I'm saying - I do that all the time lol).

Actually I have a suggestion. The bass that comes in at 1:40 is kinda electronic and I don't think it meshes well with the organic feel of the rest of the song. What if you swapped it out with some sort of jazz bass/bass guitar? I think that might add a lot to the song.

This is a pretty chill song and I like the sound choices. You say that you were aiming for a light mysterious sound, which I think you totally nail in the first 30 seconds.

I really like the section around 3:30 with the echoey high piano and the subtle strings.

I like the aesthetic of this song a lot. If I was going to give you a suggestion for what to work on next, it would be melody. I think this song needs a strong melody to pull it together.

Nice work!

geniebmusic responds:

As always, thank you for such a thorough review :D I will work harder to make a better song next time!

Melody, you continue to defeat me u___u LOL!

[Cubix Skyland]

Yes! I LOVE electroacoustic. I really enjoyed the production and your instrument choices. Is that you playing the guitar?

Like the last reviewer said I was taken aback by the strings(?) at 1:37 or so. I also thought they were voices. I think they can work, but they should be more distant - try adding some reverb onto them and turning up the wet maybe?

However I really like the strings that come in at 2:04. They add an extra dimension to the song that really works. My suggestion would be that they should come in a little earlier.

My biggest suggestion is that I think this piece could really benefit from a beat. A good beat can really add a lot in terms of atmosphere, and this is a really atmospheric piece.

Anyway keep up the good work!

geniebmusic responds:

Ah! I'm glad you enjoyed this song. It means a lot.

Actually, that guitar is from Reason 5. I messed around with sample until I got that sound. I wish I could play guitar though. Still trying to get a grasp on piano lol!

Ohhh you guys are talking about THAT instrument at 1:37. That's not a voice. That's a vinyl scratch sample from Reason. I tried to tweak it where it would have a more digital sound. I'll play with the reverb for it and see what I can come up with.

A beat, eh? I was holding back on that because I thought it would take away from the atmosphere. I'll try it though.

Thank you so much for listening and commenting! I will work harder!

[Lost of Warmth]

(Note - I review pretty harshly, so don't take a low score personally! I don't vote harshly.)

I wanted to review you back as thanks for checking out some of my stuff. But then I found out that reviewing this song is a little tricky. This is one of those times where it's not very meaningful to assign music a number.

I really like your sound design here. The instruments are smooth and organic. The percussion is mechanical but in a good way and makes good use of panning. it all works together well to form a cohesive whole.

My main suggestion for improvement would be the melodies. I feel like they are almost atonal in that they don't necessarily stay rooted to any chord progression. I'm not sure how much you know about music theory, but you might want to consider writing more melodic songs.

Like I said at the beginning I don't think the score is very meaningful because I can see how this would be a comforting piece. it's also quite unique. Keep up the good work!

geniebmusic responds:

Thank you so much! It means a lot that you took the time to review my song.

I know what you mean. Writing melodies is my biggest challenge and something I am struggling with these days. I have no music education background whatsoever, so I know that puts me at a disadvantage. I am trying to work more and more on melodies though.

I'm glad you find this song unique though. I thought it was very comforting, so I'm super happy you felt the same way :) I will work harder for sure. Again, thank you!

[Nightwalk (Short Edit)]

(Note - I review pretty harshly, so don't take a low score personally! I don't vote harshly.)

The mixing and mastering is spot on. Great work. The main reason that I docked points was because the song has essentially no melody. It could be a personal taste thing, but I really really like to hear a good melody, and I feel like a song is lacking without one. It's like a story without a plot. It's possible to accomplish, but difficult.

Anyway like I said the actual sound design etc is really good, so keep it up. I scouted you for the audio portal.

Ryskie responds:

Thank you for taking the time to listen and review!

[Ascension]

(Note - I review pretty harshly, so don't take a low score personally! I don't vote harshly.)

At 2:11 you introduce an instrument that sounds out of tune. Be careful.

Like I said I review pretty harshly. That's because I don't really understand what it means if someone reviews like 100 songs and the lowest score they give is a 7. Are they really that in love with every song they hear? 4/10 isn't like "I hate this song", I consider 5 to be an average song. But anyways...

This song shows potential but it's going to need a lot of work to really make it shine. It's really based around just two riffs over its entire 4 minute duration, which makes me feel that it doesn't really justify its time with constant interest. (This is not a hard and fast rule, but it's something to keep in mind.) It starts feeling quite repetitive even early on. This is easy to fix though. Make some new melodies. ;-) There's an easier fix too, but it'll only help a little: Toss some filters over your melodies, make the timbre of the sounds constantly changing, etc.

On the other hand I do enjoy your work with synthesis. I noticed on your user page that you had been working with massive - keep it up, I can hear that you've been practicing :-)

Feel free to hit me back with a review if you have the time. I scouted you for the AP, so good luck!

JaxChords responds:

Thanks man and I totally get it. Like I said this is my second song ever and I need as much critics is
As possible so I can get moving and make better productions

[It's a]

Ok the synths at :55 were WAY too loud. Caught me offguard.

I was really enjoying it up until that point though. I also like the synthy melody, once I managed to get a hold of it.

Sounds like you have way too many good ideas and not enough time. Liked it, but liked 'delicate cow' more ;-)

KrrMaim responds:

;3 .