johnfn's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[[Crystal Cavern g-R]]

Sweet.

The beginning of the song shows absolutely nothing to how cool its going to be. It sounds just like generic techno, which is bad, since its not, and it's really repetitive, which bothers me. I don't really like the big thumping beat you've got going at the beginning either, but thats just me.

But enough of the criticism, I really love some of the melodies you pull from who knows where towards the end. They go everywhere I wouldn't expect, they're really awesome. I had no idea what you meant by "crystal caverns" at first, but now I do and I love it, excellent job with the bells, they rule. A lot of excellent touches in this song, and the quality of sound is awesomely good.

PS. Now I'm listening to it on headphones. The very beginning where the sound pans from one side to another is extremely annoying, and some instruments sound a little more fuzzy, synthy I guess, then I thought they should, I would prefer some of the sounds to be more smooth I suppose.

PPS. Don't mind me being overly negative, I really enjoyed the song. :D

g-r4ve responds:

its too bad ive lost my touch... id love to make a second attempt at this song

[FF8 - 1 - 03 - Blue Fields]

Cool!

Dang, I wish we all had musical skill like Nobuo Uematsu (yea, I looked up the full name :P). This piece is really starting to grow on me. The mystery and all which is created with the bells, the awesome string part, and the backing instrumentation which swells, and then drops, is just great, and the more I listen the more I like, and pieces fall into place. Like the part that sounded a little off now sounds perfect. It sounds to me exactly like a mysterious beginning to a story - and you don't really know what's going to happen.

I've never heard the original, but this is a dang good song nonetheless. Nice recreation you have here. 5/5

PS. Uematsu did Chrono Trigger too??? He might be my new favorite composer. XD

[SR - Softened Gaze -Full-]

It's alright.

For me, it doesn't seem to do anything, except for a short part where you bring in the chilly sounding synth. On the other hand, this is pretty good ambient music, and you set the atmosphere very well. I especially like the drum samples that you used - the ones with an echo - because they work well with the rest of the music. I honestly can't think of anything to add without ruining the atmosphere you've created. Maybe some distant samples of seagulls or children or something? They might help add to the lonely feel of the music.

It sounds a little atonal to me, which is different, but surprisingly the notes don't ever seem too abrasive.

Keep writing music!

4/5

PS! Would you mind dropping me a review or vote, or something like that? ^_^

SineRider responds:

I don't usally like to add noise samples in my songs, I think that takes away alot of from the music. I mean some samples can be good, but I hate it when the song has a sample playing throughout the entire peice.

I agree with some of your points and disagree with others but all and all it was a very geneous review.

Sure I'll drop a review or 2 on you in the comnig days, or possible right now ;D

[_-=[Dancing with Darkness]=-_]

Not my taste but still appreciated

I think that I just don't appreciate classical music, but this is a pretty good piece anyways. I'd have to agree with the guy who said it sounds like death. I'd prefer more oomph in the song, but thats just personal opinion. 5/5 here because a 4 would bring the score down! :P

MaestroSorrow responds:

heh, thanks John, but don't be afraid to give what you really think it deserves.

I was considering putting an electric guitar to this piece... might be interesting, no?

Many thanks for the review.

[-> VG: Ending Storm [1.0] <-]

Cool, but sounds off tune

You open it up with that one melody, but then bring in a higher one, I suggest watching every other note (starting with the second) that the higher one hits because it just sounds wrong to my ears.

But if you iron that little problem out, I think you could have a nice sad sounding song here! Keep working :D

Distortzion responds:

Off tune?
*listens*

Yes indeed, there are here and there some notes that aren't fully correct :\...

[-> Err0r [0.9] <-]

Inneresting.

It wasn't bad, but it could do with a few things. First, make sure to EQ your drums to make them more powerful. They sort of lacked the punch needed for a good DnB song.

Second, when the buzzy thingy comes back, its kinda soft and hard to make out.

Third, it would be cool if you could have the two melodies going at the same time at the end (with pwnage drums going along too of course)

Anyways, this sounds pretty awesome. Just make the drums more powerful and you could have something great.

Distortzion responds:

Okidokie, the drum-power up is in!

Thnx for the rev! ;D

[With Each Passing Breath...]

I like!

Yeah, that was pretty good! You definitely got the creepy atmostphere down, you gotta teach me how to do that, all I can manage is sad :P

I totally agree with the first guy who said upgrade your drum samples. The kick for example didn't seem to go well at all, and the rest of it was only okay. Still, it didn't detract that much from the whole song. I really liked the creepiness. ^^

One thing that bothered me is that at times the piano got too loud and got a little distored. Maybe down the volume a little bit. Technically I'm being hipocritical since I do the exact same thing. But you could still benefit from it :D

Anyways good job here, it reminded me of some of my older stuff for some reason, although I'm not quite sure why. 9/10 and 5/5 ^^

DarkOtaku responds:

I didn't notice the piano distorting. Could it be your speakers? I'll turn it down anyway, if I ever update this song.

Thanks for the review...

-----------------------------

---QUOTE---
"you gotta teach me how to do that"
-END-QUOTE-

5 TIPS FROM DARK OTAKU:

1. Lots of strings. Doing different things at the same time. Make most of them low, and quick-sounding. Then make one or two have a more simple pattern much higher.

2. Try writing music at different times of the day. My music sound most dramatic when I stay up after twelve'o'clock.

3. Try writing music in different rooms and places. Every room and place you go to, has a unique effect on your mood and personality. Experiment with different places, even if it's uncomfortable ~_^ , and find one that works best for you.

4. Write music when you're in different moods. My music turns out darker when I'm upset or angry.

5. This sounds weird, but try different lighting. Buy some colored lightbulbs, and experiment with what effects they have on your mood, and music overall.

----------------------------

d

[My 1st song ever....]

Wasn't bad at all for your first

It started out and I was kinda iffy about it, because I think you had melodies on two different scales going at the same time. Definitely don't do that unless your doing something atonal, because it just doesn't sound good. That ssssssSSSSS noise started to annoy me after a while, I think it would have done your piece good to have gotten rid of it completely.

But at the end, at least I think it was the end because it loops, where you had just the violin and something weird and choppy in the background, that sounded pretty nice. So it was kinda worth the wait.

7/10 from me, but a 5/5 vote because you took a bash, a rather harsh one at that, from Kirizzle and weren't a noob about it. There needs to be more beginners like you :)

LoneInstrumentalist responds:

harharhar!! hear that kriss? X]
my self respect demanded to stand up against judgment so... X] hi kriss!

anyhow, yes , i worked on this a bit more recently, n i completely got rid of the symbols till the very end, and i changed the melody instrument X] hope to add sum effects soon! tnx!

cheerios~ keep urs up! n i'll try to keep up >.<

[Take my soul away--_--DEMO]

I like it, it could be cool.

First of all, what is vox? I keep hearing about it, but I have no idea what it is.

Second, I like your song! It could definitely turn into a great full fledged tranceish thing, given enough time and work. I can't wait to hear the full thing :D

Third, it gets the fifen from me :D I'm feeling really generous today. (up to 3.8 woot)

Fourth, (I hate self promotion but there are so many 0 voters my stuff gets heard by no one) could you check out some of my stuff? Thanks ^^;

PERVOK responds:

Vox..i dont know exactly what the word means in itself, but it just means 'words', or 'lyrics' when its said.

If you liked this, you'll like the full version of Torn.
I have just finished making it a few minutes ago.

Be looking foreward to that, hm?

I'll drop you a review.

Thanks for the comments!