IXentimenTI's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Spaze - Underworld]

These are certified best mixed drums I've ever heard. This is simply incredible. Good job dude.

[Fox Stevenson - MIss You ( Dex Arson Remix )]

Volume can be fixed easily enough in any DAW, but there is nothing in the world that can save it from absolutely ridiculous levels of compression this poor thing received in mastering. When adjusted to hit 0.0 db its hitting 7.4 LUFS which is totally insane considering this is not a club-intended master and thus should sit around 8.5-9.0 LUFS. By crushing living fuck out of the dynamics you kinda destroyed what sounds like pretty good mixing and sound design work. While song underneath sounds pretty decent, due to literal non-existence of any dynamics it is totally non-engaging to listen to. Not releasing proper master of this thing is a disgrace.

[Geoplex - Cloudscape]

Okay. This is really good.
Lets start with structure. Intro is a bit too long, but it isn't that big of a deal. I'd still like if song got to the point a little quicker. Other than that, structure is excellent, with enough variations, breaks, changes etc. Great job.
Now the music itself. Its your classic style that I enjoy so damn much. Its very unique yet it still sounds amazing every time. I don't exactly know how you do it but good job on that too. Oh yeah, I loved those leads. They do kinda have that F-777 flavor.
And at last, the production. As per usual, mixing is excellent. I'd say it can get better, but not by much. Certainly far above my level of mixing skill to actually give you any useful info. Anyway, mix is excellent. Drums are punchy and perfectly clear, and compressed perfectly. Background elements are there if you want them but fall back if you don't. Leads are very well EQ'd, I'd guess compressed as well, and they know their place one could say. Soundstage is also very good, but could be improved with quiet perccusive elements panned far out. Just a suggestion.
So, pretty much, other than intro, I don't really have any nitpicks I'd like to note. Excellent song, as usual. Keep it up dude.
Cheers,
- Xent.

Geoplex responds:

Hey, thanks for the detailed feedback! I definitely indulged myself on the intro :) I agree with you on panning small percussive elements, it's something I don't pay much attention to most of the time and I'd like to change that.

[The Disturbance]

So happy to see you are well and good, and that you are posting some old unreleased stuff even if you won't produce new music. Now onto the track:
Melodically material is as expected, solid. Structure is also pretty good, with solid transitions and well defined sections.
When it comes to sound choice and design, its definitely your classic sound. However, those sounds do sound somewhat outdated but since its 2006 song it gets pass there.
Now, the mixing. Id give few suggestions here. Drums first. Kick is classic techno kick, but it kinda doesn't come through at volume I feel it should especially at busy parts of the song. I think actually bump around 300 Hz or so would fix it Snare/clap is consistently too quiet for my taste as well, but I'm loud drums guy so whatever. Second gripe I have with the mix is soundstage. All through the song, Soundstage is consistently very centered. Barely anything is panned, and pretty much all width comes from delays/stereo width instruments chosen have by themselves. However I really liked way lead goes into stereo at times. Third minor issue is lack of sub bass for my liking, however in context of genre and time of this song's release I can't complain too much.
All around, very solid song. However, some issues I have with mix while not off-putting, were enough for me to dock one star off (I was seriously close to rate it 5 from sheer happiness but emotions must not influence my critical thinking).
Please do leave some info on possible new stuff, people here are on the edge of their seats.
Cheers,
- Xent

[Highway Haters]

Is this remix of Future Club or what xD
On a serious note bass is way to loud. I suggest you filter everything above 5.5kHz and put it in the mono. When its very wide, you cant really tell how loud it is properly. Otherwise, Its okay but your sounds are harsh. Tame that high end on them. I see you improving since you got FL Studio for PC. Oh yeah, please don't use Analog Bass preset from Harmor. Its way overused in amateur synthwave to the point people are getting bored of it.
Verdict:
Song is solid, however most sounds sound pretty dry, also mixing is barely good enough. Always put your bass in mono. And use EQ. Drums aren't perfect but they are certainly punchy and they carry song very well.
- Cheers, Xent ;)

[Lion King - F-777 ReMiX]

Hans Zimmer is a God. Hands down. If you recorded yourself farting, pitched it and made this melody with that sound it would still be epic as hell.

[Rise of the Synths]

Well;
Basically, you are limited by your software. On Fl Mobile you just can't progress above certain point. You might want to consider getting a PC version. If you cant do than you have to really explore every single possibility and use it to the maximum potential. In fewer words, work on your mixing, and learn how to manually make sounds with your synths. Most of your leads are weak, sounding much less saturated than bass. Your basses are too loud. Not sure what kind of headphones you use but you might search for some inexpensive relatively flat headphones. Also melodies weren't my cup of tea. They have that 'sick' sound that I personally don't enjoy, though there are people who do like it.
I liked variety of instruments though, and song didn't get boring, that's for sure, however, energy didn't drop for entire song which you might want to considering doing. Go a bit quieter.
Also note. Whenever you finish song for such small amount of time, I suggest you put it in your phone and listen to it extensively. Almost certainly you will want to change about 10 things about the song. Give it some time (week even) and then when your sure its perfect, post it.
Well, that's about it.
Cheers, Xent ;)

[Geoplex - Subvert]

Love it! Classic Geoplex style. I must say, your sound design is quite a mystery for me. Also your songs have very specific sound to them (melodically speaking). Mind if you tell me what scales you are using? It doesnt sound like normal major or minor to me. This particular tune just reminds me of Altitude and I cant get that out of my head xD

Geoplex responds:

Gotta tell ya I don't know much about theory, I only compose by ear -- so I don't know the name of the scale I'm using, sorry. I would be happy to discuss sound design if you were after any information in particular, though :p Glad you enjoyed the track, thanks for listening and for your thoughts!

[80's Synthwave]

Hmmmmmmm.
Eighties Keys in Harmless. Should've gone with different sound imo. Also snare lacks gated reverb which is major part of giving it that 80's feel. Otherwise a bit generic but pretty good track.
Solid 4.

KevinMueller responds:

Thank you. :) I appreciate the feedback, since it's my first song in this genre (I usually compose orchestral music). I have zero experience working with synthesizers in FL Studio, and never ever have I used gated reverb. :D I'll consider it next time, thanks!

[Xtrullor - Earthsplitter]

Absolutely love this one, never got old even after years of listening. IMO best and most creative drops and sound designs I've ever heard in my life. Oh yeah.
14 GB. 14 f*****g GB! How in the hell xD?
103 mixer slots. Shit. Are you working on NASA supercomputer or what?