IXentimenTI's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Amazing Journey]

So, there is stuff to improve in here. From melody and structuring standpoint I dont really have any negatives - its pretty nice and I enjoyed it. Problem I noticed is that at some points bass distorts a little, and drum fills also tend to do this. You probably didnt hear it while working since its rare to hear that in DAW but after exporting in lossy formats like mp3 its very noticeable. Here are specific times of this occurrences:
1:09
2:07
2:50
I think bass is a bit too loud. You might want to sidechain it a bit more to kick and snare, and equalise mid frequencies of it to get it out of the way of rest of the instuments.
Otherwise I liked the song a lot.
Cheers,
- Xent :)

MRM3 responds:

Thank you so much for the review, Xent!
I listened for those distortions, and couldn't find a distortion at any of the mentioned places... however I do recognize the potential for them to be there. Maybe volume / headphones / listening device / or OS have something to do with the distortions you heard... At any rate, it might be a good idea for me to update and remove all possibility of distortion.
I edited the Bass for later on in the song, and it is perfect then, I guess I just relied on that, and didn't go and edit it for when it comes in (I agree, it's too loud when it comes in)
I didn't really sidechain a ton in this song, well, I did, but not strongly, because I didn't want this to be too.. Housey/Trancey, if that makes sense. it might be a good idea to mess around with that, and maybe bump it up a bit, so, good point.
Thank you again for the amazing review!
With best wishes,
- MrM3

[Why?]

I really like the idea, but I feel like execution could have some work. For example, snare and hats are clashing. Also hats dont seem to have any velocity variations. Id appreciate if you could provide me with source file, in case you are working in FL Studio, since Id like to actually complete this track. Cheers,
- Xent :)

MRM3 responds:

Thank you for taking the time to critique this old piece ^^
If you had read the description, you'd see I work with LMMS ;P
In other words, no, I don't have FL.
Also. I've had 2 major data losses since I created this track... the file is loonnggg gone.
I agree with all of your points!
This could've been a nice track, if I only knew as much back then as I do now haha :P
Thanks for the review X, and sorry I couldn't give you the file.
~ Mr. :)

[Xtrullor - Sphero (loop)]

Kill me if every single instrument is not layered with white noise

[Goukisan - Betrayal of Fate]

Any possibility of mp3 320kbps export ever... 128 is just so damn muddy.

[Tezis - High Bass]

This song isnt very good, but taking into account that it is your first song I don't think its much worse than most first songs, including mine.
Let me hit you up with some helpful info that should improve your production greatly:
- Learn to use effects on mixer tracks. MIxer exist for a reason. Mixing is essential process that will make your music sound enjoyable. Without mixing, even best tracks will sound bad.
- First step in right direction would be to use EQ to filter (read: remove) frequencies that are not needed. Common mistake when using EQ is to make large dips on small number of frequencies. Don't. Only make smaller dips in larger frequency span, unless you are EQ'ing kick, in which case you want to make 5 db dip at 30 Hz. I recommend you use Parametric EQ 2.
When EQ'ing make sure that highest peak is at 0 db. it is not recommended to have only peak over 0 db.
- Learn to sidechain sub to kick. Sidechain is simple technique that will cause sub volume to be automatically lowered when kick comes in (this is extremely important to do if you have deep kick that occupies sub bass frequencies, or it will sound muddy).
- Use reverbs and delays. When using both make sure that they are not to loud or have too long decays (read: last too long) or it will muddy up the track. You can control their loudness both in plugin and on mixer using that circle right from plugin. I would recommend using reverbs on higher pitched instruments like bells but you should experiment until you get general idea how reverb sound on different sounds. If you dont like how it sounds dont forget to delete the plugin, otherwise it will draw your cpu power for no reason.
- Use automation. You can automate pretty much anything, but my recommendation is to useit for volume at first to get nice intros. Also you can play with panning to make interesting stereo effects. You automate things by right clicking on 'wheels' or any other control and pressing 'Create automation clip'.
- Basic gain staging. Integral part of production. For your level I'll recommend to listen to this basic advice - dont use volume sliders on plugins or samples themselves. Use plugins like EQ to increase volume on mixers. Unless your doing automation, I wouldnt recommend using volume sliders (those vertical green bars with grey top that you see as soon as you open mixer) unless you are automating it. When automating volume always use mixer sliders.
- Use limiters at master to monitor loudness. If you learned to sidechain, you are probably already familiar with plugin Fruity Limiter. You can use it to monitor loudness. To do that, you need to place it at master channel (open mixer, channel on further left). When you open fruity limiter, dont do anything. Just watch. You will see loudness levels of your song represented in white. When something starts touching or going over cealing, it will clip. You dont want that. go back in the mix and lower volume of clipping instrument. Tip is that this is combined loudness, so if your drums are clipping, you might want to lower treshold on you sidechaining limiter in order to make bass quieter, therefore lowering total volume at that point.
- Always use reference tracks. Reference tracks are finished songs made by professional producers. They all have right volume, frequency balance etc. You want to chose song similar to one you are trying to make, then jump back and forth in between to hear whats wrong in your track.
- Use visualizers. Download SPAN. Its visualizer plugin. Place it on master, and it will show you your frequencies. Play your reference track to get basic idea on what it should look like. Dont be bothered if you cant pull it of though, it takes lot of time to make spectrum full as it will inevitably be when you play reference track.
- Look at limiter at your master while playing your reference track as well.
- Put EQ on master and select preset '20 Hz 18 KHz cut'.
- Dont re-use same drum samples too much. You used default samples that FLS offers you when you start new project. Delete them and select ones that you like from packs that you can find on your left.
- Almost all volumes in your tracks are not perfect but your riser is extremely loud. Not sure how you didnt hear it but I had to put my phones off till it ended. watch for similar stuff
- Dont overfill your tracks with sounds. 6 synths is pretty much tops. More than that is possible but your mixing skills and plugins must be extremely professional. There is one exception to this, however.
- Layering. Layering is process where you want to get kind of sound that you arent able to get by simply finding right preset. In that case, you take two instruments that play at similar frequencies (for example layer 2 basses to get fuller, richer sound). Make sure it is not too loud, however, since layering will make total volume go up by quiet a bit.
- When, EQ'ing dont overdo it. Just because some instrument is bass it doesnt mean it shouldnt have some of midrange. Otherwise it will sound lifeless.
- If you feel like you have problems with volumes (you think your drums are not too loud, but on limiter they are clipping and if you turn them down you feel like they are too quiet) export your song, than play it on your music player, listen to part you want, then listen to it on reference track. It will probably be too loud.
- Make sure your track and reference track are level matched whenever comparing the two - in FLS or in music player, if one is louder than the other it will end up in you changing levels wrong.
- Follow this youtube channel. You will find videos on all processes I mentioned but I didnt have enough time explaining in details (this is way too long anyway), and many more. It will definitely help you start mixing your tracks much better.
- Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIcCXe3iWo6lq-iWKV40Oug
Although you probably didnt understand most of it, with help of this and many other similar channels and google (or talking to other producer about it, on reddit and many other sites with producer communities) you should quickly understand it. Curious to see your next track.
Cheers,
- Xent :)

[Hypnosis]

Basic synthwave drums would make this... Well, great.

[Beyond the Horizon]

I realy liked it, only suggestions I have are following:
Some lower pitch open hats that play simple rhythm on both stereo sides (different hats and rhythms on both of course). That will end up in more stereo feel. Also detune on chords is a bit to large. Also if you could reveal what bass preset you used Id be very thankful.
All in all, pretty decent track ;)

[NeonWave]

For 1st track Id say this isnt that bad at all. I say it lacks any sort of mixing and is somewhat repetitive. I'd recommend having few notes in bass hit different tones instead of just having one same note. Also everything seems pretty mono ish. You should try some stereo widener plugins. Just keep working mate practice makes prefect :) I'd like to makes remix of this also if you can provide me with .flp in case you work in FL Studio.

[All-Stars]

I always wanted to ask, is it coincidence chord progression sounds similar to counting stars xD
Love song tho. Maybe if mids of bass in drop were a bit more pronounced it would be even better.