WolfgangMiakoda's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[EYW - Heavy Rain]

Honestly, the fact that this was made in Audacity, an audio editing software, and not a digital audio workstation, is really impressive. I can imagine how difficult it must have been to actually create all these sounds.

However, I'd still recommend getting an actual digital audio workstation, such as garage band, ableton, FL Studio, etc. All of them have free demos you can try to make stuff in, which will give you a lot more tools than Audacity.

EverythingYouWish responds:

Thank you for the feedback! I really appreciate it.
I also would like to consider your advice!

[-Waterfall-]

I think this track sounds pretty empty in the mids, something with some extra synth layers could easily fix. Really like the 2000's electro style you're going for though. I do think that the melodies in the buildup at 1:40 kinda clash with each other. I also think the drop that follows lacks in bass, especially with how you spammed the bass pluck before. I really like the section at the finally; it kinda reminds me of a pokemon battle.

All in all, one of the better tracks I've heard recently! Good job!

Preds responds:

Thanks for the feedback man! I’ll take notes on this, I really need to work more on my bass usage :D

[Winter Wonderland (Future Bass-ish)]

The kick you're using is a bit too quiet, and has an annoying click in it that doesn't really fit with the rest of the track. The second verse sounds a bit empty. Other than that, there's not much I have to say about this track. GG!

Aydin-Jewelz123 responds:

Cheers dude!

[Decisions]

That 808 bass feels like it's high passed, which, in terms of hip-hop, isn't really something you want. The only things in this track that I feel have sufficient bass are some of the kicks and the subs. I also think that the track is a bit empty. Some additional elements, such as a pad, or even bit of reverb, could help fill it up a bit more. Like F-777 already said, it's a bit repetitive, especially since you have the exact same melody line going throughout the entire song. A bit of variation couldn't hurt, even IF you're going to get vocals for this.
Still, keep on practicing; you've got potential!

reddyxu responds:

Yeah, I didn't know how to distort 808s so I high passed it, now I know how to do it and I'll be mindful of what you said. Thanks a lot for giving me feedback!

[Granary]

Not a real big fan of the clap and hat you used. They feel very outside the mix. Maybe turning them down and putting a bit of reverb on them can help with the mix. I would have also liked something of a melody to layer on top of the drums and pads, since now it feels like it's dragging on for a bit too long without any significant melodic changes. Still, It's not bad.

CyroNG responds:

Hmm.

Are you sure that putting a bit of reverb on the clap and hat is a good idea? I really like contrast in my tracks, to make it a bit more varied like the start of the track. For example, it turns from a moody atmosphere to a bit of mysterious sounding atmosphere at 15 seconds. I don't really think the clap and hat are that too out of the mix.

My goal for the track was atmosphere, which I think turned out pretty well for only 15 minutes of producing a full track.

Yeah, I agree that around 3 and a half minutes of music needs melodic changes. I didn't think of that while I was half-asleep making this. :P

Thanks for the suggestions!

[endK - Ruby Saloon]

I think the bass guitar might be a tad bit too loud, but that's just personal preference. I also think that the drums may be a tiny bit too quiet, but other than that, this track is bloody amazing!

endKmusic responds:

Since I was referencing another song, I guess it's just a personal preference, as you said. :)
Much thanks for the kind words! :)

[everything.]

I REALLY like that opening. It's so damn chill! I can just see the cup of coffee sitting in the windowsill with this song playing in the background.
I think the silence that follows at 0:33 has too little melodic elements to warrant it being as long as it is.
I'm personally not a fan of the snare you used in the drop, since its sound profile doesn't really with the kick and the chords. I also think the drop kinda lacks in bass frequencies. I think the break at 1:16 comes very sudden, and I think it may actually begin off beat, which is very jarring in terms of the groove. There's also a slight discrepancy between when the chords begin again, and when the impact is at 1:18; they're small details, but they mean a lot in terms of rhythmic unity.
I am a real big fan of the second verse, and here the snare does actually work. I think the section at 2:09 is a bit out of place, though that may simply be because the beat doesn't leave, but slows down.
I think the beat drop at 2:25 is a bit too long. Though I really love the extended chord that follows. The vocals in the breaks are really cool too. The second drop at 2:40 is bloody amazing!
The one part about this track that I cannot stand, however, is the sudden break at 3:55. I understand that some of the choices you made were out of emotional context, but I personally believe that the beauty of masterful production lies in the ability to convey such emotions without having to sacrifice solid song structure and composition. Making music is like telling a story; how do you tell that story if your listeners can't understand a word you're saying?

So, all in all, you're a phenomenal producer, there's no doubt about that. However, I think you went a bit overboard in trying to convey the "complexity of human thought and emotion." The idea and production are solid, but the frequent out of place sections of music and breaks do not allow me to justify my rating this song higher than a 3,5. I hope you understand.

BurneMusic responds:

yeah this track is trash,

Like I really hate this track a lot
And I hate how it got as big as it did
because it's terrible

The human emotion thing is basically just an excuse for shit arrangement but no one seems to care so yea

[Fractal Footsteps]

Ok, so there's a few things that bother me with this track.
First off are the drums; often times they sound random simply for the sake of randomness, which isn't really pleasant to listen to. I'd recommend at least keeping the kick and the snare relatively the same, since they're pretty much the anchor to your entire beat. The hats can be messed around with a lot more since they're less important to the rhythm of the track. Further, the drums take up a huge frequency space, causing the other instruments to take a back seat to them. Lastly, I think the drums have just a tad to much high end.
The second thing that bothers me are the melodies; they don't sound like they're staying in key (unless you're working with the chromatic scale, but that's rarely every used for melodic purposes). I'd suggest studying up on some music theory and trying to work with chords and the likes, as, just like the drums, the melodies sometimes seem to go random just for the sake of being random.
Lastly, I don't think the composition of the track justifies it being as long as it is, as there aren't a whole lot of new elements introduced throughout the track.

Overall, I can see the idea you were going for, but the execution lacks. Nothing a little practice can't fix though. Keep on trucking, and hit me up in a year or so to show me how you've improved!

BALDORF responds:

Thanks for the feedback.

Most of this seems to be highly subjective though.
I don't think you see the idea I'm going for. You think my kicks should be the anchor and the hats should be rhythm, yet that's not what I was going for... Everything is in the same key as everything else, so I don't know where you are getting that idea. Perhaps the tone of certain instruments I used? I don't know.
As for length? There are songs that are 10 minutes long that have virtually no change and people listen to it all day long...as I said, highly subjective feedback here.

I can agree my drums and mix are not the best, as drums are not my forte and I know basically nothing about mixing.

[F-777 - Star Gate]

Decided to check out some of your stuff after you did the same for me, and I gotta say, this is bloody amazing! If not for the overall lack of bass frequencies, and the fact that the growls in the second drop are a bit loud compared to the other elements, this would've been a 5-star rating from me. Still, this is bloody amazing!

[[IV]A Chance of Rain]

That intro had me sold on an ambient orchestration, so I didn't really expect the drums and more aggressive tone. Perhaps think about adding a little hint of that (like high/lowpassed drums in the intro). I also think that the drums hit very suddenly, so perhaps add a sweep or something along the lines.
That reese bass you've got going could also use some sidechaining since it's clashing with the drums a bit. Perhaps also think about lowering its volume slightly.
Some variation in the composition would be nice as well, since now it just drags on.
I like the idea, and I REALLY like the way you open this track, but I think it could be better. Still, this is one of the better tracks I've heard on NG, so give yourself a pat on the back!