Realmguys's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Push it in (June Nac)]

NAC Judge

Your last response to my judge review sounded like you were confused why I left you a review. I am a finalist judge for the NACs. So here is my review of your June entry.

TheSandyman
Push it in (June Nac)
This started off well, and had good elements of the style of music that the contest wanted. A groovy bass line, and then a nice beat started to rattle off. Then it seemed like the "wacka wacka" guitar rhythm, mixed with the lead guitar, was a bit much with the other elements playing. Then vocals with lots of effects mixed in joined the party. I was confused with the muddy sound and lost my ability to pick everything out, thus my enjoyment of the previous elements was kind of ruined. Simplicity and clarity are key in something that plays in the background of adult cinema. Overall a good fit with the criteria of the contest, but I feel it could be cleaned up a bit. 7/10

TheSandyman responds:

I feel like a total ass now, sorry mate! Thanks for the review, it's quite helpful!

[[Von Ka]Breakitdown]

NAC Judge

From the start of the song, it is kind of painful listening to notes that do not harmonize so well. In fact, there is so much dissonance later in the tune, it was hard to listen to. The distortion on the lead vocal part that came in was very hard to understand. Parts in all portions of the song have too much gain or something, the levels seemed unreasonably high. I think if your vocals harmonzied or if the beat wasn't so overdriven or if the melody was a pleasing set of notes, this would have been more successful. As submitted it is not. Score: 4

TheSandyman responds:

I don't know if you know, but this was for last month's contest. I ended 4th.

[Fruitapella (NAC)]

NAC Judge

Good idea here. I like your different "instruments" and the melody presented here. Your effects used give the piece a feeling of being performed in a small venue, like a lounge lizard atmosphere. I felt like the second part of the song lost focus a bit, but still added to the scummy lounge feeling. Your ability to harmonize somewhat is appreciated. The variation in your melody is pretty cool, there is nothing especially repetitive. It was entertaining at least to listen to this. :) Score: 7.5

F-Meister responds:

Scummy lounge lizard atmosphere... I like that :)

[Haru Song]

NAC Judge

This song is very pleasant to listen to. Your vocal effects are stellar. Even though the language used is complete nonsense, this implies serious feeling and expression. Your harmonization is beyond good, there are no moments where I question your singing ability. Your breath control is amazing and your equipment lacks the pops and clicks that riddle most submissions on this site. The song has many dynamics that keep the listener excited and interested, such as the transition into the part that enters in 1:40. This sounds professional and you pull off the style in excellent fashion. You met and exceeded my expectations for this contest. Score: 9.5

[(Chris) May Nac 2011]

NAC Judge

I'm not a fan of the dry recording of your voice. Voice needs to have some kind of chorus of reverb in my opinion, or it just rubs my ears wrong. Every imperfection is enhanced when you don't do this. As a result, your voice sounds very rough in this piece and the lack of quality distracts from the other very creative things are you are doing here. I liked the beat idea, it works. Lyrics tell a story that actually mean something, good to hear. Agh but then there are pops and clicks too in your voice recording again. Your mic, is it mounted properly? Its pleasing that you know how to harmonize somewhat too.
Overall good idea, crappy implementation. Score: 5

giovanni808 responds:

I just got the idea from the NAC forum post, that you guys didn't want us to add any effects, and keep it clean :( So I was also confused when the other contesters had reverb; If I had knew that, I would probably add reverb and stuff, because I also think it sounds better, or at least it's good at hiding noise :)

But thanks for the review!

[_-={Karthus' Theme}=-_]

Very nice.

Amazing choirs and brass. This was a real treat to listen to. I love it when a song can paint a picture/scene for me; this made me see a very dramatic scene coming about in my mind's eye. I know we haven't crossed paths in years, but it is great to see you are still making stuff and I am certainly impressed with your new work.

[Chrono Cross - The Dream]

Excellent work

I like the different take on this melody! I will always have a special place in my heart for this game, it got me out of a very difficult and dark part of my life. Your sounds used are very crisp and precise. Your effects create the spacial effect of things surrounding and spinning around your head. Great job on this! Looking forward to more of your work.
-Tyler

VGSongbird responds:

:D
Thank you for listening and reviewing, and I'm happy to hear you liked it.

[-On The Break-]

NAC Judge

-On The Break- : Nick Tomassetti (Mrmilkcarton)
This carries an implied beat by just using instrumentation, and does an excellent job doing so. I must admit that some of the samples are extremely high quality, then there is one lead that is not very quality sounding at all. Generic sounds in this genre and be extremely distracting, however we are all guilty of overusing such sounds, so no point deducted for such. This chord progression also carries a very uplifting and positive aura. You met all the requirements of the contest and definitely uplifted spirits in the process. This pounded hard and also felt like silk to my ears at the same time. 9.1

[Cat Fish]

NAC Judge

Cat Fish : Cory MacNiven (Quarl)
This has a very messy and experimental feel to it. In its own category I think this would be very successful, however I find very little of this song uplifting. Rather it is confusing and has themes that are unresolved and presents more minor feelings than major. Your talent is obvious and your time and effort are not wasted, but as far as this contest goes, I feel that this piece was not meeting the criteria.
6.0

Quarl responds:

idm

[[dB] Underwater Scenic Route]

NAC Judge

[dB] Underwater Scenic Route : Daniel B (Decibel)
This has an implied beat and an actual beat. Nice job with reading the contest criteria. There are major chord progressions and themes that are resolved majorly, I got the feeling that this played an uplifting and positive aura constantly. I felt like I was floating (or gliding through water) with the soft pads and soft leads that were used. The journey you illustrated with your music was very cool. You met the expectation of the criteria of the contest. Good job. 8.8

Decibel responds:

I'm glad you liked it, I tried my best to illustrate the whole 'Underwater' theme.
Glad you like it, again :P