Kwing's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Peace time]

Dawdles a little too much for my liking, and not just because of the slow tempo. This is too loud to be ambient, but not substantial enough to be anything else. As an intro or outro track to an album I guess it could work in a pinch, but I'm having a lot of trouble imagining where else a track like this would make sense.

BBouthillette responds:

When I compose music, I sometimes have trouble knowing what kind of music it is.

[Hypersonic Speed]

I like the timbre and the main melody, but I don't feel like enough was done with it. Without any dynamics or even progression (aside from a couple other bits popping in for a few measures before leaving just as suddenly) there's really not much here. The clapping sample you used also felt rather out of place.

I don't know if this would really benefit from trying to introduce progression, so my suggestion would be to look at all of the modifications you make to the main loop, pick out your favorites, and then condense them into a 1 minute loop rather than try to stretch it out to four minutes.

Aelkamal responds:

1: That is not my day job. 2: This track was made years ago while experimenting on sounds. 3: It was made in a time, while i was trying to finish semesters, deal with a crazy ex-GF, passing exams & working freely on other projects, like the Space Synth Specials for the Synthetix Sundays web-radio.

Instead of stating the obvious, (i do enjoy the criticism) & looking on the negative, why don't you enjoy it for what it is?
Or better yet, do a synthwave track yourself based on what you just said, and the ideas that come out of your head.

[Inspiration]

Cute tune. I like the energy a lot, and there's definitely an ebb and flow to the track from start to finish.

Melodically and rhythmically, the different instruments seemed to follow each other very closely (especially the percussion.) I would have liked to see more adventurous harmonization or syncopation, but as it is this sounds a little too safe.

AzulJazz responds:

thx for that friend

[Caffeine-Induced Insomnia]

This is good. Clear sound and lots of energy. That said, some of the repeating sections really put me off, since this piece was fast with no breaks and the repetition wasn't broken up enough to get a feel for the structure.

Verdusk responds:

I've made a sheet music version of this recently with a break on where the repetition was most awkward, in addition to rewriting the notes to make it physically playable on the piano with 2 hands and adding dynamics. Link: https://musescore.com/user/3967796/scores/5945300

Also, I didn't know you made stuff too, that's cool!

[Concept Crush]

I really like the samples here. Overall chill feel and I'm digging the drums. The one thing that felt off to me was the mix. The snare is very resonant and dominates the track, and since everything else is quiet and chill, it doesn't feel like the melody is really pushing back enough and ultimately gets drowned out a bit.

DJDureagon responds:

Thansk for the review. The drums here are a mess. And everything is overcrushed and really crowded. I am trying to seperate the parts into there own frequencies to get a more defined mix so thanks for the feedback.

[-mao- 'Old Man Logan' prod by Akaruhime]

This is a really strong track, mainly due to the writing (which synergized with the beat really well too.) The only real issue I took with this was the somewhat monotone delivery which sometimes lacked the same power and aggression as the lyrics. Still, definitely one of your stronger tracks.

MaoDaMighty responds:

Thank you so much for the feedback. Glad you liked the lyrics. I agree that my delivery couldve used some work; I shouldve held off and recorded when I didn't have a lunge infection, but sometimes, you just gotta get something out before doing something stupid.

[Concept Crew]

I like the samples but the emphasis on the beat is a little wily. Not to say that it's bad but it doesn't seem purposeful to me.

DJDureagon responds:

Im sorry but i don't know what you mean. the beat is wily? the emphasis is wily? theres to much emphasis? like the drums are too loud or scatered? and its not purposeful? the samples lack a groove or is too hard to get a handle on? im just trying to get a handle on what you mean. I dont really know what to take from this critique.

[Desolate Dust]

It's simple, but the ambiance is really effective. Reminds me a bit of Dark World from FFVI, but to be honest this sounds a lot better. Great listen, and I will definitely be needing this song (or something very similar) for a future project.

larrynachos responds:

Having my music in one of your projects would be awesome!

[The Problem]

I see you've been having fun with your multis. The writing here is extremely dense, and you've got some memorable lines to boot (kicked out of your home school? D-O-P-E.) What's impressive here is how relentless the bars are. Not only is almost everything part of a rhyme scheme, but the lack of a hook and ceaseless stringing together of stanza after stanza make it immediately apparent just how much content is here.

The biggest issue with this track is the mix. Your vox sound quiet compared to the beat, and since your delivery already lacks emphasis it makes it kind of hard to hear what's going on. At some points it sounds like you're out of breath, but again it sounds as if this could be a mixing issue. That, combined with a couple stumbles (the Nicholas Cage line was somewhat off-beat) make me wonder if you did this all in one take.

Teqneek responds:

Heyyyyy what's up man? Thanks for the review. I've been working on mastering a LOT lately, and I think this track was made right around the time I started working hard on that. So hopefully every song from here out will be mixed slightly (or vastly- if someone else does it) better than the one before it.

Dude, I have 3 songs about to recorded that are fucking ridiculous with multis. One of these songs will span the course of an entire cd by the way. And another is serious. And another is NOT, but it is dope as fuck and it's called Ferris WHEEL. And it's 5 minutes long and about Ferris Wheels. Shit is getting crazy on this horizon man. Something is about to happen. Somewhere. To someone. Or something. You can bet your ass.

[-Edge of Existence-]

WOW.

The writing here is really tight. The multis are nice, though I guess couplets are a pretty basic format. Flow is pretty tight and on-point. The half star I took off had more to do with too much of your verse being doubled and the delivery feeling a little flat (something that I can't quite nail myself to be honest.) More than anything I think those two things together made it kind of hard to parse out the emotion that the lyrics were conveying. That said I really enjoyed this for the honest lyrics, consistent writing, and overall concept.

Teqneek responds:

Thanks for the insight Kwing. I'm trying to veer away from the dubs. I think it's a byproduct of me never being happy with my takes. But I'm trying, and I'll get better. It's been a long time since I've been on the mic and I'll get back in my comfort zone. I know my lyricism is better than it used to be, but my delivery and mic presence is something I need to re-gain. And I will. And y'all gonna be like daaaayyyyummmm