DarkBlueFX's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[BOLD HEAVENS - Noedig]

I really like the ambient sounds and growls in the beginning, did you make those from scratch? I'm definitely hearing improvement in your sound design. I've also noticed you're playing with your percussion and you are using filters a lot more. My favorite parts are right after 2:24 and 3:33, I like what you've done with the sounds in your transitions in these sections, and throwing in sub-drops always works. I've noticed you're using the Slayer generator for your leads. That generator doesn't offer very much control. Maybe it's just cause I've heard that thing so much (I think it sounds kinda cheesy), but you should try some other sounds. For a lot of electronic grungey basses or leads, the 3x Osc can be pretty good if you make some shapes for it. You are definitely making progress, you keep doin you!

Syzion responds:

Thank you!
Yeah, I've used the FL Slayer and it really does suck... it can only work decently if it isn't used for shredding.
I'll see what I can do with the x3 Osc as a guitar thing. Thanks for the advice!

[Circuit Bored - Reversal]

I just generally like your music now, it's very unique in the newgrounds landscape and it's really chill. I see you know how to use After Effects too though. I'm biased in my ratings now due to Stockholm syndrome. I've been working with your song, and I'm realizing it is kind of difficult to mix my style with yours, but it's getting somewhere. Keep doin you

BoredMusic responds:

Hey no prob man. I actually do a bunch of heavy stuff under another account if you wanted to mess with some the files. The band is called Samurai Dance Party. I love Stockholm syndrome in this case haha.

[Clockwork]

I've listened to this like three times (no skipping, I'm not about that life) and have no idea what to say. This is really unique, and you mastered it very well. You nailed the theme you were going for, I thought of clocks before actually reading the title (I thought it was called cockwork at first).

[TEMERARUS CAELUM (INCOMPLETE MESS, WORK IN PROGRESS)]

I really like the sounds in the beginning, compared to most people I've been hearing, I don't think it sounds very repetitive. Seriously though, the ambient noises here are definitely cool. Take Karmakosm's comment seriously, he sounds like he knows what he's talking about. I know you separate your instruments, but just take the time to give them different EQ profiles to make them stand out. I have the same issue with my music and reading his comment made me realize that it is an issue people notice.

Syzion responds:

I only meant to say that because I do have it under control on this project.

And this, "You should put more time into it though." This isn't finished. He didn't read the title thoroughly or especially the description either.

Also, the EQ on most of the instruments in FL project have already been improved after I published this and BEFORE he posted, which took an hour to figure out.

It's not that he didn't say anything useless about his review, not at all.
It's how he began the sentence in his criticism, which was simply incorrect.

[Bona - Blue Emerald]

Love the intro on this one, especially that progression! Actually, now I'm halfway through, it's all pretty damn cool. Nice melodies, and what I love most here is that your patterns don't sound repetitive, you were tasteful in what parts you reused.

[Bona - The Quickening (no voice)]

Cool stuff. Good use of modulation in the intro and I like the sub drop in the intro. I can definitely hear the video game theme, the instrument playing the chords definitely sound like something from an 8-bit RPG game. Don't be afraid to deviate away from the start-up percussion, I know they sound good but being that so many people use FL now they are fairly easy to recognize. What generator do you use to make the sound in your drop?

sakesensei responds:

I appreciate alot your comments. I'll keep that in mind - time to make my own kick and snare.
EDIT: The drop is Harmor and Sytrus. I think that's what you're asking.

[Circuit Bored - Shingles]

I like the 'emptiness' with this one, the effects you added to percussion worked well to go with that as well. Btw, when you have the backwards guitar strumming, do you play that entire section with the notes in reverse order, then reverse the recording or do you play the notes, section that out and reverse them individually?

I'll likely play with some of your tracks at some point cause this shit's cool.

BoredMusic responds:

I encourage all use of my tracks unless its for a porno and or a hate group haha. Thanks and feel free to mess with any of it.

For this track in particular I i played them normal then cut them and re-arranged the notes to the way I liked it. For this track I didn't really focus on that aspect as much so most of it was just either played forwards and or reversed and left in the order.

Best way I found is to play them backwards and then reverse them, but sometimes it sounds nice to get that tail cut off by slicing and rearranging them.

If you want I can send you a zip of all the audio clips for a song that you want to mess with. Most of my songs are just audio clips since I record everything, then add effects and record again.

[Lightspeed]

I like the intro so much. Solid volume control on the chorus too.

that lo-fi tho, that shit worked.

[-Crimson Rose-]

omg, hyphens.

That's an automatic 5 stars!

Actually though, good job. You seem to be improving your transitions here and your progression is very 'heavenly'. I'm giving 5 stars for the progress you're making, you're clearly picking up new ideas as you make more and more songs.

Applesnitch responds:

Thanks! I fell in love with this song while I was making it, so I downloaded the song myself and looped it while I played Agar.io! ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

[-Exodus-]

When you bring the min depth above the max depth, keep in mind these are parameters for sine function (like the preset in the first generator of the 3xOsc). You could achieve the same result by adding a 180 degree phase shift to that wave. Lets say your min depth=0.8 and your max depth=0.2, your output will have a certain sound that will tend to repeat itself over some period of time given by 1/(sweep frequency * 2). The 2 can also be a 10 if you have the frequency range set to large, but let's assume it's set to small. Now lets say you switch your min depth=0.2 and max depth=0.8, you will hear the same repeating pattern and same sound. The only difference is that you have effectively added a 180 degree phase shit, so the sound starts at a different point, but has the same repeating pattern.

Just so you know what you're doing, with a mathy explanation.

Good song btw!

Applesnitch responds:

Alright! Thanks for the comment! Just curious, but why 3 and a half stars?