neBSounds's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Leaving]

You make some really beautiful music man.That cello is sublime. So much detail to the expression of all your solo instruments. The one thing i would improve is the way that crash fits in the mix. Everything else is flawless.

You have a new fan

Ylmir responds:

Thanks a lot !
Actually, now that some time has passed, there are some elements in the mix that I'd like to change a little bit. I learned some new mixing techniques (M/S mixing/mastering) that could have been useful for this track.

I wasn't really thinking about changing the volume & EQ of the cymbals, but this is mainly because it probably wouldn't do any good if I try to do something about it. My current headphones have little to no highs, meaning I can't control it precisely.

I had the same issue with Dark Nebulae, for which I had to send a "work in progress" version to a friend to know if the cymbals (which had to be in front of the mix, but not too much) were loud enough. On the first version I sent him, while it sounded all good to me, he actually told me he couldn't hear the orchestra because of the cymbals. xD

I might invest in new headphones soon, but since I also have to upgrade my computer (I reached its limits many times lately), I'll have to wait for it.

Thanks again for your review !

[Home]

Yes Yes very nice, sounds very professional, and absolutely sublime. I love how perfectly it loops! Practically unnoticeable! I really need some decent orchestral libraries like you have!

One day....

hope everything is fine with you and your family and good job with this one

Ylmir responds:

I have a little tip to make a quiet track loop : Using a fade-out on the reverb at the end of the track. Of course, it works better if you have about 1 second without any instrument playing, but it works most of the time. I haven't tried on action cues though, I always try to avoid the issue instead.

About orchestral libraries, EWQLSO is a good entry line product, and is quite often at -50%, but you'll very soon feel really limited with it. CineSymphony LITE is $400, but you can get a -50% discount if you're a student, and even if it's a cut-down version of CineSamples' other orchestral libraries, it's awesome, especially compared to EWQLSO. There are more velocity & dynamic layers, which helps to get a more "alive" sound.

But actually, more than using good orchestral sound libraries, the most important thing is to make them sound right. And everything helps : The orchestration and context is at least as important as the rest. In Home, the orchestra is actually almost drowned into solo instruments - and this is these solo instruments that make this track live. They bring all the attention to them, and you don't even notice that the orchestra behind doesn't have a true legato, for example. Of course, it works only if your solo instruments are able to deliver a convincing sound.

Embertone solo strings are great, but have their weaknesses as well (the controllable vibrato, for example, is great for expression, but not always for realism). I highly recommend them, but before purchasing something else, I'd wait to see how CineStrings SOLO will sound like - it's been announced some days ago by CineSamples, and since the legato cello patch from Tina Guo already had an awesome sound, I expect something incredible.

And for the flutes from Embertone... Well, if you're looking for great, cheap instruments, go for it. The Shire Whistle that you can hear in both Home and Leaving is among my favorite instruments, and I bought it for only $5, because I received a discount code some days before purchasing it. And I'd happily buy it again, even at its full price ($20). You'll need the full version of Kontakt to use it, though, as well as most of their less expensive instruments.

Oh, and about the bad news I talked about in the description of the track, things seemed to get a little bit better lately, but well.. When someone in your family has cancer, you already know that most of the time, things will only get worse over time.

Anyway, thanks for your message ! ;)

[Riding Away From Time I]

very dark and eerie atmosphere here, I love it. The glitched up spanish guitar is a really nice touch.

Kelpalots responds:

:D Thanks!

[Better Believe It]

Dat flanger indeed.

I like this! Reminds me of something of aphex twins "I care because you do" I love the jittery programming of the drums, you can tell there's lots.of attention to detail. I only downloads because I really didn't like the two sections where the rough synth comes in. I felt the timbre didn't match everything else that was in the mix and just holding onto two notes felt a bit disappointing and I felt something a bit more creative could've really complemented all the other clever tricks you had going on at the back of the mix.

Kelpalots responds:

Well, I took your ideas and came out with http://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/627424 Hope you enjoy.

[Ato]

An interesting piece! I like the lack of contemporary direction. In the synthesis and melodies, give the piece a trippy, desolate vibe... Like being trapped in space on acid or something. It would go great in a weird Sci find game, I do feel like rhythmically there could've been more attention to detail and there's much more you could've done with it but I did enjoy it.

[So it is]

Nice, I like the vibe your going for! Reminds me of the cure mixed with boards of Canada. Everything's well.mixed and the arrangement was good however o think you could've added a bit more instrumentation as some sections felt empty to me. I liked all the fills you programmed with the drums but I personally would've used a different high hat. One with a bit more high end sparkle.

Nice job, I liked it :)

IndustryStandard responds:

Yeah the instrumentation is a little lacking because i want to add some vocals, but I'm thinking i might just make this a little more pretty instrumentally and release a different version when I manage to find someone to rap for me, whenever that will be. And now that you mention it, the high hats so sound too... big, and deep. That'll be an easy way to spice up the track for sure.

Thanks for the suggestions

[Obvious Song Title]

Good work mate, I'm not the biggest house fan but I know this is pretty good, love that fill before the drop. I 'm not feeling the pluck synths that come in around 1:45 I feel like the notes clash a bit with the bass. Maybe if you just brought them in the breakdown and the changed the bassline in the second drop? The breakdown was great btw

Overall good job mate (Y)

[Creepypasta]

Didn't really enjoy this man, just seemed to simple like it was made in half an hour, just a simple kick and snare pattern and 4 notes played throughout the tune. try mix things up a bit, add some high hats, SFX and be a bit more playful with the synths!

Bazz123 responds:

Men, it's my 3th songs.
It was made 1 year ago.

[As Stars that Shine - Teaser]

A great loop but I just know this could be so much more! let me know if you decide to make a full composition of this! I really love the piano chord progression at the end of the loop. The one thing I don't like is the impact sound at the start. I'd prefer a low end rumbling boom rather than a lo fi mid range hit. maybe layer it and keep the original low in the mix?

Troisnyx responds:

There already is a full version of it, called As Stars that Shine (FULL), but even that probably sounds incomplete. I had a breath voice that sounded like a riser, leading up to the hit, but maybe it's a bit too drastic, no?

[A Stroll Down St Pancras [Teaser]]

awesome, I pass through there everyday haha

Troisnyx responds:

The shops bit, or the actual stationy bit?