Soapbubble's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Rock 'n Roll Show]

Not bad, but poor recording

Sounds ilke you guys could make some pretty neat tracks. I'd like to hear more. Recorded properly, that is.

The main issue I have is the poor production quality. If this were a punk song, that could be okay, but it isn't, and even then, this recording isn't very... punky. It's not messy, and it's not the lo-fi quality, it's simply recorded using lousy equipment, it sounds. And that really bothers me because I can't really make out the vocalist at all, and it might have distorted the sounds of the instruments.

Anyway:

The vocalist at times sounds like he's gagging, to get the words out. I'm not sure how to explain it properly, but he needs to get some more flow to it. The drums are somewhat boring, but at least they're well played.

The guitar solo at 1.30 (or something), sounds really simple, and somewhat out of tune. The entire song feels very repetitive towards the end, but the ending is pretty good. I like that you didn't cut off the chatter at the end, it adds something to the song.

If you could either re-record this with proper tools, or record some new songs in a studio, that'd be great.

Review Request club

ranter responds:

I know it's a bit late but i wantted to wait for this review since we're actually in the studio now re-recording this song.

I want you to know that i did take care of the solo wich was (purposely) out of tune but i fixed it since i didn't want people to think that i can't write music properly or anything like that.

The vocals are mine and i know from myself that i ain't the best vocalist, but i'm still learning how to do everything properly. also this is a recording where i had to shout with all my might while in the studio it already sounds better on the backing track then it sounds with a simple microphone here.

Also this is just on of our tracks we'll be recording in the studio so please check back sometimes !

[Jeans On the Desk]

Not the best composition, and bad samples

I'm not saying it's a very bad track, I wouldn't rate it 5/10 if it were, but it has some major flaws.

First off, the samples. Especially the guitar. It sounded like the standard sample from FL or something like that, and it was not very good. You should really try to get a new guitar sound, because I just can't stand the sound.

I really liked the dirrty bass drum you used. However, the other drum samples used were very generic, like the clap.

The composition was also very random. It went from this repetitive guitar with generic drum sounds and rhythms, to a piano solo at the end, which felt entirely out of place. I know you tried to combine classical rock trance, but it didn't really work out, because even though the first part of the piano followed the rock track, it suddenly went over to a completely random classical solo. It sounded good, but out of place.

Review Request Club

spartacusxerox responds:

Thanks soapbubble for your opinion. I really like that you took the time to review this and your good quality feedback.

The guitar was a standard one from FL. Recently I've got the DSK brand of Acoustic and Electric guitars which is a good free alternative, and it sounds much better than this.

It's funny because if you look at Gamekrazzy's review of this, he said the bass drum ruined the song. But I'm glad you liked it, I'll try to use more realistic or varied drum samples for my claps and hats etc. (the clap was also generic FL so go figure :P) Thx, bro

I agree, the composition is very random. I've been lately trying to improve by giving everything a more 'gelled' feel, as if they're meant to be together. The guitar was just a repeating sound over again, and I'm glad you mentioned that. I'll try and make the guitar solos and other parts more varied next time.

The piano solo at the end was an object of my amusement, because I just thought that this would enhance the transcendent experience, as if going into another dimension. Maybe I should have made more transitions to other parts of the song, and added strings to the piano or something to increase the ambience.

I'm thankful that it actually sounded good, but out of place definitely. I'll try and make things more coherent next time.

Thanks for your feedback, fellow RRC member, I'm glad you took time out of your busy sched to do this one. Owe u one,

-SpXer-

[Follow Me [Alt One Four]]

Fun and energetic

A great track, but some lack of variation.

Gotta say, I really liked this track. Be it the energetic nature of it or the tunes you've used, the somewhat buzzed-out high-pitched sound used for the main melody, I like it!

The intro is godd, it builds up to the song slowly, building up backing, melody and then rhythm. The rhythm in the song is good, and doesn't really get repetitive, possibly thanks to the shortness of the song.

It feels like the bass sometimes sound a bit too loud, and drowns out some of the melody. The bass drum I mean. The kick? Not sure what the english word is.

Other than that, the song also has a tendency to get repetitive in the melody. Though there is some variation, the buzzing melody isn't very varied, except for when the song changes a lot. Even then it can be heard in the back, toned-down.

Review Request Club

aryst0krat responds:

Hey, thanks for the review! Sorry I didn't get to this earlier but you totally snuck it by me.

[Gavin A - Minus One v2]

Not too shabby

There are some flaws, but this is a pretty good track.

I think you should re-categorize it, because I don't really feel the Drum n Bass. There's no real oomph to it, which is pretty necessary when it comes to DnB.

It's a really dreamy track. It makes me feel pretty good. It's ratehr fast paced, which is fitting for the genre. The intro is rather slow, a slow build-up with some sort of subliminal messages in the back to hint towards what's about to come. I think the sudden burst of sound and speed might be abit too sudden.

You're also having some problems keeping it varied. THe background backing sounds are very repetitive, as are the rhythms. The melody is very good, but it's somehow overshaded by the repetitive buzzing sound in the back, which carries on for the length of the song.

Review Request Club

Xorberax responds:

I disagree with you on the genre.
Just because the intro is slow, doesn't mean it can't be DnB. Just because it doesn't have an "oomph" doesn't mean it isn't DnB.

Other than that, I agree.

[[Fiji]Novocain ~{progressive}~]

Some problems

It's sad to hear about your brother, but I'm guessing you'll grow out of the arguing phase. That's what me and my brother ended up doing, at least. You'll just have to give it some more time.

On to the actual review:
It's a really good track, and it has this weird, sad feel to it, for some reason. I'm not sure what does it, but there is a sad feel to it.

it's got some nice beats and a generally good melody. I rather like the buzzing synths you've used. They sound pretty cool.

My biggest issue is that, it never really gets me going. I can't really find a peak in the song, which is pretty much necessary in... well, any song. A climax of sorts, is what I lacked. Your transitions were however really good.

Both the outro and intro were well-done, building up and closing off the song very nicely.

Review Request Club

MrFijiWiji responds:

4:30 was supposed to be my climax.... but eh... strong structure has never been a strong point with me.... and thnx lead synths was custom like all the synths in this song :D ive recently said good bye to nexus for good

[A Land Far Away]

Epic indeed.

What a great track. Feels like an epic voyage across the seas, methinks.

I don't really have anything bad to say about the composition or your use of the instruments. It's very harmonic, and majestic, absolutely. It might have lacked some percussion, even though you did very well on that part as well.

The problem is rather with the audi oquality. Some of the sounds, the trumpet sounds in particular, seemed to creat a cracking sound as they peaked. Not very pleasing to the ear. You should see if you could do something about that.

Review Request Club

Tomppaah responds:

Aah, thank you :D You're not the only one commenting on the peaking, but I can't figure out what's causing it. All the levels seem fine in my mixer. But I'll tro to see what I can do :)

Thank you once more :)

[AF - Nightlife]

Very, very impressive.

Apart from the somewhat repetitive nature of the song, this is a really, really good track.

The intro was sudden, but not necessarily in a bad way. It sounded really good, and worked as a build-up to the main melody.

The whooshing sound that goes through the entire sound actually gets somewhat annoying after some time. It might be the hi-hat? I'm not sure what it is that makes the sound, but it got very repetitive.

Other than that, I have to say it wasn't really too generic or unoriginal, au contraire. Sure, it's not the most revolutionary thing I've heard, but considering the genre and what you went for, it's really good.

Review Request Club

aliaspharow responds:

Thanks allot! Yeah i did realise that there were allot of high pitched sounds, and i annoys me too. Il be sure to fix it once i have the opportunity.

[[Assios] - Midnight Madness]

Not bad, but very generic.

It's a very good track, and it certainly serves its purpose when it comes to being catchy and danceable, but it's really not too original.

The intro is very unoriginal. The crowd cheering in the back and the... bells? Sounded like I was listening to Cascada, really.

When the rhythm joins in, it doesn't get much better. It still sounds very generic. It's only when the actual sound starts that it gets a bit better, but it still sounds a lot like Cascada-ish music.

At about 1.15 the song sounds a bit more original, and it keeps going in the same tracks for some time. However, the song feels somewhat repetitive after you reach the 2-minute mark. The ending is pretty good, it's not too sudden, but still cuts off at the perfect place, without dragging out.

Review Request Club

Assios responds:

Thanks for the great review! norsk? :o

[TranceJump]

Bouncy!

I really like the title of the song, as I found the song to be jumpy/bouncy, because of the rhythmic bass and the melody.

The main problem with most trance is that it's very generic and unoriginal, and soon gets repetitive. You've nicely avoided this by changing up the melody from time to time and adding/removing instruments.

There was an odd instrument that joined in at about 2.12, which didn't fit in for somet time. However, around 2.40 the entire song sped up a bit, which made that specific instrument fit in much better.

I really liked the instruments you've used as well. At some points throughout the song it felt somewhat empty, though. The intro also dragged out a bit, with pretty cheesy drums to start off. Other than that, a great track. The ending was also very well-done.

Review Request Club

MobiusIII responds:

Firstly, thanks for the review! They are like gold to me. Its great to hear that Ive managed to make a somewhat different sounding trancer. The instrument at 2.12 is a Hardcore (fl plugin) guitar that i messed with, it sounds awesome but i need to figure out how to get it to play nice with other sounds a bit. Things to work on....

[Kris Sumara - Wip]

Quite good

It's trance all right, but I can still hear those traces of house you tried to mix in.

It's a simple and okay track. It's not too special, it's somewhat unoriginal, but it still serves its purpose, making people get out on the dancefloor.

Seeing as it's so short, it's not really repetitive. However, if it were longer, it would eventually get quite repetitive. Yes, you switch up the melody somewhat, but the general structure of the song, and the rhythmic section, is pretty much the same. But, by switching up the melody, you avoid it getting boring.

The biggest problem I have is that it's so short. It seems almost unfinished. That, and it being somewhat unoriginal. If you could make a longer one, and try to mix even more house into it, it could potentially be a really good song.

Review Request Club

KrisSumara responds:

Thanks for the review mate! I tried making it as simple of a trance and house track as I can. I always experiment with the way I make stuff and here I made it as basic and I can. I could just add a house bass instead of a trance one, in time I will make up my mind and see where this song goes.