xxxZigZagxxx's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[A Brave Soul]

0:00 I like this sound. It feels almost like a little cute robot is making it.
0:06 This is a cute melody too.
0:13 Some of the background melodies are a bit "off", but that contributes to the atonal nature of the song somewhat.
0:25 And moments like this it snaps back to normal.
0:36 This would be really nice for a slightly dramatic SNES game or something.
0:50 This is an emotional melody. I like it.
0:55 This little change in chord progression I didn't like so much. I would have stayed with that same chord for the entire quarter (?) note. Hope I make sense.
1:20 This is kind of nice. The ocarina (?) melody is a *bit* busy at times, where it could subtly signify a pause, but it's mostly in the right place.
1:42 Not a big fan of this final part. It's not a nice ending, it kind of leaves you hanging a little. Unless it's supposed to loop, but the song was submitted as a song not a loop, so I'm kind of perplexed at how abruptly it ends.

Overall, it's a quaint melody with a nice little lead, but it's a bit abrupt and obvious in places. There are atonal background chords and stuff that work well for the song, and resolve themselves into nice chords, but I'm not a big fan of either the way the chorus' chord progression ends (I think it's the chorus) and how the song in general ends (on a hanging note). But these are just small nitpicks in what is generally a sweet and beautiful song.

Keep doing!

DaveMajor7 responds:

Thank you I appreciate your feedback. The piece will be mixed into a loop for the game it has been created for.
HAHA don't worry, I write my atonal works to be performed live . You can't have a re-occurring (mainly) diatonic chord progression in a atonal work (unless you complete your aggregates with counterparts, but that would sounds like a off mix for sure). All the chords are just basic major and minor chords with some extensions.

You make some great points! You should have heard the how busy the first draft of the melody was haha, but you are right it can be busy. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback.
Keep it up!

[FF7 Battle]

I haven't played FF7 (I know a crime), but I still notice this. Maybe it's from FFIX as well? It sounds like you just took it from the game... I guess you chose the instruments well. If that's the case, then you've mixed it pretty nicely. It brings back some nostalgia, but I'm not sure how to rate it based on the fact it's so similar to the original. It's nice though.

:)

[I am Squire]

0:00 Nice pads. Very ethereal. It's got some really nice melodic undertones too.
0:18 Actually this is really beautiful. I hope it turns into something even more beautiful later on.
0:30 I can feel those underlying kicks. The building. The builds. It is building.
0:40 They are rising... the world is rising
0:45 WHEW that came out of nowhere. Was a bit sudden! I like the parts in the song where it cuts to near silence except for the pads... you could have cut out the pads too at those parts too maybe?
1:20 Are you using soul vocals samples here or something? I like it... but those pads underneath are perhaps too mellow for the entire thing.
1:40 The kick-snare pattern is getting a bit boring... a bit dry too... it's just the same pattern.
1:55 But the vocals here are pretty cool.
2:00 I think sometimes the EQ'ing isn't done to major effect... but it still sounds good. Especially dat bass. But it could have a bit more simmering energy to it like in the build ups.
2:30 These build ups are actually my favourite part of the song. They're very subtle, if a little quiet. The melodic combinations that you use are very nice.
3:05 It builds nice, but perhaps you can warn us for the major drops more often, lol?
3:20 Hearing longer versions of those vocal samples... upon second listen they're probably not soul samples. They sound like it might be a rock song or something.
3:50 The vocal manipulation is pretty cool...
4:00 Here again the drum beat is a bit too loud for the simmering underneaths.
4:12 I like this lead synth coming in... I wish it came in earlier because it is introduced quite late in the track.
4:30 Then again, it's for a COD video so I guess big drops without warning can signify gunshots. It seems really cool. Even Deadmau5-y (sorry if that's an insult to you, it isn't to me)
5:00 This noise effect with the filter being automated downward is a nice effect... perhaps it should have implemented earlier?

Overall it's an enjoyable listen. I'm not usually a fan of dubstep like this but you won me over a little here. Keep doing what you do, you're good at mixing and composing and everything like that.

Stay cool!

BrAxTrax responds:

I have to say, you're completely right. The only reason this song isn't as polished as it should be is that I was on a deadline, which was approaching fast. I completely agree with you, and thanks for the great input!

Oh, and those vocal samples are a mixture of vengence 3 shots, and my own voice from another dubstep song I made called "ketamine".
As for the badass deep vocals, that's just the FL vocoder at work on my voice, too.

[{!RGH} Whisker's Ballad]

I know this is supposed to be a sad song about your cat but i couldn't help but laugh at that intro... o well, he must have been a great cat. RIP whiskers... you'll always live in our hearts <3

RyeGuyHead responds:

Haha, that intro just sorta popped up out of nowhere when I was recording my original vocal melody for LadyArsenic to work off of. It cracks me up, so I left it in.

As is, my parts should either be expanded upon or removed all together...not sure yet.

Glad you liked it :D

[-+[Zero Gravity]+-]

Absolutely annihilating.

LadyArsenic responds:

Why thank you! <3

[-+[Ashen Feathers]+-]

Really moody and atmospheric. <3

LadyArsenic responds:

^__^ I'm really glad you like that!

[He Comes]

Beautiful. Sounds very Joanna Newsom. Love it.

WingoWinston responds:

I'll have to look her up, thanks for the kind words!

[Heaven's Trial]

Absolutely spectacular. Favourited. I love the vibes wholeheartedly.