ADR3-N's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Realm: Illuvation Soundtrack]

The strings are really killing my enjoyment of this track from the start. Mixing is alright, but I'm missing the old charm. It's sounding very flat in my ears, feels a little over-compressed, sounds a bit cliche. Still, glad to see you're still making music! 4 stars for reminding me of the old terrorcore I used to listen to with that distorted kick.

[Dreamworld]

As usual, great lead writing, good transitions. Lots of mod-wheel play. Mixing could be a little more transparent and clean with the percussion -- which seems a bit muffled now that I mention it.

A lot of the transitions remind me of music from Wave Race 64. Very fun. I did hear a wrong note somewhere in there around where those muffled vocals come in in the soloing lead. Can't point out the time because I can't see it anymore, lol.

Anyway, this track has been quite a journey and a good listen. Could use a bit more clarity, like I mentioned earlier, but melodic presentation always wins the day. Would have really liked a bit more on that outro. It was just getting good!

[Fires]

Very poppy, radio friendly. Don't have much critique other than sounds like a little bit of overcompression going on with those instrumental bits of chorus.

The snap in the right ear is also a little bit heavy. The treble and mid are slamming my ears a bit, and I wish the instrumentation didn't sound so... I don't want to say cheap, but like an old Casio with little to no velocity modulation.

Heavy side-chain is a little disjointing at some points for me, and I find myself longing for a bit more transparent bass in the face of those highs. Good song-writing though.

Leads are great. I just don't like the accompaniment so much. Kinda buries it.

[Oh Mama Hey!]

Beautiful presentation. Poppy without being disingenuous. This one is going on my personal playlist,. I really, really like it. There's not much critique I have minus the snare having a couple frequencies that stick out here and there, perhaps needing a bit more compression on the percussion, and perhaps a little loose tuning on the acoustic guitar.

Great, great, great! <3 I'll be singing it.

Please, run full speed ahead into this genre, and never stop. You own it. :)

FinnMK responds:

Thanks for the kind words. I hear you on the snare - I can never seem to get a 100% perfect snare tone. As for doing more folk rock, eeeeeeeehhhhhhhhh...we'll see. But good to know I don't suck at it!

[Chapter II: Believe]

Very sensitive piano opening. Vocals seem a little bit overwhelmed and in a different space when you first come in, although this is fixed when you come in with the lead. I'm enjoying the presentation all the way through.

Currently searching for an artefact I thought I heard, but I think it was just the player glitching. Great job!

Otherwise, I find myself at a loss for commentary or critique.

[Re:Reveris ~ Vocal Ver.]

How pure and honest and expressive. I haven't gotten around to leaving a review on this so far but will continue to study this to do it justice. Let me just say, the writing is inspired. I think you and I know by Whom. :)

Troisnyx responds:

Yes; I'm just grateful to the One who inspired the writing right now. <3

I cannot begin to imagine the effects on the people studying this song to remix it, or even on you -- but take all the time you need; I anticipate your take on it!

[Play it, Sam...]

This sounds more like R&B, but I'd love to hear an extended mix of this. Beautiful. :) Only wish it were longer.

EdKempeper responds:

Hi !
Thanks for your review !
I'll do a remix of this track one day (maybe).
I have not so much time these days, so I mostly do short tracks, that's why it's not a long track ;)

[Hallucinogenic God]

This reminds me of that DeadMau5 ad for his masterclass. I'd love to see it expanded! That being said, it's a bit low-mid heavy and I feel like that's crowding out your percussion a little. Good work!

EdKempeper responds:

Thank you for this review !

Yes, another short track so I didn't spent a lot of time on the mixing part... The snare is a bit too low, and the main synths are too loud.
I'll try to change that on my next tracks ! ;)

[african accent voice]

A mix of authentic-sounding without being over the top, interesting, and funny. Probably the best faux-accent I've heard in a while.

jhern9793 responds:

Thank you very much for taking the time to listen to my take thank you.

[Aphyllix - NightFall]

Nice organ sound, but again, very hard to hear what's going on, and now that I mention it, the pad is much too quiet, and so is that bass. The organ and other instruments blast it out of the water. I appreciate the writing, though.

Aphyllix responds:

Yeah, I was going to raise the volume, though in retrospect, I can tell. Anyways thanks for the tips. :)