Arbiter's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[AirStrike]

Liau - AirStrike

Ok, I'm giving you points for the buildup and melodies, as well as your equalizing. These are all major points that help make the song you have here.
My first issue is the snare-drum, which seems to not be very suited for metal.
The second one is that you should probably have some mid-range pads, strings or something to cover, as it feels a bit hollow.

The guitar was beautifully played, recorded and composed.
I really like the bass riff, it was the thing that initially caught my interest.
I give you a 7/10 (I've grown meaner over the years)
You have my 5-vote though,

Chris.

Liau responds:

I agree with you on the snare issue... definately need to go hunting through my sample libraries for a new one! :P
Pads and strings... I havent dabbled too much mixing metally stuff with them, but I'll give it a try in the future!
Thanks!

The bass was the first instrument I picked up, and I always hated a boring bass line :P Glad it sounded ok! :D

Thanks!
Leo

[Castle Crashers The Crusade]

First review in a year, give or take.

It's not often I hear melodic video-game metal, but it's awesome when done right. Now, I love the melody you've got going after 00:12, reminds me of F-Zero in away. The rhythm guitar seems to be a bit off when it comes to equalizing.
It's not as clear as I would like it to be, but that's really no biggie.
Your quality has increased since I last checked out your stuff, and I wish you all luck in the contest.
9/10, 5/5.

-Chris

PS: I'd love a review on my newest piece ^^

DarKsidE555 responds:

I don't know, it just happened this time and I got goosebumps when played the leads the first time. About the rythm guitar. He, maybe it's because I just gave them a little taste of the mids. I also surround panned them a bit strange this time, so thats why they sound a bit more pushed in the background.

Glad that you think my quality increased...I have to say...I thinks so too. I'm finally on a level where I actually like my own stuff. :)

NO REVIEWZ FOR YOU! lol. ;)

Thanks for checking and voting! Good luck in the contest pal!

[**_Chaos_**]

Darkside555 - Chaos

First Impression; "This could be good."

I like some of your idea's, however I feel this tune is far too unstable and just kinda run me down with sound. I like metal alot, and your second part of this was really great, but I'm not the biggest fan of your "second" riff.
It's pretty much an ok tone, could need a bit mixing to make the guitar sound "closer" if you know what I mean.

Your percussionate works, well, works.
It's in all basic well set and everything, but there's just something about this song I can't put my finger on that I dislike about it.
You're still among the best submitters at NG when it comes to the metalsection, but this isn't your strongest piece.

-Chris

DarKsidE555 responds:

Why hello there. :)
Basicly you're right with the mixing. The drums are a tad to loud in it. Yeah, the second riff sounds a bit chaotic but hey...hence the title. ;)

I just wanted to try out a bit grindcore stuff and I think for first try it went pretty ok. I really need to try mixing the guitars "closer". I feel the same as you here. : /

I'm aware that this is not everyone's taste but I'm glad you could give me a constructive review which I like the most.

And for the compliment. It makes my wiener feel happy inside. ;)

See ya around!

[Simplicity]

Robox - Simplicity

First Impression; "I've heard this before"

First off, The score might seem low and all.
But I'll try to justify each and every score so you won't get offended, and if you want to go somewhere with your music, build on.

First off, The originality was a major bummer, as this is one of the FLStudio preset melodies, with some added things. Even though it's the first time I've heard it being used, it's not your melodic piece.

The clarity was pretty good, but even though it's ambience, you should equalize a bit more.
You can try a bit with either Parametric EQ or EQUO.

I think you caught the whole ambience feel pretty well, but there was little change, as with most ambience. Even though most people stick with the same style overall, there should be more than one pattern being played with some minor changes.

It's pretty well executed, but I see alot more potential in you than this.
And because you really didn't put too much effort into the chord-lines, it's a bit lowered.
I hope you can take constructive critiscm, and are willing to improve on these things.

For any questions regarding technical things at FL, or compositional theory, just PM me.

-Chris.

Wouldn't mind a review or two over at my page :)

RoboX responds:

Thanks for the review.

It was getting kind of late and I decided to cut it off and what I had sounded good to my ears so I decided to submit...

Your 4 vote for originality is totally justified because I didn't make many changes to "Tangerines"...

Though this piece still may have a few downloads, I think it might sound good in like a mind game or something like that...Who knows?

I'd have to agree its not one of my better works.

-Thanks again for the review

[LoZ & MM Songs]

ShadowMan_Kage - Loz & MM Songs

First Impression; "This has some promise."
Ok, I'm generally a harsh reviewer, but I wouldn't something I believed to be beyond redemption.
There's some points I'd like to point out, in your first song, there was this dark synth that really didn't fit with your mellow mood.

Your second song in there, had just the chords and never actually began with the melodic line.
I think you should work on your transtitons.
As it's overall not a "medley" but just alot of songs put together with some pauses.

I hope you make these from scratch, as that's what would give you the most experience from it.
You have alot of songs in this thing.
Also; You should obtain some better soundfonts/samples, and learn a bit more about sound-production.

I see some promise in you, but you should begin making more originals, and really just get the feel of composing.
Overall; A weak 7 because of the production level.
See some of my audio, and leave a review :)
Always apprieciate it.

For questions, PM me :)

[-| Endless |-]

L_H_W - Endless

First Impression; "Woah"
This gotta be one of the most underrated songs at NG, it's professionally built up---though sticking with the same theme, I usually do that as well.
Giving the song a more "catchy" feel.

There's this problem with the originality, I feel I've heard it before, but other than that, freaking spectacular.
9.5/10 5/5

-Christian S. (Arbiter)

Love-Hate-War responds:

Thanks alot man, Yeh its not original. It's the kind of guitar work you used to get in the 70's, but i wanted to have a go nonetheless. 9.5...i'll get that 10 one day dammit!!!

[The Oath]

L_H_W - The Oath

First Impression; "Metallica cover?"
One note later; "Nope".
Ok, The harpsichord melody is pretty decent overall, but I kept wishing for evolvement until the flute came in with a counter melody.
The backing of the harpsichord was really great along with the flute. The cello/contrabass also works pretty fine.

I like your legato strings, the melody was well thought of, and fits the theme.
You have several moods in this song, making it very diverse in that context, I liked your percussional works as well.

The organ was a nice touch, but I wished for it to help another buildup--Instead of just fading out.
Overally, It was original, diverse and clear.
I also see alot of effort, but it didn't have this enormous power I seek in the best songs.
It's among my favorites here at NG from now on, but you can still develop.

-Christian S. (Arbiter)

Love-Hate-War responds:

Thanks alot for the incredibly well thought out review! I know, i couldnt get the raw power i try and seek in classical pieces, i just havent quite got there yet.

[Grace]

PitBullJones - Grace

First Impression; "That's one pretty long chord."
At first I didn't really know what to expect,
You first had this chord line which repeated, but when it went back to the main chord (first one), it clipped for some reason---gaining some static making it sound like a sampled thing, for this piece alone I also feel the guitar should have less distortion.

Sounds a bit creepy at some points, but still calm. Because of the harmonic's created by one of the synths.

It's technically a pretty good song, but I'm not too into this genre, so I'm probably not your best opinion. Anyhow--There's this halfly lead'ish instrument that's really underpowered by the guitar, I suggest you turn it up a bit.

The drums---is that FL Stock samples?

Anyways, I'm trying to be non-biasmic, but criticise a bit, hope you dont mind : )

Best Wishes, Chris.
If you find the time to check out my MAC6 Theme, please do : )

pitbulljones responds:

thanks for the review arbiter. I don't know why it's clipping that organ, i really don't. the only thing it could vbe is because i bounced it from midi into audio as thats how i like to work even tho it is a bit anal.

I understand this probably aint your style but theres no harm in reveiwing and you make some valid points, and yes the beat is stock samples, i think i would have got away with iif it werent for the hats.

anyways thans for the review, i'll be sure to check out your tune.

[Lab Test]

Syntrus - Lab Test.

First Impression "What the hell is the time signature of that synth", It's so damn surprising, leaving some extra points in the originality.
This really isn't my best genre to review, but I'll try anyways.

First thing, Samples, Samples, Samples.
You need some better samples.
The pads/synthstrings is in my opinion far too sharp, and needs to be filtered if you're to use that samle.
Just set the high pass at a filter to 0 (at FX), then reduce some of the low pass so it won't be as sharp, but don't put it too low as that will give a muddy-bass sound.

Second, I'm not a fan of 8/4 hi-hat, offbeat clap and 4/4 kicks. It's just plainly too boring in my opinion, try experimenting with some other rhythms as well. You might want to add some more bass to that bassdrum using a parametric EQ (I take it you use FL).

There really weren't much change in this song, which could either make it a nice backing track, or a lesser front track. (Such as listening etc).

Well, I can be harsh some times, but I hope you don't get offended in any way as I'm merely trying to give constructive critiscm.

Best of Wishes, Chris. (Arbiter)
Ps; I got a tune for the MAC6 August.
Wouldn't mind a review :)

Syntrus responds:

u know the off the generic beat is good i personally like that sound. i dissagree with some of your points life for instance these aren't sound fonts or really samples there off a killer vst. iam not offended at all.

[Cryptic]

SpeelMetalMessiah - Cryptic

First Impression; "Downtown track?"
It had the general feeling of the whole "downtown" thing, just as the song made by DarkSide_555 which was based on your backing.

Anyways, you had some funk elements in the beginning, and a bit of ambience guitars later on.
I liked the funk elements in it, and the drums is an improvement when listening to your first stuff.

There's some note-clashing I'm not fond of, but it works to the degree where I'm not really screaming in pain and such.
Overall one of your best tracks Speedie.

Best of Wishes as always, Chris.
PS; Got a new theme up, for the MAC6 Contest (August)

speedmetalmessiah responds:

Thanks a lot Arbiter. I really wanted to do something different this time around and I'm really glad I did it was quite refreshing. There is some note clashing but that'll happen when you try new things at first. I'll work it all out when I do the full version. Thanks for the awesome review my friend.

I'll definately be checking out your contest submission in a few minutes I'm sure it's awesome. I'm actually going to be making something for that aswell should be fun man good luck.