Excellent work, Retroman. I listened to this when you first posted, but I'm glad I waited to comment. I agree that the changes you made were better; it definitely helped keep the middle section moving.
As the title implies, it's very outer space-like. Because of the opening section, I'm actually reminded of the game Spore from EA/Maxis. Then, at 1:23, you transition us from that opening section into a journey across the cosmos. Great job, and good luck with this round of NGADM!
Thank you very much for this review. I'm glad you actually were willing to listen to this song twice and let me know what you though of the changes I made.
The spinning cat is mesmerizing...
...but so is the song. Great job as always, Retro. Good luck!
Thank you.
Here is your personal review for round 2 of the NGADM! Keep in mind, this review will be harsher than the round 1 review! I will be poking at songs more in each consecutive round, because it will naturally be more difficult to advance.
The Good:
-You seem to be very good at taking a small theme and developing it to an absurd degree.
-VERY nice usage of reversed sounds.
-I liked the harmonies you introduced at around 0:20, though I can't help thinking they'd have been better if you had used a piano rather than the synth. Worth trying at least.
-This song is quite different from your round 1 submission in concept and feel, though
-The transition at 1:20 is really really good. I particularly like the sound effect in the background.
-*claps* Great usage of that at about 1:50 and later in the same pattern.
-I like how you used the panning of the main instruments.
-At about 3:13, oh my gosh that soundscape sounds so cool. It's also interesting that you used arpeggios that remind me of Portal 2. Wasn't expecting to remember that while listening to this.
-I REALLY like the violin sound you use. Might I ask what it is or where you got it?
-Those are some really nice string slides.
The Not-So-Good:
-I do not like the snare drum at about 1:20, though I do like the way you used it.
-Sidechaining at about 1:40 sounds super awkward and painful. Afterwards it stays painful when you reintroduce it.
-The plucks in the instrument after 2:48 sound a bit odd with the pad-like sound.
-At about 4:08 and 4:39, I applaud the attempt at a different kind of transition. Unfortunately, the delay doesn't quite work. It kinda makes me do a double-take when the transition hits a beat AFTER it sounds like it'd hit.
-Your outro is slightly eh. Not bad, but not very good either. It sounds like the one you did for your round 1 song as well - try varying it a bit.
Overall: In case you didn't tell. I really really liked this. I love how you take a small idea, then expand on it to an extraordinary amount. The main thing I'd recommend to work on is the amount of themes. While you are able to take one theme and run a marathon with it, try using two or three different themes instead, and mix them up. Try using each of them to compliment the other, and I think you'll easily have some of the best music on newgrounds. I give this a 9/10.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this song. It really is something I enjoyed doing, so to get such positive feedback feels great.
The violin, as well as the woodwinds and other strings I use for this song and my previous come from Blackattackbitch's collection. It really is a great list of Soundfonts, and I do feel more people should give them a try.
That snare you were talking about...yeah. I didn't want to use the same snare for my 4-on-the-floor beat, so I pulled up something from FL's stock sounds. I could've actually put some work into making it sound good, but I chose not to, which was a mistake on my part.
It sucks that you didn't like that transition at 4:08. I really liked it, but hey, I'm not the judge here. If I were to do things differently, I probably would've maybe done an orchestral rendition of the melody I introduced at 1:23. I think that would've worked better.
That pad at 2:48 was a preset from P8 Superwave, a VST I had never used extensively before then. I understand if you didn't like it; the original version of this song before the edits had that synth in place of the orchestra and it sounded horrible after too long.
I don't know what to say about the sidechaining. I realize that it took away from a lot of the melody, but lessening it would've damaged the mix a bit. It was a tough decision to make, but I decided to let the melody take one for the team ultimately.
Again, thank you for this review. I like that you've made me think so much about my own song. With everything you've told me (and the others will tell me over the next few days), I plan to further refine my sound for Round 3.
That's a very interesting and intriguing intro... reminds me of sound design-oriented stuff like recent Amon Tobin and stuff. It creates a great atmosphere too. The song doesn't get TOO out there before you start adding some sounds with a more traditional tonality though ;) I love how you're able to gradually morph the song into a dancy beat from 1:22 to 1:49.
I didn't particularly enjoy the minute following that too much, since you went where many people have gone before you so to speak, and not much new happened there. Especially the kinda moobahton-ish kick pattern threw me off. Also, while the sounds fit neatly together most of the time, occasionally they feel very random and out of touch with each other - most critically so with the bloopy cheesy 80s synths at 2:45.
I'll soon forgive you for that though, because the thing you do from 3:12 to 4:08 is incredible. The strings and flute feel kinda sampled and nostalgic and amazing and incredible. I just love it. If you had an entire song oriented around that kind of thing I would love it to bits. Maybe you do :o
You have a lot of space and air in the mix, and it definitely suits the song well. No real mixing issues as far as I can hear.
So good one! Definitely one of the most original and fun entries.
8.7/10
Wow is all I can say. This has got to be one of my favorite songs of yours. I never thought it got repetitive. I also didn't hear how it sounded before you edited it, but all I know is it sounds great now. Also, nice synths at 2:49! Very soothing on the ears. I liked the transitions too, they never felt awkward or forced or anything. Nice moment at 3:39. I downloaded it because I like it that much. It makes me want to listen to it again, so I would call that a successful song.
~Pixelbey