Took me all the way back to 2002 with this one :D

i really like how 6/4 was used in this, those chord changes are very nice - some elements in the intro quarter of the song feel a little drowned out but the mixing of the 1:40 lead is rly clean

I like the cutesy riff at the beginning and the crisp drums at :12. The mix feels a bit strained starting at :12 - the bass doesn’t quite come through well, and by :25 even the lead is ducking under in favor of the drums and harmonies. Part of the problem might be that you need to filter out more of the bass tones and low-mids from the harmonic instruments using an equalizer. I’d also check to make sure that the drums are compressed enough to avoid clashing with some of the harmonic instruments later in the piece as the texture gets busier.

Still, the sound design and melodies here are awesome. Love the ballpark-style organ and the increasingly upbeat and energetic vibe until 1:35 or so. The melodies at the bridge at 1:39 are great, and I’m also glad you brought back the mallets at 1:50. The drums at 2:04 are especially nice, and overall you hit the piece home with the final melodic section at 2:17. Some more variation on the final melodies compared to the earlier refrains might’ve been nice, but that’s a pretty small detail.

To summarize, my main concern here is the mixing. The composition and sound design are fantastic, and with a little more tweaking this piece could make a fantastic loop for a video game soundtrack or something. Keep at it, ZaneLittle! ^_^

Mixing, mastering, and balance
1/2
Structure, transitions, phrasing, and variety
1.25/1.5
Melody, tonality, harmony, and texture
2/2
Instrumentation and sound design
1/1
Emotion, atmosphere, and catchiness
1.25/1.5
Originality and uniqueness
1/1
Overall (how do the elements above interact?)
.75/1
Composite score
8.25/10

Wow, smooth and very interesting mix on that percussion. Sounds strikingly original. It feels very much as if coming out of a mono TV speaker, which I don't know how to feel about!

I think I would like your keys around 30 sec to pan 20% or so left to leave space for the lead to sit roughly center.

The marimba/xylo in the right channel is quite present throughout. I'm unsure if at points it is meant to be the lead. If so I would bring it closer to center.

One thing I do not entirely know if I like is the bass is quite muted. I think I would like to hear more of the 4k range or some fizz/string noise like sounds.

Composition wise however this is wonderfully varied despite holding much the same style and instrumentation throughout. I think it's beautiful. Guiro accents also are tasty. I would like to hear those pan left to right across the soundstage, like a call and response (quarter note/half note left, then right a piece)

Wonderful work. Thanks for coming out to NGUAC!

fire song