---=== NGADM Round 1 Review ===---
Firstly, anyone asking for something to be louder needs to stop being lazy and just turn up their volume. I'd much rather turn it up than down as turning it up means the track likely has more dynamics. You can happily ignore those comments from others, stuff on NG is way too loud already. /rant

This was a somewhat peaceful walk in a garden, enjoyable and pretty. It kept my interest throughout and gave me food for thought.
Maybe at times the balance of instruments/mixing could have been better as I feel the instruments with a stronger attack stand out too much against the background which explains the "somewhat" since they broke my immersion. I loved the warmth of it and the simplicity which was underpined by the eb and flow of the strings and flutes. You knew when to take a step back and when to bring it up again.

I feel maybe that the louder section at the end didn't quite reach the place I wanted it to until the second half but that made the build up anticlimactic for me. The second half would have been my first half and I would have built that even higher for a 2nd part. Having said that, the flute at the end and the ending itself were stunning. Fantastic melodies here (and throughout actually).

Scores are weighted so that comp and prod are 75% of the score:
Composition: 8
Production: 7
Enjoyment, atmosphere, replay and all the other odd stuff: 9

Thank you for that moment of peace! I shall be downloading and keeping this for later.

This is an official NGADM '18 Round 1 Review:

Production and Mixing: The intro is well managed. Very careful dynamics and good attention to details and letting them flourish in the space they need. Very good mixing and you did a good job of using the volume of everything to emphasize the tone you made. However, I think I hear some clipping at 2:51. Only real big issue. Other than that, it sounds like a professionally finished product.

Composition and Structure: I like that intro. Very serene and sets the tone very well. Around 2:15 I was hoping that it developed a little more in the dynamics, but hearing the climax towards the end I think was worth the wait. It never feels very huge, but it did not lack in depth. Which, by the way, that's an excellent climax. They way it wraps up the development of the piece, and adds a great lasting impression for the listener to end with. It's strictly beautiful.

Sound Design: Oh man this is lovely. Everything sounds great and real. I hardly ever felt anything was out of place or was distracting. Every element shared in the same atmosphere and well distanced.

Ending comments: Thank you

Score:

Total - 9.25
Production - 1.75
Sound Design - 1.75
Composition - 2
Structure - 1.5
Replay - 2

I like the tranquil strings at the beginning and the eastern-sounding instrumentation. The melodic content is beautiful, and the percussion (while used sparingly) is a nice touch. The progression is a bit slow, but the mix is nice, clear, and well-balanced (if a bit quiet). The drum roll at the 2-minute mark was a nice detail. Great sense of tranquility and atmosphere, though. The climactic bit at 2:51 is a huge highlight, naturally. Up to that point, I would've liked to see a bit more variety in the texture, though. Instrumentation and mood are huge highlights here, and the mix gives the piece a really full, lush sound. The flute solo towards the end is beautiful too, and serves as a proper coda. Overall really nice work as always! Good luck in the ADM. ^_^

I wish there were some more variations, but it's great anyway!

I really love the main melody during the last chorus.

I just wish the mix was a bit more louder!