Wow
The first frontpage ever
A sight to behold
Fantastic job
I wish I was as good as orchestral as you were
Reviews for "Pareidolic War"
Phonometrologist responds:
Could it really be true?
This is an NGADM Round 1 Review.
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You know, after hearing your audition and seeing that you got through I considered you one of the best underdogs of the contest. Your audition was highly expressive and atmospheric, and guess what? This track follows suit. You've got this extremely expressive, flowing compositional style, with unpredictable and pretty brilliant chord progressions, and enough variety to keep the listener interested for 4 minutes and a half. In the atmosphere department this piece doesn't fall short either. The pad in the intro set the tone of the track perfectly, and the reverse reverb you used to introduce the piano was a nice touch! My favourite part would be the ending. The way you introduced the drums and the high strings delievered a pretty breathtaking climax without you needing to go overboard at all. Beautiful work over there!
Your production, in some ways, is good. The mix is clear and the levelling is mostly good. I think you overused reverb on some of the background elements, except the drums which conversely sound somewhat dry. The high strings carrying the melody could overall be louder as they seemed pretty distant compared to everything else, particularly at 1:40. While there seems to be some controversy about your piano in the intro, I'll ultimately have to agree that your piano sound is a bit harsh and turning down the velocities of the individual notes would, in my opinion, fit a lot more effectively in your supposedly atmospheric intro. Even in your audition, I had the exact same problem with the piano! Lastly, I feel like the climax could do with a bit more depth in the low end, but that's probably personal preference.
Compositionally, I can't fault this, but the production value isn't quite there. Despite that, I thoroughly enjoyed this. Great work!
SCORE: 8.7/10
Phonometrologist responds:
I have to first commend you for writing such in-depth reviews for every piece in this contest. I'd be surprised if you can even find the time to reading all the replies you get from these so I'll keep it brief for you.
After reading this review, seeing your most generous score, and reading your recent post, I realize that you're just a lover of music. That it doesn't matter so much to you if the music is too different from what you would have written or listen to, but rather if the piece maintains a sense of integrity and moves the listener in some capacity, you seem to still be able to have that appreciation.
Your critiques are well noted, and I will make adjustments to that piano when I remix it. Thank you so much
This was a good song, then 1:42 kicked in and it became a great song. Wonderful.
Phonometrologist responds:
Thanks! Although I hate this version now after I re-mixed it. Wanted to keep this version up though for the sake of reflecting what other people's reviews on it were. And yeah that is my favorite part too
An excellent composition, but just as many other composers here on Newgrounds, you deserve way better VSTs... Or maybe just some refinement of the synths you have. The key velocity of the piano should have some more variation, or else it sounds really harsh and repetetive. No biggie, but it's not too hard to fix.
Good job, mate.
//Kabalist.
Phonometrologist responds:
Nice! I appreciate these reviews. But to be honest, I don't deserve anything. I thought about getting new synths, but I figured I'd stop spending money on libraries until there is a job calling for something specifically. I have enough now that I can mess around with, and I would have just have to spend some time with sounds instead of paying someone else for stuff. Just didn't have time to mess around with sounds for this particular project. Thanks for taking the time.
This is a NGADM Round 1 review!
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I really enjoyed this, I can feel the different emotions as the piece goes from one section to the next and its theme is persistent throughout despite the changes.
Mix: 6.5/10
A trick I've found over the years is that no matter how good your composition is, when it comes to such changes as your piece displays, good mixing is absolutely vital to helping it flow. Despite the change in direction or style, every section needs to fill the same area of the sonic spectrum or, at the very least, fade well. Keep this in mind for next time and I'm sure even you will realise that your transitions are decent in terms of composition, but maybe not in terms of the mix.
Quite a few years ago, a new musical acquaintance said to me "hmm... you're a musician but you're no producer". At the time I was kind of upset but after about a year working my ass off I understood what he meant. You need to see your song from different perspectives to realise what's missing and take it to the next level and part of this is in how the piece flows (on an audio level). That is the role of the producer. The musician or composer just makes the music, the producer makes the finished product.
Step has already highlighted the issues with the mix quite well so I won't waste any more of your time with my silly anecdotes.
Composition: 8.5/10
Like I said, the transitions are decent, but not exceptional. On that bombshell, I will now shower you in praise so you don't think I'm an ass. ;)
Actually I really enjoyed this track. The heavy piano made me smile (damn I love piano), the intro reeled me in fast and I didn't feel like any section of the song was unnecessary. You showed off some real talent in your composition, your melodies especially were the highlight of this piece. You also made great use of the dynamics to add extra depth (damn, that piano again, so juicy). It's a very powerful composition and doesn't rely too much on that "typical" trailer feel despite having several "epic" moments. The section at 2:30-ish was also a fantastic idea, it gave a lot of relief after a rather long, louder section. Variety and variation are vital (see what I did there?) and you've nailed that.
Honestly, if I didn't have to be so brutal (NGADM demands it) I'd give you a higher score, but I have to make the 9s and 10s worth it, so I gave you a 7.5/10. Excellent work all the same, Phonometrologist!
Phonometrologist responds:
Variety and variation are vital I agree. Good use of alliteration there ;-)
To be honest, I'm already sick of this piece, and I'm ready to move on to something different. Though, I should still properly mix and master this now that I have the time to do so.
Your critique has given me motivation to do some further research in production. I do consider myself first a composer, second a pianist, and who knows if I'll ever get to have the time and endurance to be an engineer down the road.
Your review has left me wanting. I understand the principals that you mentioned here, but when you mention the sonic spectrum, in a practical sense, I'm not so sure how to apply it. To see it with a different perspective. I know it's not just the instrumentation because the instruments used do fill the low, mids, and highs. Perhaps not balanced so well as of right now, but I'm speaking merely as trying to find the tools for this sort of job and to use it effectively.
And if you stopped right after the "Mix" paragraph, I would have not thought of you as an ass. I want truth, and a review from someone that speaks with integrity should be appreciated more. Even though I have to admit that sometimes it is hard to take. Have to take it with gratitude.
So thank you