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Reviews for "Wolfhome"

This is an official Judge Review for the Final Round of the NGADM.

I like the beginning of this piece. It sets up this really gentle atmosphere that I enjoy and want to invest in. Once it picks up speed, it's also so much more lively and worthwhile to listen to. The strings at 2:40 makes this better, kinda almost like it's the big moment in the love story you created (which, yes, I did see comes from the description). The last minute of this is so genuine, kinda like it's that one ocean world in Super Mario Galaxy 2 mixed with some really cool leisure guitar stuff - it really puts the bow on the piece.
There is, unfortunately, a big problem with the piece, and that is involving your main instrument, the flute. In terms of the overall mix, that thing is turned up waay too high. I almost had to turn down my volume a notch to hear it comfortably, so just watch how loud you make your instruments, especially your leading ones.
Overall, a really good piece with a lot of story behind it. Good luck in the final round, and thank you for coming out to NGADM 2019!

Baumarius responds:

Thanks! I think I succumbed to ear fatigue in the last leg of work on this for the competition, so I couldn't actually tell that the duduk was too loud. My partner tells me it's a problem I have with my other music as well, and it can probably be remedied by taking more frequent, longer breaks while composing, or revisiting the songs a day or two later before finishing them. Nonetheless, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

This is an official NGADM '19 Review

Composition:
Holy crap that humanization. I felt like my heart was getting ripped out of my chest for the first 2 minutes. I don't know what instrument / synth you're using but it hurts so good lol. Your composition creates a lot of imagery too. Just to use an analogy, it felt like a deep and mystic take on something like the lost woods from Zelda OOT. The song never felt too empty anywhere, and everything was carefully placed to add to the main theme.

Production and Sound Design:
This definitely sounds like a finished product. I can easily hear this in a video game or soundtrack setting. The only complaint is that at times the lead instrument feels like a little bit too much, but some of that might be taste, so it's not a big complaint. One small issue I do have is at 2:58, there's too much reverb going on and the mid-low area is getting muddy with what I believe is some brass showing up there. Pretty good otherwise.

Structure:
Simply great. Very coherent main theme, and easy to get caught up in. And then once it started picking up around the 1:40 with the driving synths in the back, it never felt trying too dull. And it kept growing too. I really like how you built the climax for the 3:00 area. You also did a great job with the outro too.

Emotion / Conclusion:
This is the most emotional this piece this round by a long shot. You really captured a lot of feeling and told a intensely heart-moving story through it. Beautiful work

Composition: 9

Production: 9

Sound Design: 9.5

Structure: 9.5

Emotion: 10

Baumarius responds:

Thank's for the review! I'm very glad that you were able to enjoy it! I had unfortunately succumbed to ear fatigue while finishing up the song, and couldn't hear the issues that remained or even tell if the song was any good at that point. I'll definitely work more on the expression and mixing of the duduk (the flute) after the competition is over, as well as the issues with the reverb and brass. Hopefully I'll have the opportunity to record the duduk live for this too, if I manage to place third!

I like the chord progression and selection of instruments - though some vsts could be much better. Although the woodwind-sounding instrument does sound expressive at first, I think the variation of expression isn't sufficient, so it loses its appeal quickly. I think the climax could have been much more powerful if you changed up the melody - I didn't like the juxtaposition of the slow melody with the more intense background lines; this was the perfect opportunity to make the melody go crazy imo. Otherwise, I think you did a good job with the pacing and transitions. The oboe sounds very fake compared to everything else, I would have left it out. I enjoyed this piece overall and found it to be very relaxing. I'm hiding the score to avoid potentially over-influencing the judges.

Baumarius responds:

Thanks for the feedback! I think I fixed the oboe section (it's not there anymore), but I don't have enough time tonight to flesh out the climax and the expression/melody of the duduk. I'll do that after the competition... and hopefully it'll be live when I do :D

I'm glad you enjoyed this song!