Quarl's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Empathy]

rabble rabble rabble

Meow. Not a bad mix going on here. Not my genre but I'll try to leave a helpful review...

You've definitely improved a lot since the last time I gave you a listen. One thing I would have tried doing was push the general characteristics of the synths a bit more. Some of those square sounding waves could have done with a slight boost to the treble and the bassier instruments could have used a tad more bass.

I'm not sure how much automation you do if any but using it to modulate the synths in the sequencer is a pretty good tactic for getting sexy sounds and morphing pads/leads.

I might turn that cow bell down a tad and up whatever is giving the snare it's mids. Rhythm isn't something I get too picky about when it comes to a four to the floor genre, but perhaps a little bit more variation in the hats would be splendid.

The structure is pretty interesting. The track unrelents. Most pros will put in an ambient break down specifically for DJs to use to switch in and out of tracks. If you really want to know more about standardized structures, talk to Nav... granted, it's not like it really matters that much. Ya know, it's not like you plan on getting into DJing, or plan on having someone mix your work, so meh. Kittens.

You're absolutely right about this song. It's not professional but it's still pretty good. You're almost at that level sir. You just need to learn a few more little tricks and I'm sure you'll be cranking out the jams like a pro right soon. Hopefully someone who works with this genre will come around and leave a better review for you, but in the mean time keep producing the tunes!

:D

WritersBlock responds:

Thanks a while lot, Quarl!
Your tips and suggestions are very helpful. I'm so glad to hear that you've noticed an improvement, makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside. As far as what professionals do, well I've never really been able to hone in on how they do it.
As for automation, there was some in my chord progression and lead instrument, but it was all kinda subtle. ;D Mostly to give a slightly different sound, but to also pull the instrument down a little more and highlight other aspects of the mix.
Thanks again, quarl. :D

[MR JINGLES!]

Yep.

I'd play this for my children. I'd also attach them to wires and make them dance to this song like marionettes while the wife performs a full on light show. We'd do it in front of an audience of ten million people, and we would be famous. Just saying.

Stalagmite responds:

LOL. just like the tellytubbies, this music is designed to brainwash you and completely anhialate your mind. :D:D:D
its working! YAYNESS!

thanks for the hilarious review dude! :D:D:D

[{Ceb} Carol Of The Balls]

rawr

haha. Really great quality sound here. You learned a lot since the last time I checked in on you and this isn't even your latest. Great drum programing and modulations. It's a shame that it's the amen break but whatever. It sounds good.

Next time you do a dnb, try to challenge yourself by building up a drum kit. You've definitely heard this before, but layer your bass kick/ snare. Try to get at least three different sounds for each. Try to get a snare with emphasis on the low, then one on mid, and one on the highs. In reason, I usually take the different drum pieces and give them each their own channel in the mixer (I usually have three to four mixers chained together, two of which are specifically for drums) then I merge the snares into a compressor/equalizer and really start to shape the sounds. It's a lot of work but the feeling you get from building a decent kit is really nice.

I'm not sure if your using FL and how it would differ from reason, but you should be able to try out most of what I just said. Really experiment. You seem to learn more towards an IDM ideology when it comes to music production, so why don't you try producing a track along those lines. Do you listen to Squarepusher at all?

[Bushido Blade]

rawr

I remember seeing your profile somewhere else. Twas garageband I think. In anycase, nice mix you got going. Nice use of the amen... granted a very stale kit now a days. Your breaks are border line idm, but not quite there, which in my opinion is a good thing. idm is one of my favorite genres, but maintaining that dark step sound amidst complex drum programing can be a bit of a challenge. Great work sir. My only complaint is that you should make this track longer. 3 minutes just doesn't do it enough justice.

I'm curious, what program do you use? If it's reason, I say we collab some time good sir. Drop me a pm and I'll love you forever. Just ask Stan-SB.

[[a.] Endless Sky]

Great!

Like always, your melodic style of dnb is top notch. Full drum kit, accompanied by beautiful synth leads and pads. Absolutely stunning sir. Melodies are great, and the drum break towards the end is exactly what I'd expect to hear from you. Bitchin work sir, absolutely bitchin. I just wish you'd learn how to make tracks longer. That's really my only complaint :P

Rawrthaas responds:

Thank ya kwarl ;D

[Accounting for the Indifferent]

meow

My only complaint is relative to the post below me. It's all in the left ear... or right ear if your stereo is backwards :P

Panning helps make a mix more dynamic and reflects live acoustics. It also gives the illusion that things are louder than they really are... however, when you only have one instrument, it would probably help to keep the mix mono. Or, if you ever plan on adding a bass to your mix, keep in mind that most producers keep the bass towards the middle, and everything else to the sides. Keeping everything equal should be a constant battle.

Unless like the guy below me said, it was intentional in order to evoke some sort of idea or aesthetic. Everything else sounds fine and grand. SO yeah, good work there :)

LuciousClump responds:

well yes and no it was intended to do something , but i went to my friends house and listened to it and it just doesn't sound the same as it does on my computer.
And thx for leaving a review

[Outside (Feat. Quarl)]

meow

Great quote sir! I'm amazed at how this managed to go through the audio portal with out a single vote... I usually get six zeros. Oh well. I guess the kids weren't on at 1:16 pm 3-6-09 when this finally got accepted.

rawr.

[Until We Meet Again]

woo! This track is bitchin!

Very nice piece here. I can't say there's anything wrong with it, so dropping a review for something like this can be pretty difficult. As a drummer, I guess I could bitch and moan about there being no percussion, but in all honesty, I think percussion would ruin the light vibes this track has going. Great job xeno!

Xenoscape responds:

thanks! yeah, i decided to leave the hard-hitting percussion out on this one in favor of pleasant strings and melodies.

[. Underworld .]

meowza

Really experimental structure you have here. It's interesting how it climaxes relatively early then kind of burns out. Great melodies, and the pads create great atmosphere. The only I'd do differently is have a longer intro, a longer chorus, and then I'd bring it all back around for another go. Other than that it's perfect. Really great track sir!

Xenoscape responds:

I know that you've got quite a few fans around here so it's very nice to have comments from you! it's definitely on the experimental side, I kinda like that though...

[[KgZ] Jazzman (KgZ Vamp) ~SMB~]

rawr

oh yeah, rockin man. Really sexy loop you got here. The only thing I'd say is that you might want to go for some more bass in there... it's opinion though.

KgZ responds:

Good call, will do good sir- thanks for listening.