blackduckie's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[GammaRaXe]

Not exactly original, but...

I think you did a pretty good job of it overall. It definitely sounded better than some of my first songs. And you seemed to know what melodies sounded good together.
The funny thing is, I found this song by going to the last page in the Techno genre, and listening to the lowest ranking one.
It definitely deserves more than that!

To offer a bit of criticism, I have to say that the main synth seemed to kind of drown out the rest of the music, and I think it was a bit too repetitive (though maybe that's because I had it on looping mode. XD). It could have used a few more breakdowns, or parts that just sounded a bit different from the rest.
I don't think I could really make out the drums that well, either.

All that aside, though, I think it sounded alright, especially for your first submission. Just a few things I think you should change for next time. ;)

Anyway, good luck on any later submissions!
7/10, 3/5

GamaRaXe responds:

Thanks, I've come to realize that it is kinda hazy so when my comp gets repaired (Dead Video Card)
I'll fix this problem

[Helix - The Condition]

Awesome!

Wow, my vote actually made a difference! (4.2 + .031 %u2248 4.23)

This is great. I'm guessing that you use Audition for the effects, while you create the raw patterns with FL and arrange them with Acid. As other people have said, this song is rough, and yet flows really well. Panning was great, too. The bass at the start is really cool; it sounds layered, with a deep triangle waveform and technoish beepy sounds arpeggiating through it. The pad that you used sounded a lot like the one in Atlantis. All the different instruments had their own tune, and yet fit perfectly. The only part I didn't really like was the bit at 3:50 with the pedal hihats and the vocals. It went a bit too long and sounded awkward. Otherwise, I loved the whole thing. The style reminded me a bit of Unless You're Free..., but as always, it stands on its own as an original great piece of music. (I prefer more buildup-style endings, though.) You must have a whole arsenal of samples at your fingertips to create these effects.
Good Job. 5/5
ND
P.S. Have you got my PM about your full tracks yet? I sent it a while ago. :)

Helix6 responds:

Actually - FruityLoops provides all sampling/effects/synth, etc. Audition is simply for chopping/cleaning/mastering each sample (and some minor alterations, reverses, fades, etc.). Acid is used to compose the final track (chopping/beats, etc.) and do some fading/panning. I have a pretty straightforward group of samples (which is evidenced in some of my older tracks), but I am starting to use effects in a lot of new ways which I've found opens up limitless possibilities for new sounds. I will check my inbox - I am *horrible* at responding to online messages. I have a hard enough time responding to all my work e-mail, and I'm paid for that.

[Nightmare Chase]

Mm...

The "chorus" vocaly aah thingy in the background was kind of cool, but was a bit abrupt with the note changing. I was hoping at the start that the "chorus" would somehow fade out while a much lower note faded in, which would make a cool intro. (This intro was actually used by one of my friends in some incomplete song, but it has probably been used more than once. Besides, it still sounds cool.) I guess I would have preferred the note changing of the "aah" sound to be a bit more smooth and slidey, too. The bass was OK, though it came in a bit early for my liking and was a bit too quiet. The drums were cleverly sliced, but were very unoriginal. Don't worry about it, though. :) One of my early songs used that same drumloop a lot worse than this did, in an imitation of Pilchard. (I'm not saying you did a bad job of the drums, though.) I would try using mixer effects, such as filters, distortions and the likes to improve on the drums and other sounds. Bring more effects in! Also, the drums should probably vary a bit more. I quite liked the snare that came in, which made a nice punchy effect. Anyway, what this song really needs is some breakdown into a heavy, powerful, uh... breakdown. It got too repetitive after halfway through; it didn't change much. It could have been a bit faster, too; it wasn't exactly Drum N Bass speed. Good work, but there are a few things you could improve on.
... You said it's not a big deal. I seem to be making a big deal out of this, but that's just me. :D
I gave the song 5/10.
Good luck for future music,
ND

[-strikebeam-]

O

I have nothing more to say.

[Chaos Reakton]

omg...

This owns. I really thought that the industrial portal was done for, with the only exeption being helix6. Wrong. This completely lives up to the standards of industrial-- *looks up and realises that the track is classified as techno* Ah crap. Anyway, awesome music; hope to see more of this from you!
ND

[Helix - Archetype]

Metallic...

This is a really awesome track. I love that sort of crashing sound at the start, and I'd really like to know what kind of synthesizer that is. Also, I was wondering if you knew where any of the full versions of your tracks were on the internet. My friend told me that he once found the full "My Best Friend" track just by googling it, but I've had no luck X8. Finally, (and I really don't want to sound demanding, but) I was reading some of the reviews for "City of Industry" and you said that you would try to submit something at least every two months. IT'S BEEN TWO MONTHS! Ahem, sorry. Good work on the music, keep it up!
ND

Helix6 responds:

I have full versions on my hard drive, that is about it. Good luck finding any online. I'm not exactly popular enough to find on BitTorrent or KaZaa or whatever people "steal" stuff with these days. PM me if you want "full" tracks. Truly they don't add a lot except for "transitions" that make each track flow seamlessly on an album. But I've written about 3 or 4 albums now and published 0 so I wouldn't worry too much about the "flow." Honestly, numerous times I've gotten 90% done with a "record" and felt that it was out-dated and just started over, so you won't get a complete product anyway. By the way, I just uploaded a new track "Unless You're Free..."

[spaztic elastic]

It was a bit annoying, but could work well.

As regular music, this isn't very good, but I imagine it could work for some really fast-paced scene in a flash movie. It loops well, too.
Good luck on any further submissions to NewGrounds.
ND

[Electrick - Tranquillity]

Nice...

This is probably one of the best trance pieces I've heard. Not that I've heard much trance, as it is probably my least favourite style of electronic music. It gets a bit repetitive at some points but apart from that, I think it's great. Keep up the good work!
ND

Electrick responds:

Thanks. I'm glad you liked it.

Electrick

[Oscillation]

Bass...

I'll say this is good, and promote the obvious use of bass. The lack of heavy saw was a bit sad, though. (I know you used a saw. I just meant to say that it wasn't very heavy.) It's fun to listen to, and ends well. You should keep working on more songs and gradually get better with experience. I love that little scratchy bit in it. It's a good starter song (ahem, not exactly a starter song, but it's your first submission) and... I can't think of anything more to say. Bleh.

I like pie.

Kudos, and good luck for the next song,
ND

TC-Adam responds:

Thank 4 the review, but i hate this song and im never making 1 like it again.