ChimeraNoise's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Blue Sky]

This is a fantastic track! I love the way it builds, swells and breaks so gracefully!

Let me just say that your choir soundfont is outstanding! If you had not mentioned it I would have expected it to be from a high-dollar VST without question. Many kudos on finding that!

Just a little suggestion, it is just a tad loud. Perhaps you could make that quick change and then this is a four and a half star track. I voted four and a half and not five because it's rather minimal.

Keep it up!

JJM121 responds:

Yeah, that soundfont is amazing. It pretty much solves my age old problem of not having very natural sounding choirs. And yeah, I couldn't expand on it much since I had so many other stuff going on at the same time irl. But thanks!

[Who Will Save Your Soul]

Very impressive cover! As mentioned before, you could really use a better microphone. Depending on your budget, there are a few different microphones I would suggest.

Shure SM57 - Great for vocals, but can be used for instruments as well.
MXL 990/991 - These come in packages from places like Guitar Center, Musician's Friend, Sweetwater, etc. They'll run you about $100 or so.

If you're looking for higher end microphones, look into Blue mics. A highly praised mic is the Blue Bluebird, I've had the pleasure of recording my guitar with it and I've heard numerous vocalists use it in a professional setting, it has never been a disappointment. Unfortunately, that'll run you about $300, not including the interface you'll need in order to actually use the thing.

All total you could be looking at anywhere from $200 to $500, depending on how much you're willing to spend in order to get a top notch sound.

But remember, it's not always the hardware you're using. Microphones aren't magic. It's going to take a keen ear to find that sweet spot in the mix.

Best of luck to you. (:
5 and 5. Favorited.

Six-String-Ally responds:

Thank you for these suggestions!!

[Raise Your Weapon (Remix)]

This is a really great track you have here minus the vocals, as strange as that sounds. I know this is supposed to be a remix, but the music alone would stand tall.

I like that you didn't use a wobble bass, what you've chosen to do instead works really well with your style.

Right up until about 0:55 I thought this song was going to completely blow my mind. But the vocals came in and left me mourning. At 1:11, I quit mourning and started celebrating the track's death. Then 1:50 hit and I fell in love. I could keep going on and name every section that doesn't have vocals, but I think you've got the point by now.

Take away those vocals, man. The music is better without 'em.

Alexz S.

P.S: Would you mind terribly checking out my track?
http://alexzs.bandcamp.com/track/seek -me-original-mix-alexz-s-2

BuggMusic responds:

OK, now I've got to make a choice... if you really think the vocals are that bad, maybe I should take them out. I'm glad you liked the rest though!

Also, I listened to your track. I really liked it, just one tip though, maybe bring the kick forward and give it more bass, it sounds a bit too clicky. Otherwise, nice work ;)

[Piano (WIP)]

First of all, I really appreciate the review on my track.
Second, I'm warning you that this will be a long review.

Intro: I love the very slow, building intro. It's gorgeous and effortlessly builds tension, urging to listener to stay and wait for the big finale.

"Verse": I like the bass line, but I'm sorry to say that I don't like the synth you're using. The kick is very tight, don't change a thing! I love the various additions you start to slowly bring in, especially the arp! The synth that follows, adding a percussive essence is an excellent addition as well!

Down Tempo: Again, I love the pad you've chosen. Though I must admit, it sounds far too "preset-y". That bell-like effect in the background sounds almost like a high-passed piano with tons of effects, if that's correct, then props to you for thinking of it! Clever! I adore the synth that comes in after that, though I wish I didn't fall so far behind the pad at times.

"Verse 2": I don't like the way you rushed into this section. I think a more tense, yet natural transition would have been better. I also think that adding more to this section (like the elements that came in with the previous section) would give this a huge trance effect.

Overall: This is a fantastic track, I'm really impressed with the mixing! Everything stands out very well and you've made the 6:00 length listenable, rather than something that just constantly drags on. The biggest things I think you should work on are the second verse and the synth for the bass lines. If you decide to change these things you'll earn my five stars.

If not, well... Free five!

Badgenetics responds:

Thanks for the long the review :D. (I bet everyone wishes they were this long and in depth :P ).

Yeah I've gone with everyone's choice on the bass. Twas a tad to sharp attack wise. Softer and fits the song much better.

Btw yup bell is a piano played high in the register. Not too much effect actually. I mean delay, a hint of high pass, chorus and super compressed.

Changed the whole going back into the verse 2. Brought the intro back actually which adds a nice touch, still feels a bit rushed. But I don't want to make the song too long though. as it's already 6 minutes.

Overall getting closer to a finished product and i thank you very much for the Input :D
Looking forward to more of your songs as hopefully you are looking forward to mine!

[Thundaga]

Even against Rig

I believe we have a winner here. This is just so simply complex that it can't lose. The melodies are fantastic, the synths match up beautifully, the percussion is tight and punchy. It's just a fantastic display of D'n'B without the added hundreds of dollars worth of synthesizers.

Fantastic job!

garlagan responds:

hey thanks a lot!

[Rig - Boogieman (FL Core)]

RIG!

You did it again!

I'm not nearly as impressed as I was with the last one in terms of something that I'd come back and listen to repetitively. But in terms of quality, oh hell yes. Your mixing and mastering this time around are damn near perfect. And I love the various playful melodies that bob through and through.

I am thoroughly impressed! Great job!

Rig responds:

Why thank you. I like how it turned out too :D

[Beat The Box]

Creative!

Love the idea of facial.. Percussion..

However, the synth you're using could use some more body. Some chorus, reverb, maybe a light delay. It's also quite repetitive.

Due to the awesome percussive a'capella I'm a fan of this track!

RobinDB responds:

Thanks for being a fan of my face. :D hahaha.

Ya I know the melody doesn't have much to it, because the main focus of the song is on the percussion. Obviously there's not much percussion during the breakdown, but still. I just wanted to keep it more or less simple in comparison to the drums.

Either way, thanks for listening and liking it, and thanks again for reviewing it.

[Dirtier Than Browser History]

[Title]

FILTHY as hell.

This has the potential to be a really great track but the mastering really takes away from it. Levels need some adjusting and then you'll have a fantastic track on your hands.

I love the epic feel of the track, and the variation of the wobbles is always a plus. But as I mentioned, everything is very restricted by the mastering or perhaps the lack thereof. :b

3.46 (+ 0.12)
CHIMERA

EricFreeman responds:

Yeah, I don't know ANYTHING about mastering :( Maybe there's some good YouTube videos on the subject?

Thanks for listening though and taking the time to review! :D