etherealwinds's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[A Night in the Attic]

Your vocal mixing is really improving, it's so nice to see that you've taken the judges' advice because your mixing is getting a lot closer to doing your vocals the justice they deserve. They could perhaps do with some more high EQ in my opinion so that they sound more crisper and less muffled, but all-in-all, really really nice!

I really liked the elegance of this piece. It had a really interesting flow to it. The very ending would probably benefit from a fade-out rather than just stopping, but hey, the deadline isn't until tomorrow ^_~

Your stereoshaping is really good in this too. I'm glad to see that the atmosphere's you're creating are really shining. Your harmonies at 2:42 actually sound a lot like Erutan's. Really stunning.

The only reason I can't give this 5 stars is due to the distortion heard at some louder parts. Also once again, the glockenspiel seemed super loud compared to the rest of the mix and the mixing on the piano at times makes it sound quite distorted. Other than that though, really nice job. <3

[The Abyss]

This is just insanely good. It honestly has the production quality of a film-score, so when you submitted this, needless to say I was very scared and with good reason! You did a fantastic job with this. You should be really proud of this :)

DamienFleisch responds:

Thank you, that means a lot! Your submission was wonderful as well, and it really was anyone's game. Next year though.... >:D

[Meet Frances]

My surname is Francis. That's hardly relevant though. I enjoyed this a lot, you produce great music! :)

Semaphore responds:

Thank you very much etherealwinds but I'm quite sure I didn't met you =D

[Reset]

This is really amazing, I'm so glad the Audio Portal has tracks like this. Have you thought about submitting it to OCRemix? I think you'll be successful. The vocal performance was sensitive and emotional. The instrumental is authentic and unflappable. Thank you for this.

Shanath responds:

It hasn't crossed my mind before, actually. It's something that I'd have to discuss with the other people involved in the project and see if they'd be interested on submitting it to them.

Thanks for the review.

[Right On Time]

Did I really not review this yet? I lyk it m8 it is really nice. I love the section at 2:21. Brilliant. This is really great.

Kor-Rune responds:

:3 m8

[~SW and CS~ Cranial]

I liked the viola in this. The accordion really brought it to life.

SkyeWint responds:

it's surprising how well the two go together, isn't it

[Things will get better]

I enjoyed this a lot. This piece has a really full sound. I enjoy the fact that you opted to use a standard drumkit rather than orchestral percussion. It gives this piece a very interesting sound. I love the fullness of this too, the panning is well done. Well done!

lemon42 responds:

Thanks for your input, appreciated!

[Oceans Wide]

I've been holding back reviewing this piece for a while because I feel rather strongly about it in many different ways. As a composition this is one of the best I've heard from you. It's a really admiral quality that you put a part of yourself into everything you do.

I can only really review in the sense of what I would personally do if I had to improve this in my own subjective way. Firstly, I feel the song feels quite flat. Everything seems almost piled towards the middle of the stereo field. The mix would really benefit from a lot more panning and stereo shaping. You're trying to create an atmosphere with a piece like this, so you want to transport the listener to the world you create through all these sounds and melodies. It's important to really create an atmosphere, a wideness that surrounds the listener as they listen. When I shut my eyes and listen, I want to experience everything around me in the song, I don't want the experience to only be in front of me. It takes away a bit of the magic and holds it back.

The mallets for me were too loud in the mix and had quite a sharp sound. With wooden instruments, they tend to create a feeling of warm percussion as opposed to metal instruments that create a colder higher-end sound. I think it's good to bear that in mind when mixing them to get the most out of it.

The vocal performance was generally probably one of your best to date. I know that you've gotten slaughtered in the past when you've gone out of your comfort zone. You're really learning to control your voice properly. You sound especially lovely in the chorus. In the past, your harmonies have tended to come across as overbearing at time, but they were really nice in this. Proud of you! Having said that though, pay attention to the ends of your phrasing. 1:44 for example... "niiiight. ..-t- t.. t". That could have easily been avoided by re-recording those harmonies and making sure they're exactly on time OR, even more simply, silencing the t's of the harmonies so it isn't just a layer of a lot of out of sync 't' sounds.

Basically, panning, stereo shaping, volumes and closer attention to vocal mixing are a good direction to follow in order to improve your piece and things to consider in the future!

I've never been too comfortable with being overly critical of peoples' work but if I think my advice might help a person, then I brush aside the insecurities. Seriously, your composition-style is really inspiring to me. Best of luck sweetie!! ^0^

Troisnyx responds:

Thanks Jordi. I need solid advice on mixing nearly every time.

Now if I recall correctly, the vocals were panned to their respective places (highs to the left, mids to the centre and lows to the right), but I think my mistake was putting 100% stereo integration in a bid to make the song sound fuller; it had the opposite effect. MetalRenard also did tell me that the vocals sound mono-ish, so I might see to it once the results are out. Heck, if you'd like, I'll pass you the FLP.

I cannot help but agree on every point. Many times I was tempted to re-record the vocals, only to hold myself back due to lack of time and me trying others' patience (and my own, at times). Oye! Ce qui est fait est fait, and I shudder to think that the axe might drop on me too.

Thanks again, especially for helping me address the specific issues with the piece. You've helped me lots.

[Path to the Eilan Tree]

Two songs about a Tree one after the other. We're awesome.
This is short but so, so sweet. Something about this makes me reminisce. It's beautiful.

SilverPoyozo responds:

Wait wha-
That's a pretty weird coincidence... I like it.
Thank you very much sir.

Have a good one!

[Rising to the Challenge]

This year's NGADM is just insane >_< great job!!

Spadezer responds:

Heck yeah!!!
XD