TheWisestMagi's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Quandary]

You'll have a top 5 sometime.

I have a way of telling. Your obviously skillsful and have a knack for catchy themes, although this is clearly a test, I like the bass (drum) work in the beginning. Although the cymbal is kinda obnoxiously sticking out on my computer at least.

Just keep producing =), this is all I've heard from you so far, but I like it's feel.

Goodluck with your ideas!
~TheWisestMagi~

New-Milkman responds:

Thanks man, I've been working on new stuff for a while (this was made in May, I believe). I've taken most of the summer off of producing "full" songs to learn new parts of audio production.

[Gorillaz - Feel Good Remix]

crazy

I knew I had heard this song right in the entry i was thinking about that strange drum beat and that I hear it alot in a specific song (I'm a drummer), the bass line gave it away though =).

I was actually in pre-imtive stages of making a remix of this song myself, I love it. My ideas were much different then this though, this is completely awesome. Good mixing of the voices. Overall this is just amazing, you mixed alot of things crazily well. PUMP THE BASS.

I like how you reverted to guitar on the courus too =). Although I admit I like the regular version better for just plain listening, it's easier to listen to, this is an awesome remix.

Way to be,
TheWisestMagi

EchozAurora responds:

Glad to put a new spin on things! You'll have to show me your remix when you finish it as well.

Thanks for the review!

[Helix - The Condition]

The most overlooked artist on NG..

Got his break! Congrats man, you are one of the FEW (not only) artists on NG that I can literally not fathom the mixing and complexity of their songs.

Glad to hear from you again after nothing for...a long time.

This isn't quite as high energy and noisy as most of your pieces..it reminds me more of "Illusion", melodic yet deadly ;).

~TheWisestMagi~

P.S.Did you ever get that full work station for music you were talking about/ not have to work 50 hours a weekish?

Helix6 responds:

Still working a butt-load. I am still working on the dream workstation. Instead bought my ex a keyboard... D'oh! I got a bonus for Castle Crashers also! Awesome. Hope to have new shit soon...

[Spaceflight: SS01]

Exactly what you said!

It does sound just like the opening to a game. The first thing I thought of when listening was the opening video clip from StarCraft.

Ok now the song has really gotten underway, and yeah, I could destroy some serious space rocks to this =P. At 1:50 however I would prefer the progression of C, Eb, Low G, back up to C..but that would make a different song =P.

Now the song changes alot at 2:03. Interesting percussive work here, it's unique and still fits...I like it. You also seem to have some analog bass going on here, this part reminds me of just flying through space. After the synth comes in I'm feeling a little bit more energy and action, perhaps something is happening. And now with the voice-overs and lovely keyboard action...we are coming into the space station maybe just turned thrusteers off and a free floating to the station. After this we get some ambient crashes, we have landed!

SWEET song man! I love the overall feeling to this one, I especially think you've mastered ambience in the beginning and end of your songs.

Vigorosly,
~TheWisestMagi~

Aresdev responds:

Excellent! I was thinking about a new trilogy set utilizing this type of theme, much like what I did with Immortal Crossings, etc. I'm still feeling out some new grounds (<---Haha, pun) here with this type of style. Maybe I can also tweak this a tad. Again I was trying to keep it uncluttered. I really need a new keyboard, as I have some awesome ideas for main themes to my music, but no way to realize them!

[Densetsu]

Cool

Nice song!
This time my favorite part is DEFINATELY the part that starts at 1:05. I like that indestinct synth that you used.
My only complaint for this song would be that alot of the time there was not alot of stuff going on, which for like a club mix it seems you need alot of little things going on at once so that the person's focus doesn't turn to a certain synth in the music so much as the music as a whole..making it more dancable.
That's just my theory though.

Cool song however, you used alot of new ideas in this one, including alot of your cymbal work..I think I even heard a reverse roll in there somewhere.

Keep it up! You're putting out alot of work lately.
~TheWisestMagi~

Aresdev responds:

Hmmm, well said! I will have to do something about that and submit some sort of remix or something! I think I was just trying to do something that didn't sound cluttered. I will see what I can come up with!

[Hagren Clubb Mix]

Your best Techno yet!

First off, nice vox and cymbal work! I approve =). But what is he whispering?

Well you know me, like to get out a criticism first...My only comment in that feild this time is that the kick you chose to use was sometimes distractingly lound/ high in frequency...but this loudness could easily be due to my speakers which are...different then most.

I have 2 favorite parts in this song:

First one starts at 2:50 ish...I really liked your transitions in this song...and as you know I love hte way you use pianos/keyboards in your songs.

Second one starts at 4:13 ish due to the kickassishness of that synth, as well as the way you used it.

HOWEVER, the main reason this song is a treasure is due to it's many different stylistic qualities throughout while remaining the same song, and having very crisp transitions. Some really cool themes.

Like I said; your best mix yet in the DJ department,
Goodluck,
~TheWisesMagi~

Aresdev responds:

As always, your reviews are very detailed and appreciated! Your criticism is partially responsible for the direction I go, as I find it spot on and helpful! He's saying "Can you feel it?" and "Fly!"

I think it may be a combo of your speakers and my partially successful attempt to mix it down a tad. That copper/silver sequencer part at 1:56 is my fave, myself. I also like the last transition. This one here involves the most intesnsive use of my own home grown beats and sequences and such. Thanks for the review, and keep checking back!

[Captain Feel Redux]

Cool

Definately more skillful then your last captain feel, I like the use of filters, mastering and that "airy" sinth from the beginning.
The first melody was also kind of cool, almost 'curious' i would say.
My only comment would would be to have some sort of neat highhat action coming in and out on the 'and's" of each measure, while at the same time getting louder and quieter overall..like a double mastering I guess.
Other then that, sweet song. I like the synths in it most.

~TWM~

Aresdev responds:

Well, that gives me some things to think about! Have you check out the 3rd and LAST installment of Hagren yet? It may surprise the dickens out of you!

[.:=Phoenix Chronicles - Ep5=:.]

Hehe

Had to check it out after seeing the title..knew exactly who it was, I'm RandomOrangez from SoS's site.

Cool song man, very sci-fi, which seems to be a lost genre here at newgrounds, classical epic sci-fi, nice man =).

You like that bell sound don't you! Not particularly the same one as always, but you seem to have one SOMEWHERE in this chronicle of songs =). Not saying it's a bad thing though, it's kind of more of a theme you have developed over just simply loving the sound i think.

Nice Hoo-Ah by the way, I've been trying to find a nice shout choir like that =).
Good voice overs too, well done. And the choirs are well blended into the rest of the intrumentation, almost giving them a padlike effect.

Coolness,
~TheWisestMagi~

Draqo responds:

Sup SO! Well usage of the bell, at least that sample, has ended its reign. The choirs are a trade secret between me and Maestro, and a few others.

Thanks for the review! :D

[Into the Night - [viz]]

Cool

I've always liked the "Into the Night" theme, which I'm sure you know what I mean...harder to explain something that complex.

Great filter work as usual.

Only complaint is the percussion work should have more cymbal work, you would be surprised at what some good percussion can do for a song =) (Listen to ParagonX9, even if you think he's over rated, listen to that percussion!).

Other then that great son man, I feel it =).

~TheWisestMagi~

DJ-VIZ responds:

First off thanks, always appreciate your reviews...I know -- I know I am pretty poor with drum work (its my weakness)...I think Paragonx9 is phenominal -- that drum work is amazing (has great drum samples too) -- as for this song, its not my best ...one of my catchy melodies though...I am going to update you when I have my new song come out -- its really going to be something special.

[Metroid Prime Zero]

Very nice man, this is epic

I like the overall feel of this piece.
Especially I like the little bouncy synth that seems like it is typically used in a dance song, but you managed to mix it and put it into this more ambient song, giving it that complex feel and overall neat countermelody. (Talking about the synth first heard at like 0:53).

At 2:55 it really changed, for a minute I thought the song was gonna have a heavy bass kick and start pumpin the volume, but then the heroic type synth came in with the main theme, which I think should have faded out into that really cavelike feeling part right afterwords, it was a little abrubt as is =P, although the second time it doesn't feel as abrupt because of the high string synths.

I would of also liked to hear a filtered long snare on every other second beat of the measure or so, SIMILAR but not quite the same as the one from Hell Space...kinda hard for me the explain what I'm trying to get at.

Also I like alot of the cool ambient effects and sounds you have going on all the time that mostly aren't noticed, but just had that nice textured element to the song.

AH, I LOVE YOUR PIANO! I don't know what you use for your piano font, but it is awesome man.

Now I'm just picturing playing metroid...and hell yeah this goes right with it, feels very much so like im playing metroid, once again i love the synth at 2:22.

Although, I think an ambient pad or vague cymbal rolls would have helped you at that part once the "heroic" synth comes in.

Just not noticed that at like 3:25 you have one of those filtered snarey sounds I was talking about, although it almost sounds like a vox, cool =).

That is about all I can think of to say, great work man, tell me when your next one comes out if I don't notice it before you tell me, cause I'm going on vacation.

Keep it up,
~TheWisestMagi~

Aresdev responds:

As always, I appreciate the review! There were indeed a few problems encountered during production of this piece. One of the problems was sofe of the time manipulation of some of my tracks. I had to cut a few synth and fx, or replace them because they became corrupt once the time was shifted. I was going for abruptness on that one part, because that tends to happen in Metroid, :P

I spent so much time on this thing though. I want to try and figure up anoither one, that is unique to me, but Metroid inspired. I've actually been too busy being in movies and such to make much music lately, but I will soon!