sonicExplorer's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Super 8-bit Battle Song]

Definitely Can See In a Game!

Awesome little loop! I really like the form as well as the melodies- cool tune! Just wondering, how does one make 8-bit and other bit songs; is there a bitcrusher that you use or something?

DaVince responds:

Thank you for the comments! It is indeed going to be used in a game (which I hope my friend will actually finish, lol). I use the music tracking program OpenMPT, which is mostly-sample-based, so I actually use samples (WAV) for all the chip sounds.

The only thing you really need to make a good chiptune is good, clean chip samples. These samples are incredibly short, so you can't play them by themselves. They need to loop.

For the percussion, I usually get some actual NES or Mega drive samples. Those are already the real deal, after all, and need no editing. You could also downsample more realistic percussion sounds (OpenMPT has a special button for this). The sample will lose a bit of the high range sounds, so it sounds a lot more as if the sample was played on a bad sound card. Downsample enough and it becomes very 8-bit like (if it doesn't become useless, which sometimes happens too).

I've never done it, but sound engineering tools like Audacity let you play around with sound filters so much you can probably make most samples sound as if they come from an 8-bit console.

Here's a small collection of samples that I use: davince.tengudev.com/music/oth ers/samples/some-chipsamples.rar

It doesn't contain all of the samples from this specific song, though. Just one or two of it are used in my song. But that pack is complete enough to get you started making very NES/GB-like songs at least.

...Alternatively to all this samples stuff, you can use tools like Famitracker, which is music creation software that lets you make tunes for the actual consoles themselves. Famitracker is for NES, but there are also music trackers for Commodore 64, Gameboy, etc etc. The songs made in these sound exactly like they come from that console. However, this also limits you to the actual original console hardware's capabilities. People have made great tunes with those, they can play on an actual NES, but they can't have as many simultaneous instruments or freedom in how the instruments sound as when you use samples in your favourite music creation program (like I like to do).

[Stellar Dream <-(FTA)->]

Cool with some good ideas!

Really liked a lot about the second half of the song, and the first half builds nicely into it. Liked a lot of the vst's you were using, drums were the only one that were slightly weak, but overall very nice!

FaeryTaleAdventurer responds:

Thanks for reviewing, sonicExplorer.

I have thought the drums could probably sound a bit stronger.

Thanks again.

-FTA

[Brain Wash]

Uh,

I mean I get it, but, its not really something worth downloading or listening to on a regular basis. I guess if you were going for totally confusing the listener you got it spot on.

73Quantum responds:

Confused? Sorry Dude :(

[|-Hoppipolla Remix-|]

Love That Song, Impossible to Improve Upon But...

It's a good transition into techno, and definitely respects the original. Cool work, keep it up! Glad to see another Sigur Ros fan on ng!

O-Prime125 responds:

thanks :)

[Paper Mario - Crystal Palace]

Cool Stuff

Very interesting, very mysterious yet bright feel! Great instruments, cool production! I love paper mario myself, represent.

Ironclover responds:

Glad you like it! its one of my favorite themes from Paper Mario, so I had to remake it :D

[Cuzonidal Hotline]

Cool and Funky.

The instruments are a little thin, but the composition is pretty interesting and varied. Lots of cool ideas here that would thrive if the production was stepped up a notch.

[AB - Dreamin`]

Decent, especially for what sounds like a vintage

MIDI instrument, what I think weighs this piece down a little bit is not the actual composition but the blandness of the piano instrument. Great job overall, a little long for the amount of ideas, but overall pretty cool and definitely enjoyable.

AsteroidBlues responds:

Yeah.. Midi sound was my archenemy when i started writing music and now he is almost completely defeated )) Someday i will edit this stuff as well, i guess.. Ty for response )

[Ignus]

Very hectic and interesting, yet...

the semi-generic synths get in the way. This is something I think you'll have no trouble with adapting to in this new program- obviously what makes this piece interesting is the way you've completely twisted the form and sound of both industrial and techno music. Great job overall!

[Sun Swell]

Hmm...

I see what you're trying to do, but it's too simple and a little too rough in my opinion. I feel like you need to build upon it, but if you're going to do something this, it shouldn't be three minutes long. It is a pretty decent idea though.

[The Road I Walk]

Quite Good

The beat is good and the rhymes are really solid. Definitely a solid rap! congrats.

InvasiveInsomniac responds:

Thank you for the review, glad you appreciate it.