CaseyVenn's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[One (Preview)]

The song lacks structure and your drums are a little wonky. They seem repetitive and the patterns strike me as odd, which is good for experimental work, but doesn't make for good recreational listening. That's not to say that it's bad, my first songs sounded a lot like this, in a way. You're learning, and that's great, so I don't want you to think that I'm just being cruel. A bit harsh, yes, but when I started out I didn't have anyone to give me a harsh critique and I suffered for it.

So, having said that, there are a lot of different things you can do to make your songs better. The first thing you should work on is structure. There are no "set structures," but there are helpful guidelines that will make your music a bit nicer.

Try to think of each song in terms of every 8-bars. For instance, you could have an 8-bar intro, then have 16 bars introducing your bassline and drum patterns, maybe have another 16 slowly adding in accompanying instruments building up toward a 16 / 32 bar chorus. This is an example, and I don't know if I've explained it properly, but the main thing is that you want your song to have structure. The best electronic songs have a sort of ebb and flow. They build tension, and then release all of that tension in the chorus, then it tends to drop back down to the bare essentials so it can build back up to another release.

Your drums are the backbone of the song. You could spend hours working on a catchy melody, but if the drums are too repetitive or weak it can damage the whole track. That's not to say that the melody isn't important, but you really want to make sure you give your drum patterns proper treatment. Try making a basic pattern for the first bar, then change the pattern up in the second bar, go back to the basic pattern again for the third bar, and on the last bar change it up again, but different than the third bar. Since that is only 4-bars, you can then play those 4-bars again to make an 8-bar pattern.

Try giving the song some movement and flow by slowly adding instruments into the mix, or taking them out of the mix in some cases. This works well when building up to the chorus. It can help you build tension that needs to be resolved when you reach that point.

All in all, it's not bad. It's experimental, and that's just fine. If you need any help at all, feel free to PM me, as I'm sure I haven't explained all of this as well as I could have.

~CV

Audio-Monster responds:

Thanks much, I think I understand what you mean, and now that I think of it that probably would help a lot. I knew it was repetitive but I didn't know how to change it up so thanks a lot.

[F.T.W.]

I really dig your sounds. My only complaint is that you've got a bit of distortion and clipping going on in parts of the track. A lot of potential, though.

statichazard responds:

Thank you Ill work on it :)

[Come Back Home Wip-quadx]

I enjoy the sounds, but it needs a lot of work as far as mixing and mastering. Granted, since it is an indie track, I'm giving you a lot of credit because of the potential I think it has. Good luck with your album, my friend.

quadx responds:

many thanks for the review. This is the product of only 2 hours of messing around and a much better final version will be put up after more work is done

[That's Why: original song]

I started in hip hop, so I definitely appreciate your lines. It tells a story, and your backing vocals were reminiscent of Eminem. I like the fact that they were adding in to your story. One piece of advice, though, I'd widen the stereo on the backing vocals, or pan them accordingly, to set them apart from the main vocals. It'll help the listener to distinguish between the two. By doing that, you'll involve the listener more, and make your story more dynamic. Also, as a thought, you might try to combine your dubstep and hip hop. By trying new combinations like this, you can get great results. I've got a track or two that do that, and it's the foundation of my band, All Medical Procedures.
Keep it up, man.
~CV

Ctheconcept responds:

yeah man thanks, Thats something I've been bobbling back and forth.

[R∑VIVAL- Dubstep]

For your first go at dubstep, I think this is pretty decent. I've never used Garageband, but if it is clanky like ElectroLord said, then more props to you for working this out in it. He's right that you should add a melody. Try to focus it a bit more on the build up, if you can, and then go crazy during the drop. A few instruments can go a long way, say a pad and lead on top of the bass and the drums. That should take care of the buildup. Then you can pretty much break all the rules when you drop the bass. Trust your ears, for the most part.

Keep working on it, my man! I look forward to hearing more from you.
~CV

Ctheconcept responds:

Wow dude thanks means a lot! Yeah i'll deff work with what you told me.

[KOMBAT- Dubstep]

It seems off beat. Kind of off kilter. I like it in its experimental value, though. It's always good to play around with new styles, I do it all the time myself. If you can fix the timing issues it might stand up better.

Ctheconcept responds:

yeah thanks man, I have to disagree it is on beat, but I get what your saying, This is a differant style of dubstep. This track is more hard rock kinda vibe. Thanks for the review, and if you check out my first one, you can obviously see how much better ive gotten.