beatmasterJAG's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Cultivating Madness]

Fuk Yes

Bout time. Been working my way down the "industrial charts" and everything is either overly cheesey or simply lacking in any direction. This is a combination of what I have been looking for. I wanted ambient styles and I wanted up beat battle type music. And this has some good underlying background sounds, static fx, and other fx that work well. I like the heavy quick beat too. Nice grimey synths and nothing seems to get too old. For a second I thought it was going to be too video game-esque in a bad way, like something out of the early 90's or w/e, but thankfully it grew into some bad ass tune-age. The higher toned lead during what seems to be the chorus bothered me a little (probably just personal preference tho).

Otherwise I don't think I could emulate anything better than what you have done - a little out of my style of creation. Good work here!

5/5
10/10

Your friendly neighborhood SineWeaver!
~JAG

[Transmission..]

In its own realm.

Finally. I surfed a ton of songs on the "ambient music" page and most were not even ambient much less worth my time to listen to. Kinda surprise to see no reviews here so I thought I would leave one cause imma download this for a project I am working on.

Overall quality is good. Nice use of reverb and randomness throughout. Levels all seem in perspective and balanced out. Cool guitar effects. Actually kinda reminds me of some of the original Diablo video game music when their sounds get all trippy and pitch bending.

Thanks.

Your friendly neighborhood SineWeaver:
~JAG

[XS - Cut from Reality]

Aced!

This fits with what I was looking for well. Thx.

I read your comment about EQ and had a few instant ideas...

As I understand from the get go the focus of the song was the classical instruments mixing with the DnB styles you kind of set yourself up for the challenge, but I think you did a farely good job. :) The differences I would make would be simply personal taste; things more like an opinion rather than right or wrong (example: more high or low ends, or more present snare vs. less present violins, and vice/verse, etc. etc.)

Anyway, my simple solution for avoiding muddy mixes: I try to visualize in my head were certain voids in the frequency scale are and purposely select synths or instruments that fit into those voids. By attacking a song from early creation to the end in this manner I have found my best songs have been produced. Often this results in great success for easy mixing/mastering and a good full range audio spectrum which always makes our music sound so much more professional and lush to listen to.

Great track, 5/5, d/l.

Keep it wildstyle!
~JAG

[Solus- TD (Jump Drive Mix)]

I'm back...

Thought I'd drop into NG to download some new electronic goodies for a series of levels I am test running and needed some bg gaming music. Thus, I figured I would drop by your playlist to pay tribute and after listening to a bunch I finally felt compelled to review again. I almost backed out of this song...about halfway thru-lol.

Yep thought I might have noticed a similarity a third way thru, like the key scale was similar to something I have heard. And then I heard the classic TD melody and my brain went "Oh yeaaahhhh" Now I remember. Frankly, it sorta saved the song for me. Kinda cool hearing an artist's own remixes of songs that were popular on a an epic scale. For example: Junkie XL has like a hundred remixes of their song Today.

Anyway, sorry to say but nothing to special about this track other than my subtle opposition to the some what over repetitive phase pad. The master compression feels like it is squeezing the HELL out of everything too.

But like you said you were bored. Cool mashup! Believe it or not I enjoyed it.

Keep it wildstyle!
~JAG

-5/5
-8*s cuz I'm a realist. :p

SolusLunes responds:

Oh, I realize the song wasn't really even all that good. :D

But hey, I need to do more self-remixes.

[krachmaninoff-a rainy day]

Blast to the European Rock Past?!

You guys have a really "mature" sound. It sounds like the aged rock of the past, which I am sure some ppl just love. From the couple songs I have heard your band seems to know what they are doing. Everything is played well and rather catchy. Here comes the "but" - it's not for me. It would be nice to have some better recordings. If you do have some nice studio mixed stuff on NG feel free to send me in the right direction and I'll always listen.

JAG

[DJ Crystallize - Addiction]

Solid.

Hey there-second review-and I can see you have dance music skills. This one is a little more trancey than the hardstyle one I just heard. Really like the crazy lead at 1:40 didn't see that comin'. Not sure how professional this one really comes off as-BUT it is definately fun to listen to. Sorta like how you just splatter the snare drums at max on the fill. Transitions between the two distinct song parts are kinda awkward. Once again I think your tracks could be longer--all the elements are there. This one makes for a nice loop, tho.

d/l here!

~JAG

--Are there any recommendations on other tracks of yours that i should listen to?

[Dj Crystallize-Bad Stylez RMX]

Nice work!

This track has all the classic elements of hardstyle. Gritty basslines and crunchy breaks. Classic rev up alarm sound. Thank god you finally came with the lead. I was waiting for it. Enjoyed the small breakdown almost solo-like bass part after the lead which could have progressed back into the lead part eventually. This track could be longer and detailed a little more to take it to the next and complete level!!

Keep it wildstyle!
~JAG

Crystallize responds:

In my (Dj Crystallize's) version i have the lead earlier but this is a remix and i dont have contact with the man who did the remix on it. But thanks for the reviwe!

[-NB- [Waters Incandescence]]

All too loud-but all happy sounding

Easy way to start fixing distortion-TURN DOWN your synths. All the synths are blasting thru the mix and drowning out the drums. Use compressors to squelch certain elements as desired. But definately start with just getting a good balance of levels.

~JAG

NubbyCakums responds:

Thanks man,
I thought about turning it down.
[But I like loudness, as you can see in my other songs]

As for compressors, I have no clue to what those are.
[But I'll be sure to look into that]

[Perilous Morning]

A decentstart IMO

I like the delay on the lead but I think it drags on a little too much and could use a compressor to control the occasional loud spots. I think you are missing the drums. Although some songs are cool as pure instramentals so far the sequencing and lack of melodies could really use some percussion of any type.
Keep learning FL -good luck!

~JAG

djzimman responds:

Thx for commenting and i dont know how to use the compressor :/ i didnt even know there was one.