paradiddlesjosh's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Ssj3 - Jenova Rock Ver.]

I like it!

In terms of sound balance and flow, this time you're completely on the mark, Shawn. Great job!

~Joshy676

Shiverwar responds:

I'm glad to see that in your book I've finally gotten this song right. :D

I know I've redone this song to hell and back, but I couldn't help but take another try at it. I'm glad you like it, Josh! I hope to keep impressing you!

-Shawn-

P.S. When's the next installment of Project 52 or your Endless Confrontation take coming out?

[:. D O P P E L G A N G E R .:]

The Soundfonts Used:

Piano Grand Kawai (Piano Grand 1)
Organ Percussive (Percussive Organ)
Mellotron Bright (Bright Mellotron)
Bass MultipleRock (PBass #1 and Mutes)
Bass Assorted Guitar (Yamaha Finger) [NEW SOUNDFONT]
Squidfont Orchestral (Violins I and II, Violas, Celli and C-Basses, Legato and Detache)
Yamaha Custom Drum Kit (Sticks, On, Maple)
SGM v2.01 (POWER Drum Kit)

[SSJ3 - The Point of No Return]

Brilliant!

The organ section that comes in during the second round of the main groove? That's what I was talking about when it comes to having a melody. The only thing I could see to improve on this piece further is to introduce that section earlier on (like, say, the first time through) and then variate it each time it comes back.

Otherwise, this was five minutes of awesome, Shawn. Keep up the good work! :D

~Joshy676

Shiverwar responds:

I'm still very tired, so forgive me if some of my response comes out as gibberish. xD Thank you for your review, man!

Really, the main progression just came to me all of a sudden recently, and I branched everything in this song off of that. And the organs? I love those organs. :D

Again, thank you for your review. :3

[SSJ3 - Still Going Strong RDX]

Great, but it's missing something...

This piece is begging for a melody. It needs a solid melodic line that ties the whole thing together. The harmony sections create wonderful flow and the different patterns you've got here create a backdrop for a melody, but there isn't one.

The piece would seem much less repetitive with something taking the lead here, y'know? :D

~Joshy676

Shiverwar responds:

I was merely going by the original. What kind of melody would you suggest? :3

By the way, I DID manage to make the kick drum a lot stronger than before, so now you've got nothing to complain about from that. >:D

Anyways, thank you for your review, and I await feedback on what kind of melody you mean.

[SSJ3 - Struggle to Live]

Well done!

I like your original stuff a lot, Shawn. You always come up with awesome progressions and such. This piece even has a melody and a working rhythm section. Great job once again, man. :D

~Joshy676

Shiverwar responds:

I wasn't even trying on this one! xD If you want, I can try to make a full song from this, but I don't know what I'd be able to do.

Thank you for your review. I didn't know I came up with great progressions under such a creative block. xD

[SSJ3 - Starfall]

Well done!

I like how this piece keeps moving, keeps grooving, as it goes. Some may complain about the polyrhythm between the guitar line and the drums, but I think it's cool. Reminds me of early Rage Against the Machine, actually.

Anyway, good work done here, Shawn. Keep it up! :D

~Joshy676

Shiverwar responds:

I really did NOT expect this kind of review, even from you! I was sure this piece would almost fail on the Audio Portal!

Anyways, sorry for my lame response. I'm under a deep contemplation state.

But nevertheless, thank you for your supportive words. I will keep working at things.

[SSJ3 - Incarnation of Devil]

Needs more kick drum!

During some parts of the piece, particularly during the groove from 1:33-1:53, it's very difficult to pick up on the rhythm. Don't get me wrong -- the groove is awesome -- but without a solid kick drum, trying to follow along to this piece is like running into a brick wall at every turn.

Otherwise, it's well done. I need to check this composer out.

~Joshy676

Shiverwar responds:

I can always count on solid reviews from my favorite drummer. XD

I didn't think the drums were a problem, but rather what else was contained in the song. I was hoping to follow more closely to the SO3 version with the organ solo, but eh, I can hardly follow the SO4 version by ear.

Thank you for another fantastic review. I'd love to see you make a mix of this one.

[SSJ3 - Ievan Polkka RocknRoll]

You picked jazz guitars because...?

...Is it perhaps you finally realized, like I did, that distorted guitar soundfonts suck? If so, good job! If not, here's a tip: FL Studio 9 still has the Buzz Effect Adapter (that's been in the Effects section since at least FL Studio 7, if not earlier). Screw around with it for some neat distortion effects, but do use it sparingly; distortion has a bad habit of spiking a channel over the peak line.

I like that this arrangement is more varied than the others, but it's becoming clear that pattern swaps are not enough variety. If you do this polkka again, add an original section in there somewhere. Even the same thing, but in a different key would be preferable!

~joshy676

Shiverwar responds:

I chose the clean guitar part of the SGM soundfont because it fit best with what I was trying to get at. The distorted one would have just done... massive damage to its, forgive this very obvious and blatant reference, Life Points and sent it to, as 4Kids says, the Shadow Realm.

...Yes, I've been watching Yu-Gi-Oh Abridged lately. So what? xD

Anyways, I guess I could try your suggestion. I just did it because I was bored and followed it with my ears and such. Even so, I appreciate your review.

[SSJ3 - Ievan Polkka Woodwinds]

Sidenote: "cor Anglais" is an English horn. :D

Simply speaking, the English horn is to the oboe what the tenor saxophone is to the alto saxophone. You (possibly) unknowingly picked the best possible instrument for the lower harmony voice in this ensemble by going with the English horn.

Once again, though, it's very repetitive!

~joshy676

Shiverwar responds:

Actually, I willingly selected it. Out of the ones I had, I used that because it had the best low voice. And yes, indeed I knew that the cor anglais is an english horn. :D

[SSJ - Ievan Polkka Remix]

Ah, simplicity...

My only gripe about this tune and its two newer iterations is that it's very repetitive. I'm aware that the source tune only has so much content, but sometimes you just have to make something up and squeeze it between that third time through and the fourth time through, y'know?

On the other hand, this arrangement is well-balanced and the variety of instruments is pleasing. Good work, Shawn. :)

~joshy676