rtnario's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Battle For The Lost Memories]

Quality is top-notch, but...

While production quality has always been perfect with your releases (except the ones you intentionally lower) and concept is great, I'm gonna be honest here and say that all this song lacks is a lead melody. I'm not saying that the melodies you used are bad. I just feel that it doesn't have a strong enough driving force that songs like "The Fancy Duel" & "Siege Of The Spiritual" had. And lowering the volume of the instruments themselves don't help at all and make it more ambient.

I've heard all of your releases on NG Audio so far, and so in my opinion I can say that you've done far greater works. Don't get me wrong, this song is still a good song - but it's not as good as what you already had.

I hope you take note of my opinion in your future works,
~rtnario

(Also, please respond to reviews; when people say something about your work they want to know that the creator took note of it. AKA I've been feeling quite ignored here ._. XD)

UltimaTricksta responds:

Sorry I haven't replying to reviews. I'll try to do so more often in the future. I don't think I mentioned this but all the tracks I've uploaded so far are old ones. This one was made way before The Fancy Duel and Siege of the Spiritual Demons. I'm back in the music game now so I'm gonna start making more music and uploading fresh new ones. Thanks for your critique though. This was rushed in a way so no real thought on melody was considered.

[Stormrise]

Power metal on NG?

HELL YES. This one is awesome, and I wonder what it would've sounded like with vocals. The riffs are very much suited for the genre, and especially that lead riff. The quality isn't too bad either. FYI, I am in fact a power metal fan, so I know what power metal sounds like, and this would've been such a great song if it was given vocals and a bit more variation on the riffs during the second or third time around. Also, if you're ever going to take this direction again, get another guitarist. Dual guitar solos for the win; imagine the main riff with that.

...I typed that paragraph mcuh quicker than I do other reviews. Maybe because this is one of, if not my favorite genres =)

5/5, 10/10. Fav'd.

~rtnario

[Is This True Love? (Piano)]

I know age doesn't matter, but...

...how I wish I could create something like this. This piece alone is on top of my favorites already. It's unlike the other pieces I fav'd. No matter how epic or well-done they were, this is completely different. It's a different level of expression through music, and by that I mean I really felt it and I was even getting teary-eyed just listening to this.

This made me think of my entire life as a musician (well, 6 years so far), and all the wonderful memories of it. I could've chosen the same musical direction you're taking, and now I am reminded that there are also disadvantages to what I've chosen. I'm more of a metal lover, but no metal ballad, no epic dual-solo will ever compare to the simple yet complete sounds of pianos and other orchestral instruments.

...I'm sorry, I got emotional there. This piece is just so beautiful. I'd like you to know that you did an excellent job on this song, and it really helps others in more ways than one.

5/5, 10/10. Fav'd.

You, Intero and other similar people...you've got so much talent that I'm jealous. I can only hope for the best for you guys, and with that, I say good luck with your musical endeavors.

~rtnario

[Rendition of One's Rage]

Sounds very...yarr XD

Hmm, so you decided to use a different more HQ drumset this time with the Motoi Sakuraba style keyboard melodies. Here are some useful points that I think will help:

1) There were points in the song where the drums were too loud in volume.
2) Now that you're using HQ drums, the rock organs now sound kinda off since sound quality sounds inferior to the drums.

For the first point, yeah, just lower it a bit or something, but for the second, I honestly dunno what to suggest ^^; If you could find a way to make the rock organs sound much more noticeable through equalization or other ways, I guess it'd help. Or if you'd continue with your settings from "Splitting Edge Of Emotions", that would also be great. Of course this is all IMO =)

Now to the melody. tbh it sounds a tiiiiny bit repetitive if not for that awesome keyboard melody that makes it sound all Pirates Of The Carribean-like, combined with the epic quarter-note strings. It's kinda obvious I like "Splitting Edge Of Emotions" better, but w/e, this piece is a good piece and there shouldn't be any other way to look at it XD

Keep it up \o/
~rtnario

[8-Bit Bossbattle]

This sound...this style...

It reminds me of my own o_o Just saying XD

But as an advantage for you, I simply LOVE this loop. It's really a boss battle theme. It will fit perfectly as one on a Game Boy or NES. The melodies are amazing, especially the very consistent and incredible lead sounds and the 2nd voices. Also the addition of multiple other instruments at the 3/4-ish part!

5/5, 10/10.
Fav'd

Permission to remix in the future? You'll get mandatory credit of course, but still I always ask permission anyway =)

[Fuby : Prelude to the world]

Perfect Title.

The piano and the orchestra really brings to life the title. I can just imagine someone waking up, opening his window, and seeing the world from his high viewpoint. Instruments blend, chosen melodies fit right in place. Respect.

5/5, 10/10.

~rtnario

[Midnight wind]

Beautiful piano.

That's a really good piano melody you've got there. Almost everything blends in perfectly well with it.

For me, the melodies alone are enough. Fav'd.

[Gormet Race - Round 3 - 8bit]

Another 8-bit release; Another well done!

No wonder your username looked familiar...you were that guy with the Kraid theme! Hello again XD

Man, what I'd be saying here will sound like a copy-paste of my review on the Kraid theme. Except for one thing, and this is personal opinion; the other loop's more addictive ^^;

Anyhow, this is still a good 8-bit rendition of the original. My only complaint is that it's just 8-bit. That's true, but what is also true is that I can always expect quality 8-bit releases from you =)

Keep it up,
~rtnario

bbbzzz responds:

Honestly, I would love to do more than just 8-bit too, but untill ng pays me and I buy FL studio, I won't. That's because I can't make high quality songs (non-8-bit ones) using the programs I have. After I get FL though..... :D

PS: Hi again!

[Into Grasstown Demo]

More Cave Story remixes, yay!

As a person who remixed three Cave Story tracks (in MIDI) myself, Grasstown included, if you want a critical review, then here goes. =)

The Good:
I like your take on the original Cave Story track. Instead of following the exact same rhythm and melodies, you made your own and truly made it your remixed version. The new instruments supporting the main melody has also been given new lines themselves and it really makes it all sound so complete. And it has this techno feel thanks to all the instruments used. The constantly changing filtering of sorts on the main melody and the panning on the bass makes it sound very space-ey. And the variation of the last part wasn't too shabby either; in fact it sounded like a very interesting twist to the original! ^^

The Bad:
The rhythm of specific parts ruin the balance. I'm talking about the one that starts at the very end of 0:11. It was supposed to have one quarter rest before continuing, but that shouldn't have been a problem since it's a remix after all. The result of that cutting however led the main melody part to be off the 4/4 time signature that the bass is constantly providing. This results in a later part starting at 0:40 to have a really out-of-place bass note that just sounds for a quarter note and nothing more, whereas if the original melody rhythm was kept it'd probably be a half step.

I hope my review helps, it'd be nice to hear improvements of music that's already pretty cool.

~rtnario

(And if ever you want to check my remix out, it's called "Town Of Leaves". Scary red text doesn't allow me to post an outside website, so I guess you'll have to do some searching if you really want to hear my take on it ^^;)

Cisetam responds:

Hey thanks yeah i did have some problems with the melody being correctly placed but i got tired of it and really frustrated so i released the demo...i plan on taking all of the reviews into consideration and really remix this track into a great song. thanks again!

[The Fancy Duel]

YES

This one is uses less booming orchestras than my favorite from you (I don't have to mention what that is) but in return, those are AWESOME string melodies, and especially the piano work. Dammit man. That kind of piano work is EXACTLY what I wish I could DO. i haet u for that :< XD

What I mean by piano work is 1:00. Oh my GOD those are beautiful. And I know what you mean by FFX. I just heard it. The violin melody hit the exact melody...and notes...and rhythm of the trumpet (I think?) melody of the FFX battle theme. But hey, no one can blame you since one of the most important components of composing original work is in fact inspiration after all. I'd know; my most recent attempt had me with one melody that sounds so similar to an anime's ending song ^^; (and that most recent attempt is not available...here, at least...)

Keep it up!

~rtnario