DJ-DG's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Live to Love]

Very unique piece! I myself have just found out about all the gold that is in the LABS stuff, and I'm happy to see how awesome they can sound. Despite your aforementioned lack of theory, it seems to be a pretty solid piece for what limitations you seem to have. Some parts feel like a slight mishmash of things, and somehow I'm getting a bit out of place there (like the marble dropping sound that somehow sticks out for me) but everything else is pretty much in place.
I also appreciate your very detailed description of your techniques used, helps other producers who want to learn something new!
-DJ-DG

zybor responds:

Thank you for your review! :)

[Rising Hero]

Wow, that was actually a super inspiring track... while it lasted, at least...
The ending sticks out like a sore thumb... like it's asking for a finale, but that moment never comes. A bit of fermata on the last notes of the piece possibly might have made the existing ending not so jarring, I feel
Critique aside, I really love the feel you've portrayed in the rest of the piece... triumphant, soaring and just positive overall! Very essential vibes, especially in times like these (those horns really do get their point across)
-DJ-DG

Bosa responds:

yeah, i always crash and burn at the end!

[Smooth Moves]

Nice ambient track you got here! Gives those old school lounge vibes, especially with those pads and the drum sounds that are used in the piece. Love the effects you've put on some of the synths too, with the reverb and all...
One thing I personally feel could be improved is the sort of metal sheet banging that pops up sometimes... feels a bit jarring to the mood of the song, perhaps it could be altered to fit the chill vibes you've got there?
-DJ-DG

Troike responds:

Totally! It's actually just snares/claps with reverb and delay but I get it kinda sounds a bit weird lol :) thanks for the comment!

[Tide]

This was a very refreshing listen! I love the ambience you created, feels like a mix of an underwater theme and a winter wonderland!
One tip I could give to make it sound even more aquatic would be to add a slight high-cut EQ on the overall song...
-DJ-DG

Benji-G responds:

Thanks a lot man! I was actually considering adding a high-cut on the master, but in the end I was happy with the result without the high-cut. I never listened to the song with a high-cut on the master, and maybe it would've been better with it. But yeah, thanks again! :]

[Parabellum Encantado]

This is a nice ambient background score type of piece, fits the nice little parable you have accompanying the song. I feel that some of the side "sound effects" you have on the sides like the choir stings and the bells could use a bit more reverb and spread to really get that mysterious feel, you know? The length would be a problem if this was a stand-alone song, but since it's meant for a background piece I think it would be okay...
-DJ-DG

theartinme responds:

I appreciate you taking the time listen and write about your perspective. That being said, it wasn't intended to be a background piece and length is really a matter of preference. There are plenty of bands that make extremely long songs with very long instrumental parts -- see Tool or Metallica.

[Drum and Strum]

This is a rather strange piece (and I don't mean that in a bad way)! The wacky guitar forms the basis of the song, and everything somehow does glue together with it in a nice coherent way; executed well in my opinion. The bass is also nicely done I feel..
One suggestion would be to perhaps add some variations to the song (maybe a new instrument or two) towards the later half? Interesting work overall.
-DJ-DG

TenodiBoris responds:

Thank you for listening and review

[Alter Ego (Part 1)]

This is so EPIC! I love the choir! You deserve so many more fans man!
I don't stand a chance here with guys with you around! :p
-DJ-DG

P.S. What plugins do you use?

Omson responds:

Thank you! Mostly I'm using EW Hollywood Silver Packs, Kontakt Drums and EW Symphonic Choir

[Party Club!]

This is nice! Only one thing is it changes rather suddenly at times, but great effort!

CrystaluxX responds:

Thank you! ;)

[AIM - In That Moment]

A masterpiece! This piano is so soulful and carries so much emotion with it... really makes you feel inside... despite being a slow piece, it never feels like it trudges on; the listener will certainly share their thoughts with this piece! Truly lovely indeed!
By the way, what plug-in do you use for piano?

-DJ-DG

AceMantra responds:

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I really wanted to capture that moment of sadness that everyone can relate to in some way. The piano I used is called "The Giant" for Kontakt.

[The Earthling Paean]

Dang... this is just an epic creation! I love the choir, it's just so airy and filling and it gives the piece that full feel! And then the lead vocal kicks in, it's just awe-inducing! Combined with the strings and the percussion, I can really feel something inside! Honestly this feels like something pulled straight from Xenoblade Chronicles, it has that same feel and quality. And the piano is perfect, it's there, but just barely... I like it! But the centerpiece just has to be the choir... flawless in my opinion.
Truly epic!

-DJ-DG

SoundChris responds:

Thanks a lot man - glad you enjoyed it! I am a huge fan of choral music and orchestral stuff in any form and I always try to test my sample libraries in as many different settings as possible. E.g.

Russian Red Army Style: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALY6dMIG11E

Medieval: https://soundcloud.com/soundchris-1/sacerdotes-sanctuarii-mystica-demo

Avant-garde: https://soundcloud.com/soundchris-1/rathunas-realm-of-the-wraith

There are so many other things i stil want to test out asap - maybe already in the NGADM :)

The last Xeno game i have been playing was Xenogears for Playstation 1 back in the 90ies. Awesome game - i really loved it (even i found the start was a little bit long-winded. Chronicles always had been on my list but somehow i never found the time. Maybe i should catch up on it someday.

Thanks for leaving your thoughts here man and all the best for the contest!