50Steaks's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Sandstorm]

WOW.

Well then, I see you decided to create your magnum opus. Your biggest project yet by a long shot. I would argue the best thing you've released.
It is consistently good. The high points are the highlights of course, but with an intro like that you really can't go wrong. The first minute hit me like a truck and I am absolutely blown away by the quality.
I just am not the biggest fan of the cello soundfont. They're mixed incredibly well and fit nicely with what you have going but all I can think is "imagine this but with musescore cello soundfonts." Not like such a thing would even be possible... or would it?
The soundfont issues are much less prevalent at 2:29 though since it is a cello soli. And the transition afterwards, while rushed, actually fits nicely as a break in the music so it works.
Still reeling after that first minute. I guess you're just suddenly xtrullor??
We should collab or something. Your FL skills and my soundfonts lmao.
You said you'd step up your game and you certainly delivered, jesus christ.
The middle section with the drums and the orchestral hits sounds a little like the limiter messed with the balance a bit and it ends up muffling the power of the brass at 1:54, same issue as last song or whatever. The transition into the cello soli is phenomenal. The violin arpeggio at the end was unexpected but it really tied everything together.
I can't even describe this with words rn. If this doesn't get frontpaged I am shooting someone. This is going straight into filet mignons of newgrounds.

Tangerine responds:

Thanks 50cakes!

Not gonna lie, still believe my best work is obviously the Moon has Fingers (my masterpiece), but I still appreciate the kind words. As for the cellos, yeah... I still need a bit more practice using the plugin to make them sound less synthetic, but I do think this was a giant learning opportunity for me. Was a lot of fun using a bizarre scale for once :).

A collab would be interesting. Not sure how we'd pull it off, but definitely something fun we could look into.

I like to believe your threat to shoot someone is the sole reason this got frontpaged xd.

[Tinkerer's Workshop 2]

This one was a real rollercoaster (in a good way). As a sequel to the original (one of my favorite works of yours) it does an amazing job at expanding and telling a more coherent story using the motifs. And to me that’s the best part: the melodies and harmonic techniques used here are a step up from the original, probably up to the level of massacre at the carnival. But there are a few stipulations I have regarding some more nitpicky aspects of the piece. A really noticeable issue with what I assume to be the limiter in the last part seems to act sporadically in trying to reduce the gain of the instruments, producing a slightly disorienting effect in my opinion. But this is a super easy fix: just turn down the volume of the last part down to the volume of the first “emotional height” (or at least, that’s what I do; it lets me avoid all the issues with the limiter, of which I have never really been able to get to work for me).
But that’s kind of my only complaint. I love the way the ending is structured, and perhaps its sudden entrance was intentional. 1:28 the tempo changes could be made a little more subtle, as it might’ve taken the roller coaster thing too literally lol, but keep it if it fits what you wanted. Is it weird that this piece reminds me of hearts of iron 4? With the Victorian era thing you mentioned and the fact that the game’s soundtrack is orchestrated similarly. Anyways great job on this one as always.

[Arcturus]

I can’t get GD out of my head lmao.

If you’re going to make a 6 minute song, you kinda have to change things up significantly as the piece progresses. I don’t really see that at all here; I was expecting a massive drop with lots of percussion and cool sounds but it just never happened. The main synth you use is cool but can’t carry an entire song like this, unfortunately. Cool musical ideas though!

Lirrezzz responds:

I'll have to disagree, but thank you for the comment and giving your thoughts :)

[Verge of the Void]

NG’s most underrated artist??

I do think this would’ve been better with just ambient voices/choir over some juicy cinematic textures for six minutes (like the intro). I definitely feel like the singing, while fairly decent considering your size (actually REALLY GOOD considering your size), took away from the potential I see in this song that’s just emanating from the poster you have in the description.

PixxlMan responds:

Thank you for your review! I really appreciate your points here. I've got more cinematic stuff coming up, and recently got my hands on a really nice "ambient"ish vocal vst which seems like a nice fit

[F-Zero - Big Blue Remix]

Unfortunately I think this sticks a little too close to the original for me to be able to scout you.

[walmart photography]

Has a sense of sheer unease throughout the entire thing, giving off a cool vibe. It’s just too simple and has no dynamic contrast to speak of. But it certainly indicates that you can take things so much further. I also think it’s a little long and repetitive for what it is.

galoshe responds:

I made it in beepbox so idk if you can change the dynamics. Also, I should've just kept it to 1 loop since I only wrote 24 bar but had it loop twice while exporting.

[Arcadeus]

It’s simple, but it’s got potential. Work on making your next songs longer and more fleshed out with proper progression and melodic structuring. Also, I’d say try not to end your pieces so abruptly.

RoShamboMusic responds:

What program do I use? I use Beep box. I don't know what other music programs to use, but I want something simple.