SonicYM2612's Reviews

[Ice Cap Zone (S3PC remake)]

Finally, here at last. I was eager to listen to this one as it's my favorite track from the Sonic & Knuckles Collection. I'll go in order. The saw at the start is sure to give someone a 'my eaaaars!' moment. It earapes so it should be a bit softer. Also it's delay is a bit off tempo. I would've preferred for the main lead to have been....a saw (yes kill me now lol) and pitched down an octave. Also you should've gone with the nice snare from the start, not introduce it in Act 2. I don't know why, but I hate the little weak snare that just sounds like pure snare and no drum lol. So further into the song, I hear the bass starting to overtake the mix again. I think it's safe to say you've fallen victim of.....the loudness war! I'm gonna help you. Trust me when I say, it's ok to turn down the master gain so it doesn't drive the limiter/compressor you're using to its limits. This mix actually reaches clipping in some parts, mostly in Act 2, so you should turn the gain down. It's ok to lower the bass as well, to allow other instruments to get through the mix. I know this mix and others you've made have real potential, but like a diamond it they need to be polished. Mastering is the musical polish. ;)
Oh, and I heard what you did in Act 2, don't think no one would notice, because I did. You know what I'm referring to! :P Great job, I expect greatness from you! lol

DigitalDuck responds:

Thanks! I can understand about the saw - I don't find it particularly ear-raping, but I could fix that. Finding a decent lead was very difficult; the saw didn't cut it there in any octave for me, so I stuck with a square-ish lead instead.

The bass is definitely a lot louder in this one; the problem is that pretty much everything else is high-pitched, and balancing the two is difficult for me. It's not a case of the loudness war at all - the gain was turned right down for this one, and it shouldn't have gotten anywhere near clipping. I think it's just a case of not getting the bass balance right.

I'm rubbish at mastering. :D And I have no idea what you might be referring to. ;)

[Ice Cap Zone (S3K remake)]

This is awesome. Just one word, REVERB! Needs moar! And maybe a 'tinge' less bass. Other than that everything's excellent. Awesome Act 2 arangement. Great job, will fork over 5...stars that is lol. I'd feel bad giving you just 4.5 because of just one little thing or two. (actual rating 4.7) :P

DigitalDuck responds:

Thanks! I definitely need to be more liberal with reverb and delay, I tend to use them rather sparingly.

[Chrome Gadget Zone (remake)]

Man, this is so close to 5 stars, but there are a few issues that I want to address, and they're easy fixes. 1-bass is too loud. I don't mean almost, I mean above too loud, enough to throw the mix off completely in some parts. Personally I would have used a slap-ish bass like the original. 2-percussion too soft, especially the kick and snare. The kick needs more kick, or punch. It may just be the bass covering everything, so I'd lower the bass first. 3-more reverb on the main instruments. Again, may already have enough but bass can be covering it up. That's all. I'd like to praise the awesome usage of brass, pads, and the saw that finally fits perfectly for once. Amazing Act 2 remix, the best you've done so far! Also the song deserves a better ending, maybe a short chord stab will do the trick, I'd like to hear that brass and saw reverb into the distance. Bam, perfect ending! :D You do that stuff, and I will call this song a masterpiece lol.

DigitalDuck responds:

Thanks! The bass seems fine to me... maybe I need new headphones.