HoboKa's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Lotus Land Story]

Pretty good! Feels like a classic PS1 rpg tune. Maybe an action adventure theme too.

[Electric Jazz Theater | 2021]

Would highly recommend this album for listening to whilst working on art or a novel or whatever. Thanks for sharing! It's like if you blended Led Zepplin, David Bowie, Rhapsody Nobuo FF guy, David Wise etc. All that's missing is some hammy 80's vocals...JK that would probably ruin it lmao.

[Roadway Renegade | 2021]

Like Battletoad's and KRool's 2nd half (first game). Decent E-guitar sample, imo, it has a decent timber and doesn't need much humanization to sound good. I wish I had more samples like that. FL Studio is ASS for automating and Mod wheels and shit...But I'm too stubborn to ditch it.

Anyways, I really dig those rock organs, e-guitar, heavy hitting drum kit and the energy and composition is snappy and makes you wanna fist bump and head bang. Good work Bertn MahBoi :D

Bertn1991 responds:

I'm a bit late, but thank you so much. The guitar sound is from the good ol' FF7 soundfont, with a touch of chorus and reverb added. MIDI control stuff can be a bit of a slog in Ableton as well, but I haven't used FL enough to know how they compare. Anyways, thanks again for the commentary, good sir <3

[Our Queen (V.2) | 2021]

I'm simping for this Queen. The song I mean. It was funnier in my head, OK? This reminds me so much of FF4 and FF9. Lovely tune. Classical goodness. Especially how it layers on more parts; simple yet elegant! Hey we got the same choir sample libraries methinks. Nice!

Bertn1991 responds:

FF4 had a killer soundtrack and FF9 is my favorite game in the whole franchise, so big thanks~

For the choir I'm using Omnisphere, which I may have downloaded through less than legitimate means. That stuff's too rich for my blood >.<

[Abraxas | 2021]

I like the cymbol beat. The lead synth has an interesting whimsical feel to it, or maybe it's the piano that does it. 0:43, and other parts where the string synth** just cuts out, I feel it could have had a longer release - maybe as an automation on the volume so it fades out - but otherwise really solid track. I understand why you wanted it to have very little release, so it compliments the other plucky synths and it works really well in that context. Nice work!

(EDIT)
I meant the string synth at 0:43, 1:43 where it serves as a Legata, rather than a detache (maybe I'm getting these terms wrong...) I mean like the long notes of the String Synth. Piano is A-OK in my books. It's really small gripe, but sometimes my OCD picks up on this shit.

Bertn1991 responds:

I suppose the piano could've used a tad more sustain now that you mention it. Ah, no big deal. Anyways, the feedback is much appreciated. Thank you~

[Paranoia]

Reminds me of Chrono Trigger and Cross for some reason. Bit of Persona 3 as well actually.

[Anxiety]

Reminds me of one of the slower Doom 2 level themes. Maybe some Hexen vibe. Love the trap beat and swing to it, kinda trippy. Good work!

[Disorder]

This is some psychedelic ambient chill. Love it man!!

[Storms]

Nice melancholy wave. Love the analog pad played as a lead, good touch.

[OliRO - Dragon Warrior]

Man, why has Newgrounds neglected you like this? Its times like this that I question why I'm a paying supporter...but I mean, we need alternative User Generated content sites for a multitude of reasons...ANYWAYS, nerdy bitching aside, I think this is a fairly solid track. The mix could use some work, but I'm not a pro at mixing either. Not a fan of the clicky bass drum at 2:40 area...call me picky =p Otherwise solid tune mah boi. The pipe/glass flute is cool. The bell-key tines are dope. The beat is groovy. 2:20 breakdown bit without the bass to mix things up is a good idea. So ya, nice work imo.

OliRO responds:

Wow man thank you so much for the dope review! This was my second real finished track so there is definitely some polishing to do on it. I'm glad it got such a good review tho, not gonna lie this makes me happy :D