SimCorder's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Infatuated (loop)]

I actually had to look up R&B to answer your question about the songs proper Genre, and my interpretation of it comes off as "Jazzy Blues". The Trumpet in here definitely puts this song into the R&B category from how I see it.

As for the song itself, I dig it, it slips to the back of my mind where it lives rent free. For some reason the song doesn't loop properly. I dunno if its me or whatnot. Not the end of the world though.

If this were used for anything, I totally could see this song used as a BGM track for an RPG or Visual Novel. Where the Protagonist and a group or crew of characters are casually hanging out in an "out of sight" location like an alley or abandoned building, discussing their plans and ambitions or getting to know one another as they determine their next move.

xenith800 responds:

The looping bothered me too. It's especially annoying here on NG due to how the player works, for some reason. I posted a "song" version too since it bothered me too much.

[Essence]

Pretty good, I found my thoughts drifting off as I was listening.

The eerie yet distorted melody provoked a sense of... "cautious" wonder or curiosity for lack of better words.

If this were used in a game, I could totally see this where an Adventurer is exploring an Ancient but technologically advanced ruins/dungeon. A place that doesn't make sense, but also clearly far ahead of its time that you have to ponder what created it all and why whomever made it is no longer around.

For something more Sci-Fi, this could easily be a chill song to vibe too as your drifting through a barren portion of space.

Or perhaps your a computer guy, plotting in data points, commands, writing in logs and calculations, a montage of searching databases and plugging in numbers and strings trying to find an answer to a mystery or very complex problem. (looking at you Hacknet)

Nicki1202 responds:

Interesting interpretation!

[Fading (Piano Improv)]

You improvised this..? wow man, I was half way through this thinking "wow this is really well written" then I read the comments and find out it was improvised, and my mind exploded a bit.

Nice job

BlazingDragon responds:

To me, the trick to a good improv is knowing what will keep it from sounding like an improv. Haha. Here are some examples of what I mean:

-In my first minute or so of improvisation, I try to pick out a chunk of melodic material that I can repeat later.
-I think structurally. So after that first minute or so of improvisation, I intentionally try to do something that contrasts what proceeded to create more tension and interest.
-At some point, I quote earlier material. This makes so that the improvisation doesn't sound like a bunch of random, stitched-together ideas that jump all over the place. It makes it sound like a real composed piece with form and parts you might even be able to hum afterward.

Rather than think of this process as improv, it might be better to think of it as speed composing. The goal is to take the elements that make a memorable composition and consciously apply them to spontaneously created music. It also involves a good deal of thinking ahead while you are playing.

I also fall back on things I already know. For example, there are certain keys I'm very comfortable playing in, and there are certain chord progressions and left-hand accompaniment patterns I tend to fall back on. I've spent enough time consciously building a tool-set to draw from that I am able to focus on melody and not have to constantly start and stop. I'm getting better at doing this everyday. May next goal is to cut pauses and tempo fluctuations that come from my uncertainty about where to go next. I would like my improvisations to sound incredibly intentional.

So, that was probably a lot more info than you wanted, but hey, I enjoyed writing it! XD

Thank you so much for your review. :)

[VAC9 - Double T Retail]

Acting[50/50]
I think no one can comprehend how many tongue twisters you used.. That is so dang impressive you either have a really good tongue to avoid slipping up, or you practised the shit out of that, now that's commitment.

Range[20/25] - despite your amazing acting, you did have a few similarities in your voice, mainly the telemarketer and the guy at the sheet sweater warehouse

Fit[24/25]
Everyone's fit was perfect.. although the customers did sound a bit retarded.. probably intended for comedic effect

Mixing [19/20]
your mixing is perfect, crystal clear voices and great sound effects that aren't to loud or quiet

Originality[14/15]
I don't even know what to write...

Writing[12/15]
Although your story is simple, I see what you did here.. all your lines were simply set-ups for tongue twisters

Final Score: 139/150

[Orchid]

No reviews at all? well, guess I'll fill the gap

The melody is repetitive, but the sheer powerful mood and extra instrumentals easily pick up the slack, reading your comments I can see where you got the inspiration for a tune such as this, a shine of enlightening optimism after a sea of dark and morbid songs.

Nice job

[An Evil Winter Story]

SimCorders "late" Judging

Arrgh... sorry about the late judgement guys, somehow I missed this entry when I went through the list.

Acting: 31/35
Fit: 21/25
Originality: 13/15
Range: 7/15
Mixing: 8/10

Total: 80

I'm impressed with how well acted your voices were. However the snowman's and the villains voice seemed a bit monotonous even though I could make out quite a bit of emotion. Another issue was the similarity in the voices of the hero and the narrator, but you put a lot of effort into this and it shows in the voices.

I'd probably call this story one of the most original, even though there were 2-3 other entries that had similar concepts (evil snowmen and evil plots) however, there isn't much you can do about that so I won't deduct much off originality.

as for sounds, they were pretty well done and quite clear, I particularly liked the gun sound effects, but it would of been amusing if there was a blow dryer in the
background when the snowman was getting melted.

All in all, this was an amusing entry, You got good voice acting potential, keep at it.

[The Christmas Visitor]

OH THE HUMANITY!!!!!

Oh my god, the way you describe what happens.. I can almost see it.. oh god its frightening.

At first I thought the Australian Santa was just bad acting, but when they pointed out that Santa might sound like that, since no one actually knows what Santa sounds like, it all made sense. Nice job.

[Dear Santa]

A bit quiet.

Some good acting and voice diversity here. The only thing I want to point out is that this is very quiet. Its better to go loud rather then quiet since its usually easier to reduce volume then increase it on the listeners end.

As for the story, I like how it takes place in present day (with the war in Afgan still going on) and I never thought Santa could be so picky about religions.

[Va Contest 6 Shockdingo W]

DANGIT! YOU GUYS DON"T MAKE IT EASY

Dangit why are there so many good entries in this contest, just makes my job so much harder...

This was hilarious, its so over the top. Its awesome.

Shock-Dingo responds:

Hehe, thanks man. I appreciate the kind words. Yea, I tried to push its insanity level as much as I could without it killing the story. I was a bit worried about it coming off coherent; I had to make some big revisions a few times and I felt this was the best version.

Thanks for the review! Take care!
-Shockdingo

[Robert Frost talks of winter]

Man...

I have never thought winter could be so depressing...

Still, just wanna get this out there, for a submission that has to do with voice acting, strange how theres only 1 voice for 97% of the movie. A suggestion I could think of would have been when one of Mr Winter's family members died, there could of been a very brief skit for each one.

Still, decent story telling.