SimPhony's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[LoZ - Song of Time Cover (Celtic Tin Whistle)]

For it being only on a phone the quality is really good! The inflections and added bits of character you played into the song worked really well too! Have you had practice with woodwinds/ tin whistles before or did you just pick it up? Either way it is impressive!

AshleyAlyse responds:

Thank you! :) I got the tin whistle for Christmas and have had no prior engagements with windwinds, whistles or flutes. The funny thing is I hadn't even shown any interest in owning any such thing, though they're some of my favorite instruments to listen to and compose with. It was just a random, little surprise, and I'm quite happy to have received it!

[The Mystic Forest 2015]

Beautiful piece of music and it totally fits with the artwork as well. I find art is almost a must if I'm making music otherwise I have a hard time coming up with anything at all.
As menu music it would have to be a really epic game to be worth this music.=)
Also, if you don't mind my asking, what vocals vst do you use? It sounds fantastic!

Very well done! Hope to hear more like this in the future!

AshleyAlyse responds:

Thank you kindly! :) I don't look at art much for inspiration, I probably should because it certainly is helpful and provides a direction for music to follow.
I used Soundiron's choirs and Shevannai. :3

[-+[Scarborough Fair]+-]

I'm pretty sure (as of the writing of this review) that the 1600 or so plays disagree with that "dumb voice" comment of yours.=)

Anywho, as for this review, I, myself, liked it a lot!
My only issue would be the instruments or rather the quality of said instruments. They were utilized well however and I can't (and won't) give a bad score just because of the sample quality.

Your voice was a little shaky at times too but, man does it shine throughout parts of the song!

I also give huge props to anyone who call hold a tune with their voice because I cannot for the life of me so I've learned to appreciate vocal more.=)

Keep up the great work! You'll only get better!!

LadyArsenic responds:

=/ Man, you really think the sample quality is bad? I mean, like, it's East West Symphony Gold. That's one of the best ones out there. Professionals who have written scores for Hollywood use it.

Anyway, I'm glad you enjoy the singing. It gets shaky sometimes because I'm too loud for my microphone and thus need to constantly hold back. Thanks for the review. <3

[+-[Faerie Lullaby]+-]

Well, I'm glad I went searching newgrounds today!
A beautiful melody and you have a fantastic voice! Very gentle and haunting which fit the rest of the piece beautifully and I was VERY impressed when you hit those high notes. In addition, the strings and the harp complimented the vocals without overtaking them which I loved.

The only reason I didn't give this a perfect five (and PLEASE don't take this the wrong way) is the vocal section, while great, was a little shaky at times. Not by much but some notes did stray a little.
Again this is NOT to say you have a bad voice and hardly "a dumb voice" quite the contrary actually. It is a gift, don't let it go to waste and keep exercising it!
Overall I loved it, thank you for sharing this and I will be waiting to hear more music with vocals from you!

LadyArsenic responds:

=) Thank you very much, I'm glad you were able to enjoy my piece!
Unfortunately you're right about the shakiness, there's not a lot I can do about it. I have a voice that can shatter wine glasses (no seriously it does) and rattle walls, and especially break microphones. When I record I have to hold so much back so I don't damage the microphone, which makes my voice sound pretty weak at times. But dude. If I were singing this live.... >:D

Thanks again for listening! <3

[Innocence Piano Version]

A beautiful piece! I love the flow of the melody. Fantastic stuff!
What a treat it must have been for anyone present in that lobby!
Keep up the great work!

bonbon3272 responds:

I did have a few people say something. It was fun though. Thanks

[Heart Of Courage Dance Remix]

Heart of Courage is my favorite Two Steps From Hell track and this actually made me smile.
The sound is very clean and the just so darn catchy. I really liked how you mixed it up little throughout the track, giving it variety rather than just repeating everything over and over.

I somewhat agree with the other reviewer however about the voice. Seems slightly out of place but nowhere near enough to where it ruins the song for me. The only other thing that seemed off to me was the strings starting from 1:30 to about 2:00 seemed rather... dull? for lack of a better word. Again this is only minor nitpicking and in no way makes this a bad piece.

All in all I loved it and will be listening to this often!

[A Curious Encounter Preview]

This is fantastic news and it's clear you've put it to very good use!
I saw Symphobia in the description and I was jealous. THEN I heard what you created and it made me even more envious. How you managed to get all that staccato working together so seamlessly is amazing.
some much happening at once and yet it flows so well.
I agree about the strings but (if I may make a suggestion) I wouldn't make them too much quieter. I think their prominence in relation to the other instruments is fitting. This piece has that classical feel to it while still having a modern orchestra sound that I find just simply awesome. I saw the description and the masquerade bit fits the song perfectly. Given the playful nature of the song it makes me think of a humorous chase scene going on in the midst of this masquerade.
I'm very happy for you and simply cannot wait to hear more!

AshleyAlyse responds:

Thank you so much! Reviews like these make me so happy. :) You're right, I think the violins carry the melody and lowering the volume too much would make the song sound odd. That's exactly what I was imagining whilst writing this song. A fun, playful kind of chase in the middle of a grand masquerade. Thank you for your kind words, I appreciate the review. :)

[Land of the Mystic]

This piece has that simplistic (yet somewhat complex) beauty that I cannot for the life of me grasp in my own work and for that you have my respect as a composer. The blend of strings, harp and choir is awesome!
Haven't seen too many uploads recently. Hope you haven't given up on it!

AshleyAlyse responds:

Aw, thank you so much for your kind words! :) Yeah, I'm getting another computer this coming Monday, so I will be composing some new music very soon!! :D I haven't heard many uploads from you recently either. Shame on you. :p

[Adagio for Love]

This has what I like to call "the golden age of cinema music" feel to it. Meaning music made around the 90s. Some of my absolute favorite music was made during that time period and this is easily on par with any of that music.
Down right amazing music sir! This deserves no less than a five star rating.
*sigh*
Great. Now I'm feeling all nostalgic.

JosephAS1 responds:

Thanks a lot man, glad you like it! (:

[KKS - Living World]

I absolutely loved this piece, especially starting at 1:28 and on. The multiple piano parts, backed up by the sweeping strings section.....
*sigh*
What a wonderful thing to come home to after a stressful day at work!
You're music, good sir, just made my day!

Hardly am I ever enthralled by a track that is more than three minutes long but I was hooked for all six and a half minutes! Brilliant!

KKSlider60 responds:

Thank you very much for such kind words :D
May you enjoy my other works as well!
KKS