Cyberdevil's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Welcome Back To Podunkton]

Man this was solid!!! Good rhymes, good flow, great switch up on the lady line, good disses, though as for the recording itself the volume wavers a bit when the bass comes in, wonder if you might've recorded vocals with the instrumental playing in the background; the bass takes over when it kicks in? If so you probably could up the quality significantly if you just listen to the beat via headphones and layer it in after recording. If that's not how you did this maybe it's a mix thing. Curious what kind of equipment you're using here?

Dope work. A little improvement on the production side and this is professional level stuff for real. :)

-cd-

stevetherapper responds:

Appreciate it cd, this was fun as hell to make.

As for the volume levels and recording equipment, I literally used my headphones to record the vocals lmao. When recording I js had the volume really low, high enough to hear the beat progression, but low enough so that the beat isn’t heard in the recorded product. If anything, I probably made the bass too loud. Thanks for the review though, and welcome back!

[Ghost chords]

Was considering trying to actually rap something over this one but... nah, maybe not this one. XD

It is crazy!!! Very cool though. Crazy energy and a calm bit for the middle... unique and magnifique man.

-cd-

Father-of-Death responds:

yea i know ima try to make some better stuff to rap too for ya!

[It's the fire]

And you can sing!!! This reminds me of A-ha a bit, both your voice and the words... mighty voice. It's the fire inside your heart huh? :P

Also pretty cool how the vocal strength clashes with the music itself, which is so much calmer...

It works surprisingly well. This was really good.

I do feel like the structure could probably be polished a bit more, the vocals are great but not timed in a way where it's easy to sing along, or where you know when to expect to 'em, it's somehow a little unnerving when there's seemingly no real pattern to 'em in particular when they're so loud, so you're listening to a soothing tune and then FROM NOWHERE A FIRE INSIDE MY HEARD and then it's soothing once more. XD With some structure to it I feel like this is the type of stuff that'd get on a radio really, it's powerful, catchy, meaningful, not too complicated either...

But other than that man... this is fantastic. The free-form style's all the more artistic too for sure.

-cd-

BottleTopBillFanclub responds:

Thank you so much, @Cyberdevil

Yes, you're right.

I'm trying out different styles and figuring out how to structure songs. I also struggle with coming up with lyrics, which is why there aren't that many in my songs.

[ADR3-N / 2 / 17 / A200]

No worries on the questions! Got a rare AI assisted presentation of those final answers as a result, that was fun. :) The voice model really is on point too, like a subtle autotune filter for professional speaking kinda, a little blander, but still with plenty of emotional emphasis. I wonder if an entirely speech-based model would be all the more seamless, you can hear *at least I imagine I hear* that the tone's aimed more at song with this one, like the overall pitch is a little different, but maybe it's just a certain lack of variety with similar annunciations (that'd be naturally varied in regular speech) that gives that impression... very cool anyhow. If I didn't know it was AI I wonder if I'd wonder if it was at all...

Thanks for the answers. I definitely should do the hard things too. Continually. Lest keep regretting indecisions and a lack of major changes in direction in life. If you know you need to do something, gotta do it... goals are difficult to both figure out and formulate though for sure.

And you know Arabic too?! Enough to speak?

The um part lmao. XD Uh-men!

This was fun. Great chat.

-cd-

ADR3-N responds:

I don't know arabic like I used to! And I learned classical arabic, so like, Quranic arabic. Far and away from anything spoken today!

Speaking of indecision, I feel that! I just FINALLY got a car after almost 30 years, trying to quit smoking, got ADHD meds, because I couldn't deal with the indecision paralysis anymore. I just had to do something!

Re: voice model, yeah, you can definitely tell it's for singing/rapping. It's actually based on harsh vocals, rap, and throat singing. When I hear the difference between it and my real voice, I wish I talked like that more often hahahah

[Happy Days!]

Is FL Studio really supposed to eat that much RAM?! Seems 32GB would be more than enough.

Anyway Congrats on the 420! And the 69 before it! You deserve any counts you get good dude, you're truly a benefactor of this awesome artistic abode, with so much passion and prowess shining through all things you do. I wish you many more milestones; appreciate being included in this goodness too! It really is a happy piece. Pompous, orchestral and awesome.

BANZAI!

-cd-

Tangerine responds:

Thank you! The reason why FL takes up so much RAM is that I have a million vst plugin libraries open at the same time during the later stages of my songs. This makes it pretty tough on memory.

Thank you for the kind comment! Looking forward to October. I wonder what we should do. A spooky-themed track, a steampunk one? Who knows, guess we'll see when we get there xd

[Buster98 / 15 / A200]

Hey hey, Irish mythology with roots in Sweden or Denmark! :D Very cool. I did not know we had connections there...

Thanks for entertaining answers on the ponders of potential future improvements in our ability to bend or somehow manipulate time space and matter. Since all matter is made of smaller matter, like atoms with space between them, molecules that move and interact with one another... I think it may be possible. Since time's not linear, I think a less linear method of trying to manipulate it may be possible too. Since there is such a thing as quantum physics, I think teleportation may be possible too... I do hope we get some breakthroughs in our lifetimes though, that doesn't seem as certain, seems unfortunately more probable we probably don't focus our minds on the endeavors that could progress us the most, but get stuck on petty political conflicts and financial issues instead, since all innovation must also generate short-term profit, and some breakthroughs probably won't come that easy...

Anyway if I had the power of all three I think I'd use it for a little personal gain at first. Go back and invest a bit in Bitcoin early on for example, and cash out BIG just before the collapse. :) And after that more on humanitarian things, so much good you could do with such powers... though since I probably wouldn't be exclusively capable of such things if I was then it'd probably be a bit problematic to really do anything, there'd probably be regulations, if there weren't there'd probably be chaos, with everyone looking to abuse said new tech for similar gain... anyway it'd be cool to see such sci-fi concepts come to life! Feels like all three may be somewhat related too, in how you need to somehow figure out how to manipulate the very fabric of our world to do either...

I didn't know about your Doomtober thing Buster98! :D Very cool. Finna skim through all of those later.

If you like fast racing games maybe you've played F-Zero too? I grew up with MegaRace myself, a real pioneer in that genre, the second one's still surprisingly good. And gruelingly difficult.

On planes, JSYK commercial jets usually fly at between 770-930 km/h. ;) The ones I fly nationally actually go a bit faster apparently, they have an onboard app you can see the speed in, last time I checked they were going around 940. Crazy speeds. Maybe it's increasing, Google's answer may be outdated...

Also do love classic cars! I'd rather buy an older; used car than a new one any day, though more so for aesthetics and functionality than not to stand out. They're fun! They're easy to drive. They're easy to repair. The fuel economics aren't bad either with smaller models... beyond a liking of old things though, it's really better for everyone in the world if we tend to what we have than buy more than we need, so whatever your reason for not wanting to stand out I give props for it. :) Capitalism doesn't encourage it but a more circular economy seems like one of the best ways to save the world IMHO. Less unnecessary production; consumption; flashiness that serves little purpose, but wastes both resources and money that could've been used more resourcefully.

Great ep y'all. Nice to learn more about ya @Buster98, nice art @OmenaKettu, nice interviewing and editing as always @Aalasteir!

-cd-

BottleTopBillFanclub responds:

It's interesting how there's overlap and connections, with a lot of influence from all the European nations that have interconnected history and mythology. I really appreciate and am happy to hear that you like to share your thoughts. I'm always happy to see you.

@Cyberdevil I would be grateful to hear more about your thoughts on mythology!

Thank you so much for your generosity! You are awesome. Yes, that actually surprised me. Now that I think about it, it’s really crazy to consider, because you can’t see them due to their size, and yet they are everywhere. Matter is made up of small amounts: atoms, the space between them, and molecules. You are fully correct, and this is a fact that I feel many of us can forget with everything that is going on. It's easy to be overwhelmed and not stop to think and consider life. It's true that in our timeline, we will see many things happen, including scientific breakthroughs that we could not have previously imagined.

Getting in on Bitcoin early would have been really nice XD With a lot of resources, you could do a lot of good. If a collapse happens, I hope it doesn't, as that would be a nightmare and very scary. I agree that sci-fi concepts coming to life would be excellent. I can imagine that games are going to be potentially very crazy with the amount of technology that will be available. Hopefully, there will be the creativity and passion to utilize those technologies. I feel people underestimate the need for creativity to properly use tools, as tools are just tools. The creative use of those tools is what truly matters. I hope people won't become too lazy by relying too much on new technology, because many of the greatest ideas reflect philosophy and integrated theories. The power of understanding history and knowledge should not be underestimated, as tremendous power comes from this. You are right; there will probably be many regulations for new technologies to prevent chaos and abuse for small gains that could harm everyone.

I fully agree; Buster's Doomtober is excellent! The ripping and tearing detail in the action scenes is full of vitality, and the level of passion and excitement is exceptionally well executed.

It's interesting to hear you grew up playing MegaRace. Cool cars!

@Cyberdevil what is it like to play MegaRace?
Based on your Doom profile, I'm assuming you have played a lot of Doom! That is just my assumption XD

It doesn't feel like that when you are in the plane, they are going extremely fast. You wouldn't want to go at that speed on a bicycle; I can imagine people would crash very quickly.

Buying a used car is always more financially stable, you have to pick the right model. Many used cars lack proper maintenance, and having the timing belt done is important. I fully agree that many old cars are amazing and very aesthetic. People should live within their means and not spend so much money that they cannot afford to have a stable personal economy. Taking out loans to appear more flashy is immensely detrimental and a waste of resources and money that could be used more resourcefully.

Super thanks to @OmenaKettu

[JamesHeart / 14 / A200]

This has gotta be the most introspective segment of the A200 series to date. And hearty! Heartfelt and arty! You do inspire James! Nice to hear what you sound like here too, strange though it still seems that you actually don't have a UK accent even on the audial plane. XD

Glad you overcame those alcohol problems too. I was fortunate to for some reason always feel a bit.. superior to everyone in school back when partying was a thing, since I didn't. Never drank till I was drunk, never smoked, never sniffed, never snorted, just fell into the rabbithole of the digital realm instead, which retrospectively probably is just as big an addiction; just as unhealthy in excessive doses. But I do take my detoxes there occasionally... I've never contemplated on the meaning of the word spirit either, interesting.

As for soda man, maybe you could get addicted to something like clean coldbrew coffee instead? ;) It tastes good too, has the same caffeine kick but none of the sugar, has more nutrients than heated coffee too, could be a positive replacement addiction!

Oh man I remember LegendaryFrog, haven't seen his stuff in a long time now! OG creators.

Regarding the otherworldliness it does feel like you channel things from another realm. Bigger artists have said similar things, like they wonder if the content they make is even their own; they're just a portal for something else, that creativity's a gateway... great answer on life and souls too. I'd like to believe we have a soul, though have a hard time believing in a higher power. I do share your sentiments on why we're here; that it's all about being better, and learning, and since I do believe that maybe there is a part of me that does believe in some grander scheme, or it's more so a failsafe of merit, for the potential that we may be judged by how we lived here after all...

Answered them deep questions in a both profound and light-hearted way anyway, nicely done!

As for jamestheslavetomusic.com it's kinda long innit! XD Maybe therealmofjamesmusicalbondage.com? chainsandshacklesofotherworldlysound.com? jamesthevassalsotherworldlyinterdimensionalchannelingchallenges.com...? JTSTM.com for short? Though that's bound to be taken already.

The division in the world these days... too true.

And your voice is great!

Appreciate the compliments. :) And likewise! The writing I write to the music I use wouldn't be half as good without that music a muse! It soothes and it moves, it grooves yes it grooves, the truest of huge tunes you do that I use, they're amazing the way they move and diffuse. As for them Inktober collabs, if anyone's curious there's also:

https://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/887445
https://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/975689
https://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/1168324

...humble beginnings!

These two hours flew by. Great ep. Only think I'm missing a little is that traditional high-def ShokBlok alterego re-imagination. ;) Though props on giving it a shot too Aalasteir.

Good stuff.

-cd-

BottleTopBillFanclub responds:

Your positivity and ability to communicate with warmth and sincerity are immensely strong qualities that I always respect and admire. I can definitively say that it is brave of James to talk about his experiences with alcohol; he is strong, and I admire his honesty and openness. It's a superpower. It's good that you never felt the need to partake in narcotics. You are right that the Internet can also be an addiction and very unhealthy in excess.

I do not trust anything with caffeine as I feel it can be a dangerous habit. Nutrients are important, and it is crucial to drink and eat foods that provide positive benefits. Yes, I was surprised to hear about LegendaryFrog.

James is really good at sharing his experiences, and I absolutely enjoyed listening to his stories and the genuineness he has!

It is fully true that believing in and wanting to improve oneself always leads to betterment. Thank you for saying that the answers to the questions were both profound and light-hearted.

jamestheslavetomusic.com Classic Arizonian name! The more names, the more names as the classic saying goes, which I didn't just come up with! JTSTM.com therealmofjamesmusicalbondage.com? chainsandshacklesofotherworldlysound.com? jamesthevassalsotherworldlyinterdimensionalchannelingchallenges.com
It's sad they were all already taken.

Thank you for linking the three other songs where James is the composer and producer. The songs are great, with a powerful, otherworldly quality and excellent personality. There is a lot of soul in the music, and I enjoyed the experience. Thank you.

I tried to draw, and I know it doesn't look that good! But I did what I could.

James's art is really good. I am shocked that I didn't just ask him to create the art. It was a silly idea for me to do it myself, and I didn't realize that at the time XD

[GlitchBuddy / 13 / A200]

That 'what does it mean to be cool' answer! XD HELL YEAH!

Great answer on what makes a good community too. And on all things really; aspects of art and creativity too. You have an impressively thorough approach to all things you do @GlitchBuddy - setting the bar high on reviews too, which seems like a rare thing these days. Personally I have a hard time rating things honestly if I leave a review on something I want to show appreciation for, in part because it seems almost a norm to vote five on anything by a friend; especially one who's rated your work before. Give fives and get fives back... but then again it seems the intention with a score changes a bit between different types of content. For some content - made by user you know or no - the rating seems more a show of approval/engagement/appreciation, and nothing more's really required, whereas if you actually have some real feedback to share; critique can really further their work... it's easier to rate honestly. Props on keeping it real though always!

As for sometimes feeling like you have nothing to contribute with a review though: IMO every review's worth something, even if it's just simple affirmation, everyone likes to know their work's seen and appreciated too.

Great interview both of you; you seem like a genuine dude GlitchBuddy. Also shout-out @Picochu on filling in for Shok on this one, creative interpretation on that digital GB alterego! :D

Keep up the great stuff y'all.

-cd-

GlitchBuddy responds:

Thank you Cyberdevil, your kind words are very much appreciated.

What you say is funny, because in real life I'm usually the first one to half-ass things, lol. But there's just something about this website that makes me want to put my absolute best into everything I do on it, whether that's creating art or writing responses like this. I feel as if it makes a lot of difference when a creator puts time and effort into really making their stuff the best it can be, whether it's a piece of art, a forum post or a review.

As for what you said about rating things honestly, this is what I do for all submissions, even those made by friends. This may seem a bit mean to some, especially if the friends in question are leaving 5-star ratings on my own work, but I rate everyone with the same rating system I have in my head, and I only really give 5-star ratings to work that I find absolutely outstanding. Plus, in my opinion, if a friend has made a poor-quality piece of art then it's better to be honest with them and give them pointers on how they could improve.

But yeah, your words have really encouraged me, and I might start writing more reviews now. Glad to know you enjoyed the podcast.

[NG Dublin Meetup 2024 / 12 / A200]

Gotta love the enthusiasm in these! XD And the motivational outro, inspiring! Everyone's NG! Even if you haven't even been on NG before you're just gonna have to join up eventually - you're a Newgrounder already you just don't even know it yet!!!

Sounds like a challenging but also invigorating time over there. :) I didn't know you didn't drink alcoholic beverages man, should've asked a different question... though I did have the maybe best cappuccino I've ever had at an Orange Tree Bakery over there... though wait you didn't drink coffee either did you?! XD Aaa next time I'll have something more relevant to inquire... if there will be a next time.

Fun to see all these photos and doodles too (hey there's Chaz, the dope Dude I share a signature with!), and I'm so curious what's in that age-restricted one in particular. XD Great ep; glad you took that trip after all! Short but really fun Q&A sesh with this one.

Oh and the arts on another level with this one too! Nice work Shok.

-cd-

BottleTopBillFanclub responds:

Yes, yes, I completely agree! Everyone on NG is passionate and enjoys at least one thing, which makes them 100% part of the community. You can be proud of being a Newgrounder because all it takes is a bit of interest!

I don't drink alcoholic beverages either, and I think you would have been a great chaperone. That's right, I also do not drink coffee. The age-restricted content is a giant penis with schmachma; the full image is on my Twitter. Who created it? I don't think I catched his name.

That was a mistake on my part. I should have made sure that I knew everyone's profile and brought business cards with my Newgrounds profile on them so people would know who I was. Including a picture of my face would have helped them recognize me. I'll add that to my checklist and hopefully remember it for next time.

It was my first time at a meetup, so I was definitely a bit unorganized and didn't think things through. Thank you so much; it's funny you share the signature with Chaz.

Shok's album cover is absolutely amazing, with all the detailed and vibrant colors. It’s so bright and full of happiness.

Yes, this one was short, which I feel provides a good perspective on just how much is said in the regular episodes. It's quite shocking!

[Junglejazz Temple]

So jazzy! So rich and vibrant. Somewhat monotone after a while though NGL! Like it's intended to be a beat more so than a standalone song. An instrumental backing for something more; something that keeps it progressing even when the beat stays the same. Apart from the initial build with the intro it feels like it's pretty much all the same loop all the way through...

It's hella rich though. Love the sound. Little repetitive as is.

-cd-

bananam69 responds:

ur exactly correct, this was originally made to an intrumental/backing track for vocals. good ears man