The Mod Archive v4.0b - A distinctive collection of modules

Download: Title: Lasting Memories Filename: memories2.s3m	Posted Tue 5th Mar 2002 Rated 8 / 10
This is a good sounding and rather interesting tune! It really has got a lot going for it. It begins with a light, almost jungle sounding rhythm from the drums, which also sound good, and make good use of dynamics and contrast. The main "theme" of the song is portrayed by a nice "oboe" like sample, backed up by a decent bass and some good slow synth strings. The cymbal samples in this one could be a bit better, but on average the samples used very much fit the song. As a whole, the song fits together nicely. It progresses from one section to the next flawlessly. At times, the drum "hits" may be a bit too loud, but they don't detract from the experience that much. It seems as though the artist is using some pretty good panning at times, which is always good. Overall, a pretty good tune with not much bad to say about it! Technically, the artist is using some decent effects and indeed there is some panning going on, though it's mainly used to set the channels at the beginning to different panning positions. The artist uses "set volume" frequently, and well, for that matter. Also, he's using some good volume slides and effective tone portamentos, as well as a bit of retriggering and ofsetting in some of the cymbals. The samples used are pretty good, and loop points (where present) are chosen well.

Download: Title: Mirror In The Future Filename: mifuture.xm	Posted Tue 5th Mar 2002 Rated 4 / 10
This is an interesting but strange sounding tune that has some setbacks due to some volume issues. The tune begins with a really nice sounding flute sample, augmented with some windchimes and bird chirps. But then, a driving bass drum comes in; and it almost sounds a bit out of place. I would have preferred it to enter softer, and maybe crecsendo and then decay back out. Either way, I think the artist could have used a different drum sample, one that sounds more like a "war drum" or something a bit more African sounding. As the song continues, it enters a somewhat chaotic point where a loud piano sample begins a non-tonal passage. Here again it would seem to have complimented the song by having a swell and decay. The artist definately created something which is vague, strange even, as it would be to look into a mirror and see the future. In that respect, if this is what the artist has intended, then he succeeded! Overall, the tune is an interesting one, but could have used a bit more work. Technically, the artist has mainly made use of "set volume" and "note cut" in this piece. He uses volume slides for some samples, but it might also improve the piece to use them more widely. With the flute, windchime, and birdchirp samples, the artist has created pretty good volume and panning envelope combinations. As for the non-tonal piano section mentioned above, examination of the samples revealed that they were not tuned to the same pitch; whether this was intentional or not is unknown, but if the artist intended for it to be non-tonal, then it works. However, it's hard to decide if the artist has intended this, or if it was more accidental.

Download: Title: Alone in space Filename: mpn-ais.xm	Posted Sun 3rd Mar 2002 Rated 6 / 10
Here's a good piano ballad sounding tune, which is tracked fairly well; though it also has some room for improvement. The artist has used some fairly nice piano samples; though the listener may notice that they are just a bit out of tune from the strings in places. The tune could benefit from more dynamic contrast, especially in the piano; the artist used some volume slides for certain instruments, but some are already so soft that you can't really discern the volume slide. As a whole, the song definately fits well together. Each section, when a new instrument is introduced, connects seamlesly with the next; which really causes the tune to grow and evolve. The modulation (at around 1:32) is fairly direct, but is handled quite well, and really fits a tune like this. On a technical standpoint, most of the samples have good loop points; but a few could have been better picked. The volume envelopes are done well, particularly with the square-sine "flute" sample, which provides a great counter-melody partway through the tune. It involves some nice, soft vibrato which really compliments the sound of the sample. While the counter-melody fits well, it might be improved by adding some slight pitch slides, or other sorts of ornamentation. The artist didn't really make use of panning, and some slight or moderate panning might improve the atmosphere of this tune. Also, the bass note in the piano cuts off a bit early in one spot; when examined, it appears to be due to a misplaced note cut.

christofori's Comments