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

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-deleted-'s Review Catalogue

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Beyond the Network - beyond_the_network.it	Review Score: 10/10

Overall Impression (10/10)

All of the songs in this IT are extremely well composed. There are no weak points to speak of, unless you count a huge file size as a weak point.

Technique, Arrangement, Composition (9/10)

Skaven shows what can be done with tracker formats here, with a high amount of skill involved in such great creations. A reasonable amount of effects are used, but most of the unique sound comes from many different instruments fed by the same or similar samples.

Development (9/10)

The mixing and equalization is fine. The channels are actually, by default, set to center pan, but the usage of stereo samples as well as some basic panning commands changes the monaural nature. The samples have little noise to speak of, as all of them except for the chip waves are 16-bit, with C-5 at a high sampling rate. As the module is composed of many different, differentiated songs, there is no transitioning to speak of.

Creativity (10/10)

There is loads of creativity here, such as the various instruments stemming from the same sample that I mentioned earlier. I think when Skaven made this collection of songs, he wanted to give a otherwise non-noteworthy casual game (Bejeweled 2) something to notice, in this case, the soundtrack. The melodies go along perfectly with the synthesizer instruments. The songs never have any dull points.

Enjoyment (10/10)

With so many songs to choose from in one file, loading this module into a module player will never get old. This is not a "download, listen to once, and drop in recycle bin" type of module in any way. I can practically guarantee that you will always have this module in your music folder.

Posted Thu 11th Jun 2015

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UnreaL ][ / PM - 2ND_PM.S3M	Review Score: 8/10

Overall Impression (8/10)

Overall, it is a mixed bag. For the first two minutes, the song is awesome, but after the song slows down it becomes kind of bland. Then the excellence comes back and goes out again, ending with nothing really special. Basically, the patterns that play at 3 ticks/row are amazing, but the patterns that play at 6 ticks are far less impressive.

Technique, Arrangement, Composition (9/10)

Excellent techniques. Purple Motion definitely knew what he was doing, because he used the samples and eight channels very well.

Development (7/10)

The channels are standard left-right-left-right-left-right-left-right configuration, and the equalization is fine. The transitions between sections can be rough at times but for the most part are respectable. The samples are suprisingly low quality, some have tons of noise, rough loops, and audible clicks. They are all 8-bit and of varying frequencies. Many of them are not tuned to middle C.

Creativity (8/10)

The use of many samples making a similar sound is used to create a unique sound. Purple Motion definitely wanted to write a piece of music that would stand out in the demoscene. As said earlier, the patterns playing at 6 ticks/row are not very special and it can drift off. The melodies integrate very well with the accompanying instruments. Not much progression is present, as it seems to be built in several parts.

Enjoyment (7/10)

I'd definitely keep it in my collection of modules, but I don't listen to it that often. Overall I feel it works best with the Second Reality demo it was made for than it does as an actual song.

Posted Thu 28th Aug 2014

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-deleted-'s Reviews

-deleted-'s Review Catalogue

Beyond the Network - beyond_the_network.it

Review Score: 10/10

Overall Impression (10/10)

Technique, Arrangement, Composition (9/10)

Development (9/10)

Creativity (10/10)

Enjoyment (10/10)

UnreaL ][ / PM - 2ND_PM.S3M

Review Score: 8/10

Overall Impression (8/10)

Technique, Arrangement, Composition (9/10)

Development (7/10)

Creativity (8/10)

Enjoyment (7/10)