Operation: Evolution (Velocity) [5.5/10]
>Permission good (Blanket)
>Sync good
>Folder contents good, remove subtitle
>whatyearisit.jpg a Dimrain file in 2022?!
>broke my ddream workflow again ;_; AV it is I guess

>Dimrain’s audio quality is classically/notoriously bad. I’d suggest a slight -dB adjustment to prevent peaking, especially at eg. 54.578, but there’s only so much you can do.

(Playtest Impression, 1.0x Rate) Weird difficulty curves throughout

10.215 - suggest changing this jump or the one before it to [23] to better PR the bass it goes to

16.033-27.669, 29.124-52.033 - Structurally, these sections are extremely similar (jumpstream sections). It’s an okay choice, and fine if you’re going for a jumpstream endurance feel right after the intro. I think it can be improved. The overall feel would work better by reducing the layering in the first jumpstream simply by continuing layering -only- the bass from the intro.
In the second jumpstream section, I think an effective approach would be to again nerf the jumpstream to just stream (bonus points if the stream can reflect the melody even more) until the drums come in more strongly at 40.214.
This is a somewhat subjective suggestion overall, but to me the file feels very flat here for just being big ol’ jumpstream sections.

18.033-19.851, 25.305-27.305 - You can go read April’s essay on jumpstream patterns if you want, or take hi19’s ancient advice (somewhere…) that 8th “jacks”/anchors in jumpstream more than about 3-4 arrows long start to feel awkward/tiring. Doesn’t seem to be intentional, musically justified or a consequence of a broader structure here, so recommend changing it up.

53.123 - to me this note should be a 16th earlier, like 55.942

1:39.305-2:02.215 - I really like the idea behind this section!
1:53.306/1:59.124/2:02.033 - missing hi-hat (white note)

2:02.215-2:08.033 -I think you could reduce this down and just use the bass for layering
2:11.670 - no jump; note is not repeated

2:15.306-2:26.942 - I’m not certain on this jumpstream. It creates a high level of tension in what is a pretty chill buildup, then immediately after the total tension just …dies. I would maybe try to reduce it, but given your desired structure in the section after this, it’d be very difficult to replicate the song’s tension. Aaaaahhhhhh I’m not sure what to suggest other than to reduce this to stream again, maybe layer in piano…? To reduce the level of tension in this section and allow 2:50.215 to stand out more as a higher tension spot. Might be okay as is, but doesn’t reflect the song too well imo. Also the anchor situation from the 18.033 note is back.

2:30.306 - maybe okay, but feels better on the 4th before to me
2:31.215 - should definitely be on the 4th after
2:32.942/2:35.851/2:41.670/2:42.760/2:47.488 - missing note
3:08.760/3:10.215 - why jump? 3:07.670 is understandable tho
3:28.033-3:28.760 - don’t hear these 12ths

3:36.760- 3:41.124 - not all jumps anymore?

3:41.124- 3:52.397 - that anchor problem again. Somewhat understandable given the underlying layering, but the patterns should definitely be improved upon. Also worth noting that this is the hardest part of the whole file (denser jumpstream), but not exactly the highest tension point in the song.

3:56.033-4:04.033 - One redeeming factor in Dimrain songs is that sometimes there are sections like this that are better stepped when they’re very accurately followed or dicksynced. The “guitar” gets pretty intense here and I think the file would be better if that “guitar” were more closely followed/approximated than just 16ths

4:39.306-4:50.942 - You’re at the end of the song, but this section is such a huge let down as is. I would definitely layer up about as much as possible here for the finish (probably until 4:55.306) to give the ending as much tension as possible (climax theory!).The current super minimal structure makes the file feel incomplete.

The file’s structure feels very unfocused and confusing. The music’s tension is not well reflected in the file. Chill buildup sections are filled with jumpstream while the intense ending is super easy. The jumpstream patterns themselves need fixing too, as there doesn’t appear to be musical justification for all the anchors in them. Stream patterns are actually really good though!

First step to fixing this will need to be addressing the layering throughout the whole file. Break the song into sections and write down what you’re following and how/if you want layering. Layer heavy in intense sections, back off in chill parts. Keep the song’s overall changes in tension levels in mind to guide layering choices. The goal with this is to help focus and organize your ideas. This will be especially important for such a long song as this; I can attest to how impossible it is to wrangle a marathon into some level of cohesion without a concrete plan from the first beat.

Due to the 2 point rating difference with one reject rating between the assigned judges, Pizza69 was consulted on this file for a third judgment:

Operation: Evolution
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I've got a lot of issues with the anchor usage and difficulty curve in this file, honestly--the anchors feel quite arbitrary (which is not what you want for patterning that abrasive) and the file frequently uses heavier layering and more aggressive patterning where less is going on musically. Trumaestro's notes on these aspects are good and informative and I highly recommend listening to them. [5.5/10]