Thank you, I'm glad you liked it!

My main microphone for song vox is the Shure sm58. That one requires an audio interface, so I guess I do use special equipment. (I never really thought about that before, it doesn't seem special to me because I'm an audio tech nerd.) I also use noise gates, EQs, and compressors to make the vocal sound clear. (Though, admittedly, some of the vox in this song are underdone on the mix.) To make the vocal sound robotic, I either put it through autotune or vocode.

Thank you for the confidence you show with regards to this piece!

I feel like I am a fairly good pianist, but the more you learn about something, the more you realise how far you still have to go! I will continue learning on the piano, but I feel like I am a composer first, and pianist second. But, since my compositions require more and more complex playing techniques, I have no doubt I will continue learning ^___^

I'm happy to read about your passion towards the competitions! I used to lurk around Newgrounds for years without actually creating an account, before I even started playing the piano. But after I had been composing for a while, I wanted to find a place to share my work and listen to what other starting artists were up to. I then came across Step's music (Step, ofc, being one of the people who started the NGADM) on Newgrounds, through an animation competition that he had made a track for. I thought, "Wow, people on here can make such amazing music". Not long after, I was following the NGADM of 2013. I eventually created my own account, and started uploading my music on Newgrounds as well. Not long after, I involved myself in the community and took part in all kinds of events, some of them not even music related.

If you go back and listen to some of my first uploads, it's easy to see how far I have come since, and so much of that development is thanks to the NG community, and competitions like the NGADM.

I went back and listened to "Bastard". I can see why you like it so much! I also listened to one of your newer tracks :)
Don't be discouraged by not making it through many rounds. The music competitions on NG are tough! I remember that I didn't even get into the NGUAC one year, even though I would've been put in the "allstars" category at that point. Some other astounding musicians have fallen of at all kinds of different points during the NGADM too. Sometimes you meet the eventual winner in the first round, for instance. Life can also come in the way, as the competition is so long, and you need to be able to compose a new track every three weeks or so. That said, I wouldn't stop trying if you're motivated! I find that as I have developed, I have in the very least been able to get further in the competition for each year. Last year I got third, and this year I will get second place, in the least. If I'm lucky, I suppose I might win too. Basically, what I'm trying to say is, keep it up!

TaintedLogic is a prolific guy indeed. He always leaves proper reviews, and can send hundreds of messages when necessary (and not in a spammy way, ofc). I'm glad to hear that you appreciate these parts of the NG community as well! :DDD
Thank you for sharing your thoughts!

Hey thanks, we're glad you enjoyed it :D!