Hello everyone! It is my first time judging NGUAC, and I’m happy to share my judging criteria for the following phases of the competition:

Sound Choice: x/3

Description: Considering the genre, how well does each sound “work” inside the track? Are some sounds out of place, or does everything complement each other very well?

Production Quality: x/5

Description: This rating includes both mixing and the mastering of a track. It judges “how well did the author combine the chosen sounds?”. The final score for this criteria represents how good the track sounds in overall, and how well did the author implement each sound into the final mix. Is the track too silent, does the mix cause distortion? Most importantly: is the mix coherent, and is each sound audible and clear in the context of the track?

Track flow / composition: x/5

Description: How well does the track “flow” during its runtime? Is the track well paced, and do specific sections not overstay their welcome?

Is the composition coherent? Does the track reach a climax, and if so, is there a good buildup to the climax?

Creativity / Uniqueness: x/2

Description: This rating is for judging whether the track has unique flair, or subverts expectations in a certain way. While it is not necessary to subvert expectations in order for a track to be good, it is important for the track not to be repetitive, or have the same sections copied and pasted in different places. It is also fantastic to hear a distinct, unique style.

Catchiness / Complexity: x/3

Description: Is the track easy to follow? How memorable is it? How simple / complex are the melodies in said track? Is simplicity / complexity a great element of the track, or is it a drawback?

Vibe / Emotion: x/2

Description: This section is specifically for the vibe that a track gives off. It judges how well does the track convey emotion. Perhaps the track tells a story? 

You can get maximum of 20 points for a track. The final score is the sum of all points from all rubrics divided by two.