Interesting riffs. The zip file extracted correctly for me, not sure what is happening on Proxima's machine. Maybe I can try to email them to Proxima or something.
Here are my first impressions:
Riff1: Not bad at all. I actually like the fifth harmony on this as-is right now, it gives a distinct character to the riff that I feel works for the riff.
In fact Riff1 may be my favorite of all of them, and I can
almost see it usable for a tune that can be used in the Lix game, if the riff is further developed into a more proper melody (so that it's a little less repetitive), with appropriate accompaniments (drums and what-not) added to complete the picture.
Riff2: Being very simple and basically a short loop of only a few notes, this riff seems to be designed from the outset as an accompaniment to something, rather than the melody in and of itself. I can see it work for something. Less sure about the instrumentation change on the second half (don't really like that sound), but might just be a limitation of the synth you are using.
Riff3: I rather like the low opening note, with its fade-in and the buzzing sound. It is just the kind of opening you would want for an introduction to a darkish, ominous atmosphere. Unfortunately, once it starts moving into other notes, I found the whole thing sounded too much like someone getting seasicked on a ship getting tossed about in a violent storm.
Unless that's what you were going for.
So yeah, keep that first note, but I would do something else for the rest. Maybe less sliding between the notes will at least lessen the seasick factor.
Riff4: I think the main problem with this one is that there is too much echo in the instruments used, so the notes sound a bit jumbled together. I didn't find the loop particularly compelling either, even when considered as an accompaniment to something. (Of course, this kind of judgment is always tricky, since it is always possible with the right melody an accompaniment can work well. Individual parts of a symphony often doesn't make sense when played solo outside the context of everyone else's parts.)
Riff5: I think most of what I said for Riff2 also applies here. However, I like this riff a little less in comparison, maybe partly because of the instrument. But again, mix in with the right melody and other parts, it might work?
Riff6: I like this one too, possibly my second favorite after Riff1. It is a little short, sure, but that means it can work well as an opening introduction to some melody or larger piece, or the first half of a further-developed melody.
Riff7: Even though it uses the same instrument (I think) as Riff6, I don't think the instrument sounds very well on higher pitches. However, I feel like the melody itself is actually pretty good. I think on a more mellow instrument with a more sustained sound (strings?), the riff will sound much more effective.
The melody actually sounds quite like a song that someone may actually sing, vs. the sort of background looped music one would want in Lix. I know this topic is not about making music for Lix, and this observation is definitely not a criticism of any sort. Just pointing out that the nature of this particular riff probably works better in certain contexts different from the ones that, for example, Riff1 would work in. And again, details of a full arrangement can change everything.
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Overall, it's been fun listening. More please!
