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NGUAC 2025 Tryouts

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Response to NGUAC 2025 Tryouts 2025-07-04 13:24:47


At 6/9/25 10:44 PM, TaintedLogic wrote:Welcome to the 12th annual Newgrounds Underdogs’ Audio Contest, a music competition on the site.

“Awesome! How do I enter?”
To submit a track for tryouts, just click “respond to this topic” in the top-right corner of this webpage, and post a link to your (ONE) track. For this round, it can be something you wrote years ago, or you can make it from scratch specifically for the competition. Before posting, just make sure your submission:

Covers, arrangements, remixes, etc. are acceptable for the tryout round only - if you make it to future rounds (the NGUAC has 3 rounds), you will be expected to make completely original songs. You can also change the piece you’d like us to judge by posting a new one before the deadline.

Also, please read ALL OF THE OTHER RULES that couldn't fit in this concise forum post.

When’s the deadline?
You have until 23:59 (11:59 p.m.) Eastern Daylight Time on July 3rd, 2025 to enter the competition.

What happens after tryouts?
Immediately after the tryout submission phase, the participants will be grouped evenly based on their fan totals, and about half of them will be accepted into the next round. Participants won’t directly compete outside of their groups until the Final Round. There are 3 rounds over the course of about 2.5 months. You can view the full schedule here.

What happens if I win?
Prizes will include custom-made forum signatures for the top 3 finishers boasting of their success, as well as spots on the front page of the Audio Portal the week after the competition. I’ll also personally pay for year-long supporter upgrades for the top 3 finishers.

And who are the beautiful humans who make all this possible?
@ADR3-N, @AhWham, @Casper, @Lordant, @RedCocoa, @TeraVex, @Veryfakeguest, and myself have joined the judging team so far. In addition, @LD-W has set up a Discord chat called “nguac2024-general” if you want to get to know some of your fellow competitors. You can access it via the NG Audio Pub, or if you’re already a member of the Pub click here.

This year, we’re also going to have a front-page ad for the NGUAC drawn by @GlitchArtTV! I’d highly recommend checking out Glitch’s work.

Thanks as always to @TomFulp and NG staff for keeping Newgrounds awesome.

Is all of Gen Z actually addicted to ketamine?
Um, no. If you want to do well in this competition, READING THE COMPLETE LIST OF CONTEST RULES is the only drug you’ll need. When in doubt, ask for clarification in this thread, in the rules post comment section, or on the Discord channel.

But above all, remember to have a ton of fun! May the competition begin! :D


Is it okay if I post my entry on bandcamp now that judging has commenced? Or will i have to wait until the competition is over? Or can I not at all? I just need a little more clarity in that part of the rules.

Response to NGUAC 2025 Tryouts 2025-07-04 13:50:34


At 7/4/25 01:24 PM, Gr4ftY01 wrote:
Is it okay if I post my entry on bandcamp now that judging has commenced? Or will i have to wait until the competition is over? Or can I not at all? I just need a little more clarity in that part of the rules.

Yes, you can post your track on other sites whenever you want. The important thing is that it's on Newgrounds. It doesn't have to be "Newgrounds exclusive." But thanks for asking.


"Time's fun when you're having flies." ~Kermit the Frog

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Response to NGUAC 2025 Tryouts 2025-07-05 11:52:38


Hey everyone! I just wanted to introduce myself as one of the judges for this year’s NGUAC. In round one I will be judging the “above average joes” category, and this is how I intend to rank each track for a total of 10 points:


https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yx4ZwNIi5gAUs2slobKQXtCJ9QScPGFfLj7mGgaSgQs/edit?usp=drivesdk


I’m excited to listen to everyone’s music and get to know you all! If you have any questions, comments, or concerns please do not hesitate to reach out VIA dm


If you'd like to commission me to write music for you, please contact me through my business email: payton.petkus@outlook.com

Response to NGUAC 2025 Tryouts 2025-07-05 20:05:34



Sednova Nova

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Response to NGUAC 2025 Tryouts 2025-07-05 20:48:31


At 7/5/25 08:05 PM, SednovaNova wrote:
https://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/1373339

I'm sorry, but I'm afraid you're too late. The deadline to enter was July 3rd. Luckily, the NGADM is still accepting submissions if you'd still like to participate in a music competition: https://www.newgrounds.com/bbs/topic/1547201


"Time's fun when you're having flies." ~Kermit the Frog

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Response to NGUAC 2025 Tryouts 2025-07-06 13:31:00


At 7/5/25 08:48 PM, TaintedLogic wrote:
At 7/5/25 08:05 PM, SednovaNova wrote:
https://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/1373339
I'm sorry, but I'm afraid you're too late. The deadline to enter was July 3rd. Luckily, the NGADM is still accepting submissions if you'd still like to participate in a music competition: https://www.newgrounds.com/bbs/topic/1547201

Hey it's me again lol. I was actually wondering, can we participate in both NGADM and NGUAC at the same time? Y'know, just in case I don't get into this one.


Response to NGUAC 2025 Tryouts 2025-07-06 13:37:43 (edited 2025-07-06 13:42:33)


At 7/6/25 01:31 PM, CrabbyXX wrote:
Hey it's me again lol. I was actually wondering, can we participate in both NGADM and NGUAC at the same time? Y'know, just in case I don't get into this one.

Yes you can! That's generally a good way of hedging your bets, although it's usually tougher to get into the NGADM than the NGUAC.


"Time's fun when you're having flies." ~Kermit the Frog

BBS Signature

Response to NGUAC 2025 Tryouts 2025-07-06 13:38:50


At 7/6/25 01:37 PM, TaintedLogic wrote:
At 7/6/25 01:31 PM, CrabbyXX wrote:
Hey it's me again lol. I was actually wondering, can we participate in both NGADM and NGUAC at the same time? Y'know, just in case I don't get into this one.
Yes you can! That's generally a good way of hedging your bets, although in general it's tougher to get into the NGADM than the NGUAC.

Sweet, thanks. This probably should be my last question for now.

Response to NGUAC 2025 Tryouts 2025-07-06 21:35:01


Welp. It's day 3 out of 9 of judging, and I've already scouted 18 users. It's going to be a GOOD competition this year, folks.


"Time's fun when you're having flies." ~Kermit the Frog

BBS Signature

Response to NGUAC 2025 Tryouts 2025-07-08 09:33:18


NOOOOOO i wanted to join this year but im a couple days late :c

Response to NGUAC 2025 Tryouts 2025-07-08 12:44:59


At 6/9/25 10:44 PM, TaintedLogic wrote:Welcome to the 12th annual Newgrounds Underdogs’ Audio Contest, a music competition on the site.

“Awesome! How do I enter?”
To submit a track for tryouts, just click “respond to this topic” in the top-right corner of this webpage, and post a link to your (ONE) track. For this round, it can be something you wrote years ago, or you can make it from scratch specifically for the competition. Before posting, just make sure your submission:

Covers, arrangements, remixes, etc. are acceptable for the tryout round only - if you make it to future rounds (the NGUAC has 3 rounds), you will be expected to make completely original songs. You can also change the piece you’d like us to judge by posting a new one before the deadline.

Also, please read ALL OF THE OTHER RULES that couldn't fit in this concise forum post.

When’s the deadline?
You have until 23:59 (11:59 p.m.) Eastern Daylight Time on July 3rd, 2025 to enter the competition.

What happens after tryouts?
Immediately after the tryout submission phase, the participants will be grouped evenly based on their fan totals, and about half of them will be accepted into the next round. Participants won’t directly compete outside of their groups until the Final Round. There are 3 rounds over the course of about 2.5 months. You can view the full schedule here.

What happens if I win?
Prizes will include custom-made forum signatures for the top 3 finishers boasting of their success, as well as spots on the front page of the Audio Portal the week after the competition. I’ll also personally pay for year-long supporter upgrades for the top 3 finishers.

And who are the beautiful humans who make all this possible?
@ADR3-N, @AhWham, @Casper, @Lordant, @RedCocoa, @TeraVex, @Veryfakeguest, and myself have joined the judging team so far. In addition, @LD-W has set up a Discord chat called “nguac2024-general” if you want to get to know some of your fellow competitors. You can access it via the NG Audio Pub, or if you’re already a member of the Pub click here.

This year, we’re also going to have a front-page ad for the NGUAC drawn by @GlitchArtTV! I’d highly recommend checking out Glitch’s work.

Thanks as always to @TomFulp and NG staff for keeping Newgrounds awesome.

Is all of Gen Z actually addicted to ketamine?
Um, no. If you want to do well in this competition, READING THE COMPLETE LIST OF CONTEST RULES is the only drug you’ll need. When in doubt, ask for clarification in this thread, in the rules post comment section, or on the Discord channel.

But above all, remember to have a ton of fun! May the competition begin! :D


Am I allowed to use found sound (collected before the round starts) in the piece? (This question is mainly hypothetical I was collecting it for a different project but I might want to use some of them if I make it to the next round)

Response to NGUAC 2025 Tryouts 2025-07-08 17:55:07


At 7/8/25 12:44 PM, Gr4ftY01 wrote:
Am I allowed to use found sound (collected before the round starts) in the piece? (This question is mainly hypothetical I was collecting it for a different project but I might want to use some of them if I make it to the next round)

I'd say you probably shouldn't go out looking for found sound for the purpose of using it in your piece, but if you just so happen to use found sound in your piece that was recorded before the round starts, that's probably fine, as it's no different than a sample. Thanks for asking!


"Time's fun when you're having flies." ~Kermit the Frog

BBS Signature

Response to NGUAC 2025 Tryouts 2025-07-09 11:55:00


At 7/8/25 09:33 AM, Jok3004 wrote:NOOOOOO i wanted to join this year but im a couple days late :c

Even worse is that i got one song that surpasses any others ive made. AAAAAAAAAAAA.

Response to NGUAC 2025 Tryouts 2025-07-10 21:01:12


I'm bored, so let's do a fun thing.


With 448 submissions to the contest, there are some participants whose usernames are phonetically and/or conceptually very similar to each other. Here are some of my favorites of these "username twins":


@AntCrowLion and @BadgerFish

@CommanderFrost and @CommanderJersey

@DJhoohaa and @DJKolbasa

@FireJojoBoy and @FireKlaud

@Fox4567 and @Foxy317

@Itscloudtheguy and @Itskosama

@Kavrak and @Korsak

@MrLinkins49 and @MrSpud8

@TheReal88B0 and @TheRealMrPeoples

@TotallyDementedOff and @TotallyPorff



"Time's fun when you're having flies." ~Kermit the Frog

BBS Signature

Response to NGUAC 2025 Tryouts 2025-07-10 21:16:29


At 7/10/25 09:01 PM, TaintedLogic wrote:I'm bored, so let's do a fun thing.

With 448 submissions to the contest, there are some participants whose usernames are phonetically and/or conceptually very similar to each other. Here are some of my favorites of these "username twins":


Cuteeeee. Unfortunately no one had “chu” at the end like me lol


Rawr! X3

BBS Signature

Response to NGUAC 2025 Tryouts 2025-07-10 21:21:16


At 7/10/25 09:16 PM, Kiraichu wrote:
At 7/10/25 09:01 PM, TaintedLogic wrote:I'm bored, so let's do a fun thing.

With 448 submissions to the contest, there are some participants whose usernames are phonetically and/or conceptually very similar to each other. Here are some of my favorites of these "username twins":

Cuteeeee. Unfortunately no one had “chu” at the end like me lol


same except it wasn't chu but two words that barely rhyme (i'm so special)


it's no longer pride month so it's wrath month MWAHAHAHAHA

BBS Signature

Response to NGUAC 2025 Tryouts 2025-07-11 08:40:19


Damn I missed it. Oh well. ADM it is......

Response to NGUAC 2025 Tryouts 2025-07-11 18:19:16


The worst part of these contests really is the waiting.

Response to NGUAC 2025 Tryouts 2025-07-11 18:37:05


 @DJKolbasa :)


Response to NGUAC 2025 Tryouts 2025-07-11 23:52:42 (edited 2025-07-11 23:53:15)


At 7/11/25 06:19 PM, Leavesz wrote:The worst part of these contests really is the waiting.


"The anticipation of the end is worse than the end itself." - Dr. Eggman (of all people)

Response to NGUAC 2025 Tryouts 2025-07-12 06:05:54


I'm getting mildly concerned that I won't even make it passed the scouting this year

Response to NGUAC 2025 Tryouts 2025-07-12 12:06:56 (edited 2025-07-12 12:07:30)


I just hope the song I used for the tryout didn't work against me here, I at least wanna pass the tryout phase.

Response to NGUAC 2025 Tryouts 2025-07-12 13:37:57


the song i used this year wasn't even that great so i'm worrying if i even made it...


hi i make subpar music.........


uh ok thats it

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Response to NGUAC 2025 Tryouts 2025-07-12 20:54:58 (edited 2025-07-12 20:55:09)


Folks, I'm so sorry, but the results are going to take another 12 hours or so. One judge had to bail, and another completely lost WiFi for a few days, and both of them were supposed to be scoring the same group. I just don't think it would be fair to have only two judges scoring one group when the others have four each. So we'll need until about 8:30 AM Eastern Time to deliver the results so that the judge who lost WiFi can finish. Apologies again for the inconvenience.  


"Time's fun when you're having flies." ~Kermit the Frog

BBS Signature

Response to NGUAC 2025 Tryouts 2025-07-12 21:20:13


At 7/12/25 08:54 PM, TaintedLogic wrote:Folks, I'm so sorry, but the results are going to take another 12 hours or so. One judge had to bail, and another completely lost WiFi for a few days, and both of them were supposed to be scoring the same group. I just don't think it would be fair to have only two judges scoring one group when the others have four each. So we'll need until about 8:30 AM Eastern Time to deliver the results so that the judge who lost WiFi can finish. Apologies again for the inconvenience.


That's understandable! I heard some places are going through some disasters, and things are hectic. Hope they do well, and I'm glad that the first thing when I wake up is seeing these results, haha.


it's no longer pride month so it's wrath month MWAHAHAHAHA

BBS Signature

Response to NGUAC 2025 Tryouts 2025-07-12 22:40:08


At 7/12/25 08:54 PM, TaintedLogic wrote:Folks, I'm so sorry, but the results are going to take another 12 hours or so. One judge had to bail, and another completely lost WiFi for a few days, and both of them were supposed to be scoring the same group. I just don't think it would be fair to have only two judges scoring one group when the others have four each. So we'll need until about 8:30 AM Eastern Time to deliver the results so that the judge who lost WiFi can finish. Apologies again for the inconvenience.


Hey that's cool I'm on EST and I was expecting the results in the morning anyways

Response to NGUAC 2025 Tryouts 2025-07-13 06:57:27


At 7/8/25 05:55 PM, TaintedLogic wrote:
At 7/8/25 12:44 PM, Gr4ftY01 wrote:
Am I allowed to use found sound (collected before the round starts) in the piece? (This question is mainly hypothetical I was collecting it for a different project but I might want to use some of them if I make it to the next round)
I'd say you probably shouldn't go out looking for found sound for the purpose of using it in your piece, but if you just so happen to use found sound in your piece that was recorded before the round starts, that's probably fine, as it's no different than a sample. Thanks for asking!

I have a question about this, what if I use for example sample "UwU voice" in my soundtrack. Is that mean that I using a copyrighted sound/sample?

Response to NGUAC 2025 Tryouts 2025-07-13 07:01:40


At 7/13/25 06:57 AM, V1XTEZz wrote:
At 7/8/25 05:55 PM, TaintedLogic wrote:
At 7/8/25 12:44 PM, Gr4ftY01 wrote:
Am I allowed to use found sound (collected before the round starts) in the piece? (This question is mainly hypothetical I was collecting it for a different project but I might want to use some of them if I make it to the next round)
I'd say you probably shouldn't go out looking for found sound for the purpose of using it in your piece, but if you just so happen to use found sound in your piece that was recorded before the round starts, that's probably fine, as it's no different than a sample. Thanks for asking!
I have a question about this, what if I use for example sample "UwU voice" in my soundtrack. Is that mean that I using a copyrighted sound/sample?

If it's just audio from some video or stream, then no. But if it was cut from a licensed song, then you should refrain from using this sample.


Help me get rid of AI audio on a creative website! Tell everyone about this guide!

Response to NGUAC 2025 Tryouts 2025-07-13 08:38:00


For anyone following this thread who missed the ping in the new one, the results are here: https://www.newgrounds.com/bbs/topic/1547615


"Time's fun when you're having flies." ~Kermit the Frog

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Response to NGUAC 2025 Tryouts 2025-07-19 17:40:05 (edited 2025-07-19 17:50:09)


Misread