I feel like it's too easy to hit the hint button when you want to just push through. I am only on 17, but in the group challenges, it takes me like 5 minutes to get 90% of the way there, but I don't have the discipline to not quickly check if the current setting I am focused on is correct using hints.
I am also not quite sure if I am approaching the group challenges correctly. I start with stuff that sticks out, but eventually, but at the end, it really becomes just playing with things I estimate will augment the sound towards the right direction. Like, when there's an oscillation in the pitch, that can be from A. the fine knob, B. a 5th on the semi knob, C. Light LFO set to pitch, D. detuned unison, E. pulse width modulation. Since the pulsation speed is typically easy to try to match, I'll play around with things I know have such an effect till I get there. If I get somewhat stuck, always just hit the hint button and feel bad about it.
Anyways, I am unsure as to whether or not I am actually learning to audibly dissect the sound, or if I am just taking educated guesses, and I feel like with the hint button always there, it just makes it too easy to push through. When I am 90% of the way there and I hit it, I am often surprised by how off I actually was, and it makes me feel as though I may need to go back.
If the hint button could be single use, or for one parameter at a time, that might be better. I guess there's just some uncertainty as to if I am actually learning since it's too easy to cheat. Theres no actual "test" to it if that makes sense.
Maybe there could be a milestone challenge thing where you get 1 hint and 1 submission. I feel like at least one hint is ok given the nuances, but each time you do the challenge, the synth changes so you can't try again. Do this every 5 chapters or whatever and make it optional.