MMS 172 Closing Blog
MMS 172 Closing Blog
As MMS 172 comes to a close, I feel like I’ve gone through a creative and technical journey that was both challenging and rewarding. When I look back at the past three months, I see how much I’ve grown—from someone with no experience in audio production to someone who can now proudly say that I’ve completed a podcast project using real tools and skills.
At the midpoint of the trimester, I reflected on how MMS 172 had already gone beyond my expectations. It wasn’t just about technical skills—it was also about finding my creative voice and understanding the cultural dimension of sound. I became interested in concepts like signal flow and acoustics, which at first seemed intimidating but turned out to be very relevant once I started designing my own project. I also saw how diverse my classmates’ approaches were, which motivated me to think deeply about my own final project.
For my final project, I decided to make a podcast about Rizal's local musical traditions, particularly a focus on how indigenous instruments are being used into modern music. I decided to make this as I am from Taytay, Rizal, and I wanted to create something important that reflects my own culture.
At first, I struggled with the technical aspects. I considered using Canva because it was easier, and I even finished a draft there. But when I found out that it would lead to me -5 points, I decided to return to GarageBand, even if it seems complicated. This proved to be the most tough yet gratifying portion of my adventure.
I spent hours trial and error recording my voice, altering background music, correcting mistakes, and determining how to balance sound levels. To help me understand GarageBand's features, I watched several YouTube videos. I gradually felt more comfortable with it, and I recognized that learning by doing was the most effective approach to progress.
One highlight of my project was interviewing my brother, who became my interviewee. Having him on the podcast made the project more personal and authentic. It added another voice to the narrative, which made the episode feel less like a solo report and more like a conversation. Adding background music and adjusting its volume so that it was softer during narration and louder during pauses gave the podcast a professional touch that I was very proud of.
My classmates also inspired me throughout the course. Some of them created songs, while others did chapter readings or different forms of audio projects. Their works were incredible in their own ways, and it showed me that MMS 172 allowed us all to approach audio storytelling from very different perspectives. I also found them approachable whenever I had concerns. Even though I missed the face-to-face session, I felt connected through the forums and discussions.
Looking back, here are some of the most important lessons I learned:
Don’t be afraid to struggle. My switch from Canva to GarageBand showed me that taking the harder route often pays off.
Audio production is about patience. Recording, mixing, and editing all take time, and small mistakes can teach big lessons.
Collaboration adds depth. Including my brother in my podcast gave the project more life and authenticity.
Creativity and culture go hand in hand. By focusing on Rizal’s indigenous instruments, I learned how sound can preserve and share identity.
(Pre-production): I learned the importance of planning. This was where I first understood that even audio projects require structured preparation—like concept statements, project timelines, logistics, and thinking about the recording environment. It was also where I began to reflect on my own cultural identity, especially when I decided to focus on indigenous instruments in Rizal.
(Production): This was where the real challenges began. Concepts like signal flow taught me how sound actually travels from the source (my voice or interviewee) through the microphone, into the software, and eventually into the final mix. I also understood how crucial acoustics and environment are—sometimes the room you’re in makes or breaks your recording. Production was about patience, trial and error, and persistence.
(Post-production): This unit helped me polish my project. I learned how editing, mixing, and adjusting volume levels make a huge difference in how professional the final output sounds. Even small touches like lowering background music while I was speaking and increasing it during pauses gave my podcast a natural rhythm. Post-production taught me that finishing strong is just as important as starting with a clear idea.
As a BAMS student, I now see MMS 172 as more than just a requirement—it’s a valuable skill-building experience. Audio production may not be my strongest area, but I now feel confident enough to say I can handle it when needed. Whether I continue podcasting or move to other multimedia projects, I know that the lessons I learned here—patience, creativity, persistence, and technical awareness—will carry over.
I also see myself using this experience in the future if I want to explore more cultural storytelling through media. Even if I don’t become an audio producer, I know how important sound is in multimedia, and I now have a solid foundation to build upon.
This course wasn’t easy, but that’s what makes it meaningful. From the first time I opened GarageBand and felt lost, to the moment I finally exported my finished podcast, I experienced the full cycle of learning: confusion, frustration, discovery, and finally, achievement. I am proud of my final project, but more than that, I am proud of how I refused to take shortcuts and instead pushed myself to learn something new.
MMS 172 taught me that even with just a laptop, headphones, and determination, I could create something that reflects both who I am as a student and where I come from as a Filipino. For that, I will always look back at this course as one of the more memorable parts of my BAMS journey.