As a musician, I realize I don’t always feel the need to only do covers. Sometimes, I need to create my own shit, compose a song, and choose who I’ll collaborate with. It may sound unnecessary and time-consuming for a school project, but I'm more aware that this process teaches me to be analytical, and especially more critical when it comes to listening and producing audio. That alone makes it necessary. 

And that’s what I’m going to do for my final project. To create an original song.

   I’m not yet sure if I’ll directly call out the people responsible, or express a desire to escape this town. But writing about how to fix it feels too objective and it doesn’t really suit song lyrics. Perhaps a reflection or realization about what’s happening might work better. I’ll figure that out during production.

      Since I plan to tell a true story through my lyrics, the genre I’m aiming for is art rock. More in terms of atmosphere, emotion, and concept rather than complex musical structures. I’m also considering indie rock with some progressive elements since it’s relatively simple in form but allows room for experimentation with tone, harmony, and lyrics. My vision includes something mellow, with touches of jazz. But overall, this original song will be experimental in nature, as it’s my first time composing.

      For those who know me, I get that you might expect something more hard rock since that’s what I usually enjoy and play in my drum covers. But I’ve decided to compromise as I’ll also be handling the vocals and my microphone isn’t suited for a wide vocal range (not that I have one). So I’ve chosen to go with a simple, clean sound, almost like a slow ballad or lullaby.

     Initially, I was weighing whether to do a cover or write an original song. But after giving it some thought, I decided to go with an original. One of the main advantages that I considered is that there’s nothing to compare it to since it’s not based on an existing track, I’ll have more creative freedom and full control over the song’s length and structure. That said, starting from scratch means I’m building everything from the ground up. But the good news is, I have access to decent equipment and instruments I can borrow for this project which I’m really thankful for. 

    I expect this part to be the most overwhelming for me as I’m still learning how to collaborate with others, particularly when it comes to producing guitar tracks and borrowing an audio interface from my father’s bandmate if I really want this final project to succeed and be worth the effort. Audio interfaces are expensive, but I’m honestly tempted to invest in one soon. On top of that, the flooding in our area makes collaboration more difficult. Most transportation here involves boats or trucks, meaning higher transport costs as well. Fortunately, there won’t be any issues when it comes to writing the lyrics and instrumental parts, playing the drums, and doing the mixing since I’ll be handling those myself. The only thing I’ll really need to keep track of is my collaborators’ availability. 

     This is the full list of equipment I currently have or will have access to. As for the microphones, I’ll be testing both to see which one works best for recording. The electro-acoustic guitar isn’t guaranteed to be used in production but I’ve included it in the list just in case I find a need for it later on. I also plan to clean up my laptop’s storage this week to ensure a smoother workflow during production and post-processing using FL Studio 12.

This is a screenshot of my FL Studio 12 while I was working on the MIDI file for my Google Bach piece in Bonus 3. 

     Since my collaborator is letting me borrow and test their BM800 condenser microphone, I’ll be evaluating which mic works best for the mellow and jazz-influenced tone of my song. Below is the signal flow for each instrument assuming I’ll be able to use the PreSonus AudioBox.

    To be realistic, knowing that it’s my first time making an original song and I’ll be experimenting with it, the composition, recording, and mixing processes might constantly overlap. I envision myself changing the composition over time to better suit my preferences and taste. I’m exploring and experimenting so it’s going to be a trial-and-error process. At the same time, I can also start mixing whenever I have free time especially once I’m satisfied with a particular recording.

    The logistics will be the most challenging part as I’ve planned to collaborate for the guitar tracks and I’m still finalizing the audio interface setup. But if the situation and accessibility improve, I’ll be recording in my room and in our living room -- vocals, MIDI tracks, and drum tracks will be done there -- while the guitar parts will be recorded at my guitarist’s house. All of this is scheduled to take place over two weeks. After that, I’ll be doing the mixing in my room using FL Studio 12 for over three weeks.

     I’m certain that I’ll be using panning, volume automation, and VST plugins especially those I can control via the MIDI keyboard to shape the dynamics of my song. It’s honestly overwhelming to imagine how I’ll pull all of this off, but I believe that as long as I can access the essential equipment, I’ll be ready to do my best. If I successfully secure everything I need, my vision is to include the following tracks even though the lyrics aren’t written yet:

1 Main vocal track
1 Electro-acoustic guitar (still uncertain)

Ambient Sound track (still uncertain)
1 Electric guitar solo track
1 Bass guitar track
1 Electronic drum track
1-3 MIDI keyboard track

    As I’ve mentioned before, this original song will primarily be experimental in nature so I don’t want to lock myself into adding more specific tracks for now. I also don’t want to put too much pressure and expectations on myself especially since the pre-production plan isn’t meant to be followed rigidly. In reality, things often change during the process due to compromises and unexpected limitations. For instance, I’m considering adding ambient sounds, but the question is whether my microphone can realistically capture them with enough clarity. If it works, I’ll include it of course. If not, I won’t risk compromising the quality of the other elements just to force that layer into the mix.

     So, the tracks listed above have about an 80–95% chance of being part of the final version, with the vocal track being 100% certain. Of course, I’ll document every change and improvement in the final project article once the song is completed.

   I'll be needing a musician who will be playing the electric guitar parts for me especially the solo sections since I’m not confident in that area. I don’t have a MIDI keyboard and Audio Interface either, so borrowing one would really help me explore and experiment with it for this project. I think it’s fairly easy to navigate with the number of tutorials available online. So yes, I’ll be relying on great YouTube tutorials to make the most out of it.

     If the idea of adding ambient sound pushes through, I’ll also need talents for that. I could be one of them, but having a variety of voice actors would make it sound more dynamic and realistic.

      Lastly, I need a second set of ears -- someone who isn’t me -- who’s skilled in critical listening and can give constructive feedback on my work, which I know would help me improve it. Right now, the person I have in mind is my father. But I’m also still considering whether or not to ask you, Sir Al, to check my progress. What holds me back a little is the thought that it might take away the excitement and surprise at the end of this project (as if I will really surprise you), since you’d already be familiar with parts of it. Also, I’m concerned it might lead me to play it safe. Applying the feedback you provide might result in something you’ll like mainly because it followed your suggestions. Does that make sense?

      Anyway, I’ll definitely reach out if I feel I really need your help, probably more on the technical side of equipment but not so much on the creative aspects.

      Some of the concepts I’ll probably make use of in this project are those I picked up from both our course manual and the discussion forums. One of the key things is dynamics. Not just in terms of volume or intensity, but how they affect the emotional flow of the song. I’ve learned how subtle shifts in loudness or energy can create contrast and build emotion which I think is important for the kind of reflective, experimental sound I’m going for. 

       Another concept is mic positioning. As I'll be doing the vocals, I’ll be more mindful with how far I am from the mic, the angle I’m using (remembering Su-Metal's skill in Monochrome The First Take), and the reflections around me especially since I’ll be recording in a small space. I’ll also be working with MIDI, but unlike in previous exercises, I’ll be the one actually composing the MIDI notes. That gives me creative control and lets me try applying what I’ve learned about writing parts for virtual instruments.

       Another takeaway from the course that I’ll apply is how to effectively tell a story through lyrics. I’m aiming for a concept that has social commentary, so I want the storytelling to feel honest without being too direct or preachy. 

      Lastly, I’ll be doing all the mixing in my DAW, which in this case is FL Studio 12. From EQing and panning to adding effects and balancing levels, I’ll be relying on the techniques we studied to bring all the tracks together in a way that sounds cohesive.

      Several challenges are likely to arise throughout the course of my project, both technical and logistical. One concern is whether my current microphones are capable of accurately capturing ambient sounds. Given their limitations, I’m uncertain if they can reproduce subtle environmental details with the clarity and depth I need. That's why this is only an optional.

     Another major issue is the persistent flooding in our area which could affect my ability to meet with collaborators for recording sessions. Though I remain hopeful that water levels will subside by the time I begin the production phase, but this remains an unpredictable variable.

       Time availability also poses a challenge. Honestly, I tend to work at a slower pace because I’m meticulous. I constantly revisit and scrutinize the finer details of my work. While this helps me improve quality and precision, it also increases the time needed for each stage of the process. My perfectionist tendency has both advantages and drawbacks, I'm aware of it. 

      Lastly, I recognize that my limited experience in composition adds another layer of difficulty. As this is my first attempt at writing and structuring an original piece, I anticipate a learning curve. However, I view this not as a setback but as an opportunity to grow through the process itself.

     As a beginner and since it’s my first time composing an original song, I’ll be uploading my final project on YouTube and Facebook, which I believe a friendly platforms to start with. Though Facebook might receive a range of reactions especially since I’ll be talking about the town where most of my Facebook friends live... 

that is, if they even realize I’m referring to our town.

     I’ve also been thinking about uploading on Spotify but I believe I’ll deserve to use that platform once I’m more dedicated to producing music consistently. In my case right now, I can’t say for sure whether this final project will be my first and last original song. 

But who knows? Maybe I’ll create more, or even develop something for my thesis. Let’s see. 

      Last night, I asked my mother to tell me, “Kaya mo ’yan,” well just to boost my confidence a bit. But instead, she told me, 

“Gusto mo ’yan.” 

     At first, I was confused. I thought she was being sarcastic like I had no choice and just had to deal with it because I signed up for this. But she explained herself clearly. What she meant was that if I know this is what I truly like, then that should be my motivation to keep going and finish strong. And she’s right. Music is something I like. Multimedia has always been something I’ve loved.

      That’s why my main goal in this project is simple: to do what I like or maybe even what I love. This process will help me explore whether this could be a real career path for me, or simply a passion I want to keep as a lifelong hobby. And just as I mentioned before, there’s even a chance that audio production could become the focus of my future capstone-- emphasis on “possibility.”

      Technically speaking, I really want to get the most out of this course despite the online setup. By that, I mean revisiting the course manual, using proper audio terms as much as possible to familiarize myself more deeply with the field, and applying everything I’ve learned directly in my final project. These efforts, I believe, will benefit me in the long run as a musician.

      And finally, from all the things I’ve discussed, I hope you still remember when I shared how my father dislikes me just doing drum covers by myself. How he wishes I would collaborate and compose something original. He doesn’t even care if I fail a school assignment, but he gets genuinely disappointed when he asks me to play with his bandmates and I always say no. And if I do play, it shows on my face that I don’t enjoy it.

    So, this is it. It’s now or never. I’m going to create something we both might enjoy. Something that my father can be proud of after seeing the process I went through. Something that makes me feel like a genuine musician, someone learning to connect with others through the process.