I. This wasn't an easy journey...
I started this semester really excited for MMS172, I knew that my interest in music would help me pass this course (hopefully.) but like I mentioned before, I lacked the technical skills that are usually needed for audio production. To be honest, I didn't even know the importance of sound design, probably because I wasn't paying attention to what my ears could hear every time I play videogames and so I couldn't really absorb all the SFX that's going on, but the next time I play Assassin's Creed, I will most definitely now pay attention.
When it comes to my weaknesses, I believe I struggled most with applying my critical thinking into this course, and it was hard for me to apply technical skills because I barely had any in the beginning, so it was all new roads for me. But as I was beginning to go in the middle of the course, I figured that it's alright to make mistakes and not automatically have the best output ever, but I didn't want that to discourage me from trying new things and experiment with different techniques, especially during my final project. It was really a huge leap personally, because I went from only recording two audio sources (my voice and my guitar) into a single audio track, to multiples of them. It was quite a lengthy and complicated process, but a fun one!
II. Giving myself a pat on the back...
In my Midpoint Blog, I did mention that I was both excited and anxious for the weeks to come, and I wasn't kidding because when I was actually recording and mixing the audio tracks for my final project, I was more anxious than hopeful. There was a time that when I listen back to what I have just mixed, all I could feel was cringe, and I wanted to scratch that idea, start a new one, but I figured that if I do that, I'd have lesser time to work. So, I didn't restart, rather I worked with what I have, and probably re-recorded a million times, but I can say that for an actual beginner like me, it was not that bad.
I'd definitely be lying if I said that I believed I gave such an amazing output, because I think some things could've been better if I had the equipment to have the instruments recorded directly, especially for the piano part, because putting my microphone just in front of its speaker was the only choice, but of course, it wasn't the best option. And maybe I could have had more edge if I knew how to navigate and use other forms of DAW. Still, I am grateful for Audacity. Also when I bought my microphone before I enrolled for this semester, I just bought one solely for gaming communication and recording acoustic songs for my YouTube channel. But honestly, it served nicely and captured my vocals well.
I only had a couple of expectations for myself, to meet most of my project goals, follow the time-table, and do my best. While I didn't really quite have an idea of what my best is yet, I still think I did more than what I was expecting. I know, I keep mentioning the importance of doing my best, but only because I really believe that our potential is just out there waiting for us to discover it. Our best cannot be measured by numbers or situations, it is us who decides how far we want to push through.
III. I'm not alone in this path I am on...
I did have a few classmates sharing their output on our class group chat, and all I could feel is awe because I could tell that they have poured out their hearts into doing their final project. I think it showed a glimpse of who they are as a person, what they enjoy doing, and especially what they valued. I know some did song covers as well, with interesting and unconventional instruments used, and also some with storytelling essence that are voiced out neatly and perfectly. I may not be able to listen to the projects of others because the extension was extended, and I didn't wanna judge too soon as they may still have plans to tweak theirs. But one of the things that I can conclude is that some did struggle, some were also experimenting, similarly to what I encountered during my mixing and mastering days, and ultimately it just reminded me that even though we were focusing on different themes and ideas, I didn't felt like I was traversing this path alone, like a sad audio newbie in a world filled with audiocrats!
I am absolutely carrying with me all the lessons that I have learned and of course, I will be taking care of my ears from now on, because listening is a wonderful gift, and I don't ever wanna take advantage of that again. This course simply made me reflect on what I plan to do in the future, and while I do not necessarily feel like I could be perfect in the field of audio production, I think my future line of work would still require that kind of skills, so it's best to still hold on and nourish what I have learned from MMS172.
I am now observant to the world, and now keen to hearing and noticing the sounds around me, and that every time I divulge myself in any forms of art, whether it's a theatre play, a song on Spotify, or just a lively conversation that I am overhearing outside, I am reminded of the importance of listening because not only it give us an idea of what it sounds like, it also gives us an idea on how to understand and connect with it.
Thank you for reading my closing blog, it was a rollercoaster, but like all rollercoasters, it leaves you more hyped! (unless you have motion sickness, hehe.)