MMS 172

Assignment 1: Pre-production

PROJECT CONCEPT

For this project, I intend to produce a cover of one of my favorite songs, Hanggang Kailan by Orange and Lemons.

I’ve loved the melody and the emotion of this song for years. I don’t have a trained voice, but I know I can pour my heart into it.

This is my first time recording a song—and for me, it’s not just about singing. It’s about learning to use the technical skills I’ve picked up in this course, finding confidence in my voice, and channeling the emotion that makes this song so powerful. By the end, I hope to have created a performance that not only sounds and feels honest, but also shows how much I learned from this course.

Figure 1 MMS 172 Final Project Timetable

pROJECT PLAN

This timetable outlines the target dates I’ve set for each specific task. The schedule is organized by week, starting from July 28, 2025, to September 3, 2025, to ensure I have ample time to complete each step and track my progress accurately. As of writing this blog, I’ve already finished conceptualizing and finalizing the song I’m going to cover, which I presented in the project concept statement.

LOGISTICS

I will be using the following as my production equipment:

Desktop
Sound card (Kacool Soundcard V8)
Microphone
Smartphone (iPhone 13)
Headset (Orashare)

I will be recording the project in my apartment in Pasig City, Philippines, most likely around midnight to minimize background noise. For the audio editing and mixing, I’ll be using Audacity, as it’s currently the most accessible and practical software for me to use.

In my setup, the minus one track is played from my desktop and connected via AUX to the Kacool Soundcard V8, which also receives my vocal input through a headset microphone. Both audio sources are mixed in the soundcard and sent to my smartphone for recording, I will monitor the sound in real time using a headset plugged into the soundcard.

While this setup has strengths such as portability, real-time monitoring, and simplicity, it also has limitations like lower mic quality and no multi-track editing. To address this, I will rehearse and adjust volume levels beforehand, minimize background noise, and ensure the correct cables are used to capture a clean and balanced mix.

SELF- REFLECTION

I know this project will be challenging due to my limited resources, but I’m determined to deliver the best quality I can. Aside from the equipment, my main concern is my voice. Starting the first week of August, I’ve decided to avoid drinking cold beverages to help preserve it. This will be difficult since I genuinely love flavored drinks like iced coffee and milk tea. But for the sake of making sure my voice stays in good condition, I’m willing to make the effort, even if it’s not easy to let go of those habits right away.

Deciding what to do for this project wasn’t easy either. I know I can sing, but it’s mostly been limited to private moments like in the bathroom or during karaoke with friends and family. I’ve never actually recorded myself singing or shared it with a wider audience, so this is something completely new for me.

Even though I’m both anxious and excited, I chose this path because I believe I can handle it, even under pressure. I’ll make sure to enjoy the process and apply everything I’ve learned from the course modules.

At the end of the day, I know this project is more than just about the final output. It’s about stepping out of my comfort zone, taking risks, and proving to myself that I’m capable of more than I usually allow myself to believe.

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