There are a lot of memorable quotes from my favorite shows that have impacted me in real life. But to be frank, the origin for this project is my long-time fixation on the show “Haikyū!!”. I adore the lines from the show so much that I can probably talk about them for hours, but I can’t and I don’t really have an outlet to put these thoughts in. Which is why I am going to try and arrange some of those thoughts into a short podcast. The inspiration behind this project is not just my love for the show but also the video below. My final output will be like it, except that mine will be audio-focused and will not use clips like the video did. To add, while the video below is more of a video essay, I would like my podcast to be more friendly and casual, just like someone talking about her interests to a close friend.

Podcast Sequence (Might be subject to change)

To start my project, I plan to write the script first before practicing the violin just so that I can properly envision the sequence and flow of my podcast. Doing so will also help me decide which songs fit the podcast the most. Because I will be relearning an instrument for the song covers, I intend on using the easiest soundtracks. For that I already found some music sheets and guides for the songs that are on my options for now. The sources to where I got them from will be included in the final submission.

These plans might change along the way but the idea for now is to record the main podcast vocals first because I think they will take the shortest amount of time to get right. I will record the instrumentals last because I expect them to take the longest. It is best to get the easiest parts done first so that I can focus on the hard ones longer. 

• Logistics

For this podcast, I will be the one doing everything, from recording the vocals up to playing the instruments. The project’s success would depend on factors including vocal practicing as well as relearning the violin. Time management is also important to consider since I also have other subjects with quite heavy requirements. 

• Production Area

I have two probable production areas. The room that I am presently using is small, not treated and has a lot of things occupying it. It is honestly quite messy right now. Thus, I would have to do some more tests with the microphone that I currently have. Despite the amount of things, the room is still a decent place to record in. There is also an air conditioning unit which makes it more comfortable especially when the fans are off.

The other option for me is the new apartment that we will be moving to in September. Yes, the same month as the project’s publishing deadline. But since the publishing date is supposedly on the 3rd, the move probably has yet to happen–which is the exact problem with the room. Since there won’t be anyone occupying the space yet, it will be mostly empty with only a few random pieces of furniture that were placed there for the meantime. While the emptiness of the place means that there will be less noise from outside the area, there will also be some harsh echo at the same time. I reckon that purchasing some household items early would help.

Having said that, as of now, the best option for me is my current room. Since my desk is in the corner of it, beside a window, it will probably be easier to do acoustic treatment using sound absorbent items like thick curtains and rugs. Attached below are pictures of my desk space as well as the new apartment I mentioned.

Screenshot of my Logic Pro workstation.

Signal Inflow

I will be using the most of the month of August to finish the project, with some schedules overlapping depending on how fast I finish certain tasks. Script writing will take about roughly one week tops. Since I will just be speaking and not singing, I set the schedule for strictly practicing a bit short, expecting the majority of it to be occupied by violin preparations. I am doing so because I believe that starting the recording process early will be beneficial for me. Of course numerous practices are good but hearing my voice and what I play in recording earlier on will help me know better what to change or adjust. Plus, everything I play while recording still counts as additional practice. In Photography in Multimedia, I made trial edits after every photo taken to see what needs to be changed to get the shots I want. This process is what I am planning to do for this project too which is why the recording and mixing periods overlap. After every record that feels satisfactory, I plan on mixing immediately. This will allow me to determine early if the tracks are enough or if I can still do something to improve it. It will also give me a lot more options to choose from. I remember doing multiple takes, with photo sessions spanning across several days if not weeks, during Photography in Multimedia and I aim to do that for this course too.

As previously mentioned, I will be doing the project in my room and will most likely take priority in recording my voice first for the main podcast content before recording the needed instrument (violin). The songs that I will play through a real violin will be used for the podcast intro and outro. While in the DAW, I will be using the virtual instruments (mainly piano) to create a track for the transitions that I will use in between talks so that the podcast is not just a long continuous record of me speaking. I initially planned on having background music play throughout the podcast but decided against it because it would just overlap and distract from the main vocal content. Now if possible, I am also open to adding more effects and layers using other virtual instruments so that the musical tracks do not feel flat. For example is adding piano accompaniments to some of the OST covers. Lastly, if I decide that the main podcast content sounds dull, I might also add some ambient sound effects. It adds a slight push to the project while not being as distracting as a full-blown BGM.

For now, I hope to record the following tracks:

• 1 main vocal track

• 2 violin tracks for the intro and outro

• 1 piano track for the transitions (virtual)

• (Optional) Piano tracks for accompaniment and layering (virtual)

• (Backup) Ambient sound effects

My final goal for this project is not to post it on social media, since I am too self-conscious to do that. However, I still want to post it somewhere I can easily access. Hence, I plan on uploading the project as an unlisted video on Youtube. For this, I intend on turning the final product into an MP4 file, showing only a simple podcast logo and some subtitles, if time allows or if I like the look of it. Nothing too fancy because I want to publish it in a way that makes it a bit more interesting without having too many visual elements. 

This kind of project that requires my voice to be the main focus is something that I have never done before, hence I am quite nervous. Even so, because I have some experience doing voice-overs for other assignments, I think I can produce a good output if I practice thoroughly, especially for voice projections.

One thing I am also worried about aside from the technical aspects of the project is overcoming my shyness of having people inside the house hear me play the violin. Although it should not be a big deal at all, it has just been the way I am, which is why I am worried about how it will affect the way I produce sounds with the instrument. I would just have to get over it though.

Simultaneous with that, I am excited about playing the violin again, even more so because I will be playing soundtracks that I love. I look forward to it a lot even if I have quite a bit to relearn, especially when it comes to recalling how to read notes and how to tune the instrument. Strangely though, muscle memory allows me to still remember how the playing goes. I just have to familiarize myself with it more to make my playing as smooth as before. Besides that, I also have to learn more about how to use the virtual instruments in Logic Pro. Though I guess it will become easier once I recall how to identify notes. 

All that aside, I think that the project will be a very good learning experience for me in terms of getting to know more about audio in a more hands-on manner. Furthermore, it will also be a great way to look back on the instrument that I have learned and loved when I was young.