Embedded Files
MONA LISA Song Cover
My MMS 172 project is a tribute to “MONA LISA” by J-Hope, an artist whose work has left a significant mark on my musical journey. From the very beginning—going back to Assignment 1’s pre-production notes—I’ve openly shared how much of a devoted J-Hope and K-pop fan I am. There’s something about his technical command, vibrant personality, and signature style that sparks creativity and motivates me to dig deeper into what music can mean on a personal level.
Working on this cover felt like bringing together admiration and aspiration in a single project. J-Hope’s artistry, which seamlessly blends sharp technique with a flair for self-expression, set a high bar that challenged me to step up my own production game. Throughout the process, I found myself trying vocal runs and stylistic choices I’d never attempted before—sometimes missing the mark, sometimes discovering new strengths I didn’t know I had. It was both exhilarating and intimidating, knowing that my version wouldn’t mirror the original completely, but would instead carry its own character born of exploration and risk-taking.
I’ve realized that interpreting a song isn’t just about matching notes or production values—it’s about letting personal style shape the final outcome. J-Hope’s fearless approach, which often mixes genres and emotions, encouraged me to go beyond technical imitation and search for new ways to express myself. Even when my arrangement veered away from the source material, I felt supported by the spirit of experimentation and authenticity that defines K-pop and J-Hope’s work in particular.
Production logistics
Note: Screenshot from the Audacity application
All the tracks in my project come from a mix of sources—some I found online (i.e. melodies), while others I created myself from scratch. For the sounds I recorded like the delicate clinking of the glass and vocals, I made sure to use the right microphone setup to capture the best quality possible. There’s something satisfying about creating sounds firsthand; it adds a personal touch that samples alone can’t quite capture.
To enhance the project further, I relied on GarageBand, which is installed on my Mac Mini. GarageBand is like a creative playground for me—it’s intuitive yet powerful enough to produce extra sound layers that complement the track. Whether it’s sculpting a guitar tone or adding subtle effects, GarageBand gives me the tools to experiment and breathe life into my ideas.
For the core of the project, I depended on Audacity as my main digital audio workstation. What’s great about Audacity is that it’s free and open-source, yet it packs all the essential features I need for multi-track recording, editing, mixing, and adding effects. It’s reliable and straightforward, letting me focus on the creative process without getting bogged down by complicated software. Using Audacity, I could piece together the different audio elements seamlessly and tweak each layer until everything felt just right, which made the whole production process both accessible and rewarding.
Production space and equipment
Production area
I chose to record in my bedroom because it’s simply the quietest spot in my home, making it ideal for capturing clean, clear audio without unwanted background noise. There’s something comforting about working in a familiar, personal space where I can focus fully on the music and let my creativity flow without distractions. Having this quiet environment has really made a difference in the quality of my recordings, allowing even subtle sounds like the glass clinking to come through crisply and authentically.
My setup revolves around a few key pieces of equipment that I’ve grown comfortable with over time. At the heart of it is my Lenovo Legion Pro 5 laptop computer, a powerhouse that handles music production software effortlessly and keeps everything running smoothly. Alongside that, I use my Apple Mac Mini, which is perfect for running GarageBand and adding those creative touches to my tracks.
For capturing vocals and unique sounds, my Fifine Tank 3 dynamic microphone is my trusted companion. It’s rugged and reliable, giving me the flexibility of both USB and XLR connections so I can start simple and upgrade as I go. This mic paired with the Fifine BM88 armstand makes positioning and stability easy, letting me focus entirely on my performance rather than the setup.
To monitor everything closely, I use my Sennheiser GSP 300 headphones. These headphones deliver clear, immersive sound with just the right amount of bass, helping me catch every detail during recording and mixing.
Altogether, this setup strikes a balance between functionality and comfort, making my bedroom a true creative hub where I can experiment, record, and bring my music ideas to life.
I mainly used the Fifine Tank 3 for capturing audio recordings with minimal noise. This sturdy all-metal dynamic mic offers versatile connectivity with both USB-C and XLR, making it perfect whether I’m plugging in easily or connecting to more advanced gear. Its built-in volume controls, quick-mute button, and pop filter helped me get clear, focused sound while cutting background noise. The Tank 3’s solid build and great sound quality make it a reliable choice for everything from podcasting and streaming to vocals and gaming.
The Fifine BM88 boom arm is a solid, all-metal setup that works perfectly with my Fifine Tank3 microphone. It stays securely in place while letting me easily adjust the mic’s position for the best sound. By mounting it under my monitor, it frees up desk space, and the built-in cable management keeps everything tidy. Its universal adapter means I can quickly switch mics or add accessories, making it a super practical tool for my streaming and recording needs.
The Sennheiser GSP 300 is closed-back, over-ear headphone designed for immersive gaming with clear, high-quality sound and enhanced bass. Its XL memory foam pads provide excellent comfort for extended wear and help block out noise. I mainly used this device to evaluate the quality of my recorded audio.
The Lenovo Legion Pro 5 (13th Gen, 16-inch, Intel Core i7) is a powerful gaming laptop equipped with high-end processors and GPUs that also makes an excellent tool for music production, capable of running demanding audio software smoothly with ample memory and fast storage. Its sharp display, versatile connectivity, quality audio features, and robust cooling system support extended creative sessions, making it a reliable, versatile choice for both gaming and intensive music production tasks. This is my workhorse personal computer.
My M2 Apple Mac Mini is a compact and portable desktop computer that transforms any display into a Mac-powered workstation. It has 24GB of memory and 512GB of internal storage, equipped with multiple Thunderbolt ports, USB-C, HDMI, Ethernet, and a headphone jack for versatile connectivity. I often use this device for video (Final Cut Pro or iMovie) and audio (GarageBand) production and editing..
Project timeline
Week 1: Got my project idea approved and started jotting down plans.
Week 2: Set up my workspace, tested each bit of equipment, and did some early vocal warm-ups.
Week 3: Recorded my takes—sometimes over and over to get it right—and started the first round of edits.
Week 4: Spent a lot of time mixing and mastering, tweaking every layer using the tools I had.
Week 5: Listened back, made any last tweaks, and finally exported and shared the finished cover.
Signal flow
The signal pathway for both the vocals and the glass sounds follows the same setup, ensuring consistency and clarity across these elements. I use my new microphone, which delivers high-quality recordings with excellent sensitivity and effective noise cancellation to minimize background distractions. The audio signal is routed through my audio interface, which provides a clean, reliable connection and maintains the integrity of the recorded sound. From there, I process the recordings in Audacity, where I apply editing and effects to fine-tune the tone, balance, and presence. This streamlined signal chain allows me to achieve professional-sounding results while keeping the workflow straightforward and efficient, essential for capturing the subtle details in both vocal expression and the delicate glass clinging sounds.
Recording and mixing
Track 1: Bass using GarageBand
For this track, I created the bass line entirely in GarageBand using one of its built-in guitar sounds. Instead of a traditional bass guitar tone, I carefully picked and tweaked a guitar patch to fit the song's rhythm and vibe perfectly. This gave the bass a unique texture, combining the warm character of a guitar with the deep groove of a bassline. I arranged the sound to lock in tight with the drum pattern, driving the track’s pulse while blending smoothly with the other instruments. It’s a great example of how GarageBand’s flexible instruments let me get creative with the core elements of a song’s production.
Track 2: Glass clinging
For this track, I added a unique high-pitched accent by striking a glass cup with a utensil. The sharp, resonant clink brings an organic, unexpected texture that really pops in the mix. Its natural metallic shimmer adds a subtle sparkle, giving the track a tactile energy and character that digital effects or samples just can’t match. This simple sound choice boosts the overall dynamics, offering bright moments that grab attention and enhance the rhythm without overpowering it. It’s a fun, creative way to bring a personal touch through unconventional sounds.
Track 3: Melody
For this track, I used a melodic version from an online source to preserve the original vibe and emotion. It provided a solid foundation to keep the song’s recognizable tone while guiding my arrangement. This helped me stay true to the spirit and flow of the original, even as I added my personal touches, creating a cover that feels both authentic and fresh.
Track 4: Vocals
The vocals on this track were performed by me, with a conscious effort to stay true to j-hope’s original delivery and style. I focused on capturing his unique tone, flow, and emotive nuances to pay homage to his performance while adding my own subtle interpretation. This involved carefully listening to his phrasing and dynamics, then practicing until I could convey the same energy and feeling in my vocal take. The goal was not just to replicate but to connect with the essence of the song, allowing my voice to carry the same passion and intensity that J-Hope brings, so listeners can feel that original spirit shining through in this cover. I did my best, but I admit, my best is not good enough. What matters most is the journey of learning.
Looking back: Embracing experimentation and growth
Reflecting on this project, I realize just how much the journey was shaped by continual trial and error—a process that taught me as much as any tutorial or guide ever could. Every phase of producing my “MONA LISA” cover called for experimentation, whether that meant exploring different vocal techniques, layering tracks in new ways, or searching for the right effects to elevate the sound.
There were plenty of moments when things didn’t go as planned. Early versions of my vocals didn’t hit the notes I wanted, and some of my first takes sounded flat or strained. Instead of getting discouraged, I treated each “mistake” as a chance to find another way. I experimented with positioning my microphone, tweaking my settings in Audacity, and even modifying the arrangement of the song to suit my capabilities. Sometimes, after an hour of editing, I’d scrap a section and start fresh. Rather than seeing these restarts as setbacks, I came to view them as stepping stones in a process of creative discovery.
Trying out new techniques, like recording glass-clinking or building a bassline in GarageBand, pushed me to problem-solve on the fly. The glass track, for example, took several attempts—different glasses, materials, and mic placements—before I got the resonant sound I imagined. I didn’t anticipate how a subtle change, such as the way I held the glass, could dramatically alter the recording’s character. Each failed experiment nudged me closer to the outcome I wanted, sharpening both my technical skills and my intuition about the production process.
Looking back, what stands out most is how much I learned by not being afraid to make mistakes. If something didn’t work, I analyzed why, adjusted my approach, and tried again until I found a better solution. This iterative process not only improved the final product but also made me more confident and resourceful as a creator. I now appreciate that creativity often thrives on uncertainty—by embracing trial and error, I ended up discovering possibilities I wouldn’t have considered if I’d followed a straightforward, predictable path.
Ultimately, every experiment, failure, and revision was integral to the music I produced (or any activity in general) and to my growth as an artist. The finished cover represents more than just technical effort; it is the sum of countless moments of curiosity, resilience, and learning—a testament to what’s possible when experimentation is at the heart of creative work.
Page updated
Report abuse