MMS 172 Assignment 2: Pre-production

Pre-production 

Project Concept Statement

I will be remaking my original rap composition from high school, which addresses the challenges faced by families with an OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker) member. This song has significant potential to share important messages about the sacrifices and hardships of OFWs. I believe I can enhance this song by improving its arrangement and incorporating various instruments such as guitar, beatbox, and piano. Additionally, I will use sound effects to emphasize intense scenes described in the lyrics, such as screams, cries, and instances of abuse by employers. This project is crucial for me, and I aim to make it a hit by involving my band and my former music instructor from La Salle to help with the production.

As someone who has seen the struggles of OFWs through friends and family, I understand how hard it is to be an OFW. This project is an eye-opener, highlighting the sacrifices and emotional toll on OFWs and their families. Many of my friends have OFW parents, and as a multimedia student, I feel a responsibility to use my voice and talent to share this important message. The original lyrics I wrote capture these experiences vividly, and I am committed to bringing out the full potential of this song.

Dugot pawis ang inialay
Para lang pamilyay mabuhay
Lahat lahat ay ibibigay
Kahit pa ang kanyang buhay

Verse 1

Tiiisin lahat ng hirap
Para sa hinaharap
Kahit anumang saklap
Maabot lang ang pangarap

Sampal pasa kalmot ang inaabot
Pinagsasantabi ang takot
Hindi makikita ang pag simangot
Kahit nakakadama ng lungkot 

Chorus

Dugot pawis ang inialay
Para lang pamilyay mabuhay
Lahat lahat ay ibibigay
Kahit pa ang kanyang buhay

Rap Verse 1: 

Kahit na inaabuso, sinasaktan minamaltrato
Tinitiis na lang ang sakit na ginawa ng kanyang amo
Sabay ikaw, sabay sabay ikaw panay hingi
Tinatawagan mo lang pag may gusto kang ipabili

Ibibigay nya yan sayo kahit pilit lang ang ngiti
Di mo namamalayan, mayron pala syang iniindang saket
Nagttrabaho ng husto, pero ikaw gusto mo bagong damet
Nagagalit ka pa pag hindi maibigay

Di mo ba naiisip kaya di nya mabigay?
Kase pangarap nyang iahon kayo sa mahirap ninyong buhay
Wala ng iniisip kundi ang kanyang anak
Ikaw nagsasaya, habang luha nya'y pumapatak

Verse 2

Wala ng tinitira
Para sa kanyang sarili
Kahit mga gamot ay
Wala syang pambili

Binibigay lahat ng pangangailangan
Kahit siya ay mapagiwanan
Ngunit nakakalimutang pasalamatan
Ng kanyang pinapahalagan

Chorus

Dugot pawis ang inialay
Para lang pamilyay mabuhay
Lahat lahat ay ibibigay
Kahit pa ang kanyang buhay

Rap Verse 2:

Ika'y tuwang tuwa ng malaman mong uuwi na si Inay
Nalampasan ang mahirap nyang buhay
Eto na ang araw na matagal mong hinintay
Nakatingala ka at baka sa dadaan na eroplano doon nakasakay

May dumating nasasakyan ngunit lahat sila ay malungkot
Nagtataka ka at naghahanap ka ng sagot
Imbes na tao ang Ibaba
Puting kahon ang iyong nakita

Napaluhod ka nalang bigla at sinabing
"Panginoon, gisingin nyo po ko sana panaginip lang lahat ng ito"
Sa kamay ng nanay mo mayroon syang iniwang sulat
Binasa mo ang nilalaman at ito ang kanyang ulat...

Bridge

"Anak patawad kung hindi ko mabigay ang lahat sayo,
Sanay huwag kang magalit sa akin.
Pero lagi mong tatandaan na mahal na mahal kita
Gagawin kong lahat para sayo."

Chorus

Dugot pawis ang inialay
Para lang pamilyay mabuhay
Lahat lahat ay ibibigay
Kahit pa ang kanyang buhay

Project Plan

Timetable

Week 1-2: Pre-Production Planning

• Finalize the arrangement and additional elements (instruments, sound effects).

• Schedule meetings with the band and music instructor.

• Set up the recording environment.

Week 3-4: Recording Sessions

• Record instrumental tracks (guitar, beatbox, piano).

• Record vocal tracks (rap and chorus).

• Record sound effects for intense scenes.

Week 5: Mixing

• Combine all recorded elements.

• Adjust levels, EQ, and effects to ensure a cohesive sound.

Week 6: Mastering

• Finalize the overall sound of the track.

• Ensure it meets industry standards for audio quality.

Week 7: Publishing and Promotion

• Upload the final song to music platforms.

• Promote the song through social media and other channels.

Logistics

Recording and Mixing Locations

• Recording Location: My music instructor and former band have a music studio where I can record all the necessary tracks. The studio is equipped with high-quality recording hardware and software, ensuring a professional output. 

• Mixing Location: Collaborate with the music studio for final mixing and mastering.

Hardware and Software

• Hardware: Microphones (condenser and dynamic), audio interface, studio monitors, headphones, instruments (guitar, beatbox equipment, piano).

• Software: Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) such as Ableton Live or Pro Tools, plugins for mixing and mastering.
  
  

Signal Flow

1. Recording Phase:

   • Vocals/Instruments: Microphone → Audio Interface → Digital Audio Workstation (DAW).

   • Monitoring: Studio monitors or headphones for real-time playback.

2. Mixing Phase:

   • Track Editing and Mixing: I will combine recorded tracks in the DAW, adjust levels, EQ, and add effects.

   • Monitoring: I will use studio monitors or headphones to ensure a balanced mix.

3. Mastering Phase:

   • Final Adjustments: I will apply final EQ, compression, and loudness maximization.

   • Exporting: I will export the final mastered track in the desired format.

Strengths and Weaknesses of the Project: 

 Strengths

3. • Utilizing professional-grade microphones, audio interface, and DAW ensures high-fidelity recordings. 

   • Recording in a music studio with proper acoustic treatment minimizes unwanted reflections and noise. 

   • Collaborating with my band and music instructor, who have extensive experience in music production, ensures a smooth and efficient recording process. 

Weaknesses

3. • I need to minimize any potential background noise by recording in a quiet environment and using noise gates during mixing. 

   • I may encounter latency issues, which I can reduce by using a high-quality audio interface and ensuring the DAW settings are optimized for low-latency recording. 

   • Ensuring accurate monitoring during recording and mixing by using high-quality studio monitors and headphones is crucial to the project’s success. 

Conclusion

This project is a significant undertaking, and I am committed to ensuring its success. With the help of my band and music instructor, I aim to produce a powerful and impactful song that resonates with many and highlights the challenges faced by OFWs.