Assignment 4: Closing Blog

Another semester done, and it has definitely shaken me a little bit. For starters, I actually forgot how this subject was a production subject. To be taken into the production scene it's a new experience for me as a BAMS student. I did expect to have hurdles, but did not expect it to be involved right from the bat and as well in the process of learning what audio in multimedia is all about. All I had prepared was a newly bought headphones I thought would be enough to pass me with flying colors, which, by the way, gave me a headache when I wore them for a long time, but I think that’s only an issue on my part.

How do I define my experience in this course? It was fun, but I had tons of self-doubt. It may be from my failed music production fantasy or my rig not working as promised, but to sum it up, since it was a new field to work on, it was scary at least. I focused my 200% in this course, which I forgot I have 3 courses I need to handle as well, but because I was so hyper-focused on understanding, doing great, and not missing anything. It was my regret last semester, I missed small things, and together they became bigger things. It was like a redemption arc, even though there are still no results, but I think I did great at looking into details now than before. 

One thing I picked up in audio production is that ears are the greatest asset you have. It was not just ears to re-listen to my record, but to listen as well to feedback and other points of view. Believe me, I listened a lot this time. From the listening activities themselves, to advice, and even to my inner monologue, I listened a lot. This became my strength as it actually made me analyze and be critical of my choice, either the audio itself or the decision too. I understood the need to, and it was the reason that I was able to push through the project as well. I was listening to important stuff now and not just noise.

I also stopped using headsets when I go to work. When I work, I am in headphones, and when I do school work, I am on my headset, so learning that as much as ears is an asset, it is also a commodity if not taken care of. This idea was highlighted when I did the sound recording to different audio levels. That activity exposed me to the idea that I may be abusing my ears, and I need him to take a breath at times.

My weakness is my competitiveness. The idea of succeeding and being the best of all started my downhill. Good thing I counter it with me listening to the right things because I got a surge of confidence in me, and I think it went to the level of being too overconfident. You see, the initial comment of Professor Al made me want to prove him wrong. Not in a disrespectful way, but I just want to show him I can be what I need to be. We all know how it went from there. That is why I am scared to be competitive at times, it can be self-destructive. I hit a brick wall and shook my head into reality.

Within these weaknesses and strengths, how well did I perform? To be honest, I don’t know. But I am proud of myself. I was able to handle my inner battles and doubt. Took a hard decision and made a hard left to keep up. My view on audio changed as well, as in my self-introduction, I was all about music. Music is indeed a big part of my audio in multimedia, but enclosing my idea into only that also created a parting mindset. Compare now, I actually enjoyed creating a different kind of product other than music. Trying to produce the things I just consume online makes me understand how a lot of effort is put into making the stories come alive. That is why I am proud, I have come far from my initial expectation and produced the outcome I thoroughly enjoyed. I think it will reflect in my work as well, and I hate to compare to my coursemates, but if it was on redeeming myself, I surely outperformed them. I feel good about myself.

Why am I being sentimental about this? As a multimedia student, knowing how these things work is expected. I also expected a lot from myself. I don’t want to hurdle as this degree is as important as my confidence in my capabilities. It is the time I chose something I want, not because I am just good at it, but because I want to learn it. I could have been an engineer, nurse, teacher, or even a lawyer, but I didn’t. I want to know my true purpose and not just pick one out of necessity. It was my moment to know I made it. I was disappointed in myself last MMS 173: Photography. I was cocky, actually, because I thought I would excel at it. So if I thought I would do well with the thing I know, what more here, where I usually only use audio as part, but do not understand the gist of it. That is why I put all my focus here and understand every bit of it. Even if I again began to be cocky about my initial plan of music production, good thing I bounced back. I think it was my “Multo”. 

To counter my comparison earlier, although I still stand for my redeeming moment, some of my classmates did make me wonder how they know all of this stuff. But good thing they share as well, because I also learned from them when I read their insights, especially on the forum. It was an important aspect for me as well, having another angle to look. Some of their final project are indeed awesome, because how did they learn all those instruments and how did they come up with such catchy tones. Also, some are really advanced in DAW because what do you mean you can move those weird buttons that made mine weird? Compared to them, I just went for listening, adjusting, and slight movements until it is what I want.  I even researched how to make the MIDI make sounds on the track and how to arrange the white noises still being captured at some frequency. I even got out of my way and searched how to lessen the volume of only one track. Kudos to my classmates, I am proud to be with some awesome people.

Audio in multimedia is bigger than it looks. As a BAMS student and practitioner, audio is arguably the most significant aspect in intensifying and enhancing other modalities. From videos, film, monologue, performance, and application, and even as simple as information dissemination, audio has been contributing to the success of modalities as well. It has been a big part that having audio everywhere is already normal, and even people with disabilities can feel audio through vibration. Although I may not be professionally pursuing it, knowing how audio and production work can help me create more products effectively by knowing the foundation and the basics of it. I kind of happy I finished this subject that I am proud of my output, but also wish I had more time to create the music I really want. Yes, I am not letting go of it. So maybe my future website creation or application will also be my own composition. There is no limit, only the capacity to adapt and imagine.