MPR6C001R~001 Coursework & Project Context

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Production Project Files


Project Proposal


Progress and Management Records


Project Overview

My project is an album project which contains 7 songs in total and the total length of the album is 27 minutes and 22 second. my album project is in the Electronic rock and nu metal genre. The concept of the project is to blend electronic music like synthesizer and sampler together with a nu metal music because my self is already good at the rock music as well as I play instrument like guitar and bass so I think this genre is the best one for this project. In terms of artistic goal, I want to express the feeling of when the band is playing live so I added a lot of element that live music has.

Project Proposal Summary

The concept of this project is to create music that feels like a live performance while still maintaining an electronic vibe. To achieve this, I included guitar, bass, and drums in every track on the album. My target audience is broad, but this project is especially aimed at Gen Z listeners, as people aged 14–29 often enjoy classic rock influences while also appreciating modern electronic elements.

This project aims to showcase the knowledge and skills I have developed, including improved time-management, stronger communication skills, and the use of new production techniques. I also hope to establish a more efficient workflow that will support my future career as a producer.

After discussing my project proposal with my tutor, I used the feedback to improve my work by adding new material, refining my writing, and correcting any mistakes.

Project Development

Gear used In this project:

Daw: Logic Pro x

MIDI Keyboard: M- Audio 49 keys studio

KeyStudio 49i - M-Audio KeyStudio 49i - Audiofanzine

Guitar: Chord CAL 63

Chord CAL63-MBL Electric Guitar - Metallic Blue

Bass: Squire Jaguar Bass

Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar Bass Black 2011 – Chicago Music Exchange

Audio Interface: Focusrite solo 3rd gen

Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface, The Guitarist,  Vocalist, Podcaster Or Producer, Studio Quality Sound, Red : Amazon.co.uk:  Musical ...

I began planning this project by researching how professional albums are structured. During my research, I found the album Only Monday by the Thai rock band Only Monday (Only Monday, 2022). Their first track is an interlude, which inspired me to include a similar opening in my album, titled “Intro.” I wrote most of the songs by starting with guitar chord progressions and then adding additional musical elements. My usual workflow is to create the instrumental first, followed by writing the lyrics and melodies. I used the same drum, guitar, and bass tones across all the songs to maintain consistency, but I adjusted certain elements in each track to achieve the best sound and feeling. For the synthesizers, I selected different patches and sounds to create variation throughout the album.

My main inspirations come from three bands: Linkin Park, Bring Me The Horizon, and Limp Bizkit. For Linkin Park, my primary reference was the album Hybrid Theory (Bonus Edition) (Hybrid Theory, 2000), which blends nu-metal and electronic music—this matches the sound I aimed to create. Bring Me The Horizon’s album Sempiternal (Expanded Edition)(Sempiternal, 2013) influenced my approach to designing unique synthesizer sounds. I also used Limp Bizkit’s album Significant Other (Significant Other, 1999) as a guide for mixing guitar and bass tones.

For recording, I recorded most of the tracks in my bedroom studio. I tested the room’s echo and found it manageable, so I was able to record vocals at home using my Audio-Technica AT2020 microphone and Focusrite Solo 3rd Gen interface. My recording chain was intentionally simple to save time while still achieving high-quality audio. For guitar and bass, I recorded directly through my Line 6 Pod Go multi-effects unit (Appendix 1), sending the output straight into my audio interface. All amp and cabinet modelling came from the Pod Go, which suited the genre of my album. Some songs, such as I Used to Love and Inside Me, were recorded using the Audient mixer in Studio 104 to experiment with different tonal ideas (Appendix 2). Drums, keys, and synths were created using software plugins for easier control and flexibility.

My goal during mixing was to make each song sound professional while maintaining a consistent vibe across the entire album. To achieve this, I followed the same general mixing workflow. For vocals, I used a consistent chain: gain staging → pitch correction → corrective EQ → creative EQ → corrective compression → creative compression → de-esser → noise gate → reverb (Appendix 3). I applied this chain to every song but made small adjustments to suit the musical context. I used a similar process when mixing drums, bass, guitar, and synthesizers.

During further research, I studied static mixing techniques from a YouTube video by the channel Atom Mix & Master (Atom Mix & Master, 2025). After completing the recordings, I applied these methods by beginning with gain staging, setting each track so that it measured 0 LU using the EBU R128 meter with the mvMeter2 plugin (TBProAudio, n.d.). I then worked on stereo placement and double-tracking guitars, followed by balancing each instrument in the order: drums → bass → guitar → synth → vocals.

Finally, I mastered the songs to meet standard levels suitable for streaming platforms. I aimed for a loudness of approximately –12 to –9 LUFS, using Logic Pro X’s stock limiter and loudness meter to measure and control the final output level (Appendix 4).

(Appendix 1)

Line 6 Pod Go Wireless Modelling and Multi-Effects Pedal

(Appendix 2)

(Appendix 3)

(Appendix 4)

Progress & Management Records

I managed my schedule by keeping the project moving forward every day and updating my progress regularly. Each day, I set specific milestones—for example, on Monday I would finish the synthesizer section, on Tuesday I would complete the vocal recording, and on Wednesday I would finish mixing the first song. I kept a checklist on my iPhone and reviewed it each week to stay on track (Appendix 5)

For communication with my tutor, I usually contacted them through my school email to arrange a meeting. These meetings typically lasted around 30 minutes, during which I updated them on my progress, received feedback, and then applied that feedback to improve my work (Appendix 6).

Below are the risks and contingency plans I used to prevent issues during the project:

Risk: Time Management Issues
Contingency Plan: Set a clear schedule and calendar, establish deadlines, and include a 10–20% buffer time for unexpected problems.

Risk: Technical Problems, File Loss, or Software Issues
Contingency Plan: Back up files to Google Drive or iCloud, ensure there is enough free storage space, and keep all devices and software up to date.

Risk: Lack of Ideas
Contingency Plan: Find new references, take short breaks, and explore ideas outside my usual creative approach.

Risk: Burnout
Contingency Plan: Start with the easier songs, work in focused 2–3 hour sessions followed by breaks, and ask my tutor for advice when needed.

(Appendix 5)

(Appendix 6)

Influence of Module Content

From what I have learned in class, I have applied the knowledge I gained throughout my time at the conservatoire—from my first year to my final year. Most of my understanding comes from the computer-based composition and studio classes, which taught me essential music production skills such as using a DAW, setting up microphones, and working with samplers.

The main techniques I used from my conservatoire training are mixing and composition techniques. Many of the classes I attended in my first and second year focused on practical mixing skills, which I was able to apply directly to this project. The computer-based composition classes also taught me valuable skills such as sampler techniques, DAW workflow, and other production methods.

Furthermore, I can apply everything I have learned to my future career. If I work full-time as a producer, these skills will support my development into a professional in the music industry. Not only have I gained new knowledge, but I have also improved my workflow—for example, starting a project efficiently and communicating effectively with others. These experiences have also taught me how to solve problems in real-world situations, which is essential for professional work.

Critical Reflection

One aspect that went well in this project is that I completed everything on time and followed the schedule I set in my timetable. There were no major issues or failures during the process, and everything ran smoothly.

However, there are areas I could improve. One of them is communicating more frequently with my tutor. Because I was working a part-time job while studying, I had less time to focus fully on my project, which affected how often I could meet or discuss my progress.

If I had the chance to improve the project, I would make my workflow more organised and seek more feedback throughout the process to develop the project further.

A new skill I learned from this project was working more closely with other people, such as my tutor. I had to be more active in communication compared to working independently, which helped me grow professionally.

This project could be the beginning of my career as a producer. Now that I have experience creating a full album, I understand the complete workflow, from songwriting and production to mixing and communication. This knowledge will be valuable for my future in the music industry.

Bibliography

(Only Monday, 2022). Spotify. [online] Spotify.com. Available at: https://open.spotify.com/album/15CoMEQ6JmtEIz4uLoT7DY?si=QfCRj05XRZGGiXKf0uN9tg [Accessed 9 Apr. 2026].

(Hybrid Theory, 2000). Spotify. [online] Spotify.com. Available at: https://open.spotify.com/album/6hPkbAV3ZXpGZBGUvL6jVM?si=N4cHiN-fTeyVgtdyP56D8g [Accessed 9 Apr. 2026].

(Sempiternal, 2013). Sempiternal. [online] Spotify. Available at: https://open.spotify.com/album/1tbhr4UJMpYgBjWhbhO3hW [Accessed 9 Apr. 2026].

(Significant Other, 1999). Spotify. [online] Spotify.com. Available at: https://open.spotify.com/album/3HCCUaRSjHSFOe4fqE0BiP?si=20W8LUaNSCuHf4MMcfFRBw [Accessed 9 Apr. 2026].

(Atom Mix & Master, 2025). EP. 118 Static Mix // จาก The Travelling Band-Wasted Eyes // ส่งไฟล์มาได้นะครับ. [online] www.youtube.com. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCPhyzRS4I4 [Accessed 9 Apr. 2026].

(TBProAudio, n.d.). mvMeter2. [online] www.tbproaudio.de. Available at: https://www.tbproaudio.de/products/mvmeter2 [Accessed 9 Apr. 2026].