Keith Wilby

Back then I didn't even have a computer, let alone Cakewalk Yes, I applied the effects as I sang. I had an Elisis (?) digital reverb and a stage mic, that was it. I had no compressor so I would distance myself from the mic depending on how loud I was singing for each line. The only mastering I've done is using the stock Bandlab free online service. I've tried my own mastering using CbB but with rather unpleasing results - I don't really know what I'm doing to be honest.

Another from my 90s archive using my SQ-16 as the backing and a live vocal straight to tape (there's even some static over the intro). This light-hearted song sees our protagonist unable to sleep on a stormy night because every noise they hear in their old creaky house seems sinister. You should be able to make out most of the words, but the falsetto bit at the end of the first chorus is "do you feel the bogey men in home?" The "don't have nightmares" at the end will be familiar to British viewers of "Crimewatch UK" as the sign-off catchphrase of the presenter. https://www.bandlab.com/wilbyforce/waitingfordaylight-f06360da?revId=db13aeb4-6a52-ea11-a94c-0003ff121727

Truly humbled by the positive comments on this, thanks to you all, it really means a lot to me.

I've noticed one or two other covers on here so I thought I'd submit this from my 90s archive for comments on the arrangement. Like others of mine of this vintage, the backing is from a Yamaha SQ-16 (which I still have) and the vocals sung live direct to stereo tape, bounced to a second tape machine for the harmony vocal (that you can just about hear). I've tried to make it "my own" without ruining it. Hope you enjoy it. https://www.bandlab.com/wilbyforce/fornooneintroedit-542de3f8?revId=d657c660-8949-ea11-a94c-501ac51fcd00

That is one of the weirdest pieces of music I've ever heard. Frank Zappa would be proud of you. Absolutely love it.

This is another song from my 90s archive. Recorded direct to stereo tape using a backing created on a Yamaha SQ-16 keyboard/sequencer. Mastered using Bandlab. I'd be interested in opinions on this because it tackles the very delicate subject of mental well-being. The lyrics were written by a friend of mine in the 1980s as a result of watching "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest", so I guess "Johnny" is based on Patrick McMurphy. Listening to it now through my 60 year old ears, some of the sound effects are a bit corny and probably patronising, but I'm considering re-recording it a bit more sympathetically, since I have had my mental well-being moments, though nothing too serious, but in a twist of supreme irony, my friend who wrote the lyrics ended up committing suicide about 5 years ago because her own mental health had deteriorated so much (long story). Anyway, that's not a sob story, just a bit of background, so opinions welcome as always. https://www.bandlab.com/wilbyforce/saysjohnny-c1aa1432?revId=d96f3b74-0445-ea11-a601-2818789a1e8a

Very nice job and I agree that you have a George Michael sound about your voice ... and his voice was superb.

Some fine guitar on there, nice one. I think the vocal is loud enough personally, the only thing it's lacking for me is some more percussion - drums louder please

Thanks for all of the comments on my three latest works in progress, which I've now finished and published. I tried out all suggestions, although not all of them made it to the final cut. I'm glad that I removed the flange from the vocal on "A Woman Scorned" as suggested, and also reining in the bass and boosting the voice on "Mother's pride". I tried more drum fills on "Lady in the Lake" but I didn't like the result so most came back out. I did, however, act on the suggestion that the repeated lyrics needed attention, so the middle 8 now has new words. They're on an EP called "Life's a Pantomime" which is on all of the major streaming platforms and also YouTube, so you can listen for free. The title comes from a line in one of the songs and the "cover" artwork features items that are mentioned in all three songs. Here are a few links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/385HkYtkjvxWpvCguypuI6?si=0feq3YxIRsOknb7ZLkfhLg Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/albums/B0847GXJKP?ref=dm_sh_dAHnpbYBcEZGf5XuDcuP6BPEz Tidal: https://tidal.com/album/129362534 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PV2wXIJd-lM&list=OLAK5uy_lifUfJjyDjRaQOBrPy3W6_53h6oCX6IZo Thanks again for all your inputs.

Thank you all for your comments on this. It isn't a work in progress so I won't be able to implement any of your suggestions – it was recorded in 1996 onto a stereo tape recorder. The vocal was one take and "live" and I applied the reverb changes as I was singing. It took many takes to get it exactly as I wanted it. Because the vocal is locked in with the backing it's not possible to isolate and reuse it, nor is it possible for me to sing it again because I can't reach those high notes anymore. My son suggested putting it into a lower key but I've heard professionals doing that and, for me, they never really work, so we're stuck with it the way it is. I quite enjoy it that way, which is just as well as it turns out.

Recorded in the mid 90s using a Yamaha SQ-16 keyboard/sequencer, mastered by Bandlab. It's a bit Roger Waters I think, what with the breathing over the intro https://www.bandlab.com/wilbyforce/nowinsituation-fb0d86e2?revId=6d8b7bbe-4240-ea11-a601-2818789a1e8a

Hi all, I'm using the Step Sequencer window to program a bass line into SI-Bass Guitar but I can't figure out how to sustain a note for a number of beats. Can this be done using Step Sequencer? Many thanks.

Get well soon sir.

Seems OK now.

My workaround was to create a workspace with the console view open.