Keith Wilby

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.

Is it broken? I've tried to master a few different wav files several times today and it stalls at 98% on the "saving revision" dialog box when I choose "get your master".

Thank you so much for your critique and kind words. I've never had much confidence in my voice so that was good to hear. Lots of past recordings, whether or not they're nuggets is anyone's guess If you search a streaming service like Spotify (or YouTube) for an album called Blanket Sound by me, they're all on there, including the original version of this song. They all sound a bit "thin" to me now because they weren't mastered. Also, each one is a live vocal performance because all I had was the SQ-16 and a tape recorder, so no punch in or editing. Some of them have their moments

Thank you so much Bjorn ?

Hi Tom, thanks for your comments. The horn solo and the strings are from the 90s vintage SQ-16 synth. I do like the sound of that horn personally but I can appreciate why you would find the strings dated (is that what you meant?) I remember being really pleased with it 25 years ago and it's difficult for me to detach from that because I'm so used to hearing it that way, so it's nice to hear a new viewpoint. I'll see if I can make those strings more authentic now. Thanks again, I really appreciate your time

https://www.bandlab.com/wilbyforce/motherspride-4ed4e4f6?revId=f062c7d7-9d3b-ea11-a601-2818789a1e8a Originally written recorded by me 25 years ago using a Yamaha SQ-16 key/sequencer, spruced up here with new vocals and other bits 'n' bobs using Cakewalk. Exploring three mother/child relationships. Critiques welcome.

Love it, very professional. I have a pet hate of chattering hi-hats but you have buried them in the mix very well.

Brilliant, love it. Tongue in cheek-ness at its best.

https://www.bandlab.com/wilbyforce/lady-5dcfdb56?revId=8877fdd5-af3a-ea11-a601-2818789a1e8a As suggested I've added some drum fills here and there and the middle 8 now contains new lyrics and percussion. Thanks for all the feedback people

Not to my taste but brilliantly played and recorded.

Hi Mark and thank you for your feedback. I used Cakewalk for this. Hours of endless fun. Will check out the issue you mentioned.

https://www.bandlab.com/wilbyforce/awomanscorned-e1ee288b?revId=f246bd3d-063a-ea11-a601-2818789a1e8a I think this is complete now. I've added some backing vocals and changed a few lyrics.

This is much the same as the previous iteration except that the part in the middle has completely new words since one of the comments was that there was some repetition. I think it makes a big difference. https://www.bandlab.com/wilbyforce/lady-4d0c17d4?revId=bff1bd5c-bd37-ea11-a601-2818789a1e8a

Hi David, I'm not sure which background noise you mean but it might well be the monotonic piano with a Lennon-esque tape echo on it.

Hi Bjorn and thanks for your comments. In the real life story, the murderer disposed of his wife's body in a lake called Coniston Water in NW England, which is surrounded by hills. In my mind I had the guitarist playing atop one of the hills and the murderer hearing it in the distance as he tipped the body out of his boat, which is why it's relatively quiet there. Good point about the repeated lyrics, I'll have a think about that one. Thanks again.

Thanks Tom, I'll check my project for those crackles. Mightily flattered by the Floyd and Gabriel references, they're giants to me. Will tinker with the snare as suggested, I might be old but one is never too old to learn. Happy to know that the vocal is appreciated as I've never been confident in my voice, although I've tried to make it sound as if the storyteller is getting more and more depraved as the song progresses

Many thanks Mark, I was trying to make it as sinister sounding as I could

Hi all, here's another project (I think) I've nearly finished. Based loosely on a murder that happened close to where I live some time ago, the story unfolds from the murderer's viewpoint as he taunts his victim, his wife. It's definitely an "album track" owing to its duration but I'm hoping it has enough going on to carry it without anyone yawning, but please do shout up if you do yawn and it's my fault. I hope you enjoy it despite my woeful attempts to play lead guitar.

Great input Tom, gives me much to consider. Many thanks. Maybe you could do a solo for me? I'm a lousy lead guitarist Incidentally, how would I go about doing a pick up on the snare on Addictive Drums 2?