RECORDINGS
Demonstration recordings, “demos”
are productions to showcase songs to a whole host of music industry people including publishers, producers, record companies,
attorneys, song pluggers, club owners and others who may want to use the song material.
There are different types of demos and it’s important to know what purpose a demo will serve as different ma-
jor groups of people will expect different things.
4 different types of Demo Recordings:
Basic Song Demos:
The basic demo that consists of guitar/vocal or keyboard/vocal with maybe the addition of a bass
or drum machine/ sequencer. At its simplest, it can an "a-cappella" vocal. This type of demo can and is often used as scratch or ‘dummy demo’ to be critiqued before spending money on a more elaborate production for the pur-
poses of pitching to publishers or producers. This demo is also used to
show the energy on the emotional and rhythm feel of the song as a guideline for musicians or demo studios who may do a more
elaborate production. Some publishers and producers will also accept basic
song demos.
Elaborate Song Demos: Considered to be studio demos or more elaborately produced in-home studio demos. This
class of demo is con- sidered to be a production by the writer to pitch to publishers or pitch directly to producers or artists
or produced by a publisher to pitch to producers and artists. These types of
demos typically have a groove that is sequences or looped or live instrument with bass, guitar or keyboard, lead vocal and
sometimes background vocals. The demo parts of the demo are based on the writer
or publisher’s perception of the artist style and musical “ears” and personal tastes of the producer making
the demo. This type of demo can be mixed in several different ways (stings replaced
by steel guitar as an example) to accommodate different styles.
Artist Demos: As studio demo used by and artist or band to shop for a record deal, producer or manager. Highlights the creative strengths of the artist, including the song arrangements, performances, vocals,
instrumental virtuosity of individual members, overall style and energy of the group.
Even in the case of an individual writer/artist, this is almost always a demo using a band/group in order to show the
artist in the musical environment that best suits his/her style. Depending on
the style of the group and how well rehearsed they are, this demo could be done with a minimum of expense.
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