SONG DEMOS
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 major groups of people
will expect different things.
There are 4 different types of demos:
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 purposes
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 considered 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.
Master Demos: Considered to be a "radio-ready" finished product that
is shopped to record labels or for Film and TV music placement. Every detail of the recording is master quality from
the instrument sounds, arrangements, performances and audio quality. Master Demos can have the same function as an artist demo but with the high quality of
studio engineering, production and attention to detail that would make it acceptable for release as a Record, Music Library
Track, TV and Film Soundtrack.
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