What the hell is a demo anyway?

[richierichie]

Yeah, the idea of an individual track or "potential hit" actually breaking a band no longer exists - the spread of information about music is so effortless and widespread that a "much-talked-about" artist is a more rounded phenomenon - we know much more about up and coming artists than the old "what's that song on the radio, i just gotta have it?" schtick. And that's maybe a good thing - more live acts, more word of mouth.

I'm sending my demo to Carson Daly tomorrow.

Richie.

[Jay Reynolds]

Some friends of mine are shopping their band right now and are finding that labels want them to have a finished set of mixes that can go straight to mastering. So, while them demo might make these kids feel like they have some momentum, they may come back in and want to do the album project as the next step.

[lotusstudio]

I would not do this unless I really like the artist's material in the first place. Life's too short to waste time recording a bunch of crap. (I have done all kinds of work just for money for soooo many years, I decided to set up my studio to record material that I really dig and find extraordinary and not just for money, so it's semi-commercial.)

Also, as I have said before, these days it's so easy to go ahead and get a really good sound so why record a demo? If all they want is a rough sketch they can set up a couple of mics in their practice spaceand do it themselves.

I usually just say, "I don't do demos."

[airloom]

"I think one of the things that threw me for a loop was them saying "We want to do it to tape." "

Because they read in Tape Op that tape was cool. Sorry.

YOU ASSHOLE!

No, really. These kids don't seem like the kind to read tape op.
They don't seem to know how different tracks and overdubs work.
We'll see how this goes.
I'm going to try and convince them to make an EP or something out of it.
I would say that selling 1000 copies of an EP would be more indicative of future success than a really good sounding demo anyway.

[dynomike]

I'm surprised how many of you are shocked at the idea of recording a band live with minimal overdubs and mixing. I do this all the time, and if the band is good, its a very rewarding and painless way to make a natural-sounding record.

I think when they say "we want to record to tape" they are also saying "we want to record in a linear and honest fashion". Is that so hard to do? Just make it sound as good as you can with their budget, and don't get be insulted by the word "demo".

OTOH, the band needs to know that they may not necessarily be recording these songs again, so they need to treat it seriously also. "You're only going to make this record once"

[tubetapexfmr]

I'm surprised how many of you are shocked at the idea of recording a band live with minimal overdubs and mixing. I do this all the time, and if the band is good, its a very rewarding and painless way to make a natural-sounding record.

Amen brother. Look at it this way, if WE are in the minority making honest records and aren't afraid of bands that want to work like that, then the bands best suited to that method will gravitate towards us while the hipster bullshit bands will continue faking their way through music with engineers who are good at that crap. In short, let them have each other.

I think when they say "we want to record to tape" they are also saying "we want to record in a linear and honest fashion". Is that so hard to do? Just make it sound as good as you can with their budget, and don't get be insulted by the word "demo".

Agreed. It sounds like the band wants an honest record and are aware enough of how everything done 'on a computer' has the potential to be overcooked and they want to avoid that. They want their creation to have artistic boundaries which is a good thing. This includes the band recording live together and trying to create that electric live band energy that no plugins, comping or tempo map can duplicate.

I am working with a new label and the owner said right off the bat that he didn't want to use Pro Tools at all. All tape was what he wanted. While not opposed to tape, I have a way of working that is efficient for me and I don't really want to change. I explained to him that I work all digital, but I use the medium as an expanded tape deck that can sometimes do magic tricks. When I fully explained to him that it is technique rather than tools that yields what he is really looking for, he agreed that there was nothing wrong with Pro Tools or digital in and of itself. It is how it is used and/or abused that reveals the honesty of a record.

[@?,*???&?]

Some friends of mine are shopping their band right now and are finding that labels want them to have a finished set of mixes that can go straight to mastering. So, while them demo might make these kids feel like they have some momentum, they may come back in and want to do the album project as the next step.

That's the cheapest way for labels to work these days. So, either the songs are 'good' and have impact, or they are 'bad'.

It's all about the long tail.

[Jay Reynolds]

That's the cheapest way for labels to work these days. So, either the songs are 'good' and have impact, or they are 'bad'.

It's all about the long tail.

That's funny, 'cause a lot of what I hear in the mass market (product that was deemed "good" by the A&R departments of the world) sounds like someone growning a "long tail" to me.
But what do I know. I'm still trying to figure out how someone signed off on Jimmy Ray. Which is about the point, IMHO, when the whole industry jummped the shark.

[Nick Sevilla]

Some friends of mine are shopping their band right now and are finding that labels want them to have a finished set of mixes that can go straight to mastering. So, while them demo might make these kids feel like they have some momentum, they may come back in and want to do the album project as the next step.

That's the cheapest way for labels to work these days. So, either the songs are 'good' and have impact, or they are 'bad'.

It's all about the long tail.

Never heard that expression before. Who's tail am I supposed to step on?

[cooters]

I've been thinking about recording a little bit of my stuff for two reasons.
1. To take to a venue (IN PERSON) so i can meet the owner or manager and potentially get some shows.
2. To give away at shows so people can get to know my name and become familiar with my music.

The second reason is the bigger one. Playing music shouldn't be about getting signed to a record label. It should be about playing music, having fun with it, and learning as much as you can. Sharing your music with everyone. Take all the advice you can get. Ask questions. Don't get angry when you send a demo to twenty different venues and you don't get a gig. Figure out why they didn't like it and learn. I'm eighteen and i know that i'm not as good as i could be. I figure i'll be at my best in like seven years.

I know none of this has to do with the original topic but i'm tired of all the commercialism involved with music now. Who cares if you make money that's not what it should be about. If you happen to get a deal hell yeah. You get to live your dream but that shouldn't be all your focus. Now i'm just ranting so i'll leave it at that.

[k Holmes]

A "demo" is a recording of a song that you later spend thousands of dollars and hours of time trying to recapture the spirit of, only to get 90% there.

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!! Perfect!

[Nick Sevilla]

So I get a call from some kids who just graduated high school.
They want to record a "demo"
I asked what the purpose was, and they said to shop around to labels for a record deal.
Does this even work anymore?
How the hell do you record a demo?
What the hell is the point of it?

I've never encountered this on it's own.
Ideas?

Hi,

There is no such thing as a Demo... and there is no such thing as a Final Mix.

There is simply the song, and when you get 99% of the song vision right, according to the ARTIST... then you are done.

I ALWAYS record EVERYTHING as if it was the last time it will get performed. who knows, sometimes artists change their mind, subject themselves to outside opinions, die... etc... and if you captured the moment, you have it. If you act as if there will be a future better version... you're fooling yourself.

Oh, and Record labels don't listen to "demos" anymore, unless you are selling the song to another potential artist to record it. Then they'll listen to a demo.

Cheers

[cjogo]

It is 90% of our work ~!! You just record their tune and hand them a semi-mastered CD .

[drumsound]

So I get a call from some kids who just graduated high school.
They want to record a "demo"
I asked what the purpose was, and they said to shop around to labels for a record deal.
Does this even work anymore?
How the hell do you record a demo?
What the hell is the point of it?

I've never encountered this on it's own.
Ideas?

Hi,

There is no such thing as a Demo... and there is no such thing as a Final Mix.

There is simply the song, and when you get 99% of the song vision right, according to the ARTIST... then you are done.

I ALWAYS record EVERYTHING as if it was the last time it will get performed. who knows, sometimes artists change their mind, subject themselves to outside opinions, die... etc... and if you captured the moment, you have it. If you act as if there will be a future better version... you're fooling yourself.

Oh, and Record labels don't listen to "demos" anymore, unless you are selling the song to another potential artist to record it. Then they'll listen to a demo.

Cheers

I like it!

This reminds me of the old saying "records are never finished, they are eventually abandoned!"

[losthighway]

I mean this with the greatest kindness and honesty:

In this line of work it is so important to be open to applying our skills for different people, with different goals, under different restrictions. The only thing you need to make sure of, is that your fees are understood, you are kind and that you do the best job possible for everyone with the conditions you have, no matter what you think of them or their music.

In this day and age, any band can be heard and any person can be a semi-pro recording engineer. For better, and sometimes worse. The best part is, no one can afford to be pretentious. We all have our feet on the ground no matter where our heads are. This is because no one really gives a shit about your studio, or mine. No one gives a shit about that kid's band, or mine. Nobody is really a 'big deal'. Anything beyond that should be accepted with humility.

Do some kid's demo. It's work. Music is awesome. *end rant*