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Do I Need a Professionally Recorded Demo?

The short answer to whether or not you need a professionally recorded demo is: no, no, no! It's easy to see why a lot of people make this mistake - and why many people can hear over and over again that they don't need to go to a studio to record a demo and do it anyway. After all, demos are pretty important. Just a few of the things you may use them for includeIntuitively, it seems that something so important needs to be in tip-top shape to get the job done. In reality - not true.

People expect your demo to be rough. It's a taste of your music and your songs, and it's definitely not intended to be a finished product. Everyone who gets a demo from you is well aware of how expensive recording is and that you're an artist trying to get started - they don't expect you to have invested thousands and thousands of dollars into producing a professional recording. Absolutely no one in the entire history of music ever has (and I would wager, ever will) sent a demo to a record label and been told, "we love your music and would love to work with you - except this demo is way too rough, so deal off." You're simply not going to be turned down based on the recording quality of a demo. And in fact, that swish, professional demo could actually hurt you.

It may seem like spending a lot of money on a professionally recorded demo sends a message that you're serious about your music, and you're confident enough to invest in yourself. In reality, when a label receives a demo with 15 studio recorded songs and a 16-page full color booklet, the reaction is eye-rolls all round. It's a bad investment, and it says that you're naive about the way the music industry works. Even with the best intentions in the world on your part, it also opens up the question as to whether or not you're ready to undertake the humbling process of trying to get a music career off the ground, which involves much more cramming in the back of a stinky van for an 8 hour drive to play for 5 people than it does kicking back in posh studios. If you're "too good" to even record your demo on the cheap, how are you going to feel when you're trying to split the $4 you made on your show between the six people in the band? Almost certainly this is not the impression you are trying to create, but it is the impression you will give.

There are some instances in which the demo/promo is blurred and professional recording can enter the picture. This happens most often when:

  • You're planning on self releasing your album, at least on a small scale, while you're shopping it to labels.
  • You're trying to get signed to a very small label that you know doesn't help out withrecording costs and you want to show them that you're ready to deliver a finished product.
Before you get on the phone to the studio, however, there are a few things to keep in mind:
  • Neither of these reasons apply very well to a band just getting started. Taking a gamble on paying for recording can be worth it if you are already established to some extent - you've had interest from labels, you've had a lot of good press, you've toured a lot - and so on. You need to be in the position to exploit your album so you can make the expense of recording it worthwhile.
  • Showing that you can deliver the finished goods is one thing - but it's smart to have some idea that a label is actually interested in the finished goods first. Even with a small label, there's no need for your first interaction with them to be a professionally recorded album.
  • You can pull off some pretty professional sounding recordings at home, so you straddle the rough demo/release-ready recording easily while still staying within a budget.


The bottom line? Music is EXTREMELY expensive, and unless you have very deep pockets, spending your money wisely is important. You have better things to spend your money on when you're trying to get your music career off the ground than a slick demo.

Do I Really Need a Demo?

The answer to this question depends on your goals. It is possible to skip the demo step and go straight to recording an album. That's not the answer for everyone, however. Which one is right for you? Consider two possible cases, and see which one fits you best:

Case One - You Want a Record Label Deal:

If your goal is getting signed to a label, then a demo is in order. Let's be clear about something here, however. A demo is never going to get your signed to a major label - or well, almost never. Your demo may end up in the hands of some A&R person of a major label, which may help you get your foot in the door, but you're not going to be able to record a demo, package it up, send off your demo to the label and get "discovered." For one thing, they won't accept your demo for legal reasons (they're worried you're going to accuse them of ripping off your songs in the future). Indie labels are the labels that are, by and large, approachable with demos.

If you want a label deal, then you really need a demo. Your demo can be physical (as in, you have an actual CD to send out) or it can be digital - these things depend on the preferences of the labels to whom you're sending your demo. These demos are how labels get to hear your music and see what you're all about. But why a demo? Why not simply record an album and send it out to labels?

Well, that can work, but it's not the ideal solution because it's expensive. A demo can be recorded for free, or next to nothing, and it's a cheap, easy way to go after your goal of getting a record deal. If you have a bit of a following already and think you could sell some albums, the idea of investing in recording before scoring a deal can make more sense, but this can be a catch-22 situation that needs to managed carefully. If you get lots of reviews on your self released album and sell lots of copies, labels think, "why would I want to release that? The promotion opportunities have already been used up, and many of the fans have already bought it." So, you're at square one again, and even if the label wants to work with you, you need a new album. This is a line that can be navigated, but again, this should be left to bands who already have a bit of a buzz about them going. If you're just getting started and you really want label backing, a demo is a better investment. You can find more information about demos here:



Case Two - You Want to Self Release Your Record:

If you have decided to become your own record label, then a demo isn't really what you need. After all, you're the label, you've already decided to sign yourself! And that is an important point really. Many people think they are being revolutionary, shutting out the labels and working the music themselves. In reality, you're not pushing labels out of the business - you're simply becoming one, and if you're going to make this work, you're going to have to do the things they do - you'll just be doing them yourself.

But first things first, and the first thing you need to self promote a record is, obviously, a record. If you're going to be selling an album, you need to worry about recording methods and quality in a way that you don't with demos. You can still record at home on the (relative) cheap if you have the know-how, but you need to turn out a "release quality" record.

Even if you don't have distribution or you plan on using your album to get gigs or get press before you actually give it a formal release date, as long as you're married to the finished product, then you can still skip the demo step. What you really need is a promo. A promo is simply a copy of your album as it is going to be when it is released (as opposed to a demo, on which the songs may be more "works in progress"). Need some more info about self releasing albums? See below:



There is some crossover territory for demos and promos, no matter what your end game is. Both can be used to try to get gigs, find a manager, an agent and a promoter. Learn more:



Of course, all of this begs the question - should you try to get a deal with a label or should you self release your record? There are benefits to being on a label. Even a small label will have the benefit of experience and a network of all of those little things that making selling records easier in place - distribution, relationships with the media, relationships with promoters, and so on. Labels also take some of the financial burden off the band. But - every small label released their first record at some point, and they had to build everything up the same way you would if you were going to release your own record. Making a good run at releasing your own record requires money, patience, dedication, determination and lots of hard work. In exchange for your sweat and tears, you'll be completely in the driver's seat when it comes to your music. Most indie labels don't run as dictatorships, but you still have to give up some measure of control. You have to weigh up the pros and cons and decide which method suits you best.

The middle ground? Well, you may self release an album, do a great job, and then get a deal for your next one (or you may decide you are your own best label after all). Or, you may self release your album, decide this is for the birds, and get a deal for your next one. More often than not, music just comes down to trial and error.

Do I Need a Record Deal?

Do you need a record deal? With everyone talking about how much the music industry is "changing" these days, many musicians wonder if they really need to worry about demosand labels any more, or if all of that traditional music business stuff is just so passe. In fact, you've probably heard a lot of people tell you that you definitely DON'T need a label - that labels are only taking a cut of your earnings for something that you could be doing by yourself anyway. The truth really isn't quite that easy.

First - yes, you CAN release your record yourself. There are more avenues than ever before for indie music in general, and that means musicians have a better shot at success with a self release now. But make no mistake about it - there's nothing especially revolutionary in the model of self releasing your record. You're not "skipping" the record label - you're really starting a record label. If you're serious about selling your music and trying to make a living, then you are going to have to do everything a record label would do - both in terms of work and finances. The better question isn't whether you NEED a label - really, you don't - but whether or not you are ready, willing and able to do everything involved in running your own label. Not sure what that even means? These articles will help:



Of course, there are some benefits in going for a record label. Even a small indie label will know the ropes more than you if this is your first release, and they will have contacts in the press, with distributors, manufacturers, and so on that will help make the process go a little smoother. They may be able to arrange for some expenses - like manufacturing - to be covered on credit, whereas you, without a history with the company, will likely have to pay up front. It can be notoriously difficult to get distribution if your label consists only of your own releases, and getting press for your own music can be a challenge as well (imagine calling up journalists all day long asking them if they like your songs).

major record label can offer you all of these things on a larger scale, and there are a few areas which are reserved almost exclusively for major label artists, like many mainstream commercial radio stations and MTV. Of course, nothing is impossible, and you may be able to be successful in these major label domains on your own - but frankly, it would take a great deal of luck. Realistically, you shouldn't expect to achieve major label sales and exposure self releasing your record.

The bottom line? Provided you are up to the task of running your own label, it is a matter of weighing up the pros and cons for you personally. Think about how much time you have to devote to your release, what your goals are, and your finances (sharing the load with a label can help). Musicians have found success going down both roads, so the decision can only ultimately be made by you.

Can I Drop My Demo Off at The Record Label?

When you're eager to for the powers that be at your favorite record label to listen to yourdemo, the idea of stopping by the label HQ, CD in hand, is tempting. But is it ever a good idea?

In a word - NO. In almost every instance, dropping by a record label office unannounced to give them your demo is going to backfire on you. There are a few reasons for this:

  • It's Uncomfortable: No one at the label wants to be subjected to listening to your demo in front of you, and no one really wants to accept it from you in person, either. That's not because people at the label have a bad attitude, and it's not a reflection on your music. The truth is, everyone at the label understands how much your demo means to you, and the truth is also that the vast majority of the demos any label hears will be demos they end up turning down. Giving the label the space to judge your demo on their own terms will work in your favor - putting them on the spot will not.

  • It's Not Really an Office: This one only counts for small, indie labels, but you might be surprised how many of your favorite music business are operating out of someone's bedroom/garage/dining room/guest room. Turning up at someone's house? Awkward. And a little scary.

  • The Receptionist Is Ready For You: On the other end of the spectrum, major labels have front desk receptionist who have dealt with people bearing demos on, oh, maybe ten thousand occasions. You're not getting past them. Plus, a vast majority of labels that have receptionists don't accept unsolicited demos.

  • You'll be Remembered For The Wrong Reasons: It can seem like visiting a record label with your demo shows a bit of spunk and "go get 'em" attitude. It may seem like a great way to make an impression. Well, that it certainly can be. You might not be forgotten. You're unlikely to be remembered fondly.



Almost every record label has a demo policy clearly listed on their website, and it is in your best interest to follow it to the letter. The demo policy isn't there to make your life difficult. It exists so that the label has an efficient way of dealing with the demos that pour into even the tiniest of labels. The demo policy exists so that your demo gets the chance it deserves, or in the case that the demo policy is "no demos," to save you from wasting your time approaching a label that can't help you. It may seem like a record label's demo policy creates a barrier between you and the label - and in a sense it does - but the policy is your friend. It ensures your demo gets a fair airing.

Now, the caveat. Every rule has exceptions. You may happen upon a label that invites drop-in visitors, and there is likely to be some musician, somewhere, who got a deal by bursting into a label office with a demo. You may also win the lottery. Your best bet with demos is to stick to the guidelines. 

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