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How to make a killer demo Actually I began to research this and I found some very good articles about this on other websites. So rather than just regurgitate the content, below are the links with a short synopsis
1 - How Good Do Your Demos Really Have To Be? (Part 1)
by Michael Laskow CEO, TAXI
http://www.vocalist.org.uk/demos.html
This is a reprint of a Taxi article on the site Vocalist.org.uk a very good site tailored
to Vocalist in general. Part 1 and part 2 are on this page. Read these for some great
ideas.
2 - Recording A Demo
http://www.vocalist.org.uk/record_demo.html
Again from Vocalist.org. Outlines what you should look for in a studio when you do your demo.
Also the pros and cons of pro-studio vs. home or armature productions.
3 - Record the Right Demo
http://www.vocalist.org.uk/record_right_demo.html
Again from Vocalist.org.uk So now you're in the studio and thinking what should we include on our demo and what shouldn't be on it.
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Here are some more tip's I found here and there that are worth mentioning...
Instruments - having your instruments in good condition is unbelievably important. Snare drum sonics improve in the studio just by fitting a new head, guitars should be set up properly, especially intonation - check that different chords sound in tune on the second fret and the twelfth fret and that strings are at least recent. Record companies and venues expect you to be in tune; this is a clear tell tale between an amateur and a pro, and very easy to notice.
Songs - Don't try to record too many songs in not enough time. Look at it from a record company or venue's perspective - they've got a business to run and time is precious, so keep you're demo as concise but as expressive and well performed as possible. A 'medley' tape of your best 3 songs from the intro up to the end of the first chorus gives a good idea of what you're about in just a few minutes - you can put the full versions on the flip side of the tape, or as subsequent tracks on your CD - if they want to hear more they'll ask, maybe even offer to pay to record more material.
Arrangements - Record companies will say "Don't bore us, get to the chorus" (that's why they don't write songs, just sell them) so you really have to look hard at the arrangements of your songs for any possible improvements. Listen to your favorite band's singles and break them down into segments. A classic arrangement for a single is Intro, Short-Verse, Short-Bridge, Chorus, Intro, Verse, Bridge, Chorus, Mid-8, Short-Bridge, Chorus & Fade. Try out some different arrangements, experiment to see what works best for your song, keep it simple and rehearse new arrangements before you get to the studio.
Your singer - Your singer is the most important member of the band. He/she is your contact with the outside world. There are mediocre bands with great singers that have made it but not so many the other way around. So try and keep your singer in good shape, no hangovers or excessive smoking, stay away from caffeine (causes tiredness after initial energy spurt) and milk/dairy products, which cause mucus. Warm honey and lemon or similar should be consumed in preference over cold drinks. Make sure that the lead vocals are not recorded in a mad rush at the end of the session. Leave other overdubs like percussion and guitar solos until after you've recorded good lead vocals. Backing vocals should be worked out and rehearsed in advance of the studio.
Most of all - Remember that the music business revolves around songs and anyone can write a hit song. All band members must play for the song. Get in there and "do your thing" as well as you can. All you can be sure of is that if you don't move forward with it, then nothing will ever happen. So come on, get off your chutney lockers and go for it - if you have good songs and a good singer then the sky is the limit. The most important thing of all is to have fun and be as relaxed as possible (good for your performance) - believe in what you're doing because if you don't, you can't expect anyone else to.
Last of all - there are no rules - the more unique you can be, the greater the chance you have of getting noticed in the marketplace (record companies call this a 'twist'). More people will get to hear you and will want to buy your CD's, and that's major record company territory. See you on MTV.
NEXT ISSUE What is Mastering and Why do I need it!
-- Gene Engelgau Music Producer
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That's all for now!
Milestone Mediaworks Team
http://www.milestonemediaworks.com/