Demos are key in solidifying each part or the whole of a song before tracking or shows. Demoing will enable you to have a clear idea as to what each instrument is suppose to be doing at any given moment. However, I think the practice of demoing sort of disappeared as technology advanced. I mean, you don’t have to worry about how much tape you’re using anymore and mistakes have less of a financial penalty than they used to; so recording it before you actually record can seem like a waste.

Although it’s probably not absolutely necessary, I do think making demos have a lot of benefits still, and they don’t have to cost you anything, not even time (since you’ll be playing through the song anyway)……….

…..…So I made a list of ways you can demo from low cost/free to high……

First, what is a demo.

A demo is a rough recording of a song. It can be a few things. A demo can be a live run through of a song, a roughly tracked out version of a song, a cellphone recording.. really any kind of recording that you can go back to for reference. It’s probably just for you and your team, so it doesn’t need to be perfect and it shouldn’t cost much, or anything to make. Since a full band is the loudest and has the most factors to consider, I will mainly talk about how bands can utilize this, but you can absolutely apply this to any form of group.

FREE-ish

The Cell Phone Recording

If you have a cell phone, you’re in luck! I’m sure you know this by now, but your phone has a microphone and some voice memo software in it too! Here is how I used my cellphone to demo in a full band scenario:

Insulate the phone mic. I usually do this with a sock or t-shirt. This acts as a pad for the harsh noise of the cymbals, guitar and PA system.
Point the phone toward the PA Speaker, but not right on it. The vocals and bass are always the main instruments that get lost in a cell phone recording, but you also don’t want to lose any of the other instruments.
Take a quick recording of everything to make sure it sounds good (enough).
Listen back to that recording with headphones, since we all know how great your phones speakers are.
Make adjustments to your equipment and the location of the phone in the room to make it sound as balanced as possible.
Once it sounds good to you, have at it! Record it until you play it the best.

I should be clear...

With this type of recording, it’s not going to sound great....at all. Cell phone demos are best for recording something acoustic, but if it’s all you have at the time, it’s just for your reference so who cares?!

$50-$150

iRig/Phone Adapter

These are adapters that enable a 1/4 inch cable to fit directly into your phone. The one I have was $50 and it has a 1/4 inch input, 1/4 inch output and 1/8 inch headphone jack for monitoring along with a plug for the phone and a gain dial. Here is how I use this for demoing:

Plug an XLR to 1/4 inch cable directly into a dynamic mic on a mic stand and into the iRig.
Point the mic toward the P.A. System and follow the same steps to the cell phone recording.

Another way to use it is when you play a show. If the venue is miking up all of the instruments..

Bring a 1/4 inch cable.
Ask the sound engineer if he has an available “aux” so you can record your set. Do this when you arrive and start loading in.

Bam! Not only do you have a demo of each song, you also can hear how you did!

$150-$500

Live Demo at a Recording Studio

For $150-$300 you can get a full blown live recording done at some studios. I know at The Zone Productions, the studio I work out of, I have a demo special that I will sometimes do. I mic everyone up and record each song three of four times. We pick the best takes and, if you want, we can even track the vocals separately. Then I’ll put together a quick mix, and the band can leave with a great live demo!

Handheld Recorder

Tascam, Zoom and a bunch of others make handheld recording devices. They are awesome! I have two and I use them for capturing live shows and Foley if I’m out of the studio. You can usually plug XLR and 1/4 inch cables right into it and/or use the mics the same way you would use the cellphone, but it is MUCH better. I love my recorders!!

$300-.........

Buying Gear and Software

If you have the time and money to spend, you can get low-grade equipment and cheap or free software. This can be great if you have the time to put into learning the software and methods, but it can honestly become more of a headache than it might be worth, so be careful. But to get started, you can look into a two channel USB interface and free software like Audacity or Garageband. This stuff can be affordable or get suuuuuuuuppppppeeeeerrrrrrr expensive, so be careful. Listen to the episode of the JLS Audio Podcast called, “GEAR! GEAR! GEAR!” before you do anything crazy!

I mentioned before you can get a two channel interface and software. Here’s what I have done:

First, find software that has digital guitar amps, or amp mods. This can be third party software too.
Plug the guitars and basses directly into the interface to record (to a click track).
MIDI program or drag and drop drums samples to emulate what the drummer actually plays.
Plug a mic into the interface and record the vocals.

The outcome of this is usually the best, but it takes a lot longer, requires, patience and some technical aptitude.

There it is! Just a few ways you and easily make a demo-from free and up. Remember, demoing doesn’t have to take any more time or money than you’ve already spent and it will help you nail your parts and create the best song possible. Demo often.