recording a demo - some practical advice

kaiburgess

hey,

Relatively new to this forum business. Just a quick note to all you rockers out there looking to cut a demo. My band (Soundwaste, no site yet) have just finished our third demo, and from what i've seen, there often seems to be people on this site looking for a good place to get one done, so i thought i would impart a bit of info on a good place to start.

You don't want to begin by laying out a huge wedge on demo fees, so go relatively low, and if your band are any good, that will more than make up for any want of technical jiggery-pokery. Our first demo was recorded at an expensive studio in Surrey, and we didn't know the songs well enough. The end result was over-compensated in effects and gimmicks, and not what we were looking for at all. Be creative, but don't change too much at the last minute.

We've just finished recording with a company called betrayalrecords (.com i think). Really good, unique service, they came to our rehearsal rooms (not the local scout hut!), set up their own gear and started tracking. It was a lot easier than some sesions we've had, and a lot cheaper too! Got the final cut yesterday and it rocks! Probably gonna set up a myspace in the next week or two so keep those eyes and ears peeled.

Most importantly, make sure you are ready. If you need more time to practice, then do so. Don't f*ck everything up by rushing into it. Have most of the creative process done before you start, that way you can concentrate on the task at hand.

I hope this has been of some use, and is not too elementary (or patronising). Its certainly been learned the hard way but i think we've finally got it right.

Good luck to all out there, and please wish me the same!

thoughts & comments?...