The first step to becoming a working singer is to record a demo (demonstration) CD. A demo CD is to a singer what a portfolio is to a visual artist. It's a calling card which represents you at your best. When you tell someone in the music business that you are a singer, the first question they'll usually ask is “Can I hear your demo?” If you don't have a demo, you may not get a shot at what they have to offer.
When you start auditioning for bands, you'll find it a lot easier to audition when the band has heard your demo prior to you getting on stage and singing for them. You won't feel such a need to prove yourself, and you'll give a better live performance.
The steps required to produce a quality demo are:
Step 1. Pick the songs you're going to record.
Step 2. Find the backup musicians.
Step 3. Rehearse the songs.
Step 4. Find a recording studio.
Step 5. Record your demo.
Lets take a look at each step:
Step 1. Pick the songs you are going to record.
You'll need three songs that are somewhat varied in style. At least one of the songs should fast. The last thing you want is a demo with three slow songs on it.
Pick songs you love and that are easy for you to sing. Try to find songs that really show off your voice
Step 2. Find the back-up musicians.
There are basically three ways you can provide back-up music:
1. Find a piano player, guitarist or keyboardist and have them accompany you in the recording studio. They should charge around
$50-$100 per song to rehearse and record with you.
2. Find a band and pay them to accompany you in the recording studio. A good band will charge between $100-$300 per song.
You can find bands and musicians by calling music stores, placing ads in publications that musicians read, putting up flyers in music stores and talking to all of your friends. Many times the recording studio you choose will be able to help you find musicians.
3. Use your Karaoke tape or CD. This is the cheapest way to record your demo, but it's illegal. Karaoke tapes and CD's are copyrighted and it's illegal to make copies of copyrighted material. But I will tell you, that many singers do record their demo with Karaoke background music. The quality is very good, and the cost is low.
Step 3. Rehearse the songs.
You can rehearse with a practice tape that your musicians make for you, or with your Karaoke tape. Practice the songs until you can perform them in your sleep. Do not go into the studio with a song you barely know.
Step 4. Find a recording studio.
For your first demo, you'll need the use of a 4, 8 or 16-track studio.
If your keyboardist or other musician friends are not able to recommend a recording studio, look under “Recording Studios” for your particular city on Google. Call different studios and explain your needs. Visit the ones that sound good, and when you find one you like, book the recording session.
You should plan on spending $25-$50 an hour for a good studio. You can spend up to five hundred dollars per hour for a recording studio, but for your first demo, you would be wasting your money.
Step 5. Record your demo.
The recording session will take place in three parts.
Part 1. First, the engineer will record the instrumental tracks (either your keyboardist’s or band's performance). Sing along to be sure the tempo (speed of the song) and style are right.
Part 2. Next, you will record your vocal tracks. Your focus should be on singing the song with maximum emotion. The engineer will help you decide which performances are good. If you sing the song well, except for a small mistake or two, the engineer can “overdub” the part that needs correcting so that you don’t have to sing the entire song again.
Part 3. Next, the engineer will "mix" the song. This is where he takes the instrumental tracks and the vocal tracks and mixes them down to your final cassette. You now have your demo!
Tip
When you sing your vocal tracks, you will be wearing headphones while you're singing into the mic. Be sure that you hear in your headphones
sounds great to you. If something is too loud or too soft, tell the engineer to adjust it. If you are happy with the "headphone mix", you'll sing much better.
Summary
Consider your first couple of times in the studio as learning experiences. The mistakes you make will enable you to do better work in the future. After many years of singing in recording studios, I still learn something new each session.
Once you have your demo, you'll be able to enter a whole new league in the music industry. You can send your CD or MP3 file to bands, recording studios and record companies. Your opportunities for success will be increased greatly because more high level people will be able to hear you.