I just sent out my demo recently, I'll tell you what I included:


CD-R with 8 full length tracks. some people say to put less, 3-4, but I figured might as well fill it up.

Full colour cover + inserts, including tracklist on the back, along with my contact info (address, phone number, email).

Label on the CD with tracklist and full contact information.

Cover letter, very brief, only one short paragraph. This was printed on high quality paper with full letterhead including contact details and logo.

Bio sheet. A 3 or 4 paragraph bio, just outlining where I am from, when I started making music, and some examples of where it has been played (radio stations, club events etc). I also included 2 photos on the bio. This was also printed out with letterhead on hq paper.

Fully packaged with bubble wrap in a CD mailer.


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Within 6 days of sending it out a record label from the UK had contacted me about it and have shown interest in two of my songs!

I wouldn't put more than four songs on a demo cd, only your very finest work. If they want to hear more after the first few songs on your cd, they'll contact you about it, but there's no point in wasting their time with tracks that aren't your top tracks.

Otherwise the above is very good information. Im putting together my demo package right now as well.

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Most recent tracks:
1) Ilan Bluestone - Spheres (State of Matter Eleventh Hour Mix)
2) MK-S - Illuminate (State of Matter Revival Mix)
3) Scarab - Vagabond (State of Matter Revival Mix)
4) Ferry Corsten & The Thrillseekers - Sublime (State of Matter Revival Mix)
5) State of Matter - Saving Icarus (Original Mix)

https://soundcloud.com/stateofmattermusic

yes don't botehr putting more than 4 tracks on the cd...also put them in order from your best work or track you think is teh best to worst...make sure everything has your contact info on it from cd to cd case to packaging...this part I'm not to sure of but I would like some info as well..I was always told to not put your full length track with that long intro(if it has it0 in your track since they don't have much time and most likely will only listen to the first couple of minutes of the track and listen longer if they like it...but with trance its a different story cause its all about teh progression..so what do we do?

quote:

Originally posted by Limit yes don't botehr putting more than 4 tracks on the cd...also put them in order from your best work or track you think is teh best to worst...make sure everything has your contact info on it from cd to cd case to packaging...this part I'm not to sure of but I would like some info as well..I was always told to not put your full length track with that long intro(if it has it0 in your track since they don't have much time and most likely will only listen to the first couple of minutes of the track and listen longer if they like it...but with trance its a different story cause its all about teh progression..so what do we do?

good question... should we put a full track on the cd???

All you guys thank you for the imput it is very helpfull.

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my life is a drama with a begining, a middle and no end.

I dont know if I agree with the 4 song rule.. If I would have only included 4 of my personal favorite tracks then I wouldn't have even included the two songs that the record label has shown interest in.

Put your best songs near the beggining for sure though, so they don't toss it at the start.

Call the record label, and talk to one of the A&R personell if you can, tell them you are sending them a demo, and trust me on this one... They like that a lot. I don't mean stock them in any ways, just You know call and be nice, talk to them and find out what kind of stuff they want. Don't be affraid to ask questions.. There's nothing like developing an early relationship with a label that might or might not take you inn. Do a follow up call after they got the stuff, and see what's up, incase they don't call you or email you back.. It just never hurts.. Sometimes things get lost, especially when a label get's 10-20 cd's a week or more with demos simmilar to yours. That's why calling them takes you one step ahead of the competition..

Do you all just send to a crapload of different labels or what? How do you choose the labels that you send demos to?

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~Euphoric Nightmare

Set
Tracks

Generally you will do research and find out what kind of music is released on what kind of labels. You're much more likely to sign a progressive trance track to a label like Armada (under Electronic Elements) than you are to Somatic Sense. Basically do your research, find out what labels are looking for, and make a small list. I'd send to about 10 labels.

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Most recent tracks:
1) Ilan Bluestone - Spheres (State of Matter Eleventh Hour Mix)
2) MK-S - Illuminate (State of Matter Revival Mix)
3) Scarab - Vagabond (State of Matter Revival Mix)
4) Ferry Corsten & The Thrillseekers - Sublime (State of Matter Revival Mix)
5) State of Matter - Saving Icarus (Original Mix)

https://soundcloud.com/stateofmattermusic

I sent out two tunes recently just for fun. I made an edited version of both of them and made those the first two tracks. It was basically just a 2-3 minute clip fading in and out through various parts. The last two tracks were the full versions.

But I can't emphasize enough what a good idea it is to maintain contact with the labels both before and after you send them stuff. They are much more likely to give your tunes a full listen if you develop a relationship with them.

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tylerhampton.com | tyler hampton myspace

gigs:
10.30 epic w/tiesto
11.24 spin w/david guetta
12.4 envy

Thats very interesting. Perhaps if i ever feel comfortable with any of my mixes I will send some.

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~Euphoric Nightmare

Set
Tracks

Once I get better at production I will send some, but I have this problem with compression, especially for my leads. Tutorials on the net don't cover the compression for Supersaw leads or any other kind leads.

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Pyster's Myspace