|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,511
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,511 |
Elliott,
For pitching a demo to a publisher the rules are very, very simple.
Keep it as simple as you can.
A two track acoustic and vocal is sometimes all that is needed.
They don't want to hear your production, just the song. They will produce it in their heads. Over-produced demos are dangerous territory.
Plan B is to go into a studio and come out sounding exactly like Morgan Wallen but that is 5 grand.
If you can't do that it is safer to have a perfect sounding guitar (or piano) and a pro vocal.
And a song that gives everyone goosebumps or makes them say "hot damn."
They can take it from there.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,741
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,741 |
Here are some ideas from a producer worth looking at. This article is about what producers must deal with when listening to demos. https://blog.discmakers.com/2015/07/9-things-not-to-do-with-your-next-song-demo/Several things got my attention and resonated with me. 1. Choose a pro singer for your demo. Unless you’re a real vocalist, don’t sing it yourself to save money. 2. Good songs with average lyrics don't normally get picked up. You can't sell "average." This highly competitive business requires business skills and a good bit of being at the right place with the right stuff at the right time. What David Snyder said is dead on. You can go to a high-quality studio, spend thousands, and "maybe" get the best "demo" possible. The issue is that song will most likely end up where hundreds of thousands of other demo songs end up. So risk-taking needs to be tempered with good business judgment. Billy
“Amazing! I’ll be working with Jaco Pastorius, Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, and Buddy Rich, and you’re telling me it’s not that great of a gig?
“Well…” Saint Peter, hesitated, “God’s got this girlfriend who thinks she can sing…”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 253
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 253 |
So, what is the difference between a publisher and a distributor?
I thought they are the same. I assume you don't need to make a demo. You can just make a completed song, upload to a distributor, it will be published on all platforms, done.
Also, is Songtradr anything special? Is it better than other mainstream distributors such as CD Baby, DistroKid, TuneCore, etc?
explains what a publisher is and does https://www.liveabout.com/music-distribution-defined-2460499 explains music distribution You ask in a reply if registering with ASCAP was triple dipping. No it's not. PROs collect your performance royalties and pay you for them. SOCAN in Canada does basically the same thing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,889
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,889 |
For pitching a demo to a publisher the rules are very, very simple.
Keep it as simple as you can.
A two track acoustic and vocal is sometimes all that is needed.
They don't want to hear your production, just the song. They will produce it in their heads. Over-produced demos are dangerous territory.
This is not necessarily true. There are no rules for this except one.... It needs to be extremely well recorded. At a songwriters seminar in LA several years ago, I had the opportunity to set in on a hit song writer talking about this very topic. Should you submit simple or fully demoed songs? I don't know what percentage of songs arrive as full band demos. Jason Blume did however play several demos for songs that were on the radio at the time. One was a pop song and one was a country song. Both were big radio songs. Aside from the singer obviously being different, those demos were full bands, complete with the fills and solos, and most importantly, completely radio ready. Played back to back it was hard to tell the difference between them. The demo version could easily have been on the radio but it wasn't the big artist singing. Jason's comments were to the effect that you should give them the full idea you have in your head. They can decide if they want to follow that or do a different arrangement. In both cases, the artist essentially covered the demo almost exactly note for note. If you send a piano or guitar and vocal only demo, they have a lot of work to do to make the song ready for the artist who may or may not hear the possibilities of the song. It's always your option to send a pared down demo and I'm absolutely sure hundreds of songs have been recorded by artists from a simple piano vocal demo. You should always spell it out for them if you are capable. Edit to add: Regardless of what demo method you choose, your song has to be great. A so-so song with a top quality demo will still be a so-so song. And in the same way, a great song with chart potential will be ruined by a singer who's singing out of tune sounding like they were recorded in a bedroom with a cheap mic or an out of tune guitar.
Last edited by Guitarhacker; 04/16/23 02:28 PM.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,511
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,511 |
Dear Elliott,
God knows I tried, my brother.
But I have decided the ignore button is going to become a more and more useful tool for some of these "specialty forums" as time goes by. (Not speaking of you, Elliott but of certain characters who seem to argue with everything I say even if I say the sky is blue.)
I am glad Roger Brown came in and made gave solid insights because he has numerous hits. You want to listen to him.
To reiterate: I have been told to my face by numerous pros in Nashville that less is more. I can safely assure you that if Roger Brown is using BIAB for pro pitches (as he clearly says he is), he is NOT throwing in everything but the kitchen sink. Again, listen to who has the hits. He and others use BIAB for demos.
You can do the same. Just keep it simple, and make sure it is a great song with a simple, professional bed, and a strong vocal. (You CAN do this with BIAB and a bedroom studio. That is the whole point here. It's why people buy and use BIAB. Like Roger. Who has hits and an active career. And co-writers with hits as well.)
They do NOT want to hear your idea of a production unless it is on the level with a radio production, and people who write 100 songs a year do not do that.
So, that is all I can say, and I know I am right on these points:
1.) Make it a great song.
2.) Give people goosebumps or make them say hot damn, and have a solid, simple demo that puts the focus on the SONG and the lyrics, and NOT the production. That is a turn-off and a distraction.
That being said, I am going to bow out now, and probably stay away from these discussions off the showcase forum.
But this may be enough. Just do these things and you will be successful. Others have been successful doing it.
And by the way, what's the color of the black asphalt on the road?
It's black.
Except where it is painted.
* Bonus tip: If your "pro" demo sounds like the worst song on an Alabama album from 1972, it's probably not going to work. That is why the two track acoustic and vocal is often a safer route.
Peace out and happy writing everyone.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 2,066
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 2,066 |
After 50 years, the only rule I know is that you have no idea what a producer is going to hear in your demo.
Some of the biggest hits have had gawdawful demos. You listen, knowing the hit and wonder how anyone heard that in there. Those, however, are the exception, not the rule.
For the most part, David’s advice is spot on. The demo must showcase the SONG, not your arranging skills, not the vocalist delivering it or anything that distracts.
As for engaging a “pro singer”, it depends on the singer. There are a few who specialize in demos and when you’ve heard enough, you know who they are even if you don’t know their names. In the ‘70s and ‘80s, it seemed like Livingston Taylor (Berklee prof and brother of James) sang over half of all the demos I heard. His voice sounds close to his brother but lacks the distinct personality. This lets the producer concentrate on the song.
Back to the OP, BIAB is very well suited for demos. I’ve used it for a few clients. There are hundreds of styles that don’t call attention to the arrangement if used with a bit of restraint. Unless there’s an instrumental as well as a vocal hook, skip the long introduction.
I don’t use it on my own demos but it’s because I’m too lazy to audition styles till I find what I like. If guitar, I have some tools that I use. For piano, when I was a Voice major, 50+ years ago, I met a Piano Performance major and a few years later we were married. I tell her what I need or write it out and she plays the way I want to hear it.
BIAB 2026 Audiophile Mac
24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia/Tahoe, M1 & M5 MBAir, 2012 MBP
Digital Performer11, Logic, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScore/Notion/Overture
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,889
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,889 |
Actually... I think we're all pretty much on the same page. We all agree on the following. First.... The song has to be well written. Second.... The demo should be of the highest audio quality possible. Third.... A demo is for showcasing the song and is not the time or place for verse long instrumental solos. Fourthly.... If it works in conveying the song and gets picked up for a cut..... It doesn't matter whether it was a simple piano/vocal or a full band on the demo. This is essentially what I was saying about doing a bedroom quality demo. Some of the biggest hits have had gawdawful demos. You listen, knowing the hit and wonder how anyone heard that in there. Those, however, are the exception, not the rule.
Last edited by Guitarhacker; 04/17/23 02:15 AM.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Holiday Weekend Hours
It's Victoria Day Long Weekend in Canada. Our Customer Service hours are:
Saturday, May 16: Closed
Sunday, May 17: Closed
Monday, May 18: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Regular hours resume Tuesday, May 19th!
Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!
Don't wait - order today!
Check out all the new features in the redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!
202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
- The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
- Playable RealTracks Set 5
- RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
- SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
- iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
- RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
- SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
Learn more about the Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
Note: XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
Check out this forum post for "One Stop Shopping" of our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Videos!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,311
Posts803,157
Members40,091
| |
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean