BACK TO BASICS

OK first things first - CD/CD-R and increasingly DVD (for a video showreel) are the industry norm for demos - we recommend audio CD tracks (in standard cda format) for the simple reason that 80% of demo reviewing is done by promoters in their cars, plus, reproduction via CD burner or CD recorder is quick and cheap and the quality of the copies does not degrade noticably from the original recording.

Minidisc players are good for recording onto prior to burning onto CD but never submit a demo on MiniDisc - it probably won't be listened too.  DAT was never a common general use format and the good old Philips Compact Cassette Tape, for nearly 40 years the staple diet of hopeful DJ's, musicians, and hungry car stereos everywhere has finally been laid to rest. Need blank CD's, DVD's, cases, labelling kits or accessories? - click HERE for our recommended supplier

Although CD and MiniDisc recorders can get great quality sound - they can't work miracles - ensure that you make your mix using good, well maintained leads and equipment, and, if using vinyl, clean it before you start. Earth your decks/mixer equipment (where required) to prevent hum. Check leads are firmly in place and remove fluff and accumulated crud from stylii (preferably use new stylii) and have a spare standing by if you are cutting it up ruff.

LEVEL HEADED?

Use a good pair of headphones and monitors and set your recording levels up properly using your loudest and quiestest tracks as a test.

Check your mixer output levels before you start and during each mix (for optimum results, output LED's should be as high as possible in green or amber with just the odd flash into the red, not lighting up the reds like a nuclear power station meltdown alarm).  Most mixers now have pre-fade gain controls learn how to use them to equalise output levels while you are cueing up.  Gain and fader controls do not do the same thing - the gain alters the strength of the signal peaks, the faders control the quantity of the sound and can't alter the shape of the signal.

Turn off your mobile phone! It will cause sound interferrence (as well as disturbing you), as will any other mobiles or cordless phones in the house, and food mixers/vacuum cleaners please Mum

COMPOSITION

There is a lot of argument over whether it is better to track mark your mix or not.  For all mix demos we recommend you don't - it's not unknown for promoters to just flick through the mix points to see if you have the skill and therefore miss the amazing breaks, atmosphere or uplifts in the set.  

Also many PC based CD recorders and duplicating programs by default automatically add a half second pause between tracks and some have no means of switching off.  Nero users should ensure they check the box in the record track listing to remove pause between tracks. (if any relevent software programmers are reading - this p*sses us all right off in the dance industry so will you sort it out please!)

Have a couple of practice runs to warm up and check your track selection and set structure works. Now unplug/turn off the phone, lock pets, small brothers and horny girl/boyfriends and elderly relatives in a small dark cupboard under the stairs, turn off the bath, cooker and.....wait for it, who told you to touch that record button yet........!

Yes BEFORE you start we also recommend that you give some thought to how you are going to end your mix - try and use something original rather than just stop dead or fade out - an original finish will leave a lasting impression on the listener!

Now, may the force be with you and 1-2-3 GO!

PRESENTION 

Your demo has to stand out from the crowd so make an effort with presentation - even a cut , pasted and photocopied cover is going to look better than nothing at all and there are many proprietory CD labelling kits on the market to jazz it up (or you can use our professional demo artwork design service - see ARTIST SERVICES for details).

When sending demos to agencies, clubs or promoters, always send a full DJ profile too and please, please don't forget put all your contact details on the CD cover/insert and on the disc - without it you might as well never have sent the demo in the first place!

Need blank CD's, DVD's, cases, labelling kits or accessories? - click HERE for our recommended supplier

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