✅ Get Started: How To Start A Song Demo Project

What You'll Need to Send

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1️⃣ LYRICS

Please send a formatted lyric sheet.
Please read our: Lyric Sheet Preparation Guide Article.
And download our Lyric Sheet Preparation Guide ↓📁 PDF for additional info on how to format lyrics and a properly formatted example of the "Nashville studio way" for vocalists and producers.

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2️⃣ MELODY

We'll need a version of your song's melody. You can provide it in one of the following ways, even recorded with your phone:

• 🎤 You (or someone) singing with an instrument.
• 🎹 AI-generated music and vocal track.
• 🎙 Music track with AI vocals.
• 🎧 You singing the melody a cappella (no instrument). (We can help develop the chords and instrumental backing if needed).
• 🎼 A basic lead sheet (notation with melody).

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3️⃣ CHORDS & Song Map (optional)

If you have a chord chart, please include it. If not, and you'd like us to create a suitable progression based on your melody, just let us know.
If you know the arrangement you want, include a song map (e.g., Intro, verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge, chorus, chorus.). A song map can be handy if you intend to use a non-conventional arrangement.

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4️⃣ INSTRUCTIONS

While the style or genre of your song is often clear, it's helpful to include a brief note describing your creative intent, especially if you're only sending a melody or a minimal track.

Describe what you're envisioning:

• 🎹 What type of song demo are you looking for? Guitar-vocal or piano-vocal, full band, or radio-ready demo?
• 🎸 What's the genre or subgenre? (Traditional country, modern radio, pop-country, Americana, etc.)
• 🎤 Are there any reference songs or reference artists you'd like the team to listen to? For example, "In the style of ‘ARTIST NAME,’ something like their song ‘SONG NAME.’"
• 🥁 Notes about groove, tempo, etc.
• 🎻 List any specific instruments you want, particularly if adding additional instruments. For example, pedal steel and fiddle.

The more context you provide, the better we can match your vision. If you're not sure—that's okay! Just let us know, and we'll help shape the arrangement.

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5️⃣ CONTACT US FIRST (Before Sending Payment)

We want to be sure we can deliver exactly what you need before we begin. Please submit your materials (lyrics and melody or work track) for review. Once approved, we'll send you a quote. If everything looks good, we'll follow up with an invoice. Thank you!

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Get complete song demo instructions by downloading our Demo Pre-recording Checklist ↓📁 PDF that walks you through all songwriter demo submission steps. .

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Because each project has unique needs, we review your submitted materials to confirm that we're a good fit for your project and that the necessary musicians are available to bring your vision to life.

After review, we'll email you a custom quote and a secure payment link via your preferred payment method (PayPal or Stripe).

Once we receive your payment, your project will be added to our production queue. We'll begin creating the work track for your vocalist as soon as possible.

Please note: Projects are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. While we aim to begin promptly, turnaround times may vary depending on current demand.

◈ Most jobs complete within 2 weeks. However, unforeseen delays can occur (e.g., musician availability) and may extend delivery. No worries, if a delay occurs, your project retains its place in line.
📅 Note: This estimate is for our production time only. It does not include the turnaround time of the vocalist you hire.

When we send your project quote, it will include an invoice with a secure payment link via your preferred provider—PayPal or Stripe. Your project is officially added to our production queue once full payment is received.

Please Note: Our prices do not include the transaction fees charged by PayPal or Stripe. To offset this cost, a 4% processing fee will be added to your invoice total and clearly labeled as "Fees (PayPal 4%)" or "Fees (Stripe 4%)" depending on the payment method used.

You may cancel your project at any time.

• If you cancel before any production work has begun, we will issue a full refund.
• If work has already started, you will be billed only for the portion completed up to the time of cancellation—calculated either by percentage of completion or by hours worked (current hourly rate: $35 USD).

If applicable, the remaining balance will be refunded to your original payment method.

How it works:
You will choose and hire the vocalist yourself—but don't worry, we make it simple and guide you every step of the way. Here's a quick overview:

1. Review our recommended vocalists.
2. Send your draft to the vocalist—they'll determine the best key for their voice. We provide an email template that includes all the important questions.
3. We'll create a basic guide track for them to record to.
4. Review the vocalist's performance.
5. Send us the final vocal files.

Step-by-step instructions and everything you need will be included in the client portal we've set up to make the process of hiring a vocalist simple.

A guide track, also called a rough or work track, is sometimes used to give a basic sketch of the song—just enough to give the vocalist what they need to sing to. Sometimes it's just one instrument (like guitar or piano) and a beat. Other times, it may include additional instruments.

Why use a guide track instead of the final track?
We always create a basic guide track because vocalists sometimes choose a key before fully singing through the song—only to discover later that it's not the best fit. If the final track had already been produced, changing the key would mean redoing major parts of the production (at your expense). The guide track helps avoid that unnecessary step and keeps the process efficient.

Once we receive the final vocal files, we check for any technical or performance issues. By this point, the instrumental tracks are typically complete, so we begin the final mixing process right away.

During the final mixing stage, we fine-tune the sound of the instruments and carefully balance them within the mix. We apply the same attention to detail when blending and enhancing the vocals. Once the mix is complete, we'll send you a reference version to review and approve—or to request any changes.

For details on what's included in your revision, please see our policy in the next tab.

Yes! We offer one complimentary mix revision—this covers adjustments to levels, EQ, and other mix elements, but does not include re-playing or re-recording any parts.

It's essential to listen closely to the initial mix we send. We recommend taking a few days to listen multiple times—on different devices, in different environments—so you can notice all the details.

📻 A NOTE about audio systems: For best results, make sure your audio systems are adjusted to what we call "flat." Meaning, they are not boosting the bass or treble or are exaggerating any frequencies. Do this:

• Set bass and treble settings or knobs to zero(0).
• If your system has settings such as "Studio," "Reference," or "Neutral." These modes are aimed for a flat, accurate playback.
• On systems that have a "direct" or "pure direct" mode, use them, which often disables tone settings.
• Turn off any settings such as "Bass Boost," "Loudness," "Dynamic EQ," or "Surround Sound" modes.
• Avoid presets such as "Rock," "Pop," or "Movie."
• Listen to speakers positioned at ear level.
Don't position speakers in corners, which can amplify low frequencies.

Once you've gathered your thoughts, send us a clear list of the changes you'd like made. We'll apply those revisions to the mix.

Please note:

We do not revise or alter the vocal performance itself (other than tuning as needed). Since the vocalist was hired by you, it's your responsibility to approve their final vocal before sending us the files. That said, if we notice any technical or performance issues when we receive your vocal tracks, we'll let you know right away so you can request a fix from your vocalist before we begin final production.

If something from your revision list is missed, we'll correct it at no charge.

Any changes not included in the original revision list may incur an additional fee, currently $35 USD per hour (subject to change). We're happy to provide a time estimate beforehand—typically, an hour is enough for most small adjustments.

Any desired changes to the mix after—and not included in the original complimentary revision list—may incur an additional fee, currently $35 USD per hour (subject to change). We're happy to provide a time estimate beforehand—typically, an hour is enough for most small adjustments.