demo tapes
Aspiring musician's samples
Demo tapes are rough recordings made to showcase a musician's or band's work, typically sent to record labels, producers, or venues in hopes of getting signed or booked.
The format originated with cassette tapes but the term persists regardless of medium: We recorded some demo tapes in my basement.
Demo is short for demonstration—these recordings demonstrate potential rather than present polished products.
Magnetic audio cartridge
- boomboxPortable stereo with speakers
- rewindReturn to beginning
- analogComparable equivalent
- vintageQuality from past eras
memorabilia · collectible · eighties · nineties · retro · throwback · old-school · sentimental
Informal song compilation
- tracklistAlbum's song index
- unsignedBearing no signature
- rehearsalPre-performance practice session
- garageEnclosed vehicle storage structure
gig · setlist · underground · jamming · session · soundcheck · preproduction · backstage
Imperfect audio quality, informally
- unmasteredNot fully learned
- unmixedNot combined together
- rough cutUnfinished film version
- four-trackRecording with separate channels
multitrack · overdub · bouncing · analog · studio · engineer · producer · session
Bearing no signature
- emergingComing into view
- aspiringSeeking to achieve
- up-and-comingLikely to succeed soon
- discoveryAct of finding something
breakthrough · talent · promise · ambition · fledgling · budding · raw talent · undiscovered
Yielding to another's will
- A&RLabel's talent division
- record labelMusic publishing and distribution company
- talent scoutRecruiter of promising performers
- showcaseCabinet for displaying items
cold call · press kit · bio · headshot · booking agent · manager · industry · pitch
cassette
Magnetic audio cartridge
vintage · memorabilia · collectible · eighties · nineties · retro · throwback · old-school · sentimental · Walkman
mixtape
Informal song compilation
garage · gig · setlist · underground · jamming · session · soundcheck · preproduction · backstage · indie
lo-fi
Imperfect audio quality, informally
- unmasteredNot fully learned
- unmixedNot combined together
- rough cutUnfinished film version
four-track · multitrack · overdub · bouncing · analog · studio · engineer · producer · session · splicing
unsigned
Bearing no signature
- emergingComing into view
- aspiringSeeking to achieve
- up-and-comingLikely to succeed soon
discovery · breakthrough · talent · promise · ambition · fledgling · budding · raw talent · undiscovered · grassroots
submission
Yielding to another's will
- A&RLabel's talent division
- record labelMusic publishing and distribution company
- talent scoutRecruiter of promising performers
showcase · cold call · press kit · bio · headshot · booking agent · manager · industry · pitch · self-promotion
- amateur mediahome movies, home videos, family videos, DIY videos, student films
- music memorabiliaconcert tickets, ticket stubs, tour posters, autographs, band posters
- indie musicindie rock, indie pop, indie folk, lo-fi, underground music
- music archivesmanuscripts, electronic music, pop music, sheet music, phonograph records
- obscure medialost media, bootlegs, deleted scenes, pilot episodes, hidden tracks
- Garage Rockgarage rock, fuzz, fuzz guitar, raw sound, lo-fi
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