✅ Get Started: How to Begin Your Song Demo Project

Ready to turn your song into a professional demo? This page walks you through our Songwriter Demo Service submission process step by step.
Whether you're starting with a rough idea or a finished song, this is where your demo journey begins. From simple guitar-vocal recordings to full band demos, we help songwriters bring their music to life with Nashville-quality results.

Follow the step-by-step guide below to prepare and send your materials to start your songwriter demo service. Review each step by clicking on the tabs below to view details. Once your materials are ready, click the "Send Your Info" button at the bottom of the page. We'll review what you send, follow up with any questions, and email your invoice to begin the project.

Step 1: You Send Materials.

Click on the tabs below to see details.

How do I send my song for demo?

What You'll Need to Send


1️⃣ LYRICS

Please send a formatted lyric sheet.
Check out our: Lyric Sheet Preparation Guide Article.
And download our Lyric Sheet Preparation Guide PDF ↓📁 to see the standard formatting used in Nashville studios.


2️⃣ MELODY

We'll need a basic version of your melody. Any of the following formats will work, even a rough phone recording:

  • 🎤 You singing with an instrument
  • 🎹 A scratch vocal (human or AI) over an existing demo track
  • 🎙 You singing a cappella (no instrument)
  • 🎼 A lead sheet (notation with melody)

3️⃣ CHORDS & Song Map (optional)

If you have a chord chart, please include it. If not, and you'd like us to build the chord progression from your melody, just let us know.
You can also include a song map if you know your desired structure (e.g., intro, verse, chorus, bridge, etc.).


4️⃣ INSTRUCTIONS

It helps to include a short note describing what you're envisioning, especially if you're only submitting a melody or a simple track.

Describe what you're envisioning:

  • 🎹 Type of demo: guitar-vocal, piano-vocal, full band, or radio-ready?
  • 🎸 Genre or subgenre (e.g., modern country, traditional, Americana, CCM)<
  • 🎤 Any artist or song references you'd like us to consider. For example, "In the style of ‘ARTIST NAME,’ similar to their song ‘SONG NAME.’"
  • 🥁 Groove, feel, tempo, or instrumentation notes
  • 🎻 List of any instruments you want included (e.g., fiddle, steel, mandolin)

If you're unsure, that's okay! Just let us know and we'll help shape the arrangement.


5️⃣ CONTACT US FIRST (Before Sending Payment)

Please submit your materials (lyrics and melody or work track) for review before payment. We'll confirm we're a good fit for your song, then follow up with a quote and invoice.


For a full overview, download our Demo Pre-recording Checklist PDF ↓📁 for a step-by-step submission guide.


Step 2: We Review & Send You an Invoice.

Click on the tabs below to read details.

How do I send my song for demo?

Each song is unique, so we start by reviewing your materials to confirm we're a good fit and ensure the right musicians are available to support your project.

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

Once payment is received, your project is officially added to our production queue. We'll begin building your work track for the vocalist as soon as possible.

Please note: Projects are scheduled first-come, first-served. While most begin quickly, turnaround times may vary depending on availability.

◈ Most projects are completed within two weeks. However, delays may occasionally occur (e.g., musician scheduling). If that happens, your place in line is preserved.
📅 Note: This estimate applies only to studio production time. Vocalist turnaround is separate and depends on the individual singer's schedule.

Billing and service terms

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

Please Note: Our pricing does not include transaction fees. A 4% processing fee will be added to your total and labeled clearly as "Fees (PayPal 4%)" or "Fees (Stripe 4%)" depending on your payment method.

Cancellation and refund policy

You may cancel 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.

Step 3: Vocalist: You Choose. We Guide.

Click on the tabs below to read details.

How and where do I hire a vocalist?

How it works:
You'll choose and hire the vocalist yourself—but don't worry, we keep it simple and guide you every step of the way. Here's what to expect:

  1. Browse our recommended vocalists.
  2. Send your demo draft to the vocalist—they'll choose the best key for their range. We provide an email template with all the right questions.
  3. We'll create a guide track for them to record to.
  4. Review the vocalist's performance once recorded.
  5. Send us the final vocal files.

Everything you need is provided inside the client portal, including step-by-step instructions to make the hiring process smooth and stress-free.

Step 4: We create a guide track for the vocalist.

Click on the tabs below to read details.

What is a guide track and why do I need it?

A guide track (also called a work track) is a rough version of the song—just enough to give the vocalist what they need to record their part. It might be a simple guitar or piano with a beat, or include a few supporting instruments.

Why not just use the final track?
We build the guide track first because vocalists often choose their key before fully singing through the song. If it turns out the key doesn't work, and the final track has already been produced, you'd need a full rebuild—at extra cost. The guide track prevents that by keeping everything flexible until the vocal is locked in.

Step 5: We receive final vocal files.

Click on the tabs below to read details.

Adding the vocals

After we receive the final vocal files, we check for any performance or technical issues. Once approved, we move straight into the final mix, since the instrumental tracks are usually already complete by this stage.

Step 6: We deliver the mix.

Click on the tabs below to read details.

Final mixing stage explained

During the final mixing stage, we fine-tune the balance between instruments and enhance the overall sound. We apply the same attention to detail when blending and polishing the vocals.

Once your mix is complete, we'll send you a reference version to review and approve—or to request any changes.

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

Can I request revisions to the finished demo?

Yes! We include 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.

Please listen carefully to the first mix. We recommend taking a few days to review it on multiple devices and in different environments so you can hear all the details clearly.

📻 Playback Tip: For the most accurate sound, set your audio system to a “flat” or neutral setting. Here's how:

  • Set bass and treble to zero (0).
  • Use settings like "Studio," "Reference," or "Neutral" when available.
  • If your system has "Direct" or "Pure Direct" mode, turn it on—this disables tone coloration.
  • Turn off "Bass Boost," "Loudness," "Dynamic EQ," or "Surround Sound."
  • Avoid sound presets like "Rock," "Pop," or "Movie."
  • Use speakers positioned at ear level, away from corners (which can boost low-end).

Once you've gathered your notes, send us a clear list of changes. We'll apply them to your mix.

Please note:
We don't revise the vocal performance itself (other than tuning, if needed). Since you hire the vocalist directly, it's your responsibility to approve their performance before sending us the files. If we notice any issues with the vocals you send, we'll let you know right away so you can request a fix before final mixing begins.

If we miss something from your revision list, we'll fix it at no charge. Changes not included in the original list may incur a fee (currently $35/hr). We're happy to provide a time estimate—an hour is usually enough for most minor edits.

What if I'm still unhappy after my free revision?

Any changes requested after your free revision—and not included in your original revision list—may incur a fee (currently $35 USD/hour, subject to change). Most minor changes take an hour or less, and we'll provide an estimate in advance.

Need to review our Services and Pricing?

🚀 Start Your Project Now!

Ready to send your song? We'll guide you from rough idea to final song demo.

Send Your Info