Music demos
A good studio must include all type of equipment that rehearsal studio has and even more. It must have all recording facilities, effects, sound engineer and desirably seperate drum and vocal booths. Depending on your competence and preferred method of working this is possible to record a track in several different ways. 
First method is live recording, which allows you to retain the energy of the gig performance and is the quickest way if you are an experienced band or singer.
Layered recording is when each instrument is recorded seperately, often to a click track or guide vocal. This method may produce more professional results. It’s better for newcomers but is significantly more expensive due to the extra time taken.
Recording to backing tracks is a cheaper alternative. This method is good for newcomers, solo artists, duo’s and vocal groups.
Depending on the demo recording studio you choose costs may range from an hourly rate to $100+ per day. Mixdown time will add additional costs into your budget as well as your finished 1/4″, 1/2″, 1″ or 2″ master tape which you should negotiate to retain. You should remember that the hourly or daily rates usually do not include the cost of the backing tracks, master tape, cd duplication, licensing, musicians and producers fees.
The best advice would be to record 8-10 tracks, use the best 2-3 on your demo tapes and press an album to sell at live performances.
What is a Package Deal?
This is the offer that some studios would make. It reflects their working preferences. For instance., those who prefer to block book and work on albums an other long term projects, will offer a block booking package at a reduced price.
Small production studio which concentrates on package deals designed for solo artists, songwriters and vocal groups are the new tendency in the recording business. They offer the singer to choose between a wide range of professionally produced quality backing tracks from various artist who licensed to the studio. This type of offer usually consists of a set time period during which your vocal is recorded and mixed with the track by a sound engineer and/or music demo producer. They may additionally offer original songwriting production/remixing services. In this case studio normally retains the master tape which may get erased or re-used for some other artists. What you get is the finished CD complete with neatly produced artwork, label and inlay.
Who Owns the Copyright on recorded material?
By default the author of the song owns the copyright. However, if you collaborate with another artist/musician to create a song, then both of you will own the copyright unless agreed otherwise.
In case the music demo studio provides musical expertise (write music for you lyrics for example), technically they own the copyright to the music and the author of words owns copyright to the lyrics. If you are recording a cover version, you will be hold responsible for obtaining permission for use from the artist, publisher or recording company who owns the copyright. The exception is non-commercial use i.e, a demo for bookers, agents, managers or A&R. However, if you intend to record cover versions with with the purpose of selling the CD, radio airplay or release then you must obtain permission.
What to put on a demo?
Before you record your demo you must think about what you are planning for. If you want a solo singer/songwriting career then only original songs are acceptable.
Despite of the area you want to work in the demo should be a compilation of your interpretation of the type of songs you will be performing. Basically you will need to tailor your demo CD to the market you are willing to perform for.
Your demo has to show all your capabilities and potential. You’ll need to aim to produce a demo that will appeal to your potential agent, manager, publishing or record company. It must to show off your talents and gain their interest.
For booking or entertainment agents your demo should be contain three or four 30 sec to 1 minute snippets of a variety of material rather than full songs. Remember not to send anyone an original song without copyrighting it first! One fast, one slow & one mid tempo song is the average but sending ’snippets’ may enlarge the quantity up to five tracks, with the last track a full song.
When sending a demo where you are singing along to one of the artists songs make sure that you sing to the backing track which does not have the original artist singing. Otherwise this will sound really unprofessional.
Do not forget to review your demo on a regular basis. It must always reflect the type of music you are currently performing. It must also demonstrate your abilities to their fullest extent. If your voice or style of music matured, developed or changed otherwise, you should consider recording a new demo.