Can you share your process for taking a rough demo and transforming it into a polished, radio-ready track?

While every track is different, there are a few ways you can sort through things.

Step 1: Listen to the song.

Are there any instruments occupying the same space? The classic here is multiple bass lines. I see this a surprising amount! If you can take one out, so theres only one, do it!

Are there any instruments likely to get in the way of the lead vocal? Piano, guitar... I'm looking at you.

Step 2: Have a process.

Start with the kick drum, try to take out any undesirable frequencies (around 150hz?)

Then do the bass - always alway side chain this off the kick, then make sure its not too bassy. Maybe roll off below 30hz if its an 808, we dont want to be causing any accidental basement cave ins!

Next, its the drums (rest), snappy, but be sure those high hats arent too tinny.

Once thats all done, youve got the lead vocal to do. Compression, EQ and De-ess are a must, then look up how to "send" your vocal to reverbs and effects.

The rest of the track should slot in behind the above.

Step 3: Spacing and EQ

Its all subjective, but some tricks and ideas:

Double up your guitars and pan them hard left and hard right. They'll flank the lead vocal and give you lots of with

Split your piano into left hand and right hand and pan them slightly left and right accordingly.

when doing harmonies, do two copies of each line and pan them hard left and hard right.

EQ. If youre having trouble hearing the lead vocal, dont be afraid to cut the instruments around it in the 1k region. You'll be amazed how this helps. If everything sounds muddy, lets clear out some mud around 250-350hz

Step 4: Reverb

Dont be tempted to drench the lead vocal in reverb! It sounds amateur. Look up how to use *sends* and also how to master "reverb pre-delay"

Does it sound natural? Why are your drums in a cathedral whilst your guitar amp is in a garage? Its weird! People want to hear musicians performing as a group, its primal, so put them in a similar space where possible. Doesnt have to be identical but lets not the bassist in a corridor.

Step 5 Final Checks

Do the bass and drums sound good on their own. This is the bed rock. If they do, big win.

Are the kick, Lead vocal and bass the most prominent things in the mix? (turn everything else down)

Do you struggle to head the lead vocal sometimes. (look at EQ on your instruments)

Mastering

Plenty of online mastering AI bots now, but you can also send it off to a fiverr mastering engineer. And guess what, they'll probably critique your mix for free as well!

Hope this Helps! Happy to chat

Transforming a rough demo into a polished, radio-ready track involves several key steps. With my extensive experience in music production, I start by refining the core elements, cleaning up the arrangement and ensuring the structure is solid. Next, I focus on sound design and instrumentation, enhancing the demo with high quality samples, synths, or live recordings as needed.