How high-quality does a demo recording need to be?
This all depends on what you’re trying to achieve. If you’re trying to sell your writing ability, then a simple arrangement with just a proficient vocal and a piano or guitar will usually do fine. However, if you’re wanting to show someone what a good singer you are, then you’d better make sure that the vocal performance and sound are as good as you can get, even at the expense of the accompaniment. Whatever it is about the demo that you’re trying to show off, make sure that you concentrate on getting that as good as possible, while getting everything else well out of the way.
