Tip Sheets

Welcome to our tip sheets for bands and musicians. We hope to provide useful information and advice for those who are new to recording music and playing live, as well as for those who are more established within the music industry.

The information in these tip sheets has been put together with the help of music industry practitioners across the Highlands of Scotland and beyond.

Tip-Sheet 1
Recording a demo
Written with a view to informing those who are relatively new to studio recording how to prepare for the process and get the best out of it. The information has been reviewed by a number of studio engineers and bands who have provided their own additional tips.

Recording a demo

Copright The Byre Studios

Tip-Sheet 2
Playing a gig
This tip sheet has been produced to help those who are preparing for their first gig or have only been gigging for a short period of time. Contained are tips on how to prepare your band for a gig along with advice on how to make the performance run as smoothly and enjoyably as possible. A number of local and national bands have contributed their own advice to the tip sheet.

Playing a gig

Tip-Sheet 3
Promoting your own gig
Have you ever considered putting on a gig yourself? There’s more to the music industry than the bands. Produced with assistance from some of the Highlands most successful promoters, this tip sheet contains an array of information that will help you put on a well-organised show.

Promoting your gig

Tip-sheet 4
Sending out your demo
The majority of bands make a demo in order to promote themselves - be it to get gigs or interest from a record label. This tip sheet has been produced to help you prepare a suitable demo package to get your band heard. With advice from an array of practitioners including bands and the A&R men this tip-sheet provides tips from both sides of the industry.

Preparing your demo

Note that pdf versions of these tip sheets are downloadable at the end of each section, allowing you to print off the information and use it as required.

Our full list of tip sheets are available below:

MIDAS Tip-Sheet 1 - Recording a Demo (1) At various points in the development of your musical career, a demo recording will play an important part giving you a ...MIDAS Tipsheet 2 - Playing a Gig (1) PLAYING A GIG is the time when all your hard rehearsal time and preparation pays off. For a musician, playing a gig is ...MIDAS Tip-Sheet 3 - Promoting a Gig (1) There are numerous reasons why you might decide to put on your own gig. Perhaps as a fundraiser for charity or to give ...MIDAS Tip-Sheet 4 - Preparing your Demo Package (1) A band’s demo and any accompanying info are equivalent to their business card. In most cases the main objective of a ...HI~Arts Music Tip-Sheet 5 – Your Band Positive attitude If you’re already in a band, the ...HI~Arts Music Tip-Sheet 6 - Choosing Your Material The first thing many bands do is play other ...HI~Arts Music Tip-Sheet 7 – CD Mastering Mastering is a process which takes place after all ...HI~Arts Music Tip-Sheet 8 - Traditional Music If your interest lies in traditional or Celtic music, ...Highlands & Islands Labels (HAIL) Tip Sheets Highlands and Islands Labels (HAIL) tip sheets on aspects of the music industry and promotion.