Recording a demo of a song is a focused sprint: start by clarifying the song’s core—melody, lyrics, and the emotional target—then lay down a scratch track (usually voice and a simple guitar or piano) to capture timing and feel. From there, record the main vocal with attention to phrasing and tone, using multiple takes to comp the strongest moments, while adding essential supporting elements like a rhythm guide, bassline, and key hooks to frame the arrangement without overproducing. Use close miking for intimacy, keep levels clean to avoid clipping, and apply light EQ and compression to reveal character; experiment with subtle effects (reverb, delay) to place the vocal in space but resist heavy processing that masks raw performance. Finally, listen critically on different systems, create a rough mix that balances clarity and emotion, and export high-quality stems or a stereo demo to share with collaborators, keeping detailed notes about tempo, key, and arrangement choices so the song can evolve efficiently.