DEMO
As a demo producer, Reed’s first commitment involves respecting the songwriter’s original version of his or her material, while at the same time offering helpful suggestions to embellish it (orsimplify it), aiming to create a more cohesive, pleasing, and ideally commercial final product.

Reed frequently builds arrangements for complete demos of songs that writers initially present to him with just a few strums of the guitar, or simply as an unaccompanied vocal line. All you need are words and a melody; he will help you structure the song from there, while staying faithful to your conception of how it should ultimately sound. Clients bring in rough outlines of their material, and leave with finished products that they often describe as “just the way I envisioned the song when I first wrote it.”

Writers are free to participate in their own demo project to whatever extent they desire. Some are in the habit of providing their own vocals; others don’t fancy themselves as singers and enlist Reed, or other session vocalists, to cover that element. Some writers like to be present in the studio throughout the entire recording process; some simply communicate the initial idea behind the song, then return and pick up the final product. Either approach is welcome.

Reed also specializes in creating tailor-made accompaniment tracks for singers to use in live performances. From children’s talent shows and auditions to Baron Edwards' “Motortown & Mo' Revue" (which features groups reenacting the showcases of the Temptations, The Supremes, Aretha Franklin and other Motown acts) he has provided tracks to fit the exact needs of the vocalists - any key, any arrangement, any type of transition between songs.

Reed is also available as a vocalist or keyboardist for projects recorded at other studios.