Guide · Demos
How to keep track of your song demos
Keep every take of a song in one place under one name, note the date, key and tempo, and give each song a stage so you can see what is nearly done. You can do that with folders and a spreadsheet, or with an app built for songs.
Updated 20 Oct 2026
A simple system that works
- One name per song. Not per recording.
- Every take under it. Keep the date or a take number in the file name.
- Write down the key and tempo next to the recording, so you can play along later.
- Give each song a stage: idea, half written, finished demo, released.
- Review once a week. Move songs along, and pick the one to finish.
Doing it by hand
Folders in a cloud drive and a spreadsheet will do it. Create a folder per song, name takes "Song name, take 3, 12 Oct", and keep a row per song with its key, tempo and stage. It works for a while, and then keeping it up to date becomes the job once the pile gets big.
Apps that help
| Tool | What it does for demos |
|---|---|
| Cloud folders | Store and back up the files. Everything else is by hand |
| Notes apps | Keep lyrics and attach audio, but not built for playing through takes |
| Samply | Share tracks and works in progress with time-coded comments |
| songdrafts | A board of songs by stage, every take stacked on one card, lyrics, key and tempo on the song, and one link to share a demo |
Check each tool's own site for current features and prices. If a handful of folders already works for you, keep them. songdrafts does not record, so keep using Voice Memos or any recorder to make the demos.
How songdrafts keeps track of demos
songdrafts is a board. Each song is a card, and you move it across stages as it gets better. Every take stacks on the card, in the order you add them, and you can drop a named marker on a take for the part you care about. Lyrics, key and tempo sit on the same song, and you can share a take as one link that plays in the browser with comments pinned to the second. For a band, you can invite a bandmate to the board. See how a band can keep demos in one place.
Common questions
How should I name my demo files?
Song name first, then what it is and the date: "Lighthouse, take 3, 12 Oct". You can then sort and find them.
How do I keep track of different versions of a song?
Keep every version under one song name, in order, and note which one is current.
What is the best app for songwriters to keep track of demos?
It depends on whether you need to record, sort or share. For sorting existing voice memos into songs with every take together, a board such as songdrafts is built for it.
How many demos should I keep?
Keep all of them while the song is alive. Archive the rest once it is finished or dropped.
Do I need to back up my demos?
Yes. Keep a copy in a second place, such as a cloud drive or an export from your app.
Want this done for you? songdrafts is a board for your voice memos: every take stacked on one card, songs that move across stages, merging half songs, and one share link with comments pinned to the second. Works offline, and nothing you upload trains AI. What is songdrafts?