Ambient/space music label AD Music has published a set of tips for submitting a demo:

If you’re going to submit a demo to a label like AD Music, then there are things you should definitely do before you waste your time and effort, and these tips are likely to apply to most record labels.

Tip 1 is about selecting the right label to send your demo to. On the AD Music “About sending a demo” page it clearly states; DON’T SEND US, pop, country, jazz, trance, RnB, House rap or rock etc.… we’re not set up to deal with those types of music, so please don’t waste our time and your money by sending us anything other than instrumental electronic music. Yet you would be amazed what we get sent.

Many labels don’t have the time to listen to demos that are relevant to what they do, let alone music that isn’t, so have a good look at what the label actually produces, the style of music etc before you send the demo.

Also check what format the demos are required. For example, we only accept demos on audio CD. So don’t send MP3’s by email (or on CD) unless the record label specifically requests it. Chances are that if they don’t request that format, they don’t want it and will probably trash it on receipt.

All this comes down to doing your homework first before you send anything. It’s not rocket science and it doesn’t take very long so ensure your musical creation is going to a label that will at least give it a fair listen because it’s what they deal with.

It’s all common sense that would apply to submitting a demo to any label – but it’s also clear that they must get deluged with a lot of demos that go straight in the trash.