What are Show Reels and Demo Reels?

Both a demo reel and show reel are aimed at demonstrating the talent of the composer / performer. It seems that the old term of ‘Demo Tape’ has been updated to cover many types of new media.

A show reel often gets confused with a demo reel and vice versa. A show reel incorporates moving images with audio / music and is more relevant to actors and film producers whereas a demo reel contains music only and is more relevant with composers.