“It’s just a demo.”
“It’s all I can afford.”
Those decisions can seem harmless in the moment. But if the recording is going out into the world with your name on it, it’s representing you whether you call it a demo or not.
I’ve seen musicians make a series of questionable recording and production decisions, then end up with something that simply makes them look BAD!
Your music is speaking for you when you’re not in the room.