Promo recordings
A promo sound carrier (also: promo , promotional CD , promotional (LP, EP, single) , white sample or sample plate ) is understood to be a sound carrier ( single , EP or music album ) that is produced exclusively for advertising purposes. Such sound carriers are not commercially available. The sound carriers are sent free of charge by the record companies to selected radio stations, music magazines and specialist retailers to draw attention to a new single or a new album by an artist or a band. The dispatch takes place in some cases several weeks before the official start of sales of the sound carriers.
The design and also the content of the promo sound carriers often differ from the sales copy. In order to indicate the advertising purpose of the sound carrier, a note ("For Promotion Only - Not For Sale" or similar) is printed on the record cover or the CD cover or the CD. Background information on the title and artist can often be found on a separate sheet (referred to as a “promo sheet” or, by journalists, derogatory “laundry slip”).
Since promo records are only produced in small editions and are not available in regular stores, they are a sought-after item for collectors. The earlier date of the release of the promo sound carriers compared to the official release means that these versions are regularly made available as leaks .