|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,584
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,584 |
Topic..Making a 'smidgeon' from ones songs. (maybe new songwriters might find this thread interesting.) on this topic does anyone here have any advice for making a 'smidgeon' of money from streaming/ ones songs on the net ? let me explain my situation and objectives…. i'm not asking for much, just enough to get some recording toys i would like. each year…eg this year…these two. https://pcaudiolabs.com/rok-box-daw-pro-audio-computers/and maybe… https://line6.com/helix/or a kemper for example. even 1k to 2k a year would be nice…to sate my 'gear lust' lol...but it seems a lot of musos are lucky to make 100 buckys a year sadly. ive got most other gear needed. At the same time my wife and i value our private life. let me explain… by happenstance//flukes//my travels thru' the music industry ive met a couple of well known artists who shared with me the plusses and minuses of the music biz. these people were very kind to me, and shared their thoughts. particularly re the aspect /impacts on their 'private life'. thus ive always wanted to just enjoy my addiction to song creation and never had the desire for more. but a smidgeon of song income each year would be nice cos i'm one of the overtaxed middle class....lol. Any advice on how to make a 'pittance' would be v nice. i would also be curious if other pg users are making some decent bucks without impacting their private life. eg if your making a few k each year from your songs…does it severely impact your private life with the effort needed ? cos my 'thing' is doing songs and i have no intertest in doing much else in the music biz. thanks in advance for offering any advice. happiness to all. om
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 09/04/22 02:49 AM.
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs(90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,457
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,457 |
If you find a way to make recurring income with little effort PLEASE let me know Everyone else I know puts in a lot of effort though I agree, fame is not for the faint of heart https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPX6JPHRmBAor https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCIVBqVAZ-EI think that may be Lenny Pickett in one and Adrian Belew in the other .. making a pittance after all those hours on tour
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 15,958
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 15,958 |
On YouTube to qualify as a partner and thus earn anything you need to (per their statement) "be in good standing with YouTube, have 4,000 valid public watch hours in the previous 12 months, and at least 1,000 subscribers." That's quite a hurdle before you can earn a penny.
Joanne Cooper who has been quite active on the forums here over the years uses her talent, determination and BiaB to get literally millions of plays on YouTube and has over 75,000 followers. And she has a great business model. No doubt her income is significant.
On the major streaming platforms, e.g., Spotify, you will, depending on various circumstances, earn $2-4 per 1,000 plays.
For both of the above you need to be very skilled at promotion. There are a zillion suggestions on how to do that. I am way, way too lazy.
Then there are the sync libraries where you can earn a few bucks or hit the big time depending on the placement. We have had some monetary success with Songtradr FWIW.
Bud
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,584
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,584 |
JnB(4T).
thanks for the info. much appreciated.
ie info from people who have got some reward for their efforts.
i'm not sure i want to go on you tube.i value being unknown based on my discussions with 2 well known artists in the past. also sooo many people on you tube.
i'm also not greedy. just wanna make enough to feed my gear lust once a year. lol.
in addition i'm trying to figure out why a few people do really well streaming
(ie the 1 percent) vs the 99 percent that dont. ie what are the 1 percent doing right ?
bcos at some point the 1 percent were of course unknown….so what did they do right ? versus everybody else.
let me say i'm not lazy and have worked v hard in my life, and i'm not expecting much.
its just i prefer creating songs rather than doing tons of marketing.
kudos to your talents and happiness.
om
ps rharv thanks for the links. great stuff.
always liked Bowie.
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 09/04/22 11:57 AM.
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs(90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,934
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,934 |
My advice would be to find a way to help other musicians meet their goals. My life and business took a positive turn when I made that decision.
It has also, as Bud says, taken years of hard work and determination to get to over 100 million views on YouTube.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 15,958
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 15,958 |
JnB(4T).
thanks for the info. much appreciated.
ie info from people who have got some reward for their efforts.
i'm not sure i want to go on you tube.i value being unknown based on my discussions with 2 well known artists in the past. also sooo many people on you tube.
i'm also not greedy. just wanna make enough to feed my gear lust once a year. lol.
in addition i'm trying to figure out why a few people do really well streaming
(ie the 1 percent) vs the 99 percent that dont. ie what are the 1 percent doing right ?
bcos at some point the 1 percent were of course unknown….so what did they do right ? versus everybody else.
let me say i'm not lazy and have worked v hard in my life, and i'm not expecting much.
its just i prefer creating songs rather than doing tons of marketing.
kudos to your talents and happiness.
om
ps rharv thanks for the links. great stuff.
always liked Bowie. Firstly, thanks for the compliment. IMHO with few exceptions (and obviously) you have to produce music in genres that are mostly likely to attract the largest streaming audiences if the number of streams is your goal. We played in traditional bluegrass bands for years, charted an album and sold a decent number of CD’s mainly because our music partner was Grammy nominated.  All proceeds were donated to charity. Years later after discovering BiaB we moved to blues and Americana - a couple more popular genres Our “success” with them via mostly Songtradr has been financially much much less than that one CD. But those CD days are not a viable option. Songtradr allows you to upload an unlimited number of songs while most of the other sync libraries have to approve your submissions and they approve a very small percentage. There’s not much to lose other than time to upload. One serious film or tv placement would be worth a zillion streams. Low probability but … We have ZERO interest in creating ANY music that is not close to our hearts. So for us it’s done 100% for the joy of it. This does not imply that we don’t understand and support the interests of those who seek an income from music in today’s environment. Now if we could earn decent $ from producing the music we love that would of course be wonderful. But as mentioned our style of music ain’t gonna do that! Oh, and I’m an old guy entrenched in my “ways!” Bud
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,584
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,584 |
JnB(4T).
great info. big thanks.
i'm exactly the same...i do songs cos of the 'joy', and if could make a 'pittance' lol to buy a bit of gear here or there its a 'bonus'.
best/happiness.
om
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs(90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 621
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 621 |
It takes money to make money.
Byron Dickens BIAB. CbB. Mixbus 32C 8 HP Envy. Intel core i7. 16GB RAM W10. Focusrite Scarlett 18i 20. Various instruments played with varying degrees of proficiency. https://soundcloud.com/athanorsoundlabs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,971
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,971 |
One idea is to advertise your services on the +++ fiverr +++ website. Essentially you will be doing piecemeal work. The site has listings for everything from voice overs to mixing, mastering, session musician, editing, vocal tuning. Look the site over, find a task you enjoy doing, write your advertisement and wait. Some examples. Forum member Joanne Cooper learned to use Melodyne pitch correction software and listed that skill under vocal correction. Another person advertises custom happy birthday songs. A second idea is to set up an account on +++ Patreon +++. Place a few examples of your music and tell people they can support your music and become a "sustaining member" by pledging a small amount of money each month. If you get 10 sustaining members and each pledges 10 Euros/pounds/dollars a month that is an extra 100 (whatever) a month.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,457
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,457 |
It takes money to make money. It takes effort That has been what always worked for me, tho YMMV
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 621
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 621 |
It takes money to make money. It takes effort That has been what always worked for me, tho YMMV That's what I just said.
Byron Dickens BIAB. CbB. Mixbus 32C 8 HP Envy. Intel core i7. 16GB RAM W10. Focusrite Scarlett 18i 20. Various instruments played with varying degrees of proficiency. https://soundcloud.com/athanorsoundlabs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,457
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,457 |
Well, I guess it does come back around
second verse same as the first <grin>
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 621
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 621 |
If you want to make money off your music, you have to promote it. Promotion takes work. A lot of work.
Miracles do happen. But most of the time people make their own.
Byron Dickens BIAB. CbB. Mixbus 32C 8 HP Envy. Intel core i7. 16GB RAM W10. Focusrite Scarlett 18i 20. Various instruments played with varying degrees of proficiency. https://soundcloud.com/athanorsoundlabs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,457
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,457 |
I have said this for years
We would go the local radio station with coffee/donuts and our CD ... buy 30 seconds of commercial time, then move on to the next one the next day
before you knew it we would hear ourselves on local radio stations .. then have a waiting line to shows
"Promotion takes work. A lot of work." .. and a bit of investment, but if you believe in it, just do it instead of wondering.
I'm too old for any of it now (fame would probably kill me), but still good advice IMO
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,584
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,584 |
well if it's so difficult to make a pittance out of creating songs, and as in a previous life i was in a team designing a stock trading system…maybe i should sell my recording rig and take up day trading in stocks…lmao. fiverr and songtradr lrook interesting tho'.
i have a serious question…have people here tried commercial radio stations for some radio plays ie getting some interest from commercial radio re their originals ??
reason i ask is the current streaming paradigm doesnt seem to be resulting in much income for lots of gifted musicians from my look at things..
best
om
ps rharv just saw your 'too old etc..' line.
yep thats me too...lol.
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 09/05/22 01:50 PM.
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs(90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,971
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,971 |
Justanoldmuso,
In the US most radio stations are owned by large media powerhouses. Each media powerhouse has a corporate programmer that sets the corporate song list for each genre. Deviating from the corporate song list would be a firing offense but the song list is frozen anyhow to make sure. Four or five sister stations likely share a common announcer. Morning and/or evening drive time is about the only time a station will have one or more live announcers.
Independent radio stations are a dying breed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,934
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,934 |
It takes money to make money. It takes effort That has been what always worked for me, tho YMMV I would concur. It also takes doing things that you don’t want to do. The days of making songs and releasing them and making money are gone. In fact I doubt whether those days ever existed. just my opinion.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 621
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 621 |
i have a serious question…have people here tried commercial radio stations for some radio plays ie getting some interest from commercial radio re their originals ??
reason i ask is the current streaming paradigm doesnt seem to be resulting in much income for lots of gifted musicians from my look at things..
best
om
ps rharv just saw your 'too old etc..' line.
yep thats me too...lol.
I'm betting no one here has an extra $50,000 or more laying around to do that.
Byron Dickens BIAB. CbB. Mixbus 32C 8 HP Envy. Intel core i7. 16GB RAM W10. Focusrite Scarlett 18i 20. Various instruments played with varying degrees of proficiency. https://soundcloud.com/athanorsoundlabs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 115
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 115 |
I agree with Jim Fogle on Fiverr as well as what Joanne does. There is probably more money to be made helping other musicians by selling your services to them. Akin to the Gold Rush - The people that made the most money were those who sold equipment/services to the miners. There are also services on Fiverr that promote music. Not sure how successful they are.
I make about two to three thousand dollars a year on Fiverr and that is with little promotion on my part. Not a fortune, but it provides enough for equipment/software upgrades and more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,584
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,584 |
it seems to me the major strategic question is ….how does society CONNECT the consumers of music to the creators of music whereby the musicians make 'some money'....and everybody is happy.
(i know some people will laugh at me ..but i pray every day for a very happy world.)
It seems to me that there is a big disconnect between consumers of music and creators of music, and i think it's obvious that many consumers of music arent willing to spend time going thru' sites where unknown or new artists post their songs. thus imho both the consumer and the creator lose.
given above also i wonder who is gonna pay for gear in the future.
in the past of course commercial radio stations were the conduit for introducing new artists/songs.
thats how lots of people, and myself included found out about new artists.
Personally, I'm not on any user music production/recording forums other than pg here.
fwiw…one reason i stay here is i really like the way people try to help each other and new users.
as well as the exchange of ideas and support.
frankly i wouldnt be here if it devolved to be like some sites with arguments and umbrage etc etc.
but it troubles me (and assuming my crazy songs are baaaad..lol) that lots of my fellow v talented musos ive heard in the user showcase arent exposed more to the wider world of music consumers.
that fiverr DOES look ionteresting.
IF i could earn that Melvin...i would be way more than happy...cos good or bad my 'thing' is...
'the joy creating a song gives me'.
ive created songs with everything from total junk gear up to major studios...and all of it ive enjoyed.
happiness to all.
om
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs(90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
- The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
- Playable RealTracks Set 5
- RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
- SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
- Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
- RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
- SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics85,738
Posts795,576
Members39,945
| |
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean