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This question has probably been asked and answered many times here, but I'm unable to find an answer with any certainty.
When I create an original song, not a cover, using BIAB real tracks, and burn a CD and sell it, is there a legal and/or monetary responsibility to compensate the BIAB musicians?
Under normal studio recording circumstances, I pay the backup musicians/singers, a fee, and have them sign a Work For Hire agreement/release. (I'm not all that, but want to make sure I'm aware of any responsibilities.)
Thanks.
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In a word, NO.
You are free to use the sounds created by BIAB for your tunes, whether you sell them, or not. This includes RealTracks/RealDrums/MIDI.
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
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What John said.
And you don't, and shouldn't, credit the individual BIAB artists. You can, but do not have to, credit BIAB or maybe PG Music. Maybe someone can find Peter Gannon's exact preference on this; he has commented.
I want to thank you for asking your question and wanting to do things correctly. In this era of electronic distribution of (mostly free) music, only the names of the artist and song are known. All the contributing musicians, composers, arrangers, producers, engineers etc. are really hard to figure out. This is a soapbox issue for me, as I'm a major part of many projects but you wouldn't know it.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Thank you both. Exactly what I wanted to know (and what I wanted to hear).
I'm a proponent of royalty licensing and fees, and the rights of songwriters, bands, musicians, or whoever holds rights, copyrights, publishing rights, etc. It amazes me when I see folks disregard them...unlicensed use. You know them. Some make livings off "Tribute" gigs.
"Oh, Paul Simon doesn't care if we play his songs...he'd say he has enough money..."
Uh, no, he DOES care.
Certainly, actually getting paid by PROs like BMI and ASCAP, or Spotify, has some huge problems, but that's another discussion.
2016 BIAB UltraPlusPak HD
Windows 8.1
8 GB, 64-bit, 2 TB
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 USB 2.0 Audio Interface
M-Audio AV40 Monitors (powered)
Zoom R16 Recorder - Interface - Controller
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The same goes for Norton Music styles and the Hawkesford and Mayrent styles that I distribute on my site.
My styles are tools, and if you build a song with those tools, you don't have to pay me.
Insights and incites by Notes
Bob "Notes" Norton  Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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The tracks you create are your intellectual property if you have bought the license by buying BB/RB from PG Music. You are free to use them without further obligation for whatever uses you have.
Theoretically, you could have a multi-platinum chart topping hit and not owe a dime to PG or the musicians.
Normally, I do not list the players on my songs other than in this forum place. People rarely ask who's playing the (whatever instrument).... so no, I don't feel obligated to disclose that information. Most people just assume it was some Nashville studio musicians or me playing the parts.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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I'm a proponent of royalty licensing and fees, and the rights of songwriters, bands, musicians, or whoever holds rights, copyrights, publishing rights, etc. It amazes me when I see folks disregard them...unlicensed use. You know them. Some make livings off "Tribute" gigs.
"Oh, Paul Simon doesn't care if we play his songs...he'd say he has enough money..."
Uh, no, he DOES care.
Certainly, actually getting paid by PROs like BMI and ASCAP, or Spotify, has some huge problems, but that's another discussion.
When cover bands play somebody's protected music, somebody pays a fee... usually the establishment hosting the music. I've heard plenty of stories just around here of BMI and/or ASCAP agents approaching venues and making sure they pay for a license to host live music. In some cases they've demanded back pay where live music has been available but no license was ever paid for.
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When cover bands play somebody's protected music, somebody pays a fee... usually the establishment hosting the music.
Hi, Pat. I don't mean to start an argument, but no, when no license is in place, no one pays a PRO fee. Maybe you mean "often" or "usually" somebody pays a fee, but, I know plenty of small venues that don't have licenses, that have tributes, and I know one medium and popular venue that has live music on regular schedules. And then you get into licensing for all PROs for a venue. BMI, ASCAP, and SESAC. It's a contentious situation, and can be rife with arguments. How many TVs there are in a bar, how many music speakers, how many typical customers vs. the fire code approved limit. Churches are exempt, don't get me started on that. Yes, you are correct that in some instances PROs notify the venue and threaten them, and occasionally I've seen a law suit. Though the license fees would be low, still all things being relative, they would put enough strain on a place to either have them cease, or only allow originals and even that is not an exemption if you ask a PRO. It opens a can of worms if all the PROs get involved, BMI wants $500, ASCAP follows, $700, SESAC jumps in an wants $800. The minimum total I've seen is $1500/year. In my home state, Louisiana, it is common for a venue to post "Only BMI (or whatever PRO) songs are played here", and to enforce it. I saw a bar manager go on stage and physically stop a band. I guess it was a song he knew was not their licensed PRO. Battling a PRO in court is like an ant taking on a boot. Deep pockets and millions of $s involved. The PRO is not going to lose. Anyway, sorry it that sounds like a vent, not my intention.
2016 BIAB UltraPlusPak HD
Windows 8.1
8 GB, 64-bit, 2 TB
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 USB 2.0 Audio Interface
M-Audio AV40 Monitors (powered)
Zoom R16 Recorder - Interface - Controller
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When cover bands play somebody's protected music, somebody pays a fee... usually the establishment hosting the music.
Hi, Pat. I don't mean to start an argument, but no, when no license is in place, no one pays a PRO fee. Maybe you mean "often" or "usually" somebody pays a fee, but, I know plenty of small venues that don't have licenses, that have tributes, and I know one medium and popular venue that has live music on regular schedules. And then you get into licensing for all PROs for a venue. BMI, ASCAP, and SESAC. It's a contentious situation, and can be rife with arguments. How many TVs there are in a bar, how many music speakers, how many typical customers vs. the fire code approved limit. Churches are exempt, don't get me started on that. Yes, you are correct that in some instances PROs notify the venue and threaten them, and occasionally I've seen a law suit. Though the license fees would be low, still all things being relative, they would put enough strain on a place to either have them cease, or only allow originals and even that is not an exemption if you ask a PRO. It opens a can of worms if all the PROs get involved, BMI wants $500, ASCAP follows, $700, SESAC jumps in an wants $800. The minimum total I've seen is $1500/year. In my home state, Louisiana, it is common for a venue to post "Only BMI (or whatever PRO) songs are played here", and to enforce it. I saw a bar manager go on stage and physically stop a band. I guess it was a song he knew was not their licensed PRO. Battling a PRO in court is like an ant taking on a boot. Deep pockets and millions of $s involved. The PRO is not going to lose. Anyway, sorry it that sounds like a vent, not my intention. Well...... yes and no... I always thought that a venue paid one PRO and there was a formula in place to "evenly" divide the royalties to the right parties. Rarely will a venue (nightclub) owner contact the PRO to pay royalties on live music..... it's up to the PRO to walk in the door and explain the law and collect the royalties. I'm sure there are tens of thousands of places that don't think they are complying but actually are. In many cases, if a location has commercial music or TV for their customers, the provider is collecting the royalties in the monthly subscription and the venue never sees the bill.... but they are paying regardless. If the place has a radio, live music, or uses a jukebox, that's where the PRO is interested in talking to the owner. I played in a club house band and we were "asked" to submit our set lists to the owner for a PRO review by ASCAP. There was an ASCAP sticker on the door but not a BMI or SESAC sticker. They also made a list of the songs on the jukebox. Churches are not exempt. They have to pay license and royalties, although they do it with a different company IIRC.... one of the music ministers here can give you the specifics. I was at a church where they were very strict about the music used and that it was properly licensed. (regarding congregational tunes and choir as well as anything in the drama skits as well) Regarding the "Only BMI music played here" signs..... man that would be hard to enforce. Especially if they have live bands or a jukebox.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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well, I wasn't speaking in an absolute sense... very little can be stated absolutely. But my comment was in response to what sounded to me like an accusation against the musicians themselves for playing other peoples' music.. It amazes me when I see folks disregard them...unlicensed use. You know them. Some make livings off "Tribute" gigs.
"Oh, Paul Simon doesn't care if we play his songs...he'd say he has enough money..."
Uh, no, he DOES care. and my point was that its not normally their place to pay the fee. If anybody pays the fee, its generally the host.
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I wonder if tribute bands fall into another category? Because they not only cover a certain band's songs but they use that band's reputation, success, persona, etc. in order to promote themselves. Seems like they should be paying more directly to the band they are impersonating/copying/tributing!
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I wonder if tribute bands fall into another category? Because they not only cover a certain band's songs but they use that band's reputation, success, persona, etc. in order to promote themselves. Seems like they should be paying more directly to the band they are impersonating/copying/tributing! Nahhhh... It's all the same as cover. I've seen a few bands that played normal cover sets for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd set of the night, then, did a tribute set of a given band for the closing set. And they had several different tribute sets....quite literally, a different one for every night of the week. The host venue pays the license fees. I wonder..... does a concert promoter at a concert venue have to pay PRO royalties? I mean, after all, the artist who originally did the song is performing the song.... kinda like paying themselves..... but the PRO gets a cut of the action...... hummmmmmmmmmm????? Don't answer this.... it's rhetorical.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Yeah, the cable companies have commercial level licenses, and they have to audit, # TVs, screen size, venue square footage. Adding record/CD players, a radio or CD player. Not everyone plays by the rules. No, the PROs do not share. 3 licenses are required if a venue want to play all copyrighted music in the US. And there's rumor of a 4th. Churches are exempt from license fees for "worship services." Other use of copyrighted materials, background music, concerts, plays, etc., all require licenses. However, I'm sure it's a slippery slope and that your pastor or church music director knows considerably more than I do about their use and requirements. Yes,churches have different requirements than more commercial places, and have a license available just for that. Yep, when you contact with a PRO, and you can only contract with 1, and you play your own song in a licensed venue, the venue or you can submit the song list to the PRO, and you get paid to play your own song. How $%^) is that? And the PROs are proactive. If they want, they know you have live music, and know you don't have a license with their company, it's easy for them to send a secret shopper in. They will make a list. "2 Jimmy Buffett, 1 Rolling Stones", and a suit for $10,000. As a venue, you get threatened enough, you pay attention. Try running a non-licensed open mic in Nashville at a coffee shop. Google it. Here's one. http://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2014/10/29/ascap-bmi-sesac-force-local-coffee-shop-shut-live-music/ I also checked the license form used by a large coliseum. Big names play there. A Level. The contract requires the performer to provide the song list to both the venue (standard) and all PROs associated, and the performer is responsible for all payments (this is not standard in the bar-type world). So, what the venue is covering is that the performer has already contracted with BMI or whoever to play that cover song on their tour. It's a great subject and opinions vary. ASCAP will say one thing, bar owners another, musicians. I've attended PRO conferences, as well as an annual seminar on Copyrights for Artist. I have a general idea of what is required. But the whole deal is muddy water at best.
2016 BIAB UltraPlusPak HD
Windows 8.1
8 GB, 64-bit, 2 TB
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 USB 2.0 Audio Interface
M-Audio AV40 Monitors (powered)
Zoom R16 Recorder - Interface - Controller
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Are we saying cover bands as in playing various songs from various artist?
Computer: Macbook Pro, 16 inch 2021
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Are we saying cover bands as in playing various songs from various artist? yes. Most bands in bars are cover bands. They don't have enough original material or a big enough following to play originals.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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If one actually is imitating a band or individual, as with Elvis impersonators, it is a different situation and is not just a matter of licensing the songs. I've heard of 'tribute' musicians being sued for 'theft of act.' Some get around this by not performing two songs in a row that are associated with the artist being imitated but I don't know how well that holds up legally. I wonder if tribute bands fall into another category? Because they not only cover a certain band's songs but they use that band's reputation, success, persona, etc. in order to promote themselves. Seems like they should be paying more directly to the band they are impersonating/copying/tributing! Nahhhh... It's all the same as cover. I've seen a few bands that played normal cover sets for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd set of the night, then, did a tribute set of a given band for the closing set. And they had several different tribute sets....quite literally, a different one for every night of the week. The host venue pays the license fees. I wonder..... does a concert promoter at a concert venue have to pay PRO royalties? I mean, after all, the artist who originally did the song is performing the song.... kinda like paying themselves..... but the PRO gets a cut of the action...... hummmmmmmmmmm????? Don't answer this.... it's rhetorical.
the Insolent LadEnough small empty boxes thrown into a big empty box fill it full. ~Carl Sandburg
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I've played professionally for decades playing songs written by other people.
Some were in what I call cover bands (trying to make the song sound as close to the record as possible) and others in bands that reinterpreted the songs (I don't consider them cover bands).
In the old days it was common to see the yellow and black ASCAP sticker prominently displayed, often on the door to the manager's office. I don't think they do that anymore.
How the royalties get divided up from the fees the establishment pays is none of my concern since I doubt they are playing any of my songs.
I remember years ago you had to pay for the songs on the radio too. I used to eat at a pizza joint. Small restaurant, perhaps a dozen booths the owner/chef and one waitress. The ASCAP man came in and demanded payment or shut the radio. He shut the radio, then found some tapes of old Italian songs that were definitely PD and played them over and over again.
I believe in the USA you can play the radio in a small restaurant now without paying fees. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Anyway, read the PG and other user licenses. Mine specifically says the songs you make with my styles are royalty free to me. But if you use them to play other people's songs, you must abide by your local copyright laws for the songs (not my styles).
Insights and incites by Notes
Bob "Notes" Norton Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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I wonder if tribute bands fall into another category? Because they not only cover a certain band's songs but they use that band's reputation, success, persona, etc. in order to promote themselves. Seems like they should be paying more directly to the band they are impersonating/copying/tributing! can't speak for all tribute bands, but I think some of them are franchised... in other words, somebody has done all the legal legwork, then sells rights to groups in various cities to operate under the franchised name. One Tom Petty tribute act (that I'm guessing is a franchise) is called PETTY THEFT (ironic name, given the topic) , and if you google it you'll find several different bands in different cities operating under the same name.
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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.
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Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
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- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
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- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
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- 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 PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
Note: XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
Check out this forum post for "One Stop Shopping" of our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Videos!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.
Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.
Holiday Weekend Hours
As we hop into the Easter weekend, here are our holiday hours:
April 3 (Good Friday): 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM PDT
April 4 (Saturday): Closed
April 5 (Easter Sunday): Closed
April 6 (Easter Monday): Open regular hours
Wishing you an egg-cellent weekend!
— Team PG
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