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Hi All!
Surprised this has never been brought up here before.
I am looking for any tips on getting my music published. I am speaking as an experienced musician, but, no clue on the road to getting my work published. I know that that there are thousands of you out there in this same situation. So, I create this thread..
Ok, I have music, now what?
Areas of interests:
What can I publish?
Who and what is there to publish with? Where do I start?
I have cover songs I want to release... what and who, how much will that cost? who do I contact to find out if I can release that?
Friends collaborated, but, now I can't find them..
I have my own songs, how do I copyright that?
I am looking for all the questions that would happen to throw a wrench on someones quest into making music professionally.
thanks!
Cheers Gene..
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Hi Music-AMG, Getting published / signed isn't as intimidating as some people make it out to be but there are definitely scenarios you will want to be consult a proper lawyer about. For a basic over-view on how to get published, I recommend picking up "All you need to know about the music business" seen here: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1501104896/ref=...R8084AF5CZ92E09Its a basic overview about the in's and out's of the music business, how publishing works, how labels work, royalties, etc. Definately a great intro read!
Cheers,
Joe
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Hi Music-AMG, Getting published / signed isn't as intimidating as some people make it out to be but there are definitely scenarios you will want to be consult a proper lawyer about. For a basic over-view on how to get published, I recommend picking up "All you need to know about the music business" seen here: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1501104896/ref=...R8084AF5CZ92E09Its a basic overview about the in's and out's of the music business, how publishing works, how labels work, royalties, etc. Definately a great intro read! Thanks for that. I am hoping to divulge that topic in here. I wanted to make it public on what it takes to get published. Hopefully, for people like me, that have the talent, and have no clue on where to go. Kind of tired on spending money to make money.. Time for a return, ya know.
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The book Joe recommended might be helpful. My personal opinion is a book like this in its 9th edition likely contains lots of outdated information about music biz but maybe it has been updated enough to give you answers or a good start on them!
The topic is probably way too big for a single forum thread. Many things you asked have been discussed here before if you search the forums. Try to search on copyright for example. Lots of good discussion on that.
My last comment would be to keep your day job! I know that sounds cynical but "making it" in the music business these days is extremely difficult. A lot like winning the lottery!
You probably have a decent shot at making a meager living by touring and playing LOTS of venues every week if you are really good. Hard work but if you love it then all is well!
You probably will not make much off CD sales or online sales. Even the top artists complain at how they are getting ripped off by streaming services and they are getting millions of plays!
Nowadays you must be really great and be in the right place at the right time to even get a shot.
Last edited by JohnJohnJohn; 09/21/16 08:23 AM.
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I thought this was a good article related to your topic http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kellee-maize/how-i-made-it-in-the-musi_b_5024003.htmlRegarding the mention of creative commons licensing, I want to add some personal experience: In the same sense that great music software like BIAB enables an unprecedented number of people to create awesome music... similar software for film making and animation has resulted in an explosion of video. That spins into a need for royalty free music, and lately I have seen a LOT of indie film makers and hobbyists using music they've found on youtube that has been made available for free use under creative commons licensing arrangements. Following the name through youtube searches, it becomes obvious pretty quickly that a cool song will get used in a lot of videos pretty quickly! If each one of those videos mentions YOU in the music credits... that's a whole new group of people who now know about you, many of whom will put you in THEIR videos etc etc. In the same way that people who got in on the ground floor of something new benefited more than those who jumped onto the bandwagon at a later time, be aware that this marriage between creative commons music and film isn't new, but it *IS* just now taking off. It's still a good time to get involved. Cinematic style music is probably the easiest to move, but there is always a place in movies for love songs. my 2 cents. FWIW, I participated in an animation video contest last week. Pretty much all the music in all the videos was creative commons.
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Interesting thread this.
I am looking at raising some money for my local school. I have a free Soundcloud account and that's about all for now. Ideally I would like to sell one of my songs on iTunes/Amazon so that parents (and hopefully others once word spreads) will buy the song for a small amount with all the profits going to the school. I don't expect it to make much money so would like to minimize overheads.
I have looked at Tonecore and CDBaby but it seems like a bit of a minefield for anyone who is new to it.
Also, when you Google it there seems to be quite a bit of negative press for these sites.
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks
Rec
BIAB 2022 UltraPAK, CbB, Studio One 5 Pro, Fender USA Tele, Harley Benton Fusion & others.
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Hi All!
Surprised this has never been brought up here before.
I am looking for any tips on getting my music published. I am speaking as an experienced musician, but, no clue on the road to getting my work published. I know that that there are thousands of you out there in this same situation. So, I create this thread..
Ok, I have music, now what?
Areas of interests:
What can I publish?
Who and what is there to publish with? Where do I start?
I have cover songs I want to release... what and who, how much will that cost? who do I contact to find out if I can release that?
Friends collaborated, but, now I can't find them..
I have my own songs, how do I copyright that?
I am looking for all the questions that would happen to throw a wrench on someones quest into making music professionally.
thanks!
Cheers Gene..
OK... start at the beginning. Yeah, this has been discussed here before but it's always good to review and discuss again. Published... the strict definition means releasing your music for others to hear. However, I assume you are not talking about that and mean how to get it into the hands of artists and others for commercial use where you get paid. First...ask yourself.... SPECIFICALLY.... what area in the publishing realm are you seeking to get into? Pitching to artists? Getting music into films and TV shows? Or, something else? You have to have a target in order to hit something and you simply can not "shotgun it" and hope to have success. Even shotgunners miss. Just ask them. SO... you say you have music. OK... have you posted your BEST examples of the music HERE so you can get feedback on it? This is an excellent sounding board. People here will tell you if the song is ready for primetime or if it needs more work. (But you probably need to ask specifically for feedback along that line) I'd love to hear some of your work. Pick an area and concentrate on that. If it's artists, be sure your music is of the caliber needed for an artist. And be specific as to the artist when you are pitching a song. Don't pitch a sappy love song to someone like Luke Bryant and don't pitch a hard drinking song to someone like Carrie Underwood. It probably won't be taken well. Cracking the major artist circuit with your songs is one hard hill to climb. They have access to the best of the best writers because there's lots of money involved. There's a few others here who have written and worked to try to get into that arena and ...well.... it's hard, even for the very talented. It helps if you can move to the big city and hand out on the bars with the up and coming artists and writers. Occasionally, someone gets a hit through a back door but that's extremely rare. In fact, many of the Nashville publishing houses that work with the big and medium artists won't even talk to you if you're not hanging out in their town. The bar for song and demo quality is extremely high. If you're not writing better songs and demos than what is playing on the radio now, you can't expect much major publisher action. I know that sounds discouraging, and it is, but it's also pretty much the way it is in country music in Nashville these days. Film & TV. I've had some success in this arena. I've landed placements in some made for TV documentary films and also a few reality TV shows that are on the air now. This area is probably the easiest to get into but still not really easy or else everyone would be doing it. Again, song and demo quality matter a lot. No bedroom sounding stuff. In this area, you find music libraries (aka publishers) who cater to the film and TV industry. Find and get into a good one or several. Many of the better ones audition your music and give a thumbs up or down. If up, you're able to submit music and if thumbs down, many have a 90 day minimum wait before you can try again. You can publish anything. It can literally be a 5 second cue to a full 4 minute song. Anything goes. Once you determine the music exceeds the bar in your area of interest, you need to get out and look for the people and publishers who are interested in your music. You do this by door knocking in the literal and digital world to find those folks. Google..... Bing.... etc. Cover songs..... contact The Harry Fox Agency for license info and pricing. Copyright.... wow... let me keep this as short as I can. My views are not the views of many people. I have my own way of working. You can copyright with the Library of Congress. Go to their website. All the info and applications are there. Personally, I don't copyright. Yep, you heard that correct. As hard as it is to get anyone to listen to my songs, I know no one is out there trying to steal them. Besides.... if and when you get a good publisher and sign your songs to them.... they will get the copyright for you and pay for it too. Music for libraries for film & TV are similar. I work with all of the libraries I am with (over 12) and none of the songs are copyrighted. None of the cues are copyrighted. Even though millions of people hear my music.... who's going to steal 12 seconds of music in a TV scene? Nope that's something I just don't worry about. If I was writing songs for artists and getting cuts, I would probably be using the copyright office for my music. But that's not the area I'm working in and the music I write falls into the "disposable commodity" side of the business. All the things are in place for me to get paid every time they play that TV show on the air or cable and that's all that matters. AND.... the TV show itself, in it's entirety is copyright protected. Wrenches in the machinery. You will undoubtedly find them as you go along on any path towards success. When you encounter them, you simply evaluate the best course of action and take it. Don't set and fret about what might happen. If you do, you'll never leave square one. Formulate a plan of action, then put that plan into action and see where it takes you. Always remember this.... it all begins with a song. So you need to be honing your writing skills and also your music production and recording skills because once you send out that first MP3 demo to a publisher, you are playing with the big boys and girls. Your writing and recording skills have to stand up to the level of professionalism that is exhibited in the industry as a whole. You need the product first. So... I have given some advice.... let's hear one or two of what you think are the best songs in your catalog right now. Oh...and good luck. It's a fun process.
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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Ideally I would like to sell one of my songs on iTunes/Amazon so that parents (and hopefully others once word spreads) will buy the song for a small amount with all the profits going to the school. I don't expect it to make much money so would like to minimize overheads.
I have looked at Tonecore and CDBaby but it seems like a bit of a minefield for anyone who is new to it.
Also, when you Google it there seems to be quite a bit of negative press for these sites.
I am not familiar with Tonecore. I have four CD's up on iTunes (and Amazon, Spotify, etc.) and I used CDBaby to get them there. The nice thing about CDBaby is it is a one time fee if you release through them, plus they take a small percentage of sales. Some of the other services, reverbnation for example, charge you a yearly fee to keep your releases up on iTunes.
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Thanks for the information BlueAttitude. Just listening to your album "Alpha" on CD Baby. Very cool 8)
CDBaby looks good. Are you a Free, Standard or Pro user?
The Free option looks good although they keep 15% of your earnings.
I guess I would have to work out the best value based on expected sales for a song in aid of my local school.
Cheers
Rec
BIAB 2022 UltraPAK, CbB, Studio One 5 Pro, Fender USA Tele, Harley Benton Fusion & others.
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Thanks for the information BlueAttitude. Just listening to your album "Alpha" on CD Baby. Very cool 8)
CDBaby looks good. Are you a Free, Standard or Pro user?
The Free option looks good although they keep 15% of your earnings.
I guess I would have to work out the best value based on expected sales for a song in aid of my local school.
Cheers
Rec Hi Rec, I have the standard membership. The Pro membership is something new I think that handles music publishing as well, I don't know much about it to be honest. For digital sales they take a 9% cut from sales generated through iTunes and Amazon, the 15% is for selling the downloads direct from them. Most of my sales have been through Amazon, a few through iTunes, only one direct from CDBaby. And mostly these days it is streams, not downloads. Not much money to be made from a stream :P $.0078 for an iTunes stream, less from some of the others. The big cost is getting it up there in the first place, $49 for a CD, $9.95 for a single, although they have sales a couple of times a year. Hope this helps! Dave
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This is an interesting take on the issue. That's crazy that her music is in over 12,000 videos! Talk about exposure.
Will - PG Music
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Has anybody here considered using Bandcamp? I don't have any direct experience but from what I hear it's a pretty great service for independent artists to manage a storefront for their music and merchandise, and it offers streaming, which of course everybody looks for nowadays 
Last edited by Will B - PG Music; 09/22/16 07:11 AM.
Will - PG Music
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Has anybody here considered using Bandcamp? I don't have any direct experience but from what I hear it's a pretty great service for independent artists to manage a storefront for their music and merchandise, and it offers streaming, which of course everybody looks for nowadays Our latest is on bandcamp, here: https://blueattitude.bandcamp.com/album/alphaWe haven't made one cent from it so far :P Although I have friends that have done ok there, and it is totally free which is a good thing!
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Hi Rec,
I have the standard membership. The Pro membership is something new I think that handles music publishing as well, I don't know much about it to be honest.
For digital sales they take a 9% cut from sales generated through iTunes and Amazon, the 15% is for selling the downloads direct from them. Most of my sales have been through Amazon, a few through iTunes, only one direct from CDBaby. And mostly these days it is streams, not downloads. Not much money to be made from a stream :P $.0078 for an iTunes stream, less from some of the others.
The big cost is getting it up there in the first place, $49 for a CD, $9.95 for a single, although they have sales a couple of times a year.
Hope this helps!
Dave
Thanks Dave, very useful information. Much appreciated. Rec
BIAB 2022 UltraPAK, CbB, Studio One 5 Pro, Fender USA Tele, Harley Benton Fusion & others.
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This is an interesting take on the issue. That's crazy that her music is in over 12,000 videos! Talk about exposure. As a follow-up to this.. last night I was on FREESOUNDS.ORG looking for sound effects for a video I'm making. Most of the sounds there are creative commons usage. Each sound clips shows how many times it has been downloaded (and I would guess this correlates directly with the number of times each has been used in somebody's project) The download numbers tend to be huge! You can put music on this site too. Not everyone requires that credit be given when you use their clip.. but if you are posting music and you want your name to get around, I strongly suggest that you require a listing in the film's credits in exchange for free use. In fact you can require ta link to your web site where you have other work for sale. Everybody wins. https://creativecommons.org/
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Hey Ya'll, I am about to publish a blog regarding this very same topic as an NSAI (Nashville Songwriters Association International) chapter coordinator, but it is currently being reviewed by them so it is not ready for prime time. But I can cite a few things. All of this comes from pros I know and have interviewed, not me. 1.) Herb (who is in my NSAI chapter and who introduced me to Band in a Box for which I will be forever grateful) is right about so much in what he said that I can't add much to it. There is an opportunity in placing songs for film and t.v., but your sound has to be way over the top. Go to www.musicbed.com and study the production norm. Bookmark it and try to learn from it. That's the way you have to sound. Here is a young lady who goes to my church. She is one of the "lucky 600": https://www.musicbed.com/artists/samantha-ray/7950or http://noisetrade.com/samantharayThe new BIAB Xtra styles will help you with some of these sounds (there is some stuff that sounds like this in singer-songwriter) but you will have to stone cold master the mixing board in your DAW, and spend many painstaking hours EQing each track. Again, this level of quality is about meticulous listening and mastering of each individual track. Pay careful attention to the reverb and EQ. 2.) There are 3 types of songs. A.) Songs you put on your own album. These can sound however you want. However soundcloud does not lie, neither does this forum. If you post your song on BIAB and ask for honest feedback you will get it. If everyone raves about the sound production and you get hundreds of listens in a month, you know you are doing something right. It means people are replaying or forwarding your stuff to friends. So keep doing that. If people say "interesting" and you get 10 listens stop doing that. B. Filler songs for major albums. There is a zero chance here. They have enough of those to last until Jesus comes back. C. Hit singles that will pay the bills for publishers and labels. Believe it or not, but it is not impossible for you to get a song cut if you know how to write a hit, the song that will become the single. Much has been written on this. If you write the catchiest song a publisher has ever heard and your demo is professional (good singer, especially) you do have a chance, because people are still hungry for "hits" where ever they come from. But you have to know what a hit is. The short definition is that a Hit is a song that is about 5 times catchier and more awesome than your own favorite song. Try and write THAT--if publishing is your goal. But as Herb said, just have fun along the way, and stay happy, because it is a process. Frustration will do you no good. Play for the fun of it, and for the love of it, and try and write something 5 times catchier than your own favorite song--and have a blast doing it. And listen to the stuff on musicbed for a reference. One thing you have going for you is Band in a Box. It gives you a long head start if you learn how use it, but you have to master it, and you have to master production in your DAW. Have fun!!!!
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David,
Thanks for posting all that information. It's very informative.
Regards,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Absolutely have to thank everyone that has contributed to this topic. (My apologies if it was a topic already mentioned, but, when I searched, I used the search term "getting published" and it returned nothing.. so, now it does.. lol)
Another question I have is, what about really old other peoples music? I know more than likely you would have to pay a royalty or something to include songs like that on CD for sale.
As an example, I play mostly all blues. However, I would like to do my own versions of old blues songs. Stuff like Hideaway, Shame Shame Shame, or whatever. It would be nice to know ahead of time if older songs would cause problems down the road.
Is there a searchable database for this?
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As an example, I play mostly all blues. However, I would like to do my own versions of old blues songs. Stuff like Hideaway, Shame Shame Shame, or whatever. It would be nice to know ahead of time if older songs would cause problems down the road.
Is there a searchable database for this?
A quick google search for "songs in the public domain" found lots of hits. Here is the first: http://www.pdinfo.com/Anything published before 1922 is public domain, so you are out of luck with "Hideaway" unless you wait for another 40 years or so
Last edited by BlueAttitude; 09/29/16 01:13 AM.
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Check out all the new features in the redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!
202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
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.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac 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)
- iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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 PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
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