The TuneRegistry Difference
If you're evaluating publishing options after CD Baby Pro Publishing's discontinuation in August 2023 or considering CDB Boost, we offer a fundamentally different approach to protecting your music royalties. Unlike CD Baby Pro Publishing's commission-based model that took 15% of your royalties or CDB Boost's $39.99 per release plus 15% commission structure, we operate on a transparent subscription model starting at just $15/month with zero commission on your earnings and easy, hassle-free cancellation.
We're a music publishing administration platform empowering you to self-administer your works with US collection societies, including ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC), Music Reports, Harry Fox Agency, and SoundExchange. You maintain complete control over your copyrights, maintain your direct relationship with organizations you affiliate with to represent your various rights, avoid commission-based deductions, and collect 100% of your royalties paid directly from the societies to you without any unnecessary intermediaries reducing or slowing down your payments.
What TuneRegistry Does Differently
We operate a different model than CD Baby's publishing services. Instead of becoming your publishing administrator or publisher of record on your registrations, we provide a platform that enables you to self-administer your publishing, mechanical, and master rights while maintaining your direct relationships with all US collection societies.
What this means for you:
You interact directly with societies when you have questions or need corrections.
You access all tools and resources they make available to rightsholders.
You maintain complete control without intermediaries.
You pay a flat monthly subscription with zero commission.
The personification of Administered, by YOU.
Subscription Model with Zero Commission
Instead of taking a percentage of your royalties or charging per-release fees, we charge a transparent and simple monthly or annual subscription fee, with each plan enabling you to register your works including your co-writer(s) and their publisher's split shares.
Our subscription plans:
Solo Plan: $15/mo – Ideal for solo songwriters, producers, and artists managing their own catalog of works and recordings.
Team Plan: $35/mo – Ideal for small labels, publishers, and managers collaborating on a shared catalog or managing a few clients.
Business Plan: $95/mo – Ideal for established labels, publishers, attorneys, and administrators managing multiple client catalogs.
Enterprise Plan: $490/mo – Ideal for enterprise-scale publishers and
administrators requiring isolated catalogs, advanced permissions, security, and dedicated support.
Visit our pricing page to view subscription plans and sign up.
You keep 100% of your royalties. Every dollar collected by ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, The MLC, Music Reports, Harry Fox Agency, or SoundExchange is paid directly to you from those organizations. We do not collect nor distribute your earned royalties, nor do we take a commission.
True Cost of CD Baby CDB Boost vs TuneRegistry
CD Baby's publishing services pricing structure is significantly more expensive than our subscription offering. The discontinued Pro Publishing service charged a 15% commission on all royalties. CDB Boost requires a $39.99 one-time fee per release AND charges 15% commission on mechanical royalties collected through The MLC—meaning you pay twice while CD Baby becomes an unnecessary intermediary between you and The MLC.
Example cost scenario for independent artists:
An independent artist with 3 releases generating $2,000 per year in US mechanical royalties through The MLC would pay:
With CDB Boost:
One-time upfront fees: $119.97 (3 releases × $39.99)
Annual commission: $300 (15% of $2,000)
5-year total cost: $1,619.97
With TuneRegistry Solo:
Monthly subscription: $15
Annual cost: $180
5-year total cost: $900
Commission on mechanicals: $0
You collect 100% of royalties directly from The MLC
You save $719.97 over 5 years while maintaining complete control over your publishing rights, receiving 100% of your royalties directly from The MLC, and avoiding unnecessary intermediaries.
For Legacy Pro Publishing users, the commission impact is even more substantial. An artist earning $10,000 annually in US publishing royalties pays $1,500 per year in commission ($7,500 over 5 years) compared to TuneRegistry's $900 total cost over the same period—a savings of $6,600.
You Maintain Complete Control (Administered, by YOU)
TuneRegistry does not become your publishing administrator. We do not become the publisher of record. You and/or your publishing entities remain the administrator and publisher of record for your works. Our platform automates and simplifies direct submission of your works to the relevant collection societies on your behalf within our platform, resulting in fast registrations of your works (typically within 1-3 business days). Your professional relationship with the societies remains intact—we never ask for, nor do you ever grant us, exclusive administration rights, licensing authority, or any other control or rights over your registrations or copyrights.
Direct Society Relationships and Payments
When you use TuneRegistry to register your works:
Registrations go directly from our platform to the societies on your behalf.
Royalties are paid directly from societies to you.
No intermediary collection layers reducing or delaying your payments.
No complex exit process when you want to change administration strategies.
Faster US Registrations
Our platform facilitates registrations in the US only, which is the world's largest music market by revenue, with typical registrations with US PRO societies occurring within 1-3 business days instead of the weeks or months typical with global administrators like CD Baby Pro Publishing. For time-sensitive releases, this speed ensures your works are properly registered before your promotional push generates streams or performances.
Master Recording Administration
Unlike CD Baby Pro Publishing, which functioned as a traditional publishing administrator focused solely on publishing and composition (song/work) rights, TuneRegistry goes beyond traditional publishing administration. We're a comprehensive US music rights administration platform that facilitates on our clients' behalf not just their composition rights (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC) but also their mechanical rights (Harry Fox Agency, The MLC, Music Reports) and master (sound recording) rights with SoundExchange. This enables our clients who have the rights to both their compositions and recordings to administer and manage all of their US music rights within our platform.
TuneRegistry's SoundExchange Advantage:
Our DDEX feed integration registers your master recordings directly with SoundExchange automatically. Once configured, your label entity's recordings are immediately available in SoundExchange's system—no manual submission required. Register unlimited masters with real-time transmission.
Multiple co-owners? Each unique master owner can configure their own DDEX feed for proper attribution.
Learn more about DDEX feed setup
Note on SoundExchange requirements:
Both us and CDB Boost register only the label/master share with SoundExchange. Per SoundExchange requirements, artists must separately claim their performer's share directly through their SoundExchange portal.
Non-Exclusive and Flexible
Register new works, mechanical rights, and recordings at any time.
Manage works you haven't submitted via other administrators for which you have non-exclusive administration agreements with.
Use TuneRegistry alongside international administrators and/or sub-publishers.
Transition your catalog at your own pace.
Cancel your subscription at any time without having to wait until collection periods end.
Comprehensive Catalog Management
Beyond administration and registration, our platform also provides you with a complete music catalog and contact management system. You are able to:
Store and associate all of your unique identifiers (ISRCs, ISWCs, IPI numbers) for your works and recordings.
Store and associate important documents (split sheets, stems, contracts).
Manage collaborator and business contact information.
Link works with recordings and releases.
Monitor the registration status across all societies.
When TuneRegistry is the Better Choice
Choose TuneRegistry over CDB Boost for publishing administration when:
You want comprehensive US publishing administration, not just limited mechanical royalty collection.
You want to self-administer your rights and maintain direct relationships with societies.
You want to collect 100% of your royalties directly from collection societies with no unnecessary intermediaries.
You need professional catalog management tools for tracking works, recordings, and registrations.
You value responsive customer support from real humans (not weeks of waiting for AI-only responses).
You want to avoid both per-release fees AND ongoing commission (CDB Boost charges both).
You want one predictable monthly subscription covering all US publishing administration.
You need PRO registration facilitation (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC)—CDB Boost doesn't facilitate this.
You need Harry Fox Agency and Music Reports registration (CDB Boost doesn't facilitate this)
You need fast, accurate registrations for time-sensitive releases (1-3 business days).
You value direct relationships with all US collection societies.
You want complete control over licensing and administration decisions.
You want to manage both compositions and master recordings in one platform.
You need SoundExchange registration via DDEX feed for immediate master recording registration.
You want to track registration status across all US societies.
You want the freedom to cancel anytime without complex exit processes.
CDB Boost is an extremely limited service that only handles The MLC mechanical registration while charging both upfront per-release fees AND 15% ongoing commission, becoming an unnecessary intermediary between you and The MLC. TuneRegistry is a comprehensive US music rights administration platform empowering you to self-administer across all US societies—PRO registration, The MLC administration, Harry Fox Agency, Music Reports, SoundExchange, complete catalog management, and superior support all for one flat monthly fee with no per-release fees, no per-songwriter fees, and zero commission.
When CD Baby Distribution Makes Sense
Consider CD Baby distribution if:
You need music distribution services (TuneRegistry doesn't distribute music to streaming platforms).
You're satisfied with their distribution features and pricing.
TuneRegistry is complementary to CD Baby's distribution service. However, for publishing and rights administration, use TuneRegistry instead for actual US publishing administration and comprehensive music rights administration in the US.
Can I Use TuneRegistry if I Have CD Baby Services?
Yes.
Our platform is complementary to CD Baby's music distribution service. However, when it comes to publishing and rights administration, we replace CDB Boost entirely.
Why Choose TuneRegistry Instead of CDB Boost
Both of our services focus on US music rights, but we provide a comprehensive US music rights administration platform while CDB Boost offers only extremely limited mechanical royalty collection:
No per-release fees: CDB Boost charges $39.99 per release.
Zero commission: CDB Boost takes both upfront fees AND 15% ongoing commission.
Comprehensive rights administration: We facilitate registrations with ASCAP, BMI, SESAC (PRO registration), The MLC, Harry Fox Agency, Music Reports, and SoundExchange. CDB Boost only handles The MLC mechanical registration.
Professional catalog management: CDB Boost offers no catalog management tools.
Superior customer support: Responsive, human support vs. CD Baby's documented service issues.
Complete transparency: Flat monthly subscription vs. per-release fees plus ongoing commission.
Collect 100% of royalties directly from all societies—no unnecessary intermediaries.
Use TuneRegistry Instead of CDB Boost for Comprehensive US Music Rights Administration
CDB Boost is extremely limited in scope—it only registers your works with The MLC for mechanical royalties while charging $39.99 per release plus 15% commission, becoming an unnecessary intermediary between you and The MLC. CDB Boost does not facilitate:
PRO registration with ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC (performance royalties).
Harry Fox Agency registration (mechanical licensing).
Music Reports registration (mechanical licensing).
Catalog management or registration tracking.
Document or file storage.
Professional rights administration tools.
With TuneRegistry, you get actual US publishing administration and comprehensive music rights administration:
Direct MLC registration with zero commission.
PRO registration facilitation and tracking (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC).
Harry Fox Agency registration facilitation.
Music Reports registration facilitation.
SoundExchange master registration.
Complete catalog and contact management.
Document and file storage association with relevant works, recordings, and releases.
One flat monthly fee.
100% royalty collection directly from all US societies.
Register New Works with TuneRegistry
If you're currently using CDB Boost or were using Legacy Pro Publishing, any new songs you create can be registered with TuneRegistry instead. This allows you to:
Benefit from faster US registration for new releases (1-3 business days).
Avoid commission on your newest works.
Test our platform.
Build your catalog within our system over time.
Self-administer works which generate the majority of their income within the US.
Complete Your SoundExchange Registration
Both CDB Boost and TuneRegistry register the label/master share with SoundExchange. Per SoundExchange requirements, artists must separately claim their performer's share directly through the SoundExchange portal. However, with our platform you can register masters on behalf of multiple entities.
Register Your Composition Rights Directly
CDB Boost does NOT include PRO registration (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC) for performance royalties. You must register your works independently. TuneRegistry streamlines:
Registration across multiple societies.
Direct work registration with your PRO.
Smoother processing across societies than manual registrations.
Registration status tracking across all societies.
Use TuneRegistry for Catalog Management
Regardless of which services you use for collection, TuneRegistry can serve as your comprehensive catalog management system. Store important documents and unique identifiers, manage collaborator information, and maintain detailed metadata records for works, recordings, and releases.
If You're Currently with CD Baby Legacy Pro
Understanding their cancellation complexity helps you:
Plan a realistic transition timeline (15-24 months).
Budget for continued commissions during the exit process.
Evaluate whether 'waiting it out' vs. active cancellation makes sense.
Consider using TuneRegistry for new works while existing catalog runs its course.
Understand the quarterly termination system when planning your cancellation.
What Happened to CD Baby Pro Publishing
CD Baby Pro Publishing was discontinued on August 8, 2023. Releases enrolled before that date are classified as 'Legacy Pro' and continue receiving full publishing administration services, but CD Baby no longer accepts new Pro Publishing sign-ups or certain update requests for Legacy Pro releases.
How to Cancel CD Baby Legacy Pro Publishing
If you've decided TuneRegistry better serves your publishing and rights administration needs, understanding CD Baby's cancellation process is essential for planning your transition if your catalog is currently administered by them. The process can take 15-24 months from initial cancellation request to complete transfer of administration.
You do not need to wait for your CD Baby agreement to be cancelled to register any new works. Whether the Legacy Pro agreement is in effect or not, new works can be registered immediately with TuneRegistry since they have never been submitted to CD Baby and therefore are not subject to their administration agreement, and CDB Boost does not administer publishing at all.
Understanding CD Baby Legacy Pro Cancellation
Before taking action, review these critical aspects of CD Baby's cancellation terms:
Quarterly Termination System
Your Legacy Pro agreement terminates on the last day of the calendar quarter in which you submit your cancellation request. This means:
Request submitted January 1 → Effective March 31
Request submitted April 15 → Effective June 30
Request submitted July 1 → Effective September 30
Request submitted October 20 → Effective December 31
Submit your cancellation early in the quarter to minimize the continuation period.
Post-Termination Collection Period
After your agreement ends, CD Baby continues collecting royalties for one additional year to capture payments for royalties earned during your agreement. They will pay you these collected royalties according to their normal payment schedule.
Your Responsibility to Update Society Registrations
CD Baby's cancellation does not automatically remove them from your collection society registrations. According to their help documentation, 'Past publishing registrations are not erased.' Collection societies may leave CD Baby listed as your publisher until another publisher claims the works.
You must:
Contact each collection society individually to update your publishing information.
Register your works directly with each society under your new administration arrangement.
Request confirmation that CD Baby is no longer listed as your administrator.
Monitor when the updates are complete and payments begin flowing directly to you.
Step-by-Step CD Baby Legacy Pro Cancellation Process
Step 1: Submit Cancellation Request
Submit a CD Baby Support Request using their ticket form:
In the 'Select a type of request' dropdown, select 'Customer Support Request'.
Enter your email address.
In the 'Select a topic' dropdown, select 'Help with Pro Publishing'.
In the 'Select what you need assistance with' dropdown, select 'Cancel my CD Baby Pro Administration'.
Enter the email address associated with your CD Baby Pro administration agreement.
In the subject field, enter 'Cancel my CD Baby Pro Administration Service'.
In the description field, enter the following details:
Your CD Baby login name/username
Email address on file
Artist name(s)
Name(s) of the release(s) you want to cancel
A brief explanation of why you're canceling.
Step 2: Note Your Effective Termination Date
CD Baby will confirm your termination date (last day of the quarter). Plan your transition timeline accordingly, knowing they will continue collecting for an additional year after this date.
Step 3: Update Your PRO Registrations
This is the most complex part of leaving CD Baby Pro Publishing. Collection societies don't automatically remove CD Baby from your registrations—you must request updates.
For BMI users:
BMI requires mailed signed letters from all interested parties to update registrations and remove previous publishers. Contact BMI's registration department with your cancellation confirmation from CD Baby. Processing can take several quarters.
For ASCAP users:
Contact ASCAP's membership services with your cancellation confirmation from CD Baby. The process varies depending on your specific situation.
For SESAC users:
Contact your SESAC representative directly with documentation.
Step 4: Register Your Works Through TuneRegistry
Once you've notified the societies of your updated administration information:
Begin registering your new works with your PRO through TuneRegistry.
Submit works to Harry Fox Agency/The MLC for mechanical royalty collection.
Register your master recordings with SoundExchange.
Focus first on your most commercially active works.
TuneRegistry's typical registration time for works with the PRO is 1-3 business days.
Step 5: Monitor the Transition
Verify direct payments begin flowing from societies to you.
Review initial statements for accuracy.
Keep your CD Baby account open for 6-12 months to receive final payments.
Claim any historical unmatched royalties at The MLC.
Timeline reality: The complete transition from submitting cancellation to collecting directly from all societies typically takes 15-24 months depending on society processing times and when in the quarter you submit your cancellation.
The Replacement: CDB Boost
CDB Boost launched August 8, 2023 as Pro Publishing's replacement, but represents a dramatic reduction in scope:
What CDB Boost includes:
Registration with The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC) for US streaming mechanicals.
SoundExchange registration for label share (master) only.
Sync licensing opportunities (40% commission on placements).
What CDB Boost does NOT include:
PRO registration or facilitation (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC).
Harry Fox Agency registration or facilitation.
Music Reports registration or facilitation.
International mechanical royalty collection.
Global performance royalty collection.
Direct foreign society registration.
Comprehensive catalog management.
Document or file storage.
Professional rights administration tools.
Responsive customer support.
CDB Boost focuses exclusively on US mechanical royalties through The MLC only, while charging both $39.99 per release upfront AND 15% ongoing commission. Artists need separate services or must handle themselves PRO registration, Harry Fox Agency, Music Reports, and SoundExchange all of which we facilitate for one flat monthly fee with zero commission and hassle-free cancellation.
The Fundamental Difference: TuneRegistry vs CD Baby CDB Boost
CD Baby's CDB Boost commission-based business model depends on continuing to collect royalties from your catalog. Complex cancellation terms and quarterly termination systems protect their revenue stream. Our subscription model means our revenue depends on providing ongoing value by providing a robust catalog and administration platform, timely registration of works and other music rights within the US, and excellent customer service.
When cancellation is complicated, expensive, and takes months to years, it's a signal that the service provider's interests likely don't align with their clients'.
Control and Flexibility
Test TuneRegistry risk-free, knowing you can exit cleanly if needed.
Make business decisions based on current needs, not cancellation concerns.
Switch administration strategies as your career and/or catalog evolves.
No fear of being locked into an arrangement that no longer serves you.
The Right to Change Your Mind
Your publishing administration and music rights solutions should support your career and/or business operation, not trap you. Our simple cancellation process means you're choosing to stay because the platform serves your needs, not because leaving is too difficult or expensive.
If You're Considering CDB Boost
Starting with TuneRegistry means:
Comprehensive US music rights administration instead of limited MLC-only mechanical collection.
No per-release fees one monthly subscription covers a minimum of 500 works registrations.
No per-songwriter fees—register works with co-writers at no additional cost.
Zero commission on any royalties instead of CDB Boost's 15%.
PRO registration facilitation (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC) that CDB Boost doesn't provide.
Harry Fox Agency facilitation that CDB Boost doesn't provide.
Music Reports facilitation that CDB Boost doesn't provide.
SoundExchange registration with immediate master recording registration (label share).
Professional catalog management tools that CDB Boost completely lacks.
Self-administration you maintain direct relationships with all societies.
Collect 100% of royalties directly no unnecessary intermediaries.
Superior customer support with responsive humans.
Freedom to cancel anytime without complex exit processes.
If You're New to Publishing Administration
Starting with TuneRegistry means:
No risk of long-term entanglement.
Freedom to evaluate if self-administration works for you.
Ability to switch strategies as you learn more about music publishing.
Keep your options open as your career and/or catalog develops.
Direct relationships with collection societies from day one.
Canceling CD Baby Legacy Pro Publishing requires navigating a 15-24 month process involving quarterly termination dates, post-term collection periods, multiple collection societies, and manual re-registration work. Canceling TuneRegistry takes less than 24 hours, requires no re-registration work, and leaves your direct society relationships intact. These differences aren't accidental—it's a reflection of the fundamental differences in our respective business models and whose interests we respectively prioritize.
TuneRegistry is an independent music publishing administration platform not affiliated with CD Baby, a major label, or Downtown Music Holdings. We're a commission-free alternative designed by and for independent music rights holders who want to maintain direct control over their US publishing administration.