CD Baby CDB Boost Cost Comparison: Calculate Your True Costs vs TuneRegistry
CD Baby's CDB Boost pricing structure appears straightforward: $39.99 per release plus 15% commission on mechanical royalties. However, when you calculate the true long-term costs compared to TuneRegistry's flat subscription model, the differences are substantial.
CDB Boost Pricing Breakdown
CD Baby CDB Boost charges you twice for mechanical royalty administration:
Upfront: $39.99 per release (one-time fee)
Ongoing: 15% commission on all mechanical royalties collected
Additional: 40% commission on any sync placements (non-guaranteed)
Reality: You become an unnecessary intermediary between you and The MLC
TuneRegistry Pricing Breakdown
Solo Plan: $15/month for comprehensive US music rights administration
Commission: $0 on any royalty type
Per-release fees: $0
Per-songwriter fees: $0
Reality: You collect 100% of royalties directly from all societies
Real-World Cost Scenarios
Scenario 1: Independent Artist with 3 Releases
Generating $2,000/year in US mechanical royalties:
With CDB Boost:
Upfront fees: $119.97 (3 releases × $39.99)
Annual commission: $300 (15% of $2,000)
Year 1 total: $419.97
5-year total: $1,619.97
With TuneRegistry:
Annual cost: $180 ($15/month)
5-year total: $900
Savings: $719.97 (44% less than CDB Boost)
Scenario 2: Small Label with 10 Releases
Generating $5,000/year in mechanical royalties:
With CDB Boost:
Upfront fees: $399.90 (10 releases × $39.99)
Annual commission: $750 (15% of $5,000)
Year 1 total: $1,149.90
5-year total: $4,149.90
With TuneRegistry Team Plan:
Team Plan: $35/month ($420/year)
5-year total: $2,100
Savings: $2,049.90 (49% less than CDB Boost)
Hidden Costs of CDB Boost
Does NOT include PRO registration (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC)—you handle separately
Does NOT include Harry Fox Agency registration—you handle separately
Does NOT include Music Reports registration—you handle separately
No catalog management tools—must use spreadsheets or other systems
No document storage—must organize files separately
No registration tracking—must monitor societies manually
What TuneRegistry Includes in Every Plan
PRO registration facilitation and tracking
MLC registration with zero commission
Harry Fox Agency facilitation
Music Reports facilitation
SoundExchange registration via DDEX feed
Professional catalog management
Document storage and association
Registration status monitoring across all societies
The Commission Trap
CDB Boost's 15% commission compounds over time. If your mechanical royalties grow from $2,000 to $10,000 annually over 5 years, your commission payments grow proportionally. With TuneRegistry's flat $15/month, your costs stay predictable regardless of revenue growth.
Year 1 at $2,000 royalties: CDB Boost = $300 commission | TuneRegistry = $180
Year 3 at $5,000 royalties: CDB Boost = $750 commission | TuneRegistry = $180
Year 5 at $10,000 royalties: CDB Boost = $1,500 commission
Calculate Your Savings
Use this simple formula to calculate your 5-year savings:
CDB Boost 5-Year Cost:
(Number of releases × $39.99) + (Annual mechanical royalties × 0.15 × 5 years)
TuneRegistry 5-Year Cost:
$15/month × 60 months = $900 (Solo Plan)
Your Savings:
CDB Boost total - TuneRegistry total
Beyond the Numbers
Cost is just one factor. TuneRegistry provides comprehensive US music rights administration that CDB Boost doesn't offer. You're not just saving money, you're getting a more complete service, professional catalog management, and the freedom to cancel anytime without complex exit processes.
Ready to stop paying per-release fees and ongoing commission? TuneRegistry's Solo Plan starts at just $15/month with zero commission and comprehensive US music rights administration.