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This page is a home for all information needed to create and review Rock Band Network Songs. The headings above you (Authoring, Magma, Reaper, Website) contain information about all the individual parts or the process.

Please help us make this page better by letting us know if there is information you need or if something you see here is inaccurate.

Contents

Getting Started

The Website page is a great place to start, and has info on how to create the accounts you need (Gold Gamertag and XNA membership).

Playtesting and Reviewing Songs

Song review is not available yet for the general public. We'll update the documents as soon as it is!

Creating Songs

In general to create a song you need to do the following:

  • Mix your multi track recordings.
    • You will need to mix them to fit the standards for Rock Band. See the Mix and MIDI Setup document for help mixing your tracks.
  • Create gameplay info via a MIDI fle in Reaper.
    • Reaper is a Digital Audio Workstation. We have been working with Cockos, the creators of Reaper (reaper.fm) to add a number of specific Rock Band Network additions that will make creating MIDI song information simpler and more intuitive. Please read our Reaper page for detailed information on how to use Reaper and set it up for RBN authoring.
    • See the Mix and MIDI Setup document for all information about how to create MIDI tracks. This will probably be the bulk of the time you spend on your song.
  • Create a song package with Magma.
    • Magma is a PC tool that we are creating to allow authors to build Rock Band Network song packages ( *.rba ) using your multi track .wav files and MIDI gameplay files.
  • Audition your song package within Rock Band when you apply the Patch, Instructions for auditioning are on the Magma page.
    • We have released a patch to Rock Band 2 that will enable "Audition Mode." This will allow you to test out your song packages in-game with features like speed up and slow down cheats and autoplay.
    • You have to have an XNA Premium membership in order to audition songs. You can get one here: creators.xna.com

Submitting Songs

Song submission is not available to the general public yet. We'll update the docs as soon as it is.

FAQ

What do we need to create songs?
The short answer is Reaper, Magma, an Xbox Gold Gamertag and a XNA Premium membership. Check out Create Song above for more details. You have to go to creators.xna.com and sign up for a Creator's Club membership.
How do we check out our work in-game?
With a patch to Rock Band 2 that has "Audition Mode". Check out Creating Songs above for more details.
When are songs going to be available?
The RBN store will be available later this year.
How much do songs cost?
You get to suggest one of three price points: 80, 160 or 240 Microsoft Points ($1, $2 or $3)
How much do we get?
30% of all sales.
How do we get paid?
From Microsoft, you enroll in the Creator's Club and set up payment information directly with XNA. You get paid quarterly, with a minimum payment of $50. Details for getting paid from Sony are TBD.
Can we sell songs on the PS3 Network Store?
The short answer is yes, we are planning on it, but there are some other issues we are trying to work out. We will keep you posted on progress here.
When will the public be able to submit, Playtest, and Peer Review songs?
We don't have a specific date, but it should be coming soon.
Can I submit a cover song?
You must own the Publishing rights to and recordings of any song that you submit to RBN. We do not have the resources to clear publishing rights for cover songs, so we cannot allow them to be submitted.
I don't understand about Publishing Rights, Mechanical Royalties, Copyrights, and Master Recordings
That information is outside the scope of this FAQ. You should do some investigation on your own to figure out exactly what you need to own in order to create or submit songs for RBN.
What about samples?
No. Nyet. Nien. Verboten. If you submit a song with any composition in it that you don't own it will be rejected.
What about naughty words?
RBN songs will be played in Rock Band 2, which has an ESRB rating of "T". A good guideline is that you need to create a Radio Friendly edit of your song if it has naughty bits in it. You can use the library of DLC content for Rock Band 2 as a guideline to what's acceptable.
I think that <My Favorite Band> should be in RBN
Why don't you ask them about it, politely? There's a thread on our RockBand.com forums here: http://www.rockband.com/forums/showthread.php?t=153483 with suggested etiquette. Remember that bands may not own the publishing rights or master recordings of their songs, which might make it hard for them to participate.
I'm in a band. Can I get someone else to put my music into RBN?
Yes, you can. A number of Authoring companies have been created for the sole purpose of getting songs into RBN. We aren't officially endorsing or connected to any of them, but there is a list of them on the RockBand.com forums here: http://www.rockband.com/forums/showthread.php?t=156832