Frequently Asked Questions

What is Band.codes and how does it work?

Band.codes is a free platform that connects underground music artists with fans through Bandcamp download codes. Artists upload their releases along with Bandcamp download codes, and fans can browse, discover, and claim these codes for free music downloads.

The platform specializes in underground, experimental, and independent music across genres like ambient, electronic, post-rock, shoegaze, and more. No registration is required for fans to claim codes.

Is Band.codes really free? Are there any hidden costs?

Yes, Band.codes is completely free with no hidden costs:

• For Fans: Browse and claim download codes without any payment or registration
• For Artists: Create accounts, upload unlimited releases, and share codes at no cost
• No Premium Features: All features are available to everyone for free
• No Commissions: We don't take any percentage from sales or donations

Do I need to create an account to download music?

For Fans: No registration required! You can browse all releases, filter by genre, and claim download codes without creating an account.

For Artists/Labels: Registration is required to upload music, manage releases, and track code redemptions. Artist accounts are free and take less than a minute to create.

How do Bandcamp download codes work?

Bandcamp download codes are unique codes generated by artists on their Bandcamp pages that allow free downloads of their music. Here's how they work:

1. Artists generate codes on their Bandcamp page
2. Artists share these codes on Band.codes
3. Fans claim codes on Band.codes
4. Fans are redirected to Bandcamp to redeem the code
5. Music is downloaded directly from Bandcamp in high quality

What audio formats are available through Bandcamp codes?

Bandcamp offers multiple high-quality audio formats:

• FLAC: Lossless, highest quality (recommended)
• MP3 V0: High quality variable bitrate
• MP3 320: High quality constant bitrate
• AAC: High quality, smaller file sizes
• Ogg Vorbis: Open source, high quality
• ALAC: Apple Lossless format

The available formats depend on what the artist uploaded to Bandcamp.

What types of music can I find on Band.codes?

Band.codes specializes in underground, experimental, and independent music. Popular genres include:

You can browse all genres on our genres page or filter releases by specific genres on the releases page.

How can I discover new music on Band.codes?

There are several ways to discover music on Band.codes:

• Browse Latest Releases: See the newest uploads on the homepage and releases page
• Filter by Genre: Use genre tags to find specific types of music
• Explore Artists: Visit artist pages to see their full discography
• Like System: Like releases to show appreciation and discover popular music
• Random Discovery: Browse without filters to discover unexpected gems

How do I create an artist account and upload music?

Creating an artist account is simple and free:

1. Click "Register" and choose "Artist" or "Label" account type
2. Fill out your profile information and create a unique slug
3. Verify your email address
4. Access your dashboard to start uploading releases

To upload music, you'll need Bandcamp download codes for your releases. Generate these codes on your Bandcamp page and paste them when creating a release on Band.codes.

How do I generate Bandcamp download codes for my music?

To generate download codes on Bandcamp:

1. Log into your Bandcamp artist account
2. Go to your release page and click the gear icon
3. Select "Download codes" from the menu
4. Choose how many codes to generate (up to 200 at a time)
5. Copy the generated codes
6. Paste these codes when creating a release on Band.codes

Note: You need to have your music uploaded to Bandcamp first before you can generate download codes.

What are the benefits of using Band.codes as an artist?

Band.codes offers several benefits for independent artists:

• Free Promotion: Share your music without any costs
• Global Reach: Connect with underground music fans worldwide
• No Registration Barrier: Fans can discover your music instantly
• Analytics: Track how many codes are claimed
• Genre-Focused: Reach fans specifically interested in experimental music
• Community: Connect with other underground artists and labels
• SEO Benefits: Your releases are indexed by search engines