The Musio Marketplace

What Is The Musio Marketplace?

Musio is a virtual instrument platform developed by Cinesamples. With over 2,300 meticulously crafted virtual instruments from more than 90 sample library collections, Musio brings professional-grade sounds to your workflow, all recorded on renowned Hollywood soundstages by the same engineers and musicians behind some of the most iconic film scores and albums of all time.

The Musio Marketplace is the newest way to expand your creative possibilities within Musio. It contains all of the Cinesamples instruments described above, and for the first time, curated sample library collections from trusted third-party developers. All of these libraries can now be purchased individually as perpetual licenses, giving you much more control and choice over what you’d like to purchase than ever before.

Everything works directly inside the Musio platform and in your account portal with no extra plugins or complicated installs so you can just browse, purchase, and start creating. Every instrument in the Marketplace is held to the same high standards of quality, usability, and musicality you have come to expect from Musio. 

In a time when music tools are evolving rapidly, our mission is simple: give creators everything they need to stay inspired, work efficiently, and make great music.

Why We Introduced the Marketplace

The Musio Marketplace was designed to make Musio the most complete and convenient creative hub in the sample library space possible. We’ve always focused on Cinesamples content, but we also know our users work in a wide range of styles and sometimes want sounds from other respected developers to use as well.

Before the Marketplace, that meant going to different websites, downloading separate installers, and managing multiple accounts. Now, you can explore and add these third-party libraries directly within Musio with no extra setup required.

If you’re a current Musio user, this change is about adding possibilities, not taking anything away. Everything you currently have access to stays the same. Whether you use the Musio Marketplace a lot or not at all, your existing workflow and access remain just how it has been. The Marketplace gives you the option to expand your collection with individual sample library collection purchases without changing or taking away what you already have.

What's Included With Each License Type

Here is a breakdown of what comes with each Musio license type that is currently available now that the Musio Marketplace has launched:

Musio+ Complete Subscription (Monthly or Annual)
Includes all instruments currently available in Musio, with new releases added automatically as long as your subscription is active. The complete list of instruments currently in Musio can be viewed in the Musio Marketplace, or within Musio.

Musio Marketplace
You can purchase perpetual licenses to individual libraries from Cinesamples and third-party developers as well to add to your collection. Since these are perpetual licenses, you pay a one-time fee and then own them indefinitely. You can view all the libraries available in the Marketplace at musio.com/marketplace.

EDU Discount One-Year License
Includes all instruments currently available in Musio, with new releases added automatically as long as your subscription is active. There is no perpetual license EDU discount available at this time but instead it is a one-year license that can be renewed each year with proof of academic enrollment. The complete list of instruments currently in Musio can be viewed in the Musio Marketplace, or within Musio.

Here is a breakdown of what is included in licenses that some current users have as they were available in the past but are no longer available for purchase for new customers:

Musio 1 Perpetual License
Includes all instruments released in Musio through the end of 2024, no longer available for purchase. New instrument releases after that date are not automatically included, but they can be purchased separately through the Marketplace. To see a complete list of the libraries that were included in Musio 1, please see the list included in this article.

Musio Lifetime License
A limited-time license offered at Musio’s beginning, no longer available for purchase (this is not the same thing as Musio 1). Lifetime users get all Cinesamples instruments currently in Musio, plus all future Cinesamples releases automatically. Third-party developer libraries are not included, but can be purchased separately through the Marketplace.

In-App Navigation

In this section, we will walk you through how to navigate the new features related to the Musio Marketplace in the Musio application itself. To begin, follow these steps:

1. Install or Update Musio

• New Users
  • Create a free account at portal.musio.com.
  • Log in and click the Account tab at the top left.
  • Click the Download Musio tab.
  • Click one of the downloader buttons (depending on your OS).
  • Follow the prompts to install Musio.
• Current Users
  • Open Musio Connect (Musio’s companion app).
  • Click the red Update link in the bottom-left corner to launch the installer and finalize the update to the latest version.

2. Browse the Catalog

• Open Musio and go to Catalog → Full Catalog.
• You’ll see all the sample library collections within Musio here.
• Store Icon - Indicates this library is unauthorized until purchased in the Marketplace.
• No Icon - Indicates this library is part of Musio Essentials, a collection of free libraries included in all new Musio account signups.

3. New Toolbar Features

• Refresh Catalog & Last Updated Time
  • Find the Catalog Refresh button located at the top-left under the search bar.
  • Clicking this lets you manually refresh the catalog (so you no longer need to reboot Musio Connect for that) and see when it was last updated as well.

• Show Purchased Only
  • Find this button at the top-right next to the ‘Show Downloaded Only’ button.
  • This filters the catalog to show only libraries you own.

4. Understanding Unauthorized Libraries

• Scrolling through the Catalog, you may see sample library collections that are dimmed. This means the library is currently unauthorized (unavailable until purchased).

5. Using the Store Icon

• In the Catalog
  • Dimmed libraries will have a store icon in the top-right corner.
  • Clicking it opens that product’s Marketplace page in your browser.

• This product page is where you can:
  • Read product details
  • View articulation lists
  • Preview sounds
  • Purchase the library by clicking "Add to Cart", and then click on your Cart on the top right to checkout.

• Inside a Library View
  • If you click on an unauthorized library in Musio, the download arrows and load buttons will be dimmed on the right hand side.
  • The store icon will also appear in the top-left under the library image. Click to purchase from the Marketplace.

6. Searching for Instruments

• And finally, if you search for an instrument in Musio, you’ll see one of two results:
  • Red download arrows and Load buttons → These instruments are authorized and ready to download.
  • Dimmed with a store icon → These instruments are unauthorized until purchased in the Musio Marketplace. Clicking the store icon takes you to the Marketplace page to purchase the library.

Navigating Purchases In the Musio Marketplace

1. Accessing the Marketplace

• The Musio Marketplace can be found at musio.com/marketplace and it allows you to purchase collections a la carte.
• Ways to access:
  • From inside the Musio application (see In-App Navigation section above).
  • Directly in your browser:
    1. Log in at portal.musio.com
    2. Click the Marketplace tab in the top-left corner.

2. Browsing Products

• View all available products in the Marketplace at once.
• Use the search bar (top of page) to find a specific product.
• Use the filters (left side of page) to refine results:
  • Categories → e.g., strings, brass, percussion.
  • Developer → filter by the library’s creator.

3. Viewing Product Details

• Click any product’s thumbnail to open its product page.
• On this page you can:
  • Read detailed product information.
  • See a full list of articulations included.
  • Click the play button next to each articulation to preview sounds.

4. Purchasing a Product

1. Click the "Add to Cart" button to add the product to your cart.
2. Click the 🛒 Cart icon (top-right) to open your cart.
3. Click Checkout to start the Paddle payment process.
4. Complete the checkout form to finalize your purchase.

Redeeming Your License Code

After purchasing a library collection from the Musio Marketplace, you need to redeem your license code to authorize the library in Musio and make it available for download. You will receive an email with the subject "Musio - License Codes for your Recent Purchase". 

You can redeem your license code in two different ways:

Option 1: Redeem via Email Button

1. Open this email and click Redeem All License Codes.
2. Log in using your Musio Account credentials.
3. In the Add Licenses pop-up, confirm the license code is correct.
4. Click Submit.
5. Confirm the license was accepted.
6. Note: Refresh the page to see the new license code in the Licenses page.

Option 2: Redeem Manually

1. Visit https://portal.musio.com/account.
2. Log in with your Musio Account credentials.
3. In the left menu, select Licenses.
4. Click + Add Licenses.
5. Paste your license code into the text area.
6. Click Submit.
7. Note: Refresh the page to see the new license code in the Licenses page.

After Redeeming Your License Code

Once redeemed, your library will be authorized in Musio and ready for download.

1. Open Musio (no need to relaunch if it is already open). Go to the Catalog tab.
2. Click the Catalog Refresh button at the top-left under the search bar.
3. Find the collection card for your new library and you should see that:
   • It is no longer dimmed.
   • The store purchase button is gone.
4. Open the library collection and if you see the following, you are ready to use it:
   • No store button is present.
   • All instruments can now be downloaded and loaded.

FAQs

This section provides answers to other common questions about the Musio Marketplace:

General

Q: Will Musio add more third-party developers over time?

A: Yes! New libraries from third-party developers will be added periodically. Stay tuned to our website, socials, and Discord for announcements!

Q: I’m a sample developer. How can I get my sounds in the Musio Marketplace?

A: Thank you for your interest! You can find out more information in this article. Please reach out to Developers@musio.com.

Q: What happens if a third-party developer removes their product from Musio? Will I still be able to use it?

A: Any library you’ve purchased remains available for you, even if it is removed for new purchases.

Account & Billing

Q: Do I need a separate account for third-party purchases with that developer?

A: No. All purchases are managed through your Musio account.

Q: Will I receive an invoice or receipt?

A: Yes. A confirmation email will be sent for each purchase.

Q: Where can I view my invoices?

A: To access your invoices:

Visit and log in to the Paddle customer portal: https://customer-portal.paddle.com/cpl_01j427wq6xjwgcaw5w27spstfe

If you don’t see the invoices/receipts for your payments there, reach out to our Support team at support@musio.com, and we’ll assist you as soon as possible.

Purchasing

Q: Are the purchases made in the Musio Marketplace a one-time payment or a recurring cost?

A: You can purchase Musio+ Complete which is a subscription and therefore has a recurring payment (monthly/annual), but all other individual Marketplace purchases will be perpetual licenses with a one-time payment.

Q: Are there bundles or discounts available?

A:  Future promotions may be announced via our socials, website, and/or Discord so stay tuned!

Q: What currency are the prices in?

A: Prices are listed in your local currency if available; otherwise, USD.

Q: How is billing handled?

A: All purchases are processed through Musio’s payment processing partner, Paddle.

Q: How is the Musio Marketplace different from how Musio was purchased previously?

A: Users can now purchase individual sample library collections as perpetual licenses without having to get a monthly or annual subscription or without having to buy a large bundle of Musio at once. Also, libraries made by third-party developers are now, for the first time, available alongside Cinesamples’ collections.

Q: Can I try libraries in the Musio Marketplace before purchasing?

A: When you first sign up for a free account, all users will get the free Musio Essentials pack, which includes a group of sample library collections so you can instantly get up and running with some sounds. We also offer a 3-day trial for every instrument in the Musio catalog, which can be activated via the Musio app.

Q: I own some of the Kontakt versions of libraries I see in the Musio Marketplace. Can I get a crossgrade discount? Can I use the Kontakt versions of these libraries in Musio without purchasing them for Musio?

A: At this time, we don’t offer crossgrade pricing for third-party libraries in Musio, since those are licensed directly from the original developers. That said, we really appreciate your feedback and it’s helpful to know this is something you’d like to see. While I can’t make any promises, I’ll be sure to share your request with our team for future consideration. You also could let the third-party developer know you’d be interested in crossgrade options through Musio, as they ultimately have a role in these decisions as well.

Kontakt versions of these libraries cannot be used in Musio as they are separate platforms, so owning the Kontakt versions doesn't automatically unlock them in Musio. To use them in Musio you'd need to purchase the Musio versions directly in the Musio Marketplace.

Using Third-Party Libraries

Q: Will third-party libraries operate the same way as Cinesamples libraries in Musio (search, automation, interface, workflow, articulations, keyswitches, etc.)?

A: Yes, third-party libraries will load, perform, and behave just like any current Musio library.

Q: Will updates to third-party libraries come through Musio, or do I need to manage those separately?

A: Updates are handled entirely through Musio.

Q: Do third-party libraries have the same system requirements as the current Musio libraries?

A: Yes as all Marketplace content runs inside Musio and follows the same system requirements.

Q: What if I load a session that uses an instrument I don’t own such as when I’m collaborating with someone and sending DAW sessions back and forth?

A: If you open a project that includes an instrument you haven’t purchased, Musio will show a message: “This instrument is unauthorized.” You can click the store icon to quickly purchase the needed sample library collection and get access.

Q: I own a Musio 1 license. Why don't I automatically get third-party developer libraries?

A: To clarify: your Musio 1 license includes all the instruments that were released in Musio through the end of 2024. That collection is now complete, so new releases after that date aren't automatically added to Musio 1. You'll still receive all app and feature updates at no extra cost. New instruments can optionally be purchased in the Musio Marketplace to expand your collection.

Q: I own one of the limited time offer LIFETIME licenses. Why don't I automatically get third-party developer libraries?

A: Your Musio Lifetime license still gives you what was offered: access to everything created by Cinesamples that is added to Musio, forever, at no additional cost. That has not changed, and we remain committed to continuing to expand the Cinesamples catalog within Musio (there's a few new libraries in there now like the South African Voices!).

For the first time, we are also partnering with outside developers to bring their sounds into the new Musio Marketplace. Since these libraries are created by third-party developers, licensing terms dictate they are not automatically included in the Lifetime license. Instead, these new libraries can be optionally purchased individually as perpetual licenses in the Marketplace. 

The important distinction is that your license covers everything Cinesamples makes, and it always will. The Marketplace is an additional way we can bring you even more variety and creative tools by partnering with other developers.

Troubleshooting

Q: Who do I contact for issues with third-party libraries?

A: Please refrain from contacting the third-party developer directly and instead reach out to our Support team at support@musio.com. We’ll get back to you as soon as possible!

Q: Are there user manuals for each product in the Musio Marketplace?

A: If available, product-specific user manuals will be linked on the product page in the Marketplace. You can also find a general user manual for Musio here.

Legal

Q: Can I use third-party libraries commercially/in professional projects?

A: Yes. All Musio Marketplace products come with a commercial license for use in your music projects, subject to Musio’s Terms and Conditions of Use.

Q: Can I return or refund a third-party purchase from the Marketplace if I’m not satisfied?

A: Refunds for third-party libraries in the Musio Marketplace will be subject to the same guidelines as Musio library refunds as outlined in our Refund Policy.

Closing Notes

The Musio Marketplace is designed to give you freedom, flexibility, and creative control. Whether you want to discover new sounds from top third-party developers, select a few sample library collections to own forever, and/or continue enjoying the full Musio+ Complete subscription, the choice is yours. By keeping everything inside Musio, expanding your sound library is simple, fast, and inspiring, so you can stay focused on what matters most: making music.

If you have any other questions, use the search bar up above to search through our extensive Help Center and/or reach out to our Support team at support@musio.com and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Happy creating!