<PAGE>
                                                                      EXHIBIT 12
                           MUZAK LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

               COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Year Ended    Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended
                                                                  Dec. 31,      Dec. 31,     Dec. 31,     Dec. 31,     Dec. 31,
                                                                    1993          1994         1995         1996         1997
                                                                -------------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                                             <C>            <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
EARNINGS:
Net loss attributable to general and limited partners             ($  4,047)    ($  8,116)   ($  6,743)   ($ 11,739)   ($ 13,835)
                                                                -------------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
ADD BACK FIXED CHARGES:
Interest expense including amortization of deferred financing
  costs.......................................................        3,785         6,990        7,483        8,112       10,775
Preferred returns.............................................          572           933        1,029          916          400
Assumed interest component of rent expense (1)................        1,863         2,128        2,566        2,584        2,800
                                                                -------------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Total fixed charges...........................................        6,220        10,051       11,078       11,612       13,975
                                                                -------------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Adjusted earnings.............................................    $   2,173     $   1,935    $   4,335    ($    127)   $     140
                                                                -------------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                -------------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges............................         0.35          0.19         0.39        (0.01)        0.01
                                                                -------------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                -------------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Deficiency of earnings to fixed charges.......................    $   4,047     $   8,116    $   6,743    $  11,739    $  13,835
                                                                -------------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
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</TABLE>

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(1) Estimated as one-third of operating lease expenses

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