Sound Recordings
Sound Recordings
You are not alone at the recording studio. The AFM works to protect your wages and subsequent compensation through the Sound Recording Labor Agreement (formerly known as the Phonograph Record Labor Agreement) which sets forth the minimum wage scales and working conditions for musicians (including music preparation members) who perform services for the various types of audio recordings - in recording studios as well as live (compact discs, audiocassettes, etc.) - released for sale on the commercial market. It is particularly important to see to it that before any work is performed that there is a signatory in place with the responsible party and that properly completed AFM B-4 Report Forms covering your participation on recording sessions are filed with the AFM local having jurisdiction over the sessions. This will ensure your sharing in the proceeds from the Sound Recording Special Payments Fund and that you will receive "new use" payments if your product is utilized in another medium requiring such "new use" payment (i.e. use of a sound recording in a theatrical motion picture, TV film, commercial announcement, etc.).
Representatives of the AFM and the Recording Industry have not yet completed negotiations for a new Sound Recording Labor Agreement (which includes the Low Budget Side Letter and the Sound Recording Labor Agreement Single Project Short Form.) Therefore, the rates effective for the period 2/1/05-/131/06 remain in effect at the present time. The subject of retroactivity will be discussed when the negotiations resume.
Other highlights of the Sound Recording Labor Agreement include:
The Low Budget Side Letter (Full album projects where the budget falls within a threshold of $99,000) - Since its inception in 1996 this Side Letter has increased employment opportunities in the recording field. To ensure that projects truly qualify there is a procedure in place which begins with the requirement by the company to forward to the AFM the producer's approved detailed in advance of the start of production.
Video Promo Supplement - This section covers the employment of musicians, other than royalty artists, who appear "on-camera" in music videos. It includes a wage payment for musicians performing "sideline services" and generates additional payments into the Sound Recording Special Payments Fund when the Company receives revenue from the exploitation of the video promo.
Sampling - When an existing phonograph record, or portion thereof, is sampled into a new phonograph record, a payment is made to the Sound Recording Special Payments Fund on behalf of the musicians who performed on the original record.
Please be advised that the Sound Recording Labor Agreement contains a section for records recorded by symphonic orchestras (includes, opera, ballet and chamber orchestras). Please refer to the appropriate section of the SSD Website for details.
Contact: Patrick M. Varriale (Contract Administrator)
E-mail: patrickv@afm.org
Telephone: (212) 869-1330 x 1234
For more information, click below:
- SRLA Non-Symphonic Scale Summary (PDF)
- Low Budget Sideletter (PDF)
- Sound Recording Labor Agreement (PDF)
- Sound Recording Single Project Short Form (PDF)
- Sound Recording Labor Agreement (1 yr ext, through 01/2010)
SRLA UPDATE
The Sound Recording Labor Agreement (February 1, 2006 – January 31, 2009 has been extended for a one-year period through January 31, 2010 with two changes: (1) effective February 9, 2009 a 2% increase in all scale wages except experimental low budget experimental rate and (2) effective February 9, 2009 a $.50 increase in Health and Welfare Fund contribution except for low budget recordings.
Up to date summaries of the wages (non-symphonic) as well as the Low Budget Side Letter may be found by clicking on the appropriate category below. A formal agreement booklet is not yet available.
All files are Adobe PDF.
