Recording and Broadcasting

The MU looks after music recording and broadcasting rights when you do any recording work – from regular sessions to home recording.

Guidance

Working as a Recording Session Musician

Advice for musicians who are employed to record music for media projects and who are paid by the session.

Working as a Recording Artist

What you need to know while working as a recording artist.

Royalties from Recordings

Guidance on earning revenue from sound recordings, including MU distributed royalties.

Copyright for Performers in a Sound Recording

Everything you need to know about copyright and performers' rights when recording your work.

Recording Work during Covid-19

Everything you need to know when recording music during Coronavirus pandemic.

Rate guidance

Remote Recording Session Work

Resources

Rates of pay

Collective Agreements and Rates

Look up rates, terms and conditions from with the BBC, ITV, IPA, PACT and BPI and other agreements negotiated for recording session musicians.

MU standard templates

Contracts for Session Recording Work

Use a template that suits you best.

Specimen Sync Licences

MU template licences for TV, film and advertising

Approved Contractors

Approved Contractors/Fixers who have entered into an agreement with the MU.

Career as a recording musician

Quick tips

5 Things You Need to Know for Your DIY Music Release

Essential tips on how to protect your rights and make money from your music from the very beginning.

Member-only event

How to be Release Ready with PRS

Learn how record labels and music publishers make their money and how independent artists can do the same.

Career advice

Starting Out as a Session Musician

Explore the world of the session musician, from starting out to getting paid.

Member benefits and services

Royalty Distribution for Recordings

The MU Royalties department collects between £1.5 million to £2 million a year for musicians for the secondary and further use of recordings.

Collective Bargaining

The MU negotiates collective bargaining agreements with broadcasters and umbrella organisations for other regular employers of session musicians.

Maximised Pay for Recording Musicians

Our aim is to maximise the pay and employment of UK session musicians, and to collect every secondary use fee they are due.

Contract Advisory Service

If you're a member, the MU can help you make sure the contract you sign is fair and includes all necessary clauses.

Unpaid Fee Recovery

We can help when you haven't been paid properly for your work.

Personal Injury Claims

Legal benefits package for you and your family via Morrish Solicitors.

Latest news and features

A scientist computing, analysing and visualising complex data set on computer.

Musicians’ Union Cautious on Government AI Consultation

The MU was invited to respond to a government consultation on a proposed exception to UK copyright law which will allow AI developers to use creative works to train their systems without breaching copyright.

Published: 17 December 2024

A Black male musician wearing a baseball cap singing into a microphone.

Have Your Say on the Value of Black British Music

Artists, creators and industry professionals working with Black British music are encouraged to take part in the survey to understand the value that the artform brings to the UK music industry.

Published: 04 December 2024

A graphic with an orange and black gradient background and white text.

Register to Attend Free Launchpad Conference 2025 in Leeds

Taking place on March 28 2025, Launchpad Conference in Leeds offers a day of panels, workshops and networking for music industry professionals and those interested in working in the industry.

Published: 29 November 2024

The Welsh flag against a light blue sky.

Take the Creative Wales Industry Survey 2024

Businesses, employers, employees and freelancers in the creative sector in Wales are invited to take part in a short survey to help Creative Wales strengthen their support of the creative industries.

Published: 21 November 2024

MU Appoints First-Ever Permanent Officer for Northern Ireland

The Musicians’ Union has appointed its first-ever Regional Officer for Northern Ireland, marking an important point of progress for our members in the region.