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 stack of Kayla's 'Fractures' albums, signed and ready to be posted.

Member’s Voice: Kayla Painter on the Rewards of Self-Releasing Music

In this blog, MU member, educator, producer, and electronic musician Kayla Painter shares her experience of self-releasing music. Following the success of her album launch last year, she explores the ups and downs of the DIY route, offering invaluable firsthand advice to other members.

Published: 15 April 2025

Close up of sound engineer recording a live orchestra.

Musicians in Orchestras Across UK Urgently Call on Government to Address Lack of Streaming Royalties

The MU and players in over 20 orchestras across the UK have signed an open letter to call upon the Government to urgently address the lack of streaming royalties for musicians.

Published: 04 April 2025

The inside of the hotel lobby of a Point A hotel.

MU Launches Another Member Benefit of Discounted Hotels Across UK

Our new partnership with Point A Hotels means that members can now benefit from discounted hotel rooms in Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow and London.

Published: 01 April 2025

A young, Black female musician, playing electric guitar in a recording studio.

Fix Streaming: Making the Case for Session Players

How can the music industry fix streaming for session players and ensure that all artists get fair pay from music streaming? Musicians’ Union (MU) General Secretary Naomi Pohl explains...

Published: 28 March 2025

A pair of headphones in a neon pink light.

'Is This What We Want?' Album Protests Proposed Changes to Copyright Law

Over 1000 musicians back ‘silent’ album in protest against UK government proposals to allow tech firms to train AI models on creative work.

Published: 27 February 2025

Read all recording & broadcasting news

#FixStreaming

Take urgent action to fix streaming

Ask your MP to put the value of music back where it belongs – in your hands

Email your MP now See all Campaigns

Cookies on Musicians' Union

Use your voice

Popular searches