Working as a Recording Artist Everything you need to know while working as a recording artist. Last updated: 03 October 2023 A recording artist is a musician that performs songs or musical compositions in a studio-like setting for the purpose of recording and releasing them to the public. A recording artist can be a singular individual, a band, or even a massive symphony. 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. Read more about Royalty Distribution for Recordings Collective Bargaining The MU negotiates collective bargaining agreements with broadcasters and umbrella organisations for other regular employers of session musicians. Read more about Collective Bargaining 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. Read more about Maximised Pay for Recording Musicians 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. Read more about Contract Advisory Service Unpaid Fee Recovery We can help when you haven't been paid properly for your work. Read more about Unpaid Fee Recovery Personal Injury Claims Legal benefits package for you and your family via Morrish Solicitors. Read more about Personal Injury Claims Latest news and features MU Panel Explores Rates, Rights and Royalties at Sound City 2026 At Liverpool Sound City Conference 2026, the MU brought together industry professionals and working musicians for its ‘Money in the Mix’ panel to demystify these issues and offer practical insights into building a sustainable career in session work. Published: 11 May 2026 Read more about MU Panel Explores Rates, Rights and Royalties at Sound City 2026 MU Announce ‘Money in the Mix Panel’ at Liverpool Sound City Conference Next Month The MU will host a specialist panel discussion at the 2026 Liverpool Sound City Conference, bringing vital focus to rates of pay, rights, and royalties for session musicians working across the modern music industry. Members can also receive a discount on tickets. Published: 22 April 2026 Read more about MU Announce ‘Money in the Mix Panel’ at Liverpool Sound City Conference Next Month Council of Music Makers Statement on the Role of Collective Licensing All parts of the UK’s live sector must recognise and uphold the value of songs and songwriters, says a new statement from the Council of Music Makers. Published: 15 April 2026 Read more about Council of Music Makers Statement on the Role of Collective Licensing MU General Secretary Raises AI Concerns with Prime Minister The MU has welcomed the Government’s rethink on AI but has emphasised the importance of copyright reform to the Prime Minister. While the shift away from an opt-out system is positive, we continue to call for Government intervention to ensure musicians are fairly paid as AI licensing grows. Published: 19 March 2026 Read more about MU General Secretary Raises AI Concerns with Prime Minister New Member Discount at Third Floor Recording Studio The Musicians’ Union has teamed up with Third Floor Recording, a full-service recording studio in South London, to offer members discounted studio time. Published: 01 February 2026 Read more about New Member Discount at Third Floor Recording Studio Read more Contact the Musicians' Union today The MU has a network of experienced teams available to help musicians in all areas of the industry. If you have any questions about our services, membership or how the MU could help you, please don't hesitate to get in touch. Contact the MU
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. Read more about Royalty Distribution for Recordings
Collective Bargaining The MU negotiates collective bargaining agreements with broadcasters and umbrella organisations for other regular employers of session musicians. Read more about Collective Bargaining
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. Read more about Maximised Pay for Recording Musicians
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. Read more about Contract Advisory Service
Unpaid Fee Recovery We can help when you haven't been paid properly for your work. Read more about Unpaid Fee Recovery
Personal Injury Claims Legal benefits package for you and your family via Morrish Solicitors. Read more about Personal Injury Claims
MU Panel Explores Rates, Rights and Royalties at Sound City 2026 At Liverpool Sound City Conference 2026, the MU brought together industry professionals and working musicians for its ‘Money in the Mix’ panel to demystify these issues and offer practical insights into building a sustainable career in session work. Published: 11 May 2026 Read more about MU Panel Explores Rates, Rights and Royalties at Sound City 2026
MU Announce ‘Money in the Mix Panel’ at Liverpool Sound City Conference Next Month The MU will host a specialist panel discussion at the 2026 Liverpool Sound City Conference, bringing vital focus to rates of pay, rights, and royalties for session musicians working across the modern music industry. Members can also receive a discount on tickets. Published: 22 April 2026 Read more about MU Announce ‘Money in the Mix Panel’ at Liverpool Sound City Conference Next Month
Council of Music Makers Statement on the Role of Collective Licensing All parts of the UK’s live sector must recognise and uphold the value of songs and songwriters, says a new statement from the Council of Music Makers. Published: 15 April 2026 Read more about Council of Music Makers Statement on the Role of Collective Licensing
MU General Secretary Raises AI Concerns with Prime Minister The MU has welcomed the Government’s rethink on AI but has emphasised the importance of copyright reform to the Prime Minister. While the shift away from an opt-out system is positive, we continue to call for Government intervention to ensure musicians are fairly paid as AI licensing grows. Published: 19 March 2026 Read more about MU General Secretary Raises AI Concerns with Prime Minister
New Member Discount at Third Floor Recording Studio The Musicians’ Union has teamed up with Third Floor Recording, a full-service recording studio in South London, to offer members discounted studio time. Published: 01 February 2026 Read more about New Member Discount at Third Floor Recording Studio