Recording Musicians—Signed & Unsigned

Whether you are working as a session player, writing jingles, or recording your band in your garage, the AFM is there to make sure your work is protected and that you get paid properly.

You work hard recording. We work hard collecting for you. The AFM Electronic Media Services Division (EMSD) administers recording contracts negotiated between the AFM and record companies. These recording contracts cover the whole communications spectrum including broadcast and non-broadcast media. The major types of agreements are for Records/CD's, Motion Pictures, Television Films, TV Variety Programs, TV and Radio Commercial Announcements, Radio, Non-broadcast Industrial Films, Videocassettes, and Interactive Media.

What We Do Here at Local 6

1. Assist with filling out report forms, ensuring that your session gets properly documented
2. Assist with understanding which AFM contracts and forms to apply to your recordings so you can budget your session(s)
3. Assist with distributing report forms after the session is recorded 

Do we have a recording check for you?

Contact Tony Orbasido
Local 6 Recording Department
(415) 575-0777 ext. 305
tony@afm6.org

FAQ

Q. Why should I record using AFM contracts?

A. Not only will you be guaranteed a decent wage (scale) which includes a pension contribution, but when/if one of the tunes you played on is placed in a movie, a commercial, etc., the AFM will collect the royalties owed to you. This is similar to what ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC do for writers and publishers—but it’s for the musicians who played on the recording.

Q. What is The Sound Recording Agreement?

A. A national collective bargaining agreement (link) established in the 1940’s between The AFM, the Major labels and many independent labels.

History: The United States does not have a “Performance Royalty” for musicians like the rest of the world. To remedy this situation, in the 1940’s the AFM led a national strike which lasted for a whole year in which no new recordings were made. This brought the record labels to the bargaining table, and eventually national contracts were established.

Q. What does Signatory mean?

A. The Producer or Record Label on the project has signed the AFM Sound Recording Agreement, or related agreement.

Q. How can I tell if the producer or label I am recording tracks for is Signatory?  

A. Ask them, and/or call Local 6, or the AFM Electronic Media Services Division.

Contact: Patrick M. Varriale (Contract Administrator)
E-mail: patrickv@afm.org
Telephone: (212) 869-1330 x 234
See further information on the web

Q. My band is recording a CD to get gigs and sell at shows. We are not signed to a label—yet. How can the AFM help us?

A. What if the tracks are stolen? Misused? The band breaks up? Is there legal protection if you are ripped off? Additional front money when you sign with a label? Additional royalty revenue? The Bandstand Record Agreement addresses these concerns for groups with two to eight members who share equally in the profits, royalties, or other monies generated by the use of their recordings. Go to the national AFM site to find out more…

Q. I’m a singer/songwriter producing my own CD’s and releasing them on my own label. How can the AFM help me?

A. Recording your sessions under AFM Agreements gives you access to new revenue streams that cannot be had outside of the AFM (Special Payments Fund & New Use Payments). Go to the national AFM site to find out more…

For more info regarding AFM Recording Agreements, please visit the Electronic Media Services Division at the AFM Website

Other Resources:

Local 6 Recording Committee Website
The official website of the Local 6 Recording Committee.


SF State University Music/Recording Industry Program