Sound Recordings

Voiceovers are generally not covered by Sound Recordings, since a voiceover performance is usually part of an audiovisual work (commercial, TV program, trailer, etc.).

No. Instrumental musicians are covered by the American Federation of Musicians (AFM). Vocalists/singers are covered by SAG-AFTRA.

A Royalty Artist is the featured recording artist who is signed to a royalty contract with a signatory record label.

Yes, employers collect W-4s at the session to ensure that all proper tax deductions as required by law are made on all union wages. 

All Sound Recordings talent checks are required to be mailed to the SAG-AFTRA Local nearest to where the work was performed. When in doubt, you can send all checks to the LA Sound Recordings Department. 

No, it is a violation of the Sound Recordings Code for performers to be paid directly. To ensure proper payment, the checks are sent to the Local nearest to where the work was performed.

No.  Though record labels report royalty earnings to us for AFTRA H&R purposes, artist royalties are paid directly to the artist by their record label. However, we can assist an artist with obtaining copies of their royalty statements or other information from the label when necessary.

SoundExchange (www.soundexchange.com) – Distributes digital royalties (fees that digital radio services, such as Pandora, SiriusXM , webcasters and cable TV music channels are required by law to pay for streaming music) to featured recording artists.  SAG-AFTRA has a seat on the board of SoundExchange.