You may be eligible to utilize “low budget” sound recording rates, rather than the full rates of a regular session, provided that the entire budget for your full album project is under $99,000. For projects that are fewer than 12 tracks in length, this budget threshold is prorated on a per-track basis. For example, a recording project with four tracks must fit within a budget of $33,000; it is $8,250 per song. Projects with greater than 12 tracks must still fit within a budget of $99,000.

These rates cannot be used for soundtrack albums or theatrical cast albums. Theatrical producers might be eligible to record at a discounted rate under Schedule B of the Limited Pressing Agreement, provided that the production is not eligible for a Tony Award. 

All work during low budget sessions, like regular sessions, is filed on an AFM B-4 Report Form. 

 

 

Further Resources:

• SRLA Exhibit D on Low Budget Recordings
• Low Budget Scale Summary Sheet
• Toolkit: Sound Recording Labor Agreement

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