Which PRO is the best to join?

[dlivahh]

Say friends, which PRO is the best to join?I'm considering between ASCAP & BMI.I have visited both websites, and haveheard different opinions. Perhaps someadvice from personal experience wouldbe helpful.Much ThanksDLIVAHH

[hummingbird]

Quote: Say friends, which PRO is the best to join?I'm considering between ASCAP & BMI.I have visited both websites, and haveheard different opinions. Perhaps someadvice from personal experience wouldbe helpful.Much ThanksDLIVAHH I don't think it really matters, from all I've read, except that Ascap also deals with creative property outside of songwriting. However, I have noted that quite a few writers belong to BMI, so if there's a reason... it would be good to know.I believe though, that if you get a publisher you have to switch to their PRO anyway.

[davewalton]

Hello,Since each PRO has scores of top artists, songwriters, composers, and musicians it would appear that it doesn't really matter. Otherwise the top people would only be in one place.Having said that, there is one potentially significant difference that I know of. ASCAP pays full rate for music appearing in Infomercials while BMI only pays 1/3 rate. I know this because my first TV placement happened to be - you guessed it - in an Infomercial. Now that's kind of a limited situation. Probably most composer/musicians, even those with significant activity in TV placements, never have music placed into an Infomercial. So if you're specifically targeting a career in the Infomercial market then definitely join ASCAP. Our own Matto has been with BMI for many (maybe many, many and possibly many, many, many) years and he has expressed on more than one occasion that he's very happy with BMI.HTH,Dave

[matto]

You should not join a PRO based on payments unless you only plan to be active in a very limited part of the market (such as infomercials for example ), in which case you should obviously research which pays better there.One reason for that is that the pay schedules change from time to time. What you should do is either try to set up a meeting with a rep of each if you live near one of the music centers, or at least have some email or phone contact with them...see which one makes you feel more welcome. Ask about what they offer to writers beyond just royalty distribution (showcases, career assistance, things like that). Base you choice on that.As far as payment...at this moment BMI pays slightly better for instrumental bg music on TV, ASCAP pays slightly better for songs on TV, BMI pays significantly better for top radio songs, ASCAP pays significantly better for infomercials...One of my publishers feels that BMI treats "the little guy" (such as music library composers) considerably better than ASCAP. One thing unique to BMI is that once you have an established a sizeable library catalog BMI will actually pay you and advance at the beginning of each year against your expected royalties...which can be a big help to a struggling composer...on the other hand ASCAP has the "special fund" and "special survey"...So as I said unless you work in a very limited field, the payments even out more or less.matto

[edteja]

I have been vacillating between the NBA and NASCAR myself. NBA has higher opening payments, but I think NASCAR has a better endorsement program.

[andreh]

Quote:As far as payment...at this moment BMI pays slightly better for instrumental bg music on TV, ASCAP pays slightly better for songs on TV, BMI pays significantly better for top radio songs, ASCAP pays significantly better for infomercials...Matto-Can you point me to your sources for the above info? I've looked over both ASCAP and BMI's websites and haven't found payment schedules in a clear format on either.Thanks,Andre

[stephen]

Can any of you explain exactly what PRO stands for and what it means. I'm new to the term.Thanks

[matto]

Quote:Matto-Can you point me to your sources for the above info? I've looked over both ASCAP and BMI's websites and haven't found payment schedules in a clear format on either.No I can't, it's all first or second hand info off of my own royalty statements or those of some of my publishers who have been kind enough to share (where we had 50-50 splits between an ASCAP and a BMI writer). You won't find any direct comparisons anywhere that I'm aware of. BMI's royalty information booklet is pretty clear and relatively straightforward, ASCAP uses a complicated formula that I don't think could be figured out by most lay persons...So as far as I know empirical evidence is the only way.But as I said it will probably balance out for most people who have a mix of performances...And Stephen: PRO = Performing Rights Organizationmatto