Rate Guide: Tape Syncs
In 2025, the Association of Independents in Radio announced a partnership to adopt the Tape Syncers United Rate Guide. The partnership strengthens AIR's commitment to fair compensation standards in the audio industry. This collaboration integrates TSU’s tape sync rate recommendations into AIR’s comprehensive rate guide, offering greater transparency and consistent pay standards for audio professionals.
Download a PDF of the TSU Rate Guide for Tape Syncs
About the TSU Rate Guide
The TSU Rate Guide was established by a grassroots coalition of audio producers and tape syncers, drawing members from AIR and various public radio, audio, and podcast communities, who recognized the need for more frequent and equitable rate updates in the industry. The guide represents a collective approach to rate-setting, with its global membership voting on changes at least annually. All TSU members commit to maintaining these established minimum rates, ensuring consistent professional standards across the industry. Through this collective action, TSU has created a living document that responds to market conditions while protecting the sustainability of tape sync services.
FAQs
What is a basic tape sync?
- A tape sync producer/engineer travels to a source’s location to collect broadcast quality audio on a field recorder during a remote interview between a single source and show/company representative/producer/host
- Tape syncer’s basic audio setup includes one microphone, one recorder, one set of monitoring headphones, one xlr cable and one pistol grip or mic stand
- Tape syncer transfers high quality audio files to the hiring company within a defined timeframe (typically within 12 hours of completing the recording)
Suggested Minimum Rates for a basic tape sync: $235 minimum total for first hour Here are some of the typical costs that a tape syncer producer/engineer may charge for:
- First Hour (Labor and Basic Tape Sync Kit) $235
- Additional Hours $50-$100/hr
- Travel Reimbursement Mileage, tolls, parking, public transit cost, etc. If travel is more than 1 hour each way, expect to pay more than the minimum rate.
- Additional equipment / recording requests Depends on specifics; expect to pay at least $75 to $100 more than basic tape sync costs
What is a typical cancellation policy?
- Jobs canceled within 24 hours of tape sync are billed at 100%, the full rate
- Jobs canceled within 48 hours of tape sync are billed at 50% of rate
When can you expect to pay more for a tape sync?
- You may pay more if you are hiring an engineer with more experience (the rates above are minimums)
- If your tape sync requires more equipment or more complex setup beyond what is outlined as a basic tape sync: A set-up of two guests/microphones or more
- If your tape syncer needs to provide a computer, phone or other communication equipment for source to use
- If you request your tape syncer provide additional equipment, including but not limited to wireless microphones, specialty microphones, binaural microphones,
- ambisonic microphones, multichannel recordings, wireless internet hotspots
- Last minute bookings
- Quick turnarounds for audio recording transfers
If you need someone to do any of the following, what you need is a field producer or sound engineer, not a tape syncer:
- Man on the Street (MOS) aka “vox pop” or collecting lots of voices
- Procuring/forwarding consent forms
- Gathering of natural sound or field recordings that go beyond collecting the required ambient/room tone to accompany a tape sync interview
- Audio recordings of musical performances or live events
- Scripting or asking questions
- Cleaning up or editing recorded audio
- Taking photographs of the subject (including portraits or close-ups), landscape, details
- Requests to capture video of any kind
- When hiring a field producer or sound engineer, be prepared to pay a day rate based on the person's experience and geographic location. In most cases, a day rate will be higher than the rate you pay for a basic tape sync.
Why do producers / engineers charge gear or kit fees?
- High-quality, professional gear for a basic tape sync can cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars for a producer/engineer to purchase and maintain. A gear fee accounts for wear and tear and damage of the equipment. Typically, gear fees are less expensive than what it would cost a client to rent the same equipment for a recording.
Suggested questions to clarify when booking a freelance producer/engineer:
- How many people will the producer / engineer be recording?
- Will you need the producer / engineer to record any audio beyond the interview and room tone?
- How will the interviewee connect with the host/interviewer?
- Will you need the producer/engineer to provide a cell phone or laptop or headphones for the interviewee during the interview?
- Who will be the main point of contact on the day of the tape sync?
- How long do you expect the tape sync to last?
The following organizations have adopted our rates:
