**Guest post written by Scott McCormick, originally featured in the Disc Makers Blog.

 

 

 

"Whether you’re releasing tracks digitally or on physical formats like CDs and vinyl, ISRC codes are indispensable tools for tracking sales and revenue. These unique identifiers will ensure your music gets the credit it deserves and will enable proper revenue tracking and compensation.

If you’re new to ISRC codes, don’t worry — this guide will demystify the process and show you how to obtain ISRC codes for your music.

What is an ISRC code?

The International Standard Recording Code (ISRC) is a unique 12-character alphanumeric code assigned to individual audio or video recordings. Every single song that is distributed for sale must have an ISRC. If you have an album of 14 songs, each song will have a unique ISRC.

What’s more, every release of each song gets its own unique ISRC: the album version, the single version, the CD version, the vinyl version, the digital streaming version, etc. They each get their own ISRC.

In the photo below, you can see some of the many ISRCs for Billie Eilish’s song, “Everything I Wanted.”

 

 

 

Think of it as a digital fingerprint for your track, distinguishing it from every other recording in the world.

ISRCs are widely used in the music industry to track plays, streams, and sales across platforms. Whether your song is streamed on Spotify, played on the radio, or sold on vinyl, the ISRC ensures your recording is properly tracked, helping you collect royalties and gain insights into your revenue streams.
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Why ISRC codes matter for indie musicians

Every song by every musician needs an ISRC, whether it’s the latest Taylor Swift single or a Frank Sinatra classic from the ‘40s. For independent musicians, however, ISRCs are particularly crucial. Without the backing of a major label, tracking your music’s performance can be a daunting task. ISRCs simplify this process, offering transparency and accuracy.

By using ISRCs, indie musicians can:

• Ensure proper credit for their work, even without extensive industry infrastructure.
• Track revenue from a variety of sources, including digital streaming, physical album sales, and radio play.
• Collect detailed data on where and how their music is being consumed, enabling smarter business decisions.

In a competitive landscape dominated by major-label artists, having ISRC codes in place will ensure you won’t miss out on the revenue and recognition your music deserves.
+Chartmetric Year in Music 2024 [Spotify]

How do ISRC codes work?

Before we dive into how to get ISRCs, let’s look at how they work.

What the ISRC code actually means

Here is a breakdown of what the letters and numbers in an ISRC mean:

ISRC codes are 12 characters long, in the form “CCXXXYYNNNNN.”

• CC is a two-digit country code. The United States, unsurprisingly, has the code US, but since 2010, new codes QM, QZ, and QT have also been allocated to the United States.
• XXX is the three-digit alphanumeric code of the ISRC issuer.
• YY is the last two digits of the year in which the ISRC was assigned to the song — not the year that the song was recorded.
• NNNNN is the five-digit number assigned to that particular recording.

Tracking plays and sales

 When your track is assigned an ISRC, it becomes uniquely identifiable across all platforms. For example, when someone streams your song on Spotify, the ISRC embedded in the file ensures that the play is recorded and linked to your account. Similarly, if your CD or vinyl record is sold, the ISRC helps track those physical sales.

Over time, these ISRCs generate data that aggregates into reports, helping you monitor how well your music is performing and where your revenue is coming from. Many artists also register their ISRCs with Luminate registration services to ensure their music is accurately tracked for chart performance and royalty calculations.
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Benefits of using ISRC codes for physical albums

While ISRCs are often associated with digital music, they’re just as important for physical albums. If you sell CDs or vinyl at gigs, through online stores, or via distributors, the ISRC attached to each track ensures those sales are accounted for.

This tracking is invaluable for indie musicians, ensuring that physical album sales contribute to performance data on platforms like Nielsen SoundScan (used for chart rankings) and royalty reports. Without an ISRC, you risk losing credit for these sales.

How do I get an ISRC code for music?

Now that we know how ISRCs work, let’s look at how to get them for your music.

Getting an ISRC from a distributor

The easiest way to get an ISRC is through music distribution services or through a CD manufacturer like Disc Makers.

With Disc Makers, the process is automated and free. Disc Makers customers get an ISRC code at no additional cost.

Platforms like CD Baby, DistroKid, TuneCore, and others automatically assign ISRC codes to your tracks as part of their distribution services.

Here’s how it works:

1. Upload your music to the platform.
2. As part of the release process, the distributor generates and embeds ISRCs for each track.
3. These codes are included in your release data, ensuring seamless tracking.

Some distributors include ISRC generation in their fees, while others may charge a small additional cost. Check with your chosen distributor for details.
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Registering for ISRCs independently

If you prefer to handle ISRC codes yourself — perhaps because you’re releasing music without a distributor — you can register directly with your country’s designated ISRC agency. For example, in the United States, you should use this site.

Here’s an overview of the process:

1. Visit your national ISRC agency’s website.
2. Complete the registration process to become an ISRC manager.
3. Once approved, you’ll be able to generate ISRCs for your recordings.

This option provides greater control and flexibility. There is a one-time fee of $95 for each registrant, which will allow you to submit up to 100,000 individual ISRCs.

How to embed an ISRC code in your music files

Once you have an ISRC for your track, embedding it in the audio file ensures it’s recognized everywhere it’s played. Most digital distributors handle this for you, but if you’re managing your own files, here’s how:

• Use a digital audio workstation (DAW): Some DAWs allow you to embed metadata, including ISRCs, directly in your WAV or MP3 files.
• Tag it with metadata software: Tools like MP3Tag or Kid3 let you manually add ISRCs to your files.
• Check with your mastering engineer: If you’re working with a professional mastering service, ask them to embed the ISRC in the final track.
• Confirm with your distributor: When uploading your track to a distributor, ensure your ISRC is properly assigned in their system. This step prevents issues where a track isn’t properly credited, ensuring smooth tracking and royalty collection.

When should you get an ISRC code?

It’s best to secure ISRC codes before releasing your music. By embedding these codes in your tracks from the start, you ensure accurate tracking from day one. This is particularly important for pre-releases, ensuring any early streams or sales contribute to your performance data.
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You’ll also need a new ISRC in certain situations, such as:

• Re-releases: If you release a remastered version of a track, it will need a new ISRC.
• Alternate versions: Remixes, live recordings, or translations in other languages also require new ISRCs.

Common questions about ISRC codes

Do I need an ISRC for a cover song?

Yes. Next question.

Can I use the same ISRC for different versions of the same song?

No. Each version of a song needs its own ISRC. For instance, a remix or live performance is considered a separate recording and requires a new code.
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How are ISRC codes different from UPC codes?

ISRCs identify individual tracks, while UPCs (Universal Product Codes) identify an entire product, such as an album or a CD. Think of ISRCs as specific to a single song and UPCs as covering the entire package.

What’s the difference between an ISRC and an ISWC?

An ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) identifies the recording of a song, whereas an ISWC (International Standard Musical Work Code) identifies the composition itself. If you’re still finding it confusing when comparing ISRC vs. ISWC, think of it this way: the ISRC applies to a specific recorded version of a track, while the ISWC remains tied to the original composition, regardless of how many versions exist. For example, if you record a cover of a famous song, the ISRC applies to your recording, while the ISWC applies to the original composition.

Make your mark with Disc Makers

As we mentioned above, Disc Makers will automatically assign you ISRCs for any song you release with us at no additional cost. We will assign you unique codes for your songs that you release on CD, as well as custom vinyl pressing and digital streaming.

Thanks to Disc Makers, you will be able to distribute your music. And thanks to ISRCs, you’ll be able to track your sales, too.

Ready to take control of your music’s future? Explore your options for obtaining ISRC codes today and ensure your next release is fully prepared for success."

 

 

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