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WHAT IS AN ISRC CODE?We will define what an ISRC code is an breakdown the different parts of the code.

HOW ARE THEY USED?We will explain how ISRC codes are utilized in the united states by retailers and companies.

HOW DO I OBTAIN ONE?We will walk you through the registration process in required order to get your own ISRC codes for your products.

ISRC Codes: An Overview

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VYRAL MUSIC

Vyral University: isrc codes: An Overview

ISRC CODES ARE USED BY DIGITAL RETAILERS...Digital Retailers use ISRC codes as identifiers for tracks on sound recordings. These codes allow them to access information about each track on a release, acting as a digital fingerprint for that song.

ISRC stands for International Standard Recording Code

(for some reason many people refer to these as “ISRC

codes” despite the redundancy). These codes are imbedded

on each individual track of a release. Digital Retailers and

digital music companies use these codes to access

information associated with each track. The ISRC code is

much like a UPC barcode in that it is a 12 digit code, and it

is broken into four parts. You can use these codes to track

information regarding royalty collection and sales. One of the

most interesting things about an ISRC code is that it is not

changed with the exchange of ownership. The ISRC code

will stay with the track through it’s existence in the digital

realm.

ISRC Codes: An Overview

Here is an example of an ISRC code as issued by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America). The IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry) has been designated as the authority over the registration and obtainment of ISRC Codes worldwide, and has delegated that responsibility in the US to the RIAA.

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ISRC ANATOMY

Just like UPC Barcodes, ISRC codes are broken down into four main parts. These parts help to

identify each individual track. Let’s take a look at the different sections of an ISRC code.

COuntry CODE: The first two “characters” are actually letters. As you can probably tell, these two letters identify

the country where the SRCO (sound recording copyright owner) resides. Each country has a

specific two-letter code assigned to them. (obviously the code for the United States is “US”).

Registrant CODE: The next three “characters” are the registrant code. This is a unique identifier issued to each

registrant. When you register with the US-ISRC, they will provide you with your own unique

registrant code, which will be used of ALL tracks you own.

Year of Reference Code:The “year of reference” section of the ISRC code is a two digit code that references the year

that the ISRC was applied to the recording.

TRACK Identifier Code:The last 5 digits of the ISRC code are the track code. This code is generated by the registrant

and is a unique number to identify each track in the registrant’s catalog. This code cannot be re-

used after it is assigned to a track until one year has passed.

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HOW TO OBTAIN A Registrant Code:There is only one way to obtain a registrant code in the US, and that is through an online

registration process with the US-ISRC. Let’s walk through the steps of the registration process. You

can start by navigating to www.usisrc.org. Registration requires a one time fee of $75.00.

Getting Started:Locate the box on the US-ISRC.org homepage

that says, “Obtain a Registrant Code” and click

on the read more link.

SHort Questionnaire:There will be a series of 4 yes or no questions for you to answer to determine your eligibility.

Are you the SRCO? If you don’t have a record label then you most likely

Are you based in the United States.

Do you have more than 10K titles. I’m guessing this is a no.

If you are reading this article, then you probably don’t have one already.

when you are finished, click next to continue.

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HOW TO OBTAIN A Registrant Code:

Registration FormThe next step is a two part registration form. This form is very simple and shouldn’t take more than

a few minutes.

This is your name.

when you are finished, click next to continue.

Part 1 of 2:

If you do not have a label or a distributor, leave these blank

The rest of this information is dealing with the person who should be contacted regarding this registration and their contact info should be completed here. This is most likely your personal information.

Make sure to enter the code displayed to the right here.

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HOW TO OBTAIN A Registrant Code:

This is your name.

when you are finished, click next to continue.

Part 2 of 2:

This is the email where the registration info will be sent.

If You are the account manager as well, clicking this button will automatically fill in the rest of the form with the information entered in the previous step.

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HOW TO OBTAIN A Registrant Code:

when you are finished, click Pay By Credit Card to continue.

Registration Payment:The last step is to pay the $75.00 Dollar Registration Fee. You can choose to use the information

you provided in the previous steps or you can choose to enter your own billing information.

Billing Details:Depending on which option you choose, this form will pop-up with pre-filled with that information

(or blank of you choose “ I Will Enter Billing Info”.

Credit Card Details:The final step is to enter your credit card information. Make sure that the credit card you enter is

associated with the billing details you provided in the previous step.

when you are finished, click submit to process your payment.

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HOW TO CONSTRUCT AN ISRC CODE...There are 4 main parts to an ISRC code as discussed earlier. It

is very simple to make ISRC codes for your recordings. The first 2

sections will be the same for each code. The third section is

simply the last two numbers of the year (so codes made this year

would be “10”)

Maybe the only confusing part is the last section of the code

which is the Track Designation code. The US-ISRC recommends

that you start with 00001 and work your way up.

note: if you are registering video and audio, the US-ISRC

recommends that you designate audio recordings with a 9 as the

first digit in the code. ex: 90001

For Example:

ALBUM 1:

track 1 US - _ _ _ - 10 - 00001

track 2 US - _ _ _ - 10 - 00002

ALBUM 2:

track 1 US - _ _ _ - 10 - 00003

track 2 US - _ _ _ - 10 - 00004

you get the idea right?.....

These codes do not need to be registered with anyone, but

you should keep a spreadsheet record of all codes you assign,

and make sure to keep these codes unique to each track,

meaning that you should not re-use any codes.

SO WHEN DO I USE THESE CODES:

There are many different ways to use them, but two of the

major uses are digital distribution and registration with Sound

Exchange. When you are filling out your digital distribution

information, there will be a place to put the ISRC code for each

track. The same goes for Sound Exchange. When you are

registering your works, you will be asked to enter the ISRC code

associated with each work you register.

Sound Exchange: Sound Exchange uses these codes for tracking and reporting performance royalties.

WHO USES THESE CODES

Digital Retailers:Most digital retailers use these codes not only to track and report sales, but also to provide track information such as track length, track title, artist and album name, and more.

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There is no database for these codes...That’s right, there is no agency or organization

that keeps a database of these codes. They are

user-created and user-maintained. You do not

have to register your codes with anyone except

yourself. This has caused many people to

question the use and administration of this

system in general. Many people are calling for

a more uniform system with better record

keeping practices and guidelines.

Benefits of ISRC Codes...There are many benefits to having these codes

embedded on your recordings. Most media players can read these

codes. They give you a unique way to catalog your recordings. And maybe best of all, they allow you

to provide an accurate way for Sound Exchange and digital retailers to track your recordings. There

are many confusions about the actual use and benefit of this system, but until a better system is

devised and implemented, it is a good idea to obtain and implement these codes with all of your

recordings.

Difference between UPC Barcodes and ISRC’s.UPC Codes are used to track physical inventory. ISRC’’s are used to track digital inventory. They

do however share one similarity. Both of them can access information about the product/recording

and provide an easy way for retailers to catalog and report their inventory.

FACTS ABOUT ISRC CODES...

OTHER ARTICLES

• Preparing Your Release

• Digital Distribution 101

• Tunecore: An Overview

• ISRC Codes

• Neilson Soundscan: An

Overview

Obtain a UPC Barcode

Obtain ISRC’s

NEED MORE INFO

for more detailed information on

music publishing i recommend

checking out our bookstore for

some great guides to UPC Codes

and Distribution!

Click Here

The RIAA governs ISRC registration in

the US.