What Is an ISRC Code & How to Get One

When you hear the term "ISRC code," you might think it's just another bureaucratic hassle. While that’s a fair thought, it’s important to understand that ISRC codes actually play a vital role.

These unique identifiers are essential for anyone looking to distribute music commercially, and there really aren't any substitutes. So, if you want to ensure you receive proper and timely compensation for your work, it’s a good idea to get to know ISRC codes. 

What Is an ISRC Code?

ISRC stands for International Standard Recording Code. It's a unique identifier assigned to a specific audio or music video recording. Think of it as a digital fingerprint for your song or music video. Each ISRC is a 12-character alphanumeric code that provides a permanent and unique way to identify music recordings.

Only one ISRC is issued to a track, and an ISRC can never represents more than one unique recording. The ISRC is independent of the format in which the recording appears (CD, audio file, etc.) or the rights holders involved. Once assigned, an ISRC should never change, even if the rights to the recording are transferred to a new owner.

Why Are ISRC Codes Important?

It's safe to say that ISRC codes are a key element in navigating the modern music business, especially for digital distribution and royalty tracking. Here's why:

● Standardized Identification

ISRC codes provide a universal system to uniquely identify specific sound recordings and music videos across all digital and physical formats. This standardization enables accurate tracking and monitoring of music usage globally.

● Royalty Tracking and Payments

ISRCs are crucial for ensuring proper royalty payments to rights holders. They enable automatic identification of recordings, allowing royalties to be accurately calculated and paid out whenever music is streamed, downloaded, or played. Missing or invalid ISRCs can lead to delayed or lost royalties.

● Comprehensive Usage Tracking

With an ISRC code, rights holders can track where, when, and how frequently their recordings are being used worldwide. This data provides valuable insights into a recording's reach and performance across different markets and platforms.

● Digital Commerce Integration

ISRC codes are widely integrated into digital music platforms, download sites, and collecting societies. They are a core part of the metadata that powers the global music industry's digital infrastructure.

● Commercial Release Requirement

For any commercially released music, ISRC codes are an absolute necessity. The industry unanimously emphasizes that there is no alternative to using ISRCs if you want to distribute music and get paid. Distributors and retailers will not accept recordings without valid ISRC codes.

● Lifelong Tracking of Recordings

ISRC codes allow rights holders to track the "life" of a recording, including where and how often it is played, streamed, or downloaded. This data is invaluable for understanding a recording's performance and impact over time.

The Structure of an ISRC Code

An ISRC code consists of 12 characters, divided into four elements:

• Country code (2 characters). It represents the country where the ISRC was assigned.
• Registrant code (3 characters). It identifies the entity that assigned the ISRC.
• Year of reference (2 characters). The last two digits of the year the ISRC was assigned.
• Designation code (5 characters). A unique identifier for the specific recording.

For example, in the ISRC code "USRC19904206":

• "US" represents the United States
• "RC1" stands for RCA (the registrant)
• "99" indicates the year 1999
• "04206" is the unique identifier for this particular recording

When Do You Need an ISRC Code?

If you're releasing music commercially, you absolutely need ISRC codes. Here are some common situations where you'll require these unique identifiers and why.

● New Songs

Whenever you put out a brand new track, it needs its own ISRC code. This code acts like a fingerprint for your recording, allowing it to be recognized by streaming services, radio stations, and other platforms. Without an ISRC, your new song won't be properly tracked or paid out.

● Remixes and Covers

Even if you're recording a cover version of someone else's song or creating a remix of one of your own tracks, you'll need a fresh ISRC code. Remixes in particular are considered different recordings, since they often include significant changes to the original.

● Live Versions

If you release a live version of a previously recorded song, it needs its own ISRC. The live recording is a distinct performance that needs to be identified separately for tracking and royalty purposes.

● Music Videos

Although primarily visual, music videos also require their own unique ISRC codes. The video recording is considered a separate product from the audio recording and needs to be identified as such. Music videos are often used for promotional purposes, so having a unique ISRC enables tracking of views and monitoring for royalties when the video is used commercially.

● Audiobooks

For audiobooks, each individual chapter requires its own ISRC if the chapters were recorded separately. This enables chapters to be tracked and paid out individually, which is important if they are released or used on their own.

● Podcasts

Every single episode of a podcast needs a unique ISRC. Podcast episodes are considered individual recordings, even if they are part of a series. The ISRC allows each episode to be properly identified and monetized across different platforms.

How to Get ISRC Codes

There are several ways to obtain ISRC codes for your recordings:

• Contact your national ISRC agency. Each country has its own ISRC agency that can provide you with ISRC codes.
• Use a digital distributor. Many digital distribution platforms, such as TuneCore, DistroKid, or CD Baby, provide ISRC codes as part of their service, often at no additional cost.
• Become a registrant. You can register with your national ISRC agency to generate your own ISRC codes. This usually involves a small fee but gives you the flexibility to create codes whenever you need them.
• Through your record label. If you're signed to a record label, they will typically handle ISRC assignment for your recordings.

Once you have obtained ISRC codes, you need to generate a unique ISRC for each recording, embed the code into the metadata of your audio file (usually done during the mastering process), register the ISRC with your chosen agency or distributor, and include it in the album packaging or liner notes if you're releasing physical copies.

The Cost of ISRC Codes

In the United States, the ISRC Agency charges a one-time fee of $95 to obtain a Registrant Code. This fee is non-recurring, allowing you to assign up to 100,000 ISRCs each year without any additional charges. Once you have your Registrant Code, you can generate ISRCs for life, making it a cost-effective solution for artists and labels planning to release multiple recordings over time.

If you fully utilize the capacity of 100,000 ISRCs in a year, the cost per code drops to less than a cent. Even for smaller releases, such as one album per year over five years, the expense averages about $1 to $2 per track, which is relatively affordable compared to other industry identifiers.

For those who may not want to pay the upfront fee, some digital distributors offer ISRCs as part of their distribution services at no extra cost. Approved ISRC Managers can also provide individual codes, often on a song-by-song basis, which is more economical for artists with limited output.

If you anticipate releasing multiple tracks or albums, securing a Registrant Code is likely the most cost-effective route. For artists planning to release only a few songs, using a digital distributor or ISRC Manager may be the better option.

ISRC Codes vs. Other Identifiers

It's important to understand how ISRC codes differ from other identifiers in the music industry:

ISRC vs. ISWC

ISRC and ISWC (International Standard Musical Work Code) serve different purposes. ISRC codes are specifically designed to identify individual recordings of a song, such as a specific audio file or music video. For instance, if an artist releases a studio version of a song and later records a live version, each of these recordings would require its own unique ISRC code to track their usage and associated royalties.

On the other hand, ISWC codes identify the underlying musical composition, which includes the music and lyrics. This means that the ISWC is linked to the song itself, regardless of how many different recordings or performances exist.

ISRC vs. UPC

Another important identifier in the music industry is UPC (Universal Product Code). While ISRC codes are focused on individual tracks or recordings, UPC codes are used to identify entire products, such as albums, EPs, or singles. For example, a physical album released on CD or vinyl will have a UPC code that identifies the entire product, whereas each track on that album will have its own ISRC code.

The UPC is essential for retail sales and inventory management, allowing stores and online platforms to scan and track products efficiently. In contrast, ISRC codes are crucial for digital distribution.

We recommend to assign ISRC codes as early as possible in the recording and production process to avoid any mix-ups or delays. Maintain detailed records of which ISRC codes are associated with each of your recordings.

Never reuse an ISRC, even if the original recording is no longer being distributed or used. Lastly, always include the ISRC in the metadata of your digital audio files. This embeds the code directly into the recording and ensures it travels with the file, enabling proper identification and tracking.

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