What is an ISRC Code?

In today’s digital music landscape, understanding the International Standard Recording Code (ISRC) is crucial for artists looking to distribute their music through platforms like Distrokid. The ISRC is a unique identifier for tracks that helps in tracking their performance, copyright management, and earning royalties. Let's explore what an ISRC code is, why it’s important, and how you can get one for your music.

An International Standard Recording Code (ISRC) is a 12-character alphanumeric code that uniquely identifies a specific sound recording. It is essential for tracking the performance of a track across various digital platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube.

The ISRC is divided into four parts:

• Country Code: The country of the ISRC issuer (e.g., US, GB).
• Registrant Code: A unique code assigned to the issuer.
• Year of Reference: The last two digits of the year the ISRC was assigned.
• Designation Code: A unique five-digit code for the track.

For example, an ISRC code might look like this: US-S1Z-22-12345.

Why are ISRC Codes Important?

ISRC codes are vital for several reasons:

• Copyright Management: ISRC codes help in asserting and managing the rights to a recording.
• Royalties: Accurate royalty payments depend on proper tracking of ISRC codes.
• Distribution: Digital Service Providers (DSPs) use ISRC codes to catalog and distribute music accurately.
• Metadata: ISRC codes ensure the correct metadata is associated with each recording.

Ensuring your tracks have ISRC codes helps in maintaining a professional standard and provides clarity and transparency in your music’s distribution and earnings.

How to Get an ISRC Code?

There are a few ways to obtain an ISRC code:

• Become a Registrant: You can apply to become an ISRC registrant through the appropriate national agency in your country. In the US, this is managed by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
• Digital Distribution Platforms: Platforms like Distrokid can generate ISRC codes for you automatically when you upload your music. This is one of the easiest ways for independent artists to get their tracks identified.

ISRC Codes and Distrokid

Distrokid is a popular music distribution service that makes it simple for artists to distribute their music to multiple digital platforms. One of the conveniences offered by Distrokid is the automatic generation of ISRC codes for each track you upload. This eliminates the need for artists to worry about obtaining and managing ISRC codes manually.

Here's how it works on Distrokid:

1. Sign up for an account on Distrokid.
2. Upload your music tracks along with the necessary metadata (e.g., track title, artist name, album title).
3. Distrokid will automatically assign ISRC codes to your tracks during the upload process.

Using Distrokid, artists can focus more on creating and promoting their music while ensuring their tracks are professionally managed and ready for distribution.

Transferring ISRC Codes to SoundOn

Once you’ve obtained your ISRC codes, you might want to consider distributing your music on multiple platforms to reach a broader audience. SoundOn is an excellent choice for artists aiming to build a solid career through enhanced distribution and marketing tools. You can easily transfer your ISRC codes to SoundOn and continue to track your music's performance across various channels.

Conclusion

Understanding and using ISRC codes is essential for any artist looking to protect their recordings, manage their rights, and ensure they receive appropriate royalties. Platforms like Distrokid streamline this process by automatically generating ISRC codes for your music. Additionally, services like SoundOn can further enhance your distribution and marketing efforts, giving you the tools to succeed in the competitive music industry. Don’t wait; find out more about SoundOn today!