ISRC Codes.

ISRC CODES
The International Standard Recording Code

Q: Do I need to worry about using ISRC codes ?

A: If you release cd's on your own independant record label then : YES YOU DO!

Q: How do ISRC codes work ?

A: An ISRC code is encoded into your track and identifies it as belonging to you, it makes the job of logging radio plays and royalty collection much easier for all concerned. You'll get your royalties quicker and you'll also be able to prove that you own the recording.

Q: How can I issue an ISRC code ?

A: It's much simpler than you might think, in the UK you simply have to become a member of the PPL and once you become a member as a Record Company you will be issued a membership number, you can then request you ISRC Registrant Code.
It's free to join and from when you apply it usually takes about three weeks to get your membership confirmed. Here's were you can join http://www.ppluk.com/ Do It Now!

Q: How is an ISRC code constructed ?

A: it's basically 12 digits that are made up as follows:

ISRC Code Layout
Country Code	Registrant Code	Year Of Reference (2 Digits)	Designation Code
XX	XXX	XX	XXXXX

In the UK the country code is GB, the registrant code is the one given to you by the PPl, for this example we'll pretend that it was ABC, then follows the year of reference, just two digits to state what year the recording was released 2005 would therefore be 05. The final part would be the Designation Code, this is simply a five digit number that you designate to the track, this works with the year code and your designation code for each track should follow each other. So 00001 would be the first track 00002 would be the second as so on. Below is an example of a code you would issue for the first track you released in 2005. When you start a new year say 2006 you simply start from 00001 again.

Example ISRC Code Layout for first track in 2005
Country Code	Registrant Code	Year Of Reference (2 Digits)	Designation Code
GB	ABC	05	00001

Q: How is an ISRC code encoded into a track ?

A: It's done at the time you burn your audio master, you will have to use a program to construct your master that is capable of writing ISRC codes. I burn my masters on a Mac computer using Roxio Jam 6. This is a very good program for constructing an audio master to red book standard.
As with most audio cd programs you simply drag your audio file into the open project and fill in the ISRC field for the track with your ISRC code. The disc must be burned in DAO (Disc At Once) mode. I then print two copies of the listing of the master, I keep one for my records and send the other with the audio master for production.

Summary:
This is a very brief overview of ISRC codes but it does contain all the information that you need to start implementing the codes in your workflow. I believe they are essential for any label so if you haven't already, join the PPL now and get using them.

The International Standard Recording Code

The following information was taken from http://www.ifpi.org/ the international registration authority for ISRC:

IFPI is the ISO-appointed international registration authority for ISRC

What is the ISRC?
The ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) is the international identification system for sound recordings and music videorecordings. Each ISRC is a unique and permanent identifier for a specific recording which can be permanently encoded into a product as its digital fingerprint. Encoded ISRC provide the means to automatically identify recordings for royalty payments.

The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) recommends that all music producers use ISRC.

Benefits of using ISRC
The ISRC system is the key to royalty collection for recordings in the digital information age.

ISRC is a unique, reliable, international identification system.
ISRC provides a unique tool for the purpose of rights administration.
ISRC is a useful identification tool in the electronic distribution of music.
ISRC coding is compatible with standards developed in the field of consumer electronics and is readable by hardware already used in the recording industry.
ISRC is cost effective - it can be put into operation without requiring special investment in equipment or technologies.

For further more detailed information about the ISRC system, please contact:
International ISRC Agency
c/o IFPI Secretariat
54 Regent Street
London W1B 5RE
United Kingdom
Web: http://www.ifpi.org/
Email: isrc@ifpi.org
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7878 7900
Fax: +44 (0)20 7878 6832

How is an ISRC constructed?
An ISRC is made up of four elements:

ISO Country, e.g. GB for the UK, or US for the USA, DE for Germany, etc
Registrant Code, a three alpha-numeric unique reference (This is your personal unique code)
Year of Reference, the last two digits of the current year, e.g. ‘05’ for 2005
Designation Code, a five digit unique number, e.g. ‘00013’ (eg: This would be your 13th track in 2005)

The ISO Country Code and the Registrant Code are issued by the National Agencies or by the International ISRC Agency; the rest of the identifier is then allocated by the entity wishing to identify their sound or music video recordings.