ISRC ?

[JDN]

I don't really understand how this whole thing works, sorry if it's a naive mastering questions, but could someone please explain. I assume the client registers, they come to the session knowing the pre assigned numbers, and you just enter those numbers into your software burning/mastering program of choice (jam, etc)

Do a lot of clients use this (major label and Indie)

Thanks

[Slogun]

You can search http://www.ifpi.com for ISRC. I also think that you can apply for your own ISRC there (at least that's the case in Sweden).

[A27Hull]

ISRC is written into a CD code much like audio data is, but its placement in the word is different. If i am not mistaken...

"Q: What are PQ codes and ISRC codes? top

A: PQ codes tell a CD player where each track and sub-index starts and stops, and are accurate to the CD frame, which is 1/75th of a second. This information is stored in the P and Q bits of the CD word. ISRC stands for International Standard Recording Code, and identifies the country of origin, the copyright owner, the year, and additional information specified by the copyright owner. This code is different for each track on an album, and is used and to track radio airplay."

taken from:http://www.georgetownmasters.com/faq.php#2 , a great mastering facility, BTW.

also, as Slogun illustrated, here is IRSC central:http://www.ifpi.org/isrc/index.html

My understanding is limited as well, but it is an identification code embedded into the CD data, and as far as I know, one does register for their own code.

According to the ISRC org. any entity can have their own code. Labels or publishers usually supply an artist with an ISRC, as they own it all practically, but you do not have to be part of a label to have a code.

If you want to be payed for airplay, yes, you want this.

As far as the program, I looked at my copy of Peak and Jam, Peak directed me to Jam, Jam has a entry point for ISRC.

I would suggest that an artist has the codes before going in for the mastering session.

Hope this helps,

Andrew

[JDN]

A27Hell,

Thanks for the info, that was basically what I was looking. My question still is, how comon is this? Are virtually all major label artists using ISRC codes now? What percentage of Indie artists are actually using ISRC codes on their masters

Basically, I was surprised cause I have a relatively indie client who asked me about this. I'm not sure if it's just a buzzword to them or if Indie artists really are starting to use ISRC codes.

[Slogun]

I would recommend getting an ISRC if you plan to release the album commercially (sell it in stores, play it on air/clubs etc). If it's a demo you just wan't to hand out to friends or at your local club to see the potential on the material... I'd wait.

[JDN]

It's a very indie project, hate to sound like a pessamist, but I can't imagine it's that relevant to their scenario, I'm happy to do it, seem to understand how as long as they provide the codes, just don't even really feel it's necessary for this project, that's why i'm testing the waters here to see if Indie artists(I.e. get like 1000 copies manufactured and sell them on their website and register with online distributors) are regularly using this or if it matters for them.

[A27Hull]

Originally Posted by JDN

A27Hell,

Thanks for the info, that was basically what I was looking. My question still is, how comon is this? Are virtually all major label artists using ISRC codes now? What percentage of Indie artists are actually using ISRC codes on their masters

Basically, I was surprised cause I have a relatively indie client who asked me about this. I'm not sure if it's just a buzzword to them or if Indie artists really are starting to use ISRC codes.

A27Hell, thats a good one...

This is standard industry practice. No matter if the label is indie, or major or whatever, they should have a ISRC code with label info directly in the code if they are a serious label. I would hope that any Independent label is keen enough to realize the benefits of having one. Its just better business- its an invisible stamp of ownership. Now, an "indie" band in the garage may not put these on their self-recorded album, and quite possibly do not know of its existence, but I still would suggest it.

Like Slogun said, if its not a commercial release, there may not be much point in bothering, but if you have the technology, do it.

[zenmastering]

I think that you'll need ISRC codes to upload songs to Apple's iTunes service/store...

It's worth getting into the habit of using them- very easy to setup.

Best,

Graemme

Originally Posted by JDN

It's a very indie project, hate to sound like a pessamist, but I can't imagine it's that relevant to their scenario, I'm happy to do it, seem to understand how as long as they provide the codes, just don't even really feel it's necessary for this project, that's why i'm testing the waters here to see if Indie artists(I.e. get like 1000 copies manufactured and sell them on their website and register with online distributors) are regularly using this or if it matters for them.

[JDN]

Originally Posted by zenmastering

I think that you'll need ISRC codes to upload songs to Apple's iTunes service/store...

It's worth getting into the habit of using them- very easy to setup.

Best,

Graemme

I'm not sure about that, I know CD baby will digitally distribute your music online via itunes and napster and others, and I'm pretty sure the CD's that I've Mixed for Indie artists didn't have any ISRC codes encoded at the mastering stage cause I know the clients certainly didn't ask about that and the mastering engineers never asked about it either.

[zenmastering]

Well, have a look at the "iTunes Producer" software -it says you need them and won't take no for an answer...

Anyway, no harm can come from adding ISRCs to a project and it takes seconds with a decent mastering application.

Originally Posted by JDN

I'm not sure about that, I know CD baby will digitally distribute your music online via itunes and napster and others, and I'm pretty sure the CD's that I've Mixed for Indie artists didn't have any ISRC codes encoded at the mastering stage cause I know the clients certainly didn't ask about that and the mastering engineers never asked about it either.

[neilwight]

the only clients i see who dont have/use ISRC are those just self promoting/selling.

everyone else uses them, even tiny labels, and its not something ive seen rising in recent times.

UPC/EAN codes are something that is more often left off by smaller labels

[Cellotron]

Also for USA based labels - ISRC's can be gotten (for free) from
http://www.riaa.com/issues/audio/isrc_faq.asp

Best regards,
Steve Berson

[olli]

Artists have never needed isrc to get paid for airplay. It has been printed to cds for 15 years or so, just in case some radio station or other institution begins to really use/need it at some point. Recently i-tunes began to use it for identifying songs. Since the producer code is very simple to get, there´s no reason to be without one. You just get 3 letters to stick on every song you have produced (if you own the copyright), + country, year, 5-digit serial number.
If you get your cd mastered without knowing if some label is going to release it, it´s better not to print your own isrc codes to cd. If you get a deal later, the record company wants to have their codes on the cd. In this case the codes can be printed on the cd cover. It´s a bit ugly though.

[Ricey]

i just mixed a band from Austin, TX here in Sao Paulo, BR. the CD will be released on a label in Tokyo, JP. the artist also wants to press the CD himself in the States for his own sales at shows.

ok, and the question is...... does the label in JP apply for the code, and does that same code 'direct' royalties to JP when used in the US??

[Nancy M]

the ISRC's stay with the Songs. Not the album.
If there are two versions of the album, one for Japan and a different for the US, the numbers for the songs stay the same if the songs are the same.

Hope that helps,
Nancy Matter
Moonlight Mastering

[Ricey]

it does, thanks!

[carlsaff]

Originally Posted by neilwight

everyone else uses them, even tiny labels

Not in my experience. I work solely with indies, and mostly tiny ones at that. I've only been asked to include ISRC by the larger indies, like Touch and Go and Merge. Then again, perhaps those are "tiny labels" from your perspective.

Most smaller acts don't bother, and many of them are selling via iTunes, as well, so not having ISRC certainly hasn't stopped everyone from going that route.

[jdg]

cdbaby and other digital aggregators will rip the CD to mp3 and assign an ISR code at that point if the tracks dont have one already.

[Bob Olhsson]

Since it's free, I think it's pretty silly not to use them.

[dcollins]

Originally Posted by Bob Olhsson

Since it's free, I think it's pretty silly not to use them.

That, and iTunes now requires them.....................

DC

[SLW]

excuse me jumping in here...

but whats with bands, wanting to distribute the songs by themselves, over tunecore gigs, some local airplay... no label.

i got a few bands, including my own, that want to get an isrc... so

how to get an isrc for an independent band?

i heard that some mixing studios here in germany offered isrc codes, and some distributors... hum thx for any input!

[Bob Olhsson]

In that case the band is the label!