ISRC finder

What is an ISRC?

An ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) is a unique identifier for musical recordings. It is an international standard code used to identify individual tracks or recordings. Each ISRC is a unique and permanent identifier for a specific recorded track and can be used to track sales and plays across various platforms and media.

An ISRC consists of 12 characters in the format "CC-XXX-YY-NNNNN", where:

1. "CC" represents the country code, indicating the country of the registrant.
2. "XXX" is the registrant code, assigned to the entity creating or owning the rights to the track.
3. "YY" is the year of reference, indicating the year the ISRC was assigned to the recording.
4. "NNNNN" is a unique designation for the recording, assigned by the registrant to differentiate it from other recordings.

ISRCs are used by record labels, music distributors, and digital service platforms to manage music catalogues, track usage, and distribute royalties accurately. They are crucial for the management and organization of music rights, especially in the digital age where music is widely distributed and accessed globally.

Who creates ISRCs

ISRCs are created and issued by national ISRC agencies, which are designated by the International Standard Recording Code International Agency, operating under the auspices of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI). These national agencies are responsible for assigning registrant codes to music creators, labels, or distributors within their respective countries.

The entities that typically apply for and create ISRCs include:

1. Record Labels: They often apply for ISRCs for tracks they are releasing. They use the registrant code assigned to them by their national ISRC agency.
2. Music Producers or Independent Artists: Independent artists or producers who release their music can also apply for a registrant code and create ISRCs for their recordings.
3. Music Distributors: Companies that distribute music on behalf of labels or independent artists may also handle the creation and application of ISRCs, ensuring that every track they distribute has a unique code.

Once these entities have a registrant code, they can generate ISRCs for each of their recordings. The ISRC uniquely identifies the recording and remains the same regardless of changes in ownership, distribution, or format, ensuring consistent and accurate tracking across various platforms and services.

Can a track have multiple ISRCs?

Yes, the same track can have different ISRCs under certain circumstances. This usually happens in the following scenarios:

1. Different Versions: If a track has multiple versions, such as a radio edit, extended version, remix, or live recording, each version can be assigned its own ISRC as they are considered different recordings.
2. Re-releases: If a track is re-released under a different label or in a different country, it may be assigned a new ISRC. However, it's generally recommended to keep the same ISRC for the same recording to maintain consistency across different platforms and services.
3. Historical Lack of ISRCs: Older tracks that were released before the ISRC system was adopted might receive different ISRCs when they are digitally remastered or reissued by different entities.
4. Errors or Mismanagement: In some cases, due to errors or mismanagement, a single track might inadvertently be assigned different ISRCs by different labels or distributors.

However, it's important to note that ideally, a single recording should maintain the same ISRC to ensure accurate tracking and reporting across all platforms and uses. This consistency helps with the management of rights and royalties. If different versions or significant changes are made to a recording, they should be considered as separate entities and assigned unique ISRCs accordingly.

Where can I find the ISRC for my track?

You can find the ISRC for your track through several methods depending on how the track was distributed or published:

1. From Your Distributor or Record Label: If you released your music through a record label or a digital music distributor (like CD Baby, TuneCore, DistroKid, etc.), they should have assigned an ISRC to each of your tracks. You can usually find the ISRCs listed in your account dashboard on the distributor’s or label's website.

2. Metadata of Digital Files: Sometimes, the ISRC can be embedded in the metadata of your music files. You can check this using various audio software tools that allow you to view and edit track information and metadata.

3. Music Registration Services: If you registered your music with national or international music rights organizations (like SoundExchange, PRS for Music, ASCAP, BMI, etc.), you might find your track’s ISRC in your account on their platforms.

4. Online Music Stores and Streaming Services: Platforms like iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, and others may display the ISRC for tracks in the details or information section. However, access to this information might vary depending on your relationship with the service (i.e., whether you are a listener or have an artist account).

5. Contacting Your National ISRC Agency: If you’re unable to locate the ISRC through the above means, you can contact your country's national ISRC agency. They might be able to help you track down the ISRC if it has been registered correctly.

6. Physical Media: For music released on physical media like CDs, the ISRCs are sometimes printed in the liner notes or on the disc itself.

If you're an independent artist who has self-published your music without going through a distributor, and you haven't applied for ISRCs, then your tracks may not have them. In this case, you would need to apply for ISRCs through your national ISRC agency or a designated ISRC manager.