JPF Home Page Forums General Messages Songwriter Message Forum ISRC-International Song Recording Coding??

I haven't been on this site in a while and don't know if this was ever discussed. Has anyone had their songs coded (ISRC)? ISRC stands for International Song Recording Code.To explain what this is: this encodes your songs so that when they are played on the radio (online or otherwise), the # of times played is tracked and sent to the PROS for royalties. I was told that when you have a demo produced, you can't do this because you need permission from the hired musicians who did the demo in order to release to radio. Anyone know? Thanks!

Haven't read anything here. Maybe when a song is recorded and released by a Major Record Label it is given a readout in the recording so a Radio Station can read it and record the plays for Pro Payouts. I understand songs are sent now as files rather than physical product. Perhaps the file contains such information that may be added as the file is sent?

Not a pro, but as I understand this, the contract and remuneration scales are different for demos and songs recorded for release. Demos are not meant to be played to the general public, so session players earn less. The intent for use is spelled out as limited to demoing the song.

So obtaining a "release from the session players" is likely part of the "this is to be played to the general public" clauses and the session players are paid accordingly...and the song can then be played on the radio.

If you send your CD to someone like CD Baby for release, they will assign ISRCs to each song to identify them digitally. Presumably that helps communicate airplay to the PROs and to Soundscan.

Whether or not you can release your songs that were recorded as demos is between you and whoever made the demo. Different pay rates for session musicians for demos vs release are union rules, not laws. You can choose who makes the demo based on their policies in that regard if you wish. There are thousands of songs released with ISRC codes for which the musicians weren't paid anything at all.

Hi Donna:

Each of my three albums included ISRC codes. In the case of a demo song, permission must be granted or an agreement between you and the demo singer and all involved in the recording must be reached prior to use of the song(s) for purposes other than demo.

The ISRC Code is the tracing mechanism for airplay and other use but is no guarantee that airplay, etc. will actually occur... nor payment will be made to the songs creator.

Regards, ----Dave

ISRC is required for all digital forms of music sales. Downloads and streams. Its also used now by traditional broadcasters when they have the metadata for a song.

It stands for the International Standard Recording Code.

Its is doled out to label type entities by the RIAA. Any body can get a setup if they plan on being their own label.

I have one, two actually. I keep a spreadsheet of all my released recordings and what their metadata (which includes each individual ISRC). If you have a recording and give it an ISRC code, then do a remix, the remix requires a new ISRC.

There are rules to how they are used and you are asked to follow them. Here's the PDF link for the rules: http://isrc.ifpi.org/downloads/ISRC_Assignment_Document_Draft.pdf

Most digital distributors these days will have their own ability to dole out ISRCs to non-signed artists. One, because its required. Two, because they know full well that most non-signed artists have no clue and couldn't care less.

BTW - there is also an ISWC number as well. However, that is doled out only by a PRO (in the US that is only doled out by ASCAP - if you're with SESAC or BMI, you have to request it from your PRO who then has to get it from ASCAP for you) and generally has to be requested. This number is required often when doing deals with major networks for music use.

If you wish to start your label, then go to http://www.usisrc.org to get an ISRC setup. They've started charging a one time setup fee. But once you get it, its yours for life.