ISRC Explained: What Every Artist Should Know

An ISRC is a unique identifier for a sound recording. It is a fifteen-character code in the format L-ABCD-12-34567, where the first segment identifies the country, the second identifies the registrant, and the final digits identify the specific recording.

ISRCs are what a platform uses to identify a specific recording. A release can have multiple ISRCs, one for each track. The platform links those ISRCs to the master file it receives, and to the listener's play.

ISRCs are assigned by the rights holder or a licensed distributor. The rights holder can self-assign ISRCs, and the assignment should be recorded so the correct owner is identified.

The ISRC stays with the recording. If the master is remastered, the same ISRC is used. If the recording is reissued, a new ISRC may be assigned.

The practical side for artists: the ISRC should be in the metadata before the release ships. It should match the ISRC code sent to the platform, and it should be consistent across every service.