If you've ever submitted a release through a distributor or tried to register your music with APRA AMCOS, you've probably come across the term ISRC. It's one of those things that gets mentioned a lot in the music industry without much explanation of what it actually is or why it matters.
Here's everything you need to know.
What is an ISRC Code?
ISRC stands for International Standard Recording Code. It's a unique 12-character identifier assigned to a specific recording of a song.
The key word there is recording. If you record the same song twice, each recording gets its own ISRC. A studio version and a live version of the same track are two different recordings and need two different codes.
An ISRC looks like this: AU-G12-26-00001
- AU: Country code (Australia in this case)
- G12: The registrant code assigned to the rights holder or distributor
- 26: The year of registration
- 00001: A unique five-digit identifier for that specific recording
Why Do ISRC Codes Matter?
ISRC codes are how the music industry tracks streams and sales across every platform in the world. When your track is played on Spotify, downloaded on Apple Music, or licensed for a TV show, the ISRC is what connects that play back to you so you get paid.
Without an ISRC, your music can still be distributed, but you're making it harder for royalties to find their way back to you. Collecting societies like APRA AMCOS use ISRCs to identify and pay out mechanical and performance royalties.
They also matter when you're pitching your music. Sync supervisors, music supervisors for film and TV, and radio stations all use ISRCs to track and license tracks correctly.
Do You Need an ISRC Code Before You Release?
Yes. Your ISRC should be assigned before your release is delivered to streaming platforms. Most distributors, including G.Y.R.O., generate and assign ISRCs automatically as part of the release process.
If you already have ISRCs from a previous distributor and you're moving your catalogue across, use your existing codes. Assigning a new ISRC to an existing recording creates a duplicate in the system and can cause problems with royalty tracking.
How Do You Get an ISRC Code?
There are two main ways:
Through your distributor: Most distributors assign ISRCs as part of the release process. G.Y.R.O. includes free ISRC codes with every release. You own the codes and take them with you if you ever change distributors.
Through ARIA (the registrant for Australia): If you want to self-manage your ISRCs, you can apply directly through ARIA to become a registered ISRC assignee. This makes sense for labels or artists releasing a large volume of music.
What Happens if You Lose Your ISRC Codes?
This is more common than you'd think, especially if you've moved distributors or released music years ago without keeping records.
If you're on G.Y.R.O., you can find your ISRCs in your catalogue dashboard. If you released through another distributor, try logging into your account there or emailing their support team.
You can also use findmyisrc.com, a free tool that searches the global ISRC database to find codes linked to your recordings. Search by your artist name and track title.
If all else fails, email support@gyro.music and we can help track them down.
Can You Use the Same ISRC on Different Platforms?
Yes, and you should. The whole point of an ISRC is that it's a universal identifier. The same code is used across every platform that carries your recording. It's what links streams from Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, TikTok, and everywhere else into a single record for royalty tracking purposes.
Don't create a new ISRC for the same recording just because you're uploading it to a different platform or re-distributing through a new distributor.
ISRC Codes vs UPC Codes
Artists sometimes confuse these two.
ISRC: Identifies a specific recording. Each track has one.
UPC (Universal Product Code): Identifies the release as a product, such as an album or EP. The whole package has one UPC, while each track within it has its own ISRC.
Both are assigned when you distribute through G.Y.R.O.
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