Artist guide
ISRC basics
An ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) is the ID number for one specific recording. Streaming services and royalty systems use it to know which recording was played.
What it looks like
An ISRC is 12 characters: a two-letter country code, a three-character registrant code, a two-digit year and a five-digit number. It is often written with dashes, like US-ABC-26-00001. The dashes don't count toward the 12.
One recording, one code
Each recording gets its own ISRC. A radio edit, a remix or a re-recorded version is a different recording and needs a different code. Two tracks on the same release should never share an ISRC; AIE's Release Builder flags it if they do.
You may not need to buy one
Most distributors issue ISRCs for free when you upload. If you don't have one yet, mark it 'assign later' in the Release Builder; it'll note that your distributor can issue one instead of blocking you.
If a song already has an ISRC from an earlier release, reuse that same code for the same recording.
ISRC vs UPC
The ISRC identifies a recording. A UPC identifies the whole release (the single, EP or album). A release has one UPC; each song on it has its own ISRC.
Do it now
The Release Builder checks each track's ISRC format, catches duplicates and lets you mark codes your distributor will assign.
Open the Release BuilderGeneral information from how AIE Music works, not legal advice.
