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[Adam Dempsey]

Following on from the below MP3 thread, we're uploading label material (licenced) to iTunes and are told "ISRCs are a requirement for uploading to iTunes" (and is a mandatory field  in the iTunes Producer application used for uploading).

Now, this is in process of discussion as, being an optional code under Sony/Philips specs, many will know the fraction of releases that actually feature ISRCs.

Anyone encountered this? Or applied ISRCs retrospectively? (our owner code was allocated years ago, so that side is sorted).

I can only imagine how many versions of, for example, 'Caravan' and 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' are on this jazz label's catalogue..!

[TotalSonic]

ISRC's are free and readily available from the RIAA - everything you need to know is found at
http://www.riaa.com/issues/audio/isrc_faq.asp

Best regards,
Steve Berson

[turtletone]

I know that most of the Distributors now require not only ISRC codes for everything, but also CDTEXT. From what I gather, they are using something that rips all the info and creates the ID3 tags during the conversion. basically they want to do less work and lay it on us.

[Ronny]

Adam Dempsey wrote on Sun, 29 January 2006 22:52

Following on from the below MP3 thread, we're uploading label material (licenced) to iTunes and are told "ISRCs are a requirement for uploading to iTunes" (and is a mandatory field  in the iTunes Producer application used for uploading). Now, this is in process of discussion as, being an optional code under Sony/Philips specs, many will know the fraction of releases that actually feature ISRCs. Anyone encountered this? Or applied ISRCs retrospectively? (our owner code was allocated years ago, so that side is sorted). I can only imagine how many versions of, for example, 'Caravan' and 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' are on this jazz label's catalogue..!

ISRC's are the responsibility of the label, Adam. Or in the case of a self-produced band, the producer, artist, songwriter or whoever owns "the recording". Unless the owner of the recording is affliated with the studio or ME, than he should want to register his company for his own ISRC's. Once the material leaves the ME's hands, the project is signed off and paid for, than logging of where it goes is not typically a concern of, or in the ME's interest. iTunes is using ISRCs to log impressions (i-net airplay times X stations) and for a count on download sales. Songs may have the same title, same lyrics, same arrangement and be different recorded versions of the same song, but the ISRC identifies "the recording" as unique not necessarily the song and associates the owner of a version of a recording or mix. Unless you are getting points and have a vested interest in the recordings, I would advise your clients to have the owner of the material register with IFPI. Once you know his registrant code, you can assign the numbers from the number where the client wants them to start, typically 00001 for a first timer. If the first cd or video has 12 songs, 00001-00012, the first recording on the next album  would start with 00013 and so on.  

[Adam Dempsey]

Yep, I understand the allocation process. Australia was the 4th country to adopt ISRCs. I didn't clarify that this is for content from our afilliate label. It just presents an immense amount of work for us (the 3 ME's) including admin, as all pre-existing titles will need codes, possibly remastering with ISRCs so they are included in future replication. Also, of course, ISRCs must be different for different mixes and lengths of a given piece.

It may not be the big deal I envisaged if it's a case of just starting at 00001 with the first album - whatever that be - just that this requirement was noticed only in the uploading application and we weren't sure if it really was mandatory.