What is an ISRC Code for Cover Songs?

The music industry is filled with numerous technical terms and codes that can be quite confusing, especially for new artists. Among these, the term ISRC is often mentioned when discussing music distribution, like on platforms such as SoundOn and DistroKid. But what exactly is an ISRC code, and how does it relate to cover songs? Let's delve into the details and understand its significance in music distribution.

Understanding ISRC Codes

ISRC stands for International Standard Recording Code. It is an internationally recognized code uniquely identifying sound recordings and music video recordings. Think of it as a digital fingerprint for your music. Each ISRC code is unique to a specific song or music video, ensuring that each track can be accurately tracked and compensated for plays. The structure of an ISRC code includes the country code, registrant code, year of reference, and designation code.

Importance of ISRC Codes

The ISRC code is crucial for several reasons:

• Tracking and Royalty Collection: ISRC codes ensure that you get paid for your work. Whenever a track is played on radio, streaming services, or other platforms that require performance rights, the ISRC code helps track these plays and collect the appropriate royalties.
• Metadata Management: ISRC codes are part of the metadata of each track, helping identify the song, artist, and other important details. This helps in managing large catalogs and ensuring accurate distribution of tracks across various platforms.
• Preventing Duplicates: Two different tracks can have similar names but unique ISRC codes. This ensures that each version or remix of a track can be identified separately, preventing mix-ups and duplication.

DistroKid and ISRC Codes

DistroKid is one of the popular music distribution platforms that help artists get their music on various streaming services and online stores. When you release music through DistroKid, the platform provides ISRC codes for each of your tracks. Here’s how it works:

1. Automatic Generation: When you upload your music to DistroKid, the platform automatically generates unique ISRC codes for each track. You don’t need to worry about generating these codes yourself.
2. Embedding ISRC Codes: DistroKid embeds these ISRC codes into the metadata of your tracks. This ensures that the codes are included whenever your music is distributed to streaming platforms, online stores, or other digital services.
3. Tracking Plays and Royalties: The ISRC codes provided by DistroKid help in tracking plays and collecting royalties from streaming platforms. This ensures you get paid for every play of your tracks.

Cover Songs on DistroKid

Cover songs are a popular way for artists to pay homage to their favorite tracks while gaining attention from a broader audience. Releasing cover songs involves specific steps and considerations on platforms like DistroKid:

• Obtaining Licenses: Before releasing a cover song, you need to obtain the necessary mechanical licenses. These licenses allow you to legally distribute and earn from your cover versions.
• Using DistroKid Cover Song Service: DistroKid offers a service to help artists obtain the mechanical licenses needed for cover songs. This simplifies the process and ensures you comply with copyright laws.
• ISRC Codes for Cover Songs: Just like original tracks, cover songs need ISRC codes. DistroKid generates and assigns ISRC codes for each cover song you upload, ensuring they are tracked and monetized correctly.

Navigating Music Distribution with SoundOn

While we've discussed ISRC codes and cover songs in the context of DistroKid, it’s essential to note that many other platforms, such as SoundOn, also offer comprehensive services for music distribution. Understanding the importance of ISRC codes and their role in tracking and monetizing your music can significantly impact your success as an artist.

Conclusion

ISRC codes are indispensable in the music industry, ensuring that each track is uniquely identifiable, tracked, and monetized correctly. Platforms like DistroKid and SoundOn provide essential services, including the generation and embedding of ISRC codes, to help artists manage their music releases effectively. For artists releasing cover songs, obtaining the necessary licenses and ensuring proper metadata management with ISRC codes is crucial for legal distribution and earning rightful royalties.

Navigating the complexities of music distribution and understanding the significance of ISRC codes can empower artists to maximize their reach and revenue in the digital music landscape.