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International Standard Recording Code
This code (ISRC) identifies each track of a CD. |
The ISRC (International
Standard Recording Code) was developed by ISO (International Organisation for
Standardisation) to identify sound and audio-visual recordings. It is known as
International Standard ISO 3901. ISRC is a unique identifier for each recording that makes
up the album. If a recording is changed in any way it will need a new ISRC, but otherwise
will always retain the same ISRC independent of the format it is in.
The ISRC is contained in the subcode (Q-channel) and is unique to each
track. Each ISRC comprises 12 characters divided as follows:
| Length (chars) |
Description |
| 2 |
Country (eg GB for UK) |
| 3 |
First owner (allocated by
Phonographic Performance Ltd for audio) |
| 2 |
Year of recording (actually
the last two digits) |
| 5 |
Designation code (assigned
by first owner) |
ISRC Problems
In applying the ISRC problems can occur. The following list
clarifies some of these:
| Example |
Result |
| Re-mix: multiple recordings
produced in the same recording session without any change in orchestration, arrangement or
artist |
new ISRC per recording |
| Playing time changes |
new ISRC |
| Compilation without editing
of individual tracks |
same ISRCs |
| Processing of historical
recordings |
new ISRCs |
| Back catalogue |
new ISRC for first
re-release |
| Recordings sold, distributed
by agent(s) |
same ISRCs |
An ISRC code may not be re-used.
ISRC Agency
The address of the International Agency which administers
the ISRCs is:
International ISRC Agency
c/o IFPI Secretariat
54 Regent Street
London W1B 5RE
United Kingdom
Email: isrc@ifpi.org
Telephone: 44 (0)20 7878 7900
Fax: 44 (0)20 7878 7950
Website: www.ifpi.org/isrc
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"ISRC is a unique identifier of each recording that makes
up the album"
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