Look, we get it... There are sites that suggest you get ISRC or UPC codes for "free". Here are some things you might consider when evaluating that as an option:
1) Do I get them right now? Today?
2) Will I really own my ISRC or UPC codes or does the provider?
3) Are they properly issued to my audio/video recordings & my releases and are permanent records kept of this issuance to me?
4) Do I get my ISRC or UPC Codes without paying for some kind of other service they're going to be "bundling me" with?
5) Do I have to give up anything else?
The tricky part are the terms and conditions with some of these services/sites. You may find that you are granted “conditional usage rights” only, meaning that you get you use the “free” ISRC or UPC codes as long as you keep doing business with them. Which is great for starters, but what if they go under or if you want to move on to another company? You want full ownership and transferability of your ISRC or UPC codes in case you decide to take your business elsewhere. You want to be sure that this is the case.
Another concern about getting these bundled codes is the timing. Most often, they are issued upon submission to distribution when you upload to a site. Getting your codes (ISRC & UPC) at this stage can be a bit late for various reasons:
- Your mastering house usually wants your codes for the purpose of including them in the PQ-data encoded in the DDP (replication master).
- Your graphic artist will need the UPC barcode when you start working on your cover design so that they can include in your back cover (CD or Vinyl) before you even start making the albums.
- PRO (Performing Rights Organization) Registrations - Some (not all) of the PROs now collect codes as part of their registrations of your works for royalty collection/tracking.
- Copyright registration – In the United States, the U.S. Copyright office asks for your ISRC code(s) at the time of filing for your copyright and it makes sense to submit your recordings to the copyright office fully identified (embedded with your codes, artist name, title, cover art) prior to distribution.
- SoundScan registration - Who is handling this and when? Registering for the Billboard charts requires your ISRC & UPC Codes and should happen before the first sale takes place.
- MediaBase registration - Who is handling this and when? Registering your work for airplay tracking with an airplay tracking organization should happen before songs go live (Mediabase does ask for ISRC and UPC to help disambiguate the song/release registrations).
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We get you release-ready with ISRCs for your music & video, UPCs for your releases (single, album, etc.), along with META data embedding into your works, and even chart registration help if you need it, right now (as in TODAY) with no strings and no gimmicks.
We have worked hard to make the process as simple as possible. Let’s get started…
- If you are looking to first learn more of about ISRC codes, please click here for the FAQ (frequently asked questions).
- If you are ready to purchase your ISRC codes and/or UPCs, please click here.
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"I am thoroughly pleased with the ISRC team. Because of their efficiency in handling my music, I was able to clinch a deal with a publisher the same day. In the music business timing is essential. I thank isrc.com for making that happen."
Bonita Secunda
Breaking Point Productions
New Haven, Vermont -
"I received my ISRC codes in a neat spreadsheet with an amazingly fast turnaround time. I also made use of the chat system where a friendly agent was able to address my queries of being a first time user of the service with an immediate and effective response. I was very pleased and will be using this service again for our next release :)"
Robert Godfrey
Mayhem Deranged
London, United Kingdom -
"Easy, effective and personable. Got it all done online and when I did have a question, I got to speak to a REAL person (with a sense of humor)."
Carmela Rappazzo
Myth and Legends (iTunes | Amazon)
New York City, NY -
"This was our first time purchasing ISRC Codes. isrc.com has a very easy to understand website, easy purchasing process, and for the simple questions that I had, a very quick and responsive customer service chat function. The codes were delivered via e-mail in just a few hours and we were able to move forward with the rest of our music project. We will use the ISRC Team again for sure."
Rob Rigoni
Budapest West
Seattle, Washington -
"The customer service at The ISRC Team is incredible. They have a live chat option and are very responsive and helpful. Anything to make the tedious process of music uploading more efficient and enjoyable is appreciated. And ISRCmusicCodes goes above and beyond."
Christyn Trelow
N3WLEVEL
Los Angeles, CA & Nashville, TN -
"I had a lot of questions about ISRC that were answered quickly and friendly, and was given great peace of mind. It was a pleasure working with you."
Wesley Jensen
Wesley Jensen Music
Redding, California -
"We’re very pleased with your service. The friendly staff made ordering ISRC Codes easy for us. We look forward to working with you in the future."
Holger Kermer
A-Minor Records & Publishing
St. Gallen, Switzerland -
"The easiest step of the whole CD production process was purchasing our ISRC codes from you. Super fast and accurate service. We could not be happier!"
Jaigh Lowder & Jill Manning
Lowder & Manning Music
Petersburg, IL, USA -
"Thanks for the rush delivery on our ISRC codes tonight - you are fantastic! We will definitely use you guys again!"
BLUEBERRY TRICYCLE
Texas, USA -
"I received my order fast and in time. I will be using your services in future."
Sergey Sukhotskiy
DJ Molniya
Novorossiysk, Russia -
"All was really easy and you guys were great to work with. Thanks!"
Phil DaRosa
TPS Presents
Martha's Vineyard, MA -
"Got my ISRCs hassle free and super quick. Thanks for the great service!"
Angela Dodson Music
Nashville, Tennessee -
"Excellent service, thank you!"
BJ Estares and Route 61
Disk Dog Noise Reproductions
Colorado Springs, CO, USA -
"We’re happy with your service. Thank you for your help!"
Suffreny Plancher
The Profession Entertainment Music Group
Van Nuys, California -
"Thanks for the great service!"
Rodney Bakerr
Rockin' House Records
Chicago, Illinois -
"As a first time customer with a pressing deadline, I found the service exemplary and the ISRC delivered as promised. I really appreciated the well-informed representative who made the process easy to understand."
Aenea Keyes
MusicAEterna
San Anselmo, California -
"Getting ISRC codes for my band's CD could not have been easier! The purchase was easy and they were emailed to me the next morning. I will definitely be back for our next album!"
Gregory Mathews
Fwaza Music
Chula Vista, CA -
“As a new start-up Company, being able to call on the expertise of the team at Simply Barcodes has been a huge help to us, we have launched over 20 new products this year, with another 20+ to come in Q4, all globally, and the team has been extremely supportive of these efforts to ensure we are compliant with both UPC and EAN requirements around the world. We owe them a huge thanks!!”
Jerry Simons
SMS Audio - by 50 CENT
Delray Beach, FL -
“I'm extremely happy with your service, thanks!”
Hao-Yue
Hollywood, California -
“I was pleased with your ISRC service.”
Drummer Casey Glass
Loveland, Colorado -
“I am happy with my experience with Simply Barcodes. I own a digital printing shop and I was impressed with the ease of the process. All we had to do was order and that same day we were able to put the barcode in the packaging artwork. I did not have any problems.”
Ysabelle Roy
DIGIPUB
Port-au-Prince, Petion Ville, Haiti -
“I recommend Simply Barcodes for any small business who is ready to get started and needs UPC codes. I had my code within one hour and I did not expect such a quick response. The delivery time was great!”
Vanessa Rivera
MiamiHot Productions
Miami, FL, USA -
“This was our first foray into the world of barcodes. It was all a little daunting the more people you speak to about how to create them, what information is required and so on. Then we found Simply Barcodes and voila we had high resolution print-ready barcode for our new product release.
Thanks for the help and turnaround under 2 hours is just amazing!”
David Russell
F7 Studio
Toronto, Canada -
"I will definitely do business with you next time I need ISRC codes. Very easy and fast. isrc.com is the way to go."
Carmen Grillo
Big Surprise Music
Encino, California -
"Thanks for great and prompt service! I am totally satisfied!"
Leroy Griffith JR
Leroy Griffith JR
Brooklyn, New York City -
"I own a music business based in Nashville, TN. I was very happy with how easy it was to register and receive these codes. It was made simple to understand and I got my codes on the same day. I’m very happy! Thank you!"
Brad Nowell
NSound Entertainment
Nashville, Tennessee -
"Thanks for the great service. I will definitely be back for more."
Jerry Christie
Toluca Lake, California -
"The interactive scroll on isrc.com takes you directly to the section you need to read, saved me a lot of time. The info in each section was also very concise and answered each question I had about ISRC codes. Thank you ISRC Team!"
William Cusack
William Cusack Music
Garden City, GA -
"As an entrepreneur I’d like to give very high complements to your company. I’m impressed by your level of expertise even with products that aren’t precisely your line of work. You answered every question with incredible professionalism and ethics… that’s something I don’t take for granted. As an artist, I’d like to express my infinite gratitude for making my deadline your own and working on a Sunday to return my codes so I can make it on time. A heartfelt thank you from me to you! Love & Light."
Yisel Duque
Duque Productions
Miami, Florida -
"My experience with ISRCmusicCodes was GREAT!!! I can put my song on ANY site I want and receive recognition for it. So, instead of my song just being heard and talked about, my plays can now be tracked. Kudos to ISRCmusicCodes!!!!"
Kashmir Satchel-Jarrett
College Park, GA
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