No, you cannot use one ISRC code for all your songs.
Each individual song, or specific recording, requires its own unique ISRC (International Standard Recording Code). An ISRC is a distinct identifier assigned to a sound recording or music video.
Why Each Song Needs a Unique ISRC
- Unique Identification: Every ISRC acts like a digital fingerprint for a specific recording, making it easy to identify and distinguish it from other tracks, even different versions of the same song (e.g., a radio edit versus an album version).
- Tracking and Royalties: These codes are crucial for tracking the usage of your music across various platforms, including streaming services, radio, and digital downloads. They ensure accurate collection and distribution of royalties to the rightful copyright holders.
- Metadata Integrity: ISRCs are embedded within the metadata of your audio files, linking your song to its essential information, such as artist, title, and ownership details.
Re-releasing Songs with Existing ISRCs
While each song needs a unique ISRC, if you re-release or re-submit a previously distributed track, it is essential to use the same ISRC code that was originally assigned to that specific recording. This practice offers several benefits:
- Maintain Play Counts: Using the original ISRC ensures that the accumulated play counts and historical data for that track remain consistent across all streaming service providers, preserving your song's performance history.
- Consistency: It maintains consistency in how your recording is identified globally, preventing fragmentation of its digital footprint.
- Avoid Duplication Issues: Reusing the same ISRC for a re-release helps avoid creating duplicate entries in digital stores and streaming platforms, which can confuse listeners and complicate data tracking.
In essence, think of an ISRC as a unique ID for a specific recording. Just as each person has a unique ID, each distinct song recording needs its own ISRC.
