Guides & Tutorials
ISRC vs. UPC: What Each Code Does
Learn what the two codes on every release identify, where you get them, and where to enter them in Vandall so the release is not held up.
In short
- ISRC identifies the recording. UPC identifies the release.
- ISRCs come from your PRO or distributor; UPCs usually from your distributor.
- In Vandall, type the ISRC into its own field on the Metadata tab. Add the UPC as a custom field.
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ISRC identifies a recording
The International Standard Recording Code identifies one specific audio recording. A remix has a different ISRC from the original, even if the song is the same. Format: two country letters + three alphanumeric + two year digits + five serial digits, e.g. USRC17607839.
- Same recording on a single and later on a compilation = same ISRC.
- Remix, re-record, or live version = different ISRC.
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UPC identifies a release
The Universal Product Code (also called EAN or barcode) identifies the release: the single, EP, or album as a product. If you release the same recording on a single and later on an album, the ISRC stays the same but the UPC differs.
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Who issues them
ISRCs are issued by your national ISRC agency (e.g. RIAA in the US, PPL in the UK) or assigned by your distributor on request. UPCs come from GS1 or, more commonly, are auto-assigned by distributors like DistroKid, CD Baby, or TuneCore.
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Where they go in Vandall
Open the track's Metadata tab. You'll find an ISRC field under Main release information. Type the code in when your distributor gives it to you. UPC has no field of its own. If you track it, scroll down to Custom Metadata on the same tab and click Add custom field.
Tips
- No ISRC yet? Leave the field blank and fill it in when your distributor assigns one. A release submitted with an invalid ISRC gets bounced.
- One UPC can hold many ISRCs (an album). One ISRC can appear under many UPCs (singles reissued on compilations).
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