Stephanie G. Mathis Are you preparing to release a brand new album or single? Before you can start selling your album on the internet, there are many things to prepare. Understanding ISRC codes will help you with your release plan.
You can sell your music through your website if you are an independent musician. So, you will get more money as an artist.
You’ll need ISRC codes to report each song to Billboard. If you own a Bandzoogle site and choose the Pro plan, you can report sales to Luminate.
Let’s answer some of your questions, such as where to find ISRC codes, what to do with them, and how to make sure that your music is sent to Luminate.
What is Luminate, and why is it so important to my music?
Luminate, a music chart tracking system, reports its findings to Billboard. They track music sales in the United States and Canada. Your tracks must have ISRC codes attached to them in order for your music to be considered for the Billboard charts.
It’s not essential, but getting your song on the Billboard chart can be a great measure of success. Independent artists are more successful than ever.
Demonstrating that you are able to sell music is a great way to book shows and generate buzz for your band. The media, record labels, management, and potential sponsors will be interested in your music.
What is the ISRC code, and why would you need one?
ISRC is an acronym for the International Standard Recording Code. This is a permanent and unique identifier of a sound recording that’s used to measure sales.
What music tracks can be reported?
Luminate can track any music product with an ISRC code. Your track must also sell for at least $0.39 US, and your album must sell for at least $3.49 USD.
Who can apply for an ISRC code
You can request an ISRC code if you own the track rights.
How can I obtain the ISRC code for my music?
You may already have these codes if you use a digital distributor, such as CD Baby, to distribute your music on streaming platforms. You can find ISRC codes for each track by checking your distributor’s account.
If you don’t have your music distributed by an aggregator but want to submit sales to Luminate, you will need ISRC codes.
In the United States, check out http://www.usisrc.org to obtain a Registrant Code (which allows you to assign ISRC codes) or look for an ISRC manager to assign codes for you. You can also use a service like www.isrc.net.
The ISRC code is permanent. Think of it as a digital signature—you only need to obtain it once.
How can I add ISRC codes to the tracks on my website?
You can add ISRC codes to tracks on your Bandzoogle site to ensure that your digital sales will be reported to Luminate. Here’s how:
To add a feature, click Add feature.
You can upload your track.
Enter your ISRC code in the ISRC code field.
When will Luminate (formerly SoundScan), the music industry’s sales reporting agency, report online music purchases made through my website?
Daily, Luminate reports to you the US and Canadian digital sales of music made via your Bandzoogle site.
All sales will be reported after your album has been released if you have set up a pre-order.
How can I report the sales from live shows?
Venu is a service that allows you to report live venue sales to Luminate.
Encourage your viewers to download your latest release directly from your website if you’re live streaming.
Do my music streams get reported to Luminate?
Luminate currently does not track streams. Selling music online would be the best option if your goal is to chart.
Have more questions about Luminate? You can find more information in our article Reporting sales to Luminate.
