Let’s say you’re moving your catalog to a new distributor. You’ve got your masters, artwork, and release info ready to go, but then you’re asked for your existing ISRC and UPC codes.
Were you supposed to keep them? Can your new distributor just give you new ones? What happens if you use different codes this time around?
ISRCs and UPCs are part of every release, but situations like this make it especially important to understand how they work. Using the right codes helps your music stay properly identified as it moves between distributors, while certain changes to a track or release may require new ones.
If you’re preparing to switch distributors, re-release music, or just want a better understanding of how your catalog is identified behind the scenes, you’re in the right place.
Here’s everything you need to know about ISRCs and UPCs, when to keep them, and when it’s time for a new code…
Key Takeaways
- ISRCs identify individual recordings. If the same recording is released again or moved to another distributor, keep its existing ISRC.
- UPCs identify releases. When transferring the exact same release to Symphonic, reuse its existing UPC. A different release version may need a new one.
- Changing distributors does not change ownership. A distributor assigning an ISRC or UPC does not make that distributor the owner of your music.
- Keep your own catalog records. Save ISRCs, UPCs, release dates, titles, versions, and other metadata outside your distributor dashboard.
What Is an ISRC?
An ISRC, or International Standard Recording Code, is a unique identifier assigned to an individual sound recording. Think of it as that recording’s permanent ID. Every track you distribute needs one, and if you’re distributing through Symphonic, an ISRC can be automatically assigned to each track during the release creation process. If you already have an ISRC for a recording, you can use that instead.
An ISRC identifies the specific recording, not the song itself. So if one song exists in a few different versions, each recording is treated separately:
- Original studio recording = one ISRC
- Remix = a different ISRC
- Live version = a different ISRC
- Instrumental version = a different ISRC
If that exact same recording shows up again on another release, though, it keeps its original ISRC. You’re identifying the recording itself, not every release it appears on.
An ISRC also doesn’t prove who owns the master or controls the rights. If Symphonic (or another distributor) assigns the code, that doesn’t make them the owner of the recording. The ISRC simply identifies which recording you’re dealing with.
What Is a UPC?
A UPC, or Universal Product Code, identifies a release as a whole rather than an individual recording. It’s essentially the release’s unique ID, similar to the barcode used to identify a physical product. Every release needs one, and Symphonic can automatically assign a UPC when you create your release if you don’t already have one.
Here’s an easy way to picture the difference between the two codes.
If you release a 10-track album:
- The album gets one UPC
- Each of the 10 recordings gets its own ISRC
The UPC is tied to that particular version of the release. So, if you later put out a Deluxe Edition with three additional tracks, that’s a different release and needs a new UPC. The original recordings themselves can still keep their existing ISRCs.
The same idea applies to physical (such as vinyl or CDs) and digital releases (such as streaming and UGC). Even if the music is identical, they’re considered separate products, so Symphonic requires a different UPC for the digital release. The ISRCs for the recordings can stay the same.
Who Actually Owns Your ISRC and UPC Codes?
If your distributor gives you an ISRC or UPC, that doesn’t mean they own your music. The code is just there to identify the recording or release.
At Symphonic, the codes provided through our system are registered through GS1, but that doesn’t make Symphonic the rights holder. The same idea applies if another distributor assigned the code.
You also aren’t stuck with a distributor just because they gave you those codes. If you move your catalog somewhere else, you can still use your existing ISRCs and UPCs when they apply to the same recordings and releases.
The code identifies the music.
It doesn’t decide who owns it.
What Happens to Your Codes When You Switch Distributors?
When moving your catalog to Symphonic, you can enter your existing UPCs and ISRCs when creating your releases.
For an unchanged release, that means:
- Keep the existing ISRCs for each recording.
- Keep the existing UPC if you’re transferring the exact same version of the release.
- Make sure the rest of your release metadata matches the existing release as closely as possible.
Reusing your existing ISRCs helps DSPs recognize that the tracks delivered through your new distributor are the same recordings that are already live. That connection helps preserve existing play counts and streaming history instead of treating the tracks like brand-new recordings.
If you’re transferring the exact same release to Symphonic, you should reuse its existing UPC too. If you’re changing the release itself, like adding bonus tracks for a Deluxe Edition, you’ll need a new UPC for that version.
Before you start the transfer, pull together your existing codes along with the rest of your catalog metadata.
It’s way easier to have everything ready before you start rebuilding releases with your new distributor than to go hunting for old codes halfway through the process.
📚 Ready to make the switch? Check out How to Switch Distributors Without Losing Streams or Playlists to make sure you do it the right way.
Where to Find Your Existing ISRCs and UPCs
If your catalog is already distributed through Symphonic, you can find your existing codes right inside the SymphonicMS.
Here’s how to find them:
- Go to Catalog → Releases and select the release you’re looking for.
- You’ll find the UPC under the Release Details tab.
- Scroll down to the tracks section to find the ISRC assigned to each recording.
If you’re working with a larger catalog, there’s an easier option than going release by release.
Under Catalog → Releases, select Export Full Catalog to download your catalog inventory, including your UPCs, ISRCs, release titles, track titles, and other metadata.
📌 Need a hand? Check out the full walkthrough in our guide to finding UPCs, ISRCs, and exporting your catalog inventory.
A Few Tips Before You Go…
Once you start releasing more music, keeping track of your ISRCs and UPCs should become part of your regular catalog management. You don’t want the first time you go looking for an old code to be when you’re already halfway through a catalog transfer.
To help you out, here are a few good habits to get used to that can save you the headache later:
- Keep your own catalog records. Maintain a spreadsheet or database with your releases, tracks, UPCs, ISRCs, release dates, and version information. Don’t make your distributor dashboard the only place this information lives.
- Export your catalog periodically. Having a recent copy of your metadata gives you something to reference if you switch distributors, change teams, or need to audit an older release.
- Check before generating a new code. If you’re uploading music that has been released before, look through your records first. You may already have the ISRC or UPC you need.
- Be specific about different versions of a track. A remix, instrumental, live recording, and original master may share a title and composition, but they’re different recordings. Labeling them clearly in your own records makes it much easier to match each one with the right ISRC.
- Get more organized as your catalog grows. This becomes even more useful for labels and artists managing multiple projects, where hundreds or thousands of identifiers can add up quickly.
We hope this guide cleared things up and helps you feel more confident managing your catalog moving forward.
If you have any additional questions, please check out our Help Desk for more info.
Good luck!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I keep my ISRC when switching music distributors?
Yes. If you are transferring the same recording to a new distributor, keep its existing ISRC. An ISRC identifies the recording itself and should continue to identify that recording when it moves between distributors.
Do I need a new UPC when switching distributors?
If you are transferring the exact same release to Symphonic, reuse its existing UPC. If you create a different version of the release, such as a Deluxe Edition with additional tracks, that version needs a new UPC.
Can two releases use the same ISRC?
Yes. The same recording can appear on multiple releases using the same ISRC because the ISRC identifies the recording, not the release that contains it.
Does an ISRC prove who owns a recording?
No. An ISRC identifies a specific sound recording, but the code itself does not establish master ownership or control of the recording’s rights.
Does a remix need a new ISRC?
Yes, when the remix represents a different recording. Live versions, remixes, instrumentals, and other distinct recordings generally receive their own ISRCs.
