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You Need an ISRC # for each track            &   1 UPC #  to register your Single , EP or Album 

ISRC VS UPC/EAN codes

When talking about barcodes for music, it is important to draw a line between Individual Standard Recording Codes (ISRC) and Universal Product Codes (UPC), which are essential when selling music in both digital music platforms and physical stores.

The ISRC is an internationally recognized standard numbering system for identifying individual sound and music video recordings. Each ISRC code represents a unique 12 character code for a specific track and is permanently attached to it regardless of the changes of tracks’ ownership over time. Being recommended by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, an ISRC code serves as a digital fingerprint for each release and can be assigned by either national ISRC agencies or the IFPI.

Unlike ISRC codes, UPC barcode identifies the product as a whole, such as Music Albums, Singles, or ER, and is equally important for both physical and digital products released for sale. Hence, if the album is comprised of five tracks, five different ISRC codes will be needed for each of them, while only one UPC barcode will be required, which will carry information on the entire album. Alongside the UPC barcode that is mainly used in the USA, there is an alternative format of barcode, commonly used in other regions, while both types of barcodes can be read worldwide.

As product identification with barcodes is crucial for supply chain management and tracking sales, barcodes are required not only when selling music in the form of a CD in shops, but also when making your composition available on Amazon, iTunes, etc.

Benefits of barcodes for music

Apart from being a requirement when releasing music commercially, barcodes also provide a range of benefits for artists. Here are the main reasons why you should never question the importance and value of barcodes in the music industry.