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ISRC codes uniquely identify each recording and are embedded in the CD's Q-channel subcode during mastering

Fact L1Foundations D · Mixing, mastering & loudness

The International Standard Recording Code (ISRC, ISO 3901) uniquely identifies each sound recording. ISRCs are embedded in the Q-channel subcode of a CD during mastering. A recording changed in any way (a re-mix, a playing-time change, a processed historical recording) requires a new ISRC, and an ISRC may never be reused — enabling worldwide tracking of the correct recording.

Examples

A mastering engineer placing PQ codes for a 12-track album enters 12 ISRCs, one per track; an album version and a single edit of the same song get different ISRCs.

Assessment

What does an ISRC identify, where is it stored on a CD, and when must a new one be issued?

Prerequisites — understand these first

Don't confuse with

Sources

“ISRC stands for International Standard Recording Codeand was developed by ISO (International Organization for Standardization) to identify sound and audio-visual recordings.”
corpus · bobby-owsinski-the-mastering-engineer-s-handbook-direct-down · chunk 20

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