Metadata in its simplest form is data that describes information about other data. In terms of distributing music, this refers to the individual parts of information that make up a release. Such as the artist names, release/track titles, language, release date, genre, unique identifiers, rights-holder information, and more.
How We Use Metadata for Your Releases:
When artists and record labels sign up for music distribution, they will be expected to provide the audio and artwork files. They will also be asked to provide key metadata that the DSPs need. Through MyClientZone’s custom-built My Music Distribution Zone [MMDZ] system, artists and labels working with our distributor clients will be asked to provide essential and optional metadata fields to fill out. Once input and all files uploaded, the release is then submitted for delivery to the platforms. DSPs will process audio and artwork files, and metadata will be linked to the release on their platform.
Key Detail: UPC
The UPC (Universal Product Code) is the unique identifier for an individual product. In this case, the ‘product’ is a digital music release (single, EP, or album). It is sometimes referred to as the Barcode or EAN. A unique UPC needs to be assigned to each audio release to assist in identifying it. It is also essential when tracking sales, streams and royalties generated for the release. The same way a physical store will sell a CD with a barcode graphic on it, streaming and download platforms will need each release to have a UPC.
It is worth noting that a new UPC will be required for each version of the product. For example, a different UPC will be required for a digital version of an album and the same album but sold physically as a CD. Likewise, if an artist releases a remastered version of their album, they will need a new UPC for the remaster.
How Do You Get A UPC For Music?
Fortunately for most artists, it will be up to their record label or distributor to provide them. Companies can purchase UPC barcodes from sites like GS1.
When working with My Client Zone, our white label distributor clients will be provided with UPCs to assign to releases. This means their artists and labels don’t have to buy barcodes. Instead, the My Music Distribution Zone system will automatically assign a unique UPC to each release uploaded.
Key Detail: ISRC and ISWC
ISRC stands for International Standard Recording Code.
This is the identifier that refers to the specific master copyright recording of a track. Where UPCs track the release as a whole, ISRC’s are used to identify each specific audio file. So if you had 5 songs on an EP, each song would be assigned their own individual ISRC. My Client Zone provides ISRCs to our white label distributor clients. Like UPCs, these can be generated automatically upon release submission for artists and labels that don’t already ISRCs assigned to their tracks.
ISWC stands for International Standard Musical Work Code.
This is the identifier that refers to the composition of a track. A Performance Rights Organisation (PRO) such as PRS in the UK usually provide these. If an artist is not registered with a PRO, they can still distribute their music without an ISWC. However it is always advisable to make sure songwriters are signed up with a PRO to maximise royalty collection.
What’s the difference between an ISRC and an ISWC?
As mentioned previously, ISRCs and ISWCs identify different elements that make up a track.
For example, if you released a studio version of a track and an acoustic version of the same song, both releases would have the same ISWC because you’re playing the same song (i.e. same lyrics, melody). It’s important to note even if you are slightly altering the original track to accommodate the acoustic version, it is essentially the same composition and therefore falls under the same ISWC.
However, each track would be assigned an individual ISRC as they are separate recordings. One studio and one acoustic. This rule applies no matter how many versions of the same song you do. Every separate audio file must have a different ISRC.
This also applies for cover songs too. For example, if you cover Ed Sheeran’s ‘Lego House’, your recording will generate a new ISRC, but the ISWC will be the same as Ed Sheeran’s because you’re using the same lyrics and fundamental composition.
Why is metadata important?
Music distribution would not be possible without metadata as it is the basis for storing, organising and finding music. Without metadata, distributors or DSPs, like Spotify and Apple Music, would not be able to identify releases.
Metadata is used in registrations of not only master recordings, but for publishing purposes too. Performance Rights Organisations such as PRS will provide ISWCs, and these will be linked to any streams on DSPs so that artists can be paid publishing royalties. Whilst My Client Zone collects royalties generated by the master copyright directly from the DSPs identified by the ISRC; the ISWC is vital for the efficient flow of publishing royalties also owed to artists from streaming.
At My Client Zone we are here to assist our distribution white label clients through the release process and offer advice for their clients.
Get in touch today to get your own distribution service set up.
If you already have an account and wish to discuss the above process, please contact your account manager.