Turtlerock Forum

I'd like to know a bit about ISRC numbers.

I have applied to the ISRC division at ARIA, we have received our prefix and have generated some numbers for our songs.

Where do these numbers go and how are they applied to our songs?

We plan to have our songs mastered by some friends using pro tools.

Can they put in the ISRC numbers at mastering or would I have to take the mastered copy to a professional facility to put in the numbers?

s

You're on the right track having your prefix sorted. ISRCs are added at mastering using a PQ subcode editor. Pro Tools is fine for compiling, playback or as a destination recorder in a chain but is really not a mastering tool nor intended for making CD masters.
You should have your master "PQ'd" and QC checked professionally and the ref copy made from that to sign off on, before proceeding with replication. At pressing, the master will be checked for
a) readability
b) conformance to Sony/Philips specs and
c) error rates.

Alternatively you can pay a little extra to have ISRCs encoded at the CD plant, along with UPC/EAN (Bar code number) and CD Text but best to have it all set to go on the production master. They're not mandatory, of course. In fact most releases don't have them.

Adam Dempsey wrote:Pro Tools is fine for compiling, playback or as a destination recorder in a chain but is really not a mastering tool nor intended for making CD masters.

Thanks for that, what about programs like Soundforge and Sony VAIO, would it be possible to embed ISRC codes with those programs?

s

If you're stuck, or worried, we can put the numbers on and make a master & check your cd for you here at turtlerock - even if we don't do the actual mastering. The cost would be minimal, maybe $130 bucks for an album, half that for an e.p or there abouts.