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Understanding Music Credits & Rights

A guide to the essential information you need when distributing your music to streaming platforms.

Rights & Identifiers

ISRC Code (International Standard Recording Code)

A unique identifier for your specific recording — think of it like a barcode for your track.

Why it matters:DSPs use this to track streams and pay you royalties. Without an ISRC, you can't track your song's performance.

How to get one: Your distributor usually provides free ISRCs, or get them from ISRC.net.

Format: Country code + Registrant + Year + Number (e.g., USRC12345678)

UPC / EAN Barcode

A unique identifier for your release as a whole — not individual tracks.

Why it matters: Used by retailers and distributors to track your release in commerce systems.

How to get one: Most distributors automatically assign a UPC. You can also purchase your own from GS1.

Format: 12-digit number (UPC) or 13-digit (EAN)

Phonographic Copyright (℗)

The copyright for the sound recording itself — the actual audio you recorded.

Who owns it: Usually the person or label who paid for the recording session.

Format: ℗ [Year] [Copyright Holder]

Example:"℗ 2025 Luna Ray" or "℗ 2025 Luna Ray Music LLC"

Required by DSPs:Yes — most platforms won't accept releases without this.

Publisher

The company — or yourself — that manages the rights to your musical composition.

Why it matters: Publishers collect performance royalties when your song is played on radio, TV, or streaming.

Common scenarios:
  • Self-published: "Luna Ray Publishing / ASCAP"
  • With a publisher: "Big Music Publishing / BMI"
  • No affiliation yet: Leave blank or "Self-Published"

PROs (Performance Rights Organizations): ASCAP, BMI, SESAC in the US. Join one to collect performance royalties.

Creative Credits

Composer(s)

The person(s) who wrote the music — melody, harmony, chord progressions.

Why it matters: Composers earn royalties when the song is performed or streamed.

Format:Comma-separated list of legal names — e.g., "Luna Ray, Jay Wolf"

Note: Use legal names, not stage names, for royalty collection purposes.

Lyricist(s)

The person(s) who wrote the words.

Why it matters: Lyricists also earn songwriting royalties.

Often the same as composer: If you wrote both music and lyrics, list yourself in both fields.

Producer(s)

The person(s) who directed the recording and shaped the sound of the track.

What they do: Arrange instruments, guide performances, and make creative decisions during recording.

Self-produced? List yourself — you deserve the credit.

Mix Engineer

The person who balanced and blended all the individual tracks into a cohesive stereo mix.

What they do: Adjust levels, EQ, compression, reverb, and effects so everything sounds good together.

Mastering Engineer

The person who prepared the final mix for distribution — the last step before release.

What they do: Optimise loudness, EQ, and dynamics for streaming, CD, and vinyl; ensure consistency across tracks.

Why it matters: Proper mastering ensures your track sounds good on every playback system — headphones, car speakers, club systems.

Quick Tips

  • When in doubt, use your legal name for rights and credits.
  • Keep records of who contributed — future royalty splits depend on it.
  • If you're self-releasing, you're likely the copyright holder for both ℗ and ©.
  • Join a PRO (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC) to collect performance royalties.
  • Your distributor can usually help with ISRCs and UPCs if you don't have them.
  • Credits help fans discover everyone involved in making your music.

Still have questions?

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