Songwriters/Producers Foundational Admin Information

You should have a better grasp on understanding how to obtain "spins" and royalties from your publishing after thoroughly reading this post. Yes, this is almost like going to school but hey - its what you DON'T know that hurts you.  *Some of the links have changed since I originally composed this information as well as costs associated with membership registrations. ~Legacy


1) ISRC

US International Standard Recording Code (ISRC) - Attached

The information about this code is located here: http://www.riaa.com/whatwedo.php?content_selector=whatwedo_is_r_c_codes

You can email the form to isrc@riaa.com . Should take 3-5 business days for a reply with all the information you need. Remember, all remixes or revisions of ANY song assigned an ISRC to original version WILL NEED A NEW ONE.

2) BDS


Nielsen Broadcasting Database System (BDS) or BDS Online - See below.
The information about BDS is located here: http://www.bdsonline.com/about.html
The information below is located here: http://www.bdsonline.com/submitve.html
You should download their program/system to your main computer. They will email you a username and password after they create you / your company an account:


Nielsen BDS announces Virtual Encode! Now you can submit your CD's and MP3's, free of charge, electronically through our secure Virtual Encode website.
To submit your music via Virtual Encode:

1. Please send an email with "Virtual Encode" as the subject to our Client Services Department at clientservices@bdsonline.com for a username and password. When submitting your request, PLEASE include the following information in the body of your email:

                      Your Full Name
                      Company or Label Name
                      Contact Number
                      Primary Email Address

                      Any Additional Contact Information

      2. Afterward, you'll receive login information and instructions for the Virtual Encode website, via e-mail.


3) MediaBase


Encoding new music info can be found here: http://www.musicinfosystems.com/faq/index.asp
New Music Notification form can be found here: http://w2.mediabase.com/mmrweb/NewMusic.asp
Q: Where do I send my new music to be encoded?


A: Send new music to:
Mediabase Research
Attn: Encoding Department
15260 Ventura Blvd., Ste 400
Sherman Oaks, CA, 91403


or email MP3 file to:
digitaldelivery@mediabase.com


NOTE: It is very helpful to include as much information as possible, e.g., the name of the track(s) you are working at radio, the format(s), contact name at the label, phone number, e-mail address, etc. You can submit song information through the Mediabase New Music Notification form.


You can have new music encoded by sending the following information with attached MP3 to: digitaldelivery@mediabase.com
Always Bcc YOURSELF every email you send to them. They will respond with an email subject line ENCODING.
Send the New Music Information Form with box checked for sending MP3 format FIRST then follow up with an email like this for example:




Subject: Lady Legacy - "Yall Aint Ready" featuring Wyndi (Radio Ready)
To: digitaldelivery@mediabase.com


SONG NAME: YA'LL AIN'T READY
ARTIST NAME: LADY LEGACY
PRODUCER: T-JINX
PUBLISHER: 1205 WAS HEARD (ASCAP)
ISRC: USJUC0700015
TRACKING: BDS/MediaBase
ALBUM: OUT THERE BAD
LABEL: 1205 PRODUCTIONS
LABEL ABBR: 1205
CONTACT: YOLANDA MCRAE -
CONTACT EMAIL: YOLANDA.MCRAE@GMAIL.COM
CONTACT PHONE: 512-437-1564
WEBSITE: www.1205Productions.com
MYSPACE: www.myspace.com/theladylegacy
SONICBIDS: www.sonicbids.com/ladylegacy


4) ASCAP


Royalties from radio play, tv play and film synchronizations (song in film coming from club scene, radio in car scene or background music for a scene) are collected thru ASCAP/BMI/SESAC.
Join ASCAP using their online services if you haven't done so already.
You can join ASCAP online. Songwriters & Producers will need to apply for a Writer's membership. The owner of the recording label, will need to apply for a Publisher's membership. A Writer's membership costs $25 each. A Publisher's membership costs $25 each. I advise you apply online for the memberships for faster processing. You will need to come up with at least (5) five separate Publisher names. ASCAP will pick one for you so make sure they are good ones you like. Use the best name choice 1st.


If you have joined already - do a search on your writers full legal name, performing name and company name to see the results. You have to have your songs registered with ASCAP and have the ISRC within the registration information.
ASCAP search site: http://www.ascap.com/ace/search.cfm?mode=search


Here is the result received when attempted to search for Lady Legacy as a performer:

5) SoundExchange


SoundExchange serves in the same capacity as ASCAP except the royalties are from internet streaming (radio with web streaming) or usage.
You can find all the information you need here: http://www.soundexchange.com/
You will need to read about Sound Recording Copyright Owner (SRCO) and Recording Artists/Artists Representative registrations to understand your label's role and a writer's role. There is a separate Producer's registration info section. Read that one, too. A company may very well own some of a producer's work and therefore will be "Producer" in some instances.


Source: RIAA, BDS, MediaBase, ASCAP, SoundExchange