With all the details that go into making a CD it is easy to put off making certain decisions, especially if there is cost involved or contradictory information.
So what exactly is a barcode?
Bar codes are also called UPC Symbols (generated by the Uniform Code Council (www.uc-council.org.) They are the small black and white lines that correspond to a unique 12 digit number used to track sales of CD’s, while Sound scan correlates the information with your barcode in their database. Unless you are planning on starting a record label and putting out a number of releases with several artists, the $750 expense
isn’t really necessary.
Soundscan
Since Soundscan (www.soundscan.com) has a direct influence on placement in Billboard and CMJ music charts and other forms of recognition, payola has all been obliterated. It is a tracking system that did away with the potentially subjective reports of radio programmers and store managers prior to 1991. Sound Scan’s records are not public, so the only way to access their data is open an account at a minimum price of several thousand dollars per year. The only ones checking are the larger labels and bigger companies. If you want to impress, you would need to sell more than 1,000 units to catch their eye.
Why do you need one?
One reason why you may need a barcode at all is that most stores and online retailers require an UPC code on every product they sell. So sparing the $750 expense, you can acquire one through Oasis or Discmakers for “free” when you replicate your discs, or through CD Baby for a modest $20 fee.
In the case of CD Baby the agreement does not bind you to the company in any way, other than having them listed as your “Parent Label” in Sound Scan’s database. They provide you with the code as an electronic image, and you can include it in any cover art as appropriate.
How do you get credit for sales?
To ensure you are properly credited for all record sales as in the case of Discmakers you fax the necessary forms to Soundscan (914-328-0234), you will need a separate form for each release. Any independent artist or band can have their retail sales tracked through Sound scan, though only a label with two or more acts can take part in their Venue Sales Reporting Procedure. You must also have been in business two years or more, with a $500 fee.
It’s never too late
You can always purchase one afterwards and have them printed on stickers. If you do it yourself make sure your printer is at least 720 dpi so they will read correctly. You can easily download a shareware barcode. A simple search for “UPC Barcode” @ http://shareware.cnet.com, or www.download.com will yield many results.
Alternatives
You can also go through a company (usually with a minimum order of 1,000 stickers) they will print them out for you, saving you the hassle of doing it yourself. If you are only going to sell your product at gigs or through
alternative means, you really do not need a barcode at all. But for a mere $20, CD baby will save you all the worry and give you many more possibilities to sell your product.
Sources:
The Uniform Code Council: 1-800-543-8137 www.uc-council.org
Soundscan: (914) 684-5525
www.soundscan.com,
clientservices@soundscan.com
Note: If you do decide to bite the bullet and purchase a barcode through the Uniform Code Council the process can take a number of weeks so allow for that extra time.
Independent Records:
1000 stickers Single Format Registration, Price: $55.00
www.indierec.com/s-barcodes-register.html
Bar Codes Talk, Inc:
888-728-4009 Florida
$30.00 shipping included.
by Lygia Ferra, LAMusicGuide.com
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