| CD Baby DIY Musician Podcast |
 June 29,
2009
Ep.65 : Matthew Ebel - Stream your concerts to the world
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| CD Baby Music Podcasts |
 Music Discovery
 Hip Hop
 60's Pop
 Rockabilly
 Top Sellers
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| UPC BARCODES - everything you ever wanted to know... |
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| posted by Derek Sivers on Wednesday March 21 2001 @ 08:29PM PST |
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Since CD Baby can give you a UPC Barcode for your CD, we get LOTS of questions about it. On the MusicThoughts email list recently, I answered as many questions as I could. My post is below...
NOTE: If you are already a CD Baby member and want a UPC Barcode, all you need to do is READ THIS FIRST then pay for it here.
Ok - here's what I know about UPC Barcodes.
I bought my company code from the UCC a few years ago with no intention of giving barcodes to others.
Since CD Baby is technically a distributor, then technically we can give UPC Barcodes to the albums we are distributing.
ALSO - since we deal with SoundScan every week anyway, we actually do the reporting of your barcode information to SoundScan for you. Yes - we register it for you. You don't need to fill out any forms & send it to SoundScan.
When we assign someone a barcode, we give SoundScan the information of that album, (Artist Name, Album Title, Release Date, Parent Label, Sub Label, Format, Selling Price.) We have to put "CD Baby" as "Parent Label" - but everything else is listed there as YOU YOU YOU. No other ties to CD Baby.
INTERESTING FACT: the UCC doesn't keep track of what barcode goes to what product. That's not their job. The UCC only tracks what parent company has what 6-digit-code at the beginning of the UPC barcode. Then it's up to the company itself (CD Baby in this case) to keep track of what unique barcode (12 digits) goes to what product.
INTERESTING FACT, PART 2: So in music circles, the only One Central Database of all those barcodes is... SoundScan!
WHICH MEANS: If your unique barcode is listed in SoundScan as YOU, then it might as well be your barcode entirely! Nobody really cares which digits belong to who. They just care that it's a unique number, not assigned to any other product in the world. Only if someone really went and contacted the UCC and dug into their company database would they find that the first 6 digits belong to Hit Media Inc (a.k.a. "CD Baby") - and so what if they do?
Luckily with CD Baby we send checks to artists every week anyway, acting as a distributor anyway, and if someone ever accidently sent a check to CD Baby for your CDs sold at a chain store anywhere in the world - we would just forward the full amount directly to you.
HOW'S THAT FOR MORE THAN YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT UPC BARCODES?
Reply here if you have any questions about UPC Barcodes, and I'll try to help.
-- Derek Sivers, CD Baby
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Derek,
Good, interesting info on your site. My question is small potatoes, but perhaps you can help. I have access to a barcode reader and would like to catalog my 200+ music CD's by scanning the barcodes. What I'm missing is a database that cross references the barcodes to the title and artist. Are you aware of where I could get such information? Thanks, Bill
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Hey Bill,
Forget the barcodescanner - Just get hold of a piece od CDDB-enabled software like WinAmp or Feurio!. If you put in any CD while online the software automatically contacts the CDDB database and downloads Titel, artist and tracklisting.
HTH
andy M
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WIth regard to Bill Alexander's question in
January and Andy M's response based upon a
200 CD count, I, however, have recently come
into posession of well over 7000 CDs, 60% of
which have never been opened, most all of
which are of traditional classical and operatic
music. Is there a way to read the barcode on
the packaging through the jewelbox to get an
inventory? This collection and the remaining
vinyl of the same music styles (10,000 units
we think, by weight and another inventory
challenge altogether) are being gifted to a
University's School of Music, but in preparation
thereof, an inventory list needs to be created.
Any ideas? Thanks, David
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Sorry I have no idea. I've never scanned a barcode. We don't do that.
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For Bill Alexander and David Jacobs,
I sell (License) U.P.C. databases for CD's, etc. Feel free to contact me.
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{First Question}Let's say I get a bar code to sell my CD Here For You. Then I come out with a second CD called "This Love", do I use the same bar code for both CD's or do a get a different bar code for each CD I produce.
{Second Question}Can I put my CD's in stores with my bar code on it.
deryc_j@yahoo.com
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Read this page, please. Both your questions are answered here already.
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You guys at CD Baby are brave souls. Bless your hearts to answer the same questions over and over. You are truly saints. :-)
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OK I bought the bar code from you for my first CD "Love: The Only Proven Way to Fight Terrorism" and now I'm trying to use it for my next CD, "Acts of Sedition: Classified CIA Files," since you say it's "MINE" and I can do what ever I want with it, but when I try to add the bar code on your website to link it to my new CD, it gives me an error message that says, "This bar code is already used by another CD, 'Love: The Only Proven Way to Fight Terrorism.'" So what's the deal? I supposed to be able to use this barcode for what every CD I want or all my CDs buy your CD Baby sight doesn't all it!
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well, you probably figured this out by now, but it's one bar code per item.. cant use a bar code for multiple releases..
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Howdy amigos,
Quick Q that I couldn't find an answer for:
If I will be sending in two seperate CD's, both by me as the artist, do I need to pay two seperate set up fees and bar code fees?
35+35+20+20= $110 bucks total?
Thanks,
Robin
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WITH THE BARCODE CAN I SELL MY CD IN ALL STORES LIKE BEST BUY, CIRCUT CITY, AND OTHERS
WHEN I PUT THE BARCODE ON THE CD DO I JUST SEND IT TO THE PEOPLOE WHO SHRINKWRAP OR DO I HAVE TO MAK COPIES.
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Yes you can sell your CD in all stores.
And yes you just send the barcode graphic to whoever is designing your album artwork. They include it in the art as part of their design.
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Hi CD Baby -
I have become a new member -paid my $35 set up charge to
hopefully sell my new CD - "Free Mac Guinness Ceili Band" - but
can not understand what is the differance of having or not
having to spend an extra $20 for a bar code - will it help sales ?
Why accept my CD -without a barcode and how do I know if a
bar code will be of help in sales -
Thank you for your patience and time.
Tony
www.freemacguinness.com
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If I will be sending in two seperate CD's, both by me as the artist, do I need to pay two seperate set up fees and bar code fees?
35+35+20+20= $110 bucks total?
Thanks,
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QUESTION. What is the purpose of sound scan?
should the artist keep a record of his sales for tax purposes? How does he know how many is being sold since he's not the main owner of the bar code. will the artist be given an account by CD Baby or Sound Scan?
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I have a question about your barcodes.
1.Okay, do I need to purchase a new barcode each
time I make a new album.
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I recorded my CD over a year ago, only when I tried to get air play was I told I needed a barcode. A new friend told me to check your site
most of my questions were answered. Thank you,
$55:00 is not a lot of money, compared to the THOUSAND I have already spend getting the wrong
info. THANKS Julia.
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YOU DO NOT NEED A BARCODE FOR RADIO AIRPLAY! WHAT YOU NEED IS TO BE FRIENDS WITH A DJ. CALL THE STATION, GET FRIENDLY WITH THE STATION MANAGER AND SEND THEM A SINGLE. THAT'S IT! OF COURSE BEFORE DOING SO YOU WANT TO BE SURE YOUR CD IS IN STORES IN THAT CITY AND THAT'S A WHOLE OTHER HASSLE ALL TOGETHER.
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hi, i have my own barcode for the uk and europe
and would like to know procedure to distribute
through cdbaby (worldwide); with the understanding
that i do not have to have a upc barcode in order
to do this.
is this correct and what would be the next st
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If I send in the $35 set up fee for my CD, is it necessary that I have a barcode or is having a barcode optional?
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Hey Guys, have a question, I currently have
five CD's available, will I need an individual
barcode , to individually idenitfy them ? How does this work exactly, I'd like to post them
with you guys if I can figure all this stuff out. Thanks.....Jeff McKaig
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Each one would need its own barcode, yes.
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QUESTION. What is the purpose of sound scan?
should the artist keep a record of his sales for tax purposes? How does he know how many is being sold since he's not the main owner of the bar code. will the artist be given an account by CD Baby or Sound Scan?
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>> What is the purpose of sound scan?
Reporting CD sales to the major record labels.
>> should the artist keep a record of his sales for tax purposes?
Yes. Definitely.
>> How does he know how many is being sold since he's not the main owner of the bar code.
The barcode has nothing to do with it. CD Baby reports every single sale to you and keeps them permanently archived in your CD Baby login area and even lets you download them as a spreadsheet for easy importing into MS Excel spreadsheets or something.
>> will the artist be given an account by CD Baby or Sound Scan?
CD Baby only. SoundScan charges around $20,000 a year for an account. It's meant for the large record labels only.
I've said it before I'll say it again and again: You don't need SoundScan unless you're going to sell over a thousand CDs, and are trying to impress a major label so you can sell your soul to them.
And since you don't need SoundScan, the only other reason to have a UPC Barcode is to sell through Amazon or other distributors who require one.
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Is there a difference between your Bar Code and the one given free by your collaborator (AOSIS). Also, will you still distribute and sell a CD that already has a Bar Code from another source? Please respond.
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>> Is there a difference between your Bar Code and the one given free by OASIS?
Nope.
>> will you still distribute and sell a CD that already has a Bar Code from another source?
Yep!
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How do you report sales of discs at shows to soundscan????
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So, lets say I go sell in other stores also does that money go directly to my bank account. By the way what is soundscan? Thank you. Do sound scan send a copy of sales.?
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>>does that money go directly to my bank account
No. The UPC barcode has NOTHING to do with the financial arrangements you make with your distributors or retail outlets. That is totally up to you & the distributor or retailer, and the UPC barcode has nothing to do with it.
>>what is soundscan?
A company that gathers reports of CD sales (& other data), and sells the reports to companies (like major labels) that pay big $$ to see them.
CD Baby reports all CD sales to SoundScan.
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Derek,
I wanted to inform you that we already sold 1,400 cd's on the streets of New York City alone.I'm looking forward to doing buisness with you.The word of mouth is strong. Also I sent the cd's to you.
Thanks,THE ORIGINAL K-ROB
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When I get a bar code from CD BABY for $20, can I use the same bar code for each of my CD's that I register with CDBABY? Can I use the bar code in any store who agrees to sell my CD's?
Thanks much
Gizzarelli
www.soundclick.com/gizzarelli
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If I purchase your UPC Barcode, and pay all fees.
Then I send you 1000.00 CD's to be sold by you, in which you recieve $4.00ea, What proof do I have that you sold 1000 CD's? In other words, you report to me you sold 500 CD's, but in essence you sold 1000 CD's. Where is my proof of you selling 1000 CD's?
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>What proof do I have that you sold 1000 CD's?
First : never send us 1000 CDs. Send us 5 CDs. When those sell, send us 10. When those sell, send us 20. We email you every time you sell a CD with the customer's full info. If you're ever in doubt of our stock, ask for it back! It's yours, not ours.
If we would have ever screwed over a single one of the 85,000 musicians who use CD Baby, I think you would have heard about it loud and clear all over the internet.
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thats true wut u said about scaming people, if u did u will lose all your business. but how do we know as an artist dat your not dublicating the cds and covers mailing those to the cosumer? just a question.
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| by ME
on Monday September 10 2007 @ 10:16AM PDT [ reply | parent ] |
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So, will CD Baby be considered as my record label if I decide to go through your company?
Thanks,
Rich
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No. Of course not. Administering the first 6 digits of a barcode does not make us own the rights to your music. The barcode is nothing but a number. When we report your info to SoundScan we report *your* label as the record label, and that's what they keep on file.
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i'm confused...i did my cd in canada and the bar code was accidentally left off the printing. i was given a bar code so i can make stickers but my barcode only has 11 digits. i can't register my cd with your site?? what happened?
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My barcode number is 837101051064.The system keeps telling me to submit one. So here it is.
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If you were only provided 11 digits for your barcode that should suffice as long as you have a upc barcode generator. As I understand it: The first digit is the country code. The next 5 digits are the vendor code. The next 5 digits identify the item. The last digit is merely a check digit that is generated automatically when the11 digit number is processed by the bar code generator. I had a program that does this. I don't know if I still have it or not. It may still be in one of my older PCs.
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You can generate this last digit online at the uniform code
council website. They are the organization that sells the
accounts for upc codes. Go to this page:
http://www.uc-council.org/ean_ucc_system/membership/
need_upc.htm
You need to know the first 11 digits, and they will tell you what
the last digit is.
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Sorry but ...UPC Barcode that I purchased from you....is that just for USA & Canada....or.....??? Worldwide etc...??
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Can I use the barcode you will give me in the UK and Europe?
Ta
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Hey Derek,
We are a new Indie label, Breaking Records, and not only have we sold a lot of on your site, but we've sold a lot of Cd's from our own website, how can we report the cd's sold on our website to soundscan? Do we need to buy a scanner?
Please advise, thanks!
sherrie
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Can I use the same barcode for two different cds?
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Hi There, I am a artist and I am joining up to CD baby once my album gets back from the manufacturers, my question is, do I still need a barcode for the UK? and will it only be the CD's that CDBABY sell that get the barcode, as I am dealing with a few worldwide distributors to get the album across more and into more shops, sites etc....
Many thanks for taking your time in reading this!
Yvonne-Marie Evans
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> do I still need a barcode for the UK?
Only if you want digital distribution
> will it only be the CD's that CDBABY sell that get the barcode?
No it will be yours for anything you want to use it for. It can be used internationally as an EAN code if you add a 0 at the beginning of it.
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I am with a record label, a small one and he has a scanner to keep up with all the sales on the street and at our shows. He is registered with Sound Scan and all I need to do is purchase a barcode form a website he gave me. Now if I pay you the 20.00 for a barcode can I get these barcodes so I can put on the cd's I sell here locally and he can use your barcode to scan or can I purchase my own barcode for 20.00 and give it to you to use for CD Baby?
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Do I need a barcode to sell through Cd baby? Do I need a barcode for digital distribution at itunes and others?
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> Do I need a barcode to sell through Cd baby?
Nope!
>Do I need a barcode for digital distribution at itunes and others?
Yep!
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Hey Derek,
I'm trying to get my 2nd CD "Forgiven" set up. I have supplied you a
bar code I purchased from Artist Launch. Everything seems to be in
place however, it looks like the graphic isn't available for download.
Do I need to get it from them (no response so far) or should I
purchase a new one from you - and is it too late to do that since, I
beleive, you've already delivered them (digitally)?
thank you, John Kelly
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Hi Derek,
Kudos. You came to speak to my class at Columbia College a few years ago. IT WAS GREAT TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR CREATION AND KNOW THAT YOU WERE A COLUMBIA ALUM. quick question...can i use other products with that upc. say for instance if i printed up band merch using the cdbaby upc. do you guys take a cut?
cheers,
chris
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What is the typical size to make the barcode when adding ir=t to my album artwork? I want it as small as possible without making it harder to scan..
Also.. Just in case i may want to use stickers...Are there any good links to find a decent company to manufactuer barcode stickers using my own barcode?
Thanks!
-Dave
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You can buy official and legal bar codes at www.upccode.net. Excellent service and good quality.
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so, lemme make sure i understand; even if i dont place the barcode on my cd's, they can still be tracked by soundscan if i, say, sell em on consignment in stores? i ask b/c, my cd's will have polywrap on them so i dnt know how i can put the barcode on w/out puttin it right on the polywrap (could tear off couldnt it?) alright thanks D!
dana
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Do I have to have a full album to gain income or can I have a single?
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Thanks for the info I actually went and searched through the dbs and soundscan databases due to advisment and found what you said to be exactly true. Now, my situation is that I have a track being sent to europena radio and XM satellite,and before it is forwarded I was advised that I MUST have completed copyright, soundscan and bds. That company claims that they checked to see if my barcode was registered with the UCC , soundscan and BDS and they couldn't find it. Could you please shed some light on this situation? Thanks,
LeS bLeSd (less blessed)
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Why people spend money to put their products in the UCC database? What is the advantage on getting the barcode for my CDs, what will change for me? My questions may sound silly but I've no idea what's the barcode purpose.
Thanks
Guido
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The only main advantage of having a barcode on you release is two reasons:
1) Most record stores will not accpet albums that do not have barcodes, they need to scan them you know.
2) If you press and sell enough copies, you could be recognized on the billboard charts etc. If your really good, you can qualify for going "Platinum" , "Gold" or whatever.... you catch my drift.
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I had my barcodes placed on 3 albums by the manufacturer CSOUND in Californai. Do I need to register with SOUNDSCAN. If so who are they, where are , and how rdo I contact them to register my exisitng bar codes
Thanx
Rich Atwater
of Rich Atwater & the Astronauts in Florida
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hello thanks for all your help with everything so far..
curious you mentioned you would be posting how to report cd sales at shows for soundscan.. i either missed that post or it's not up yet, but we are selling cds and would like to jump on that soon.. ok thanks. - jasun
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I would also like to know how to contact and register with Soundscan as I already have bar codes for my company. Thank you
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Dianne - go to http://www.discmakers.com/soundscan/ and you can download a form to fill out for soundscan. Be sure to take Discmakers' name off the form (unless you used discmakers to print your CD). It's pretty self-explanatory and you can fax it directly to SoundScan and they'll start recording your sales from record stores that report to SoundScan. Be sure to check with each store to make sure they do report to SoundScan.
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Question? If CD baby Placeces the bar code on my Cd, Does that men that I can only cell my Cd thriugh Cd baby
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>>If CD baby places the bar code on my CD, does that mean that I can only sell my CD through CD Baby?
No. It's a totally normal UPC barcode that you can use anywhere you want.
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How do I import the Barcode to my back page insert? Do I copy, scan and insert? How do I
shrink it to a normal size? Thanks
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Every art software is different, so I'm afraid I can't help. The bitmap graphic we give you is totally standard, and can be used with any program. You include it in your layout/artwork the same way you'd include any graphic. All page layout programs have something where you can set the size of the graphic.
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If I obtain your bar code graphic and print it onto a sticky label to place on the back of my shrink wrapped CD, is that accepted by most online and high street retailers. Or would I need to take the CDs out of their wrappers?
Silly question perhaps, but I have 700 CDs to dispose of, so I think I should clarify this first!
Also, would a printout using an HP laser jet 4 be sufficiently clear?
Thanks
David
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>>sticky label ... on the back of my shrink wrapped CD, is that accepted by most online and high street retailers. Or would I need to take the CDs out of their wrappers?
Unfortunately, I don't know. You'll have to ask the places that you're thinking of sending it to.
>> would a printout using an HP laser jet 4 be sufficiently clear?
Yeah - any laser jet is great.
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With regards to:
External Labels - as long as they are the correct size, and placed in the lower right
hand corner of the CD case, you should be fine. Do check with the firm that will
be selling them to make sure.
Laser Labels - Before saying YES, I would print a sheet of labels, and then take them
to a store that you know uses barcode scanners. Ask them to scan one of your labels.
Nothing will come up in their inventory, but the number should display. If so, you are
alright. If not, you may need to have them professionally printed.
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Will this UPC barcode be of any use in Europe?
Thanks,
Dif
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>>Will this UPC barcode be of any use in Europe?
I don't know. I've never heard the official word on whether it's a different barcode system in Europe.
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The U.P.C. is recognized universally. EAN codes, which are made in Europe, are not recognized in this Country.
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Not exactly true. EAN codes are recognized in the US, sort of.
Whereas the UPC code has 12 digits, the EAN code has 13. In the
States, the 13th digit is just chopped off.
As of January 1st, 2005, all US and Canadian retailers are
supposed to recognize the entire 13 digit EAN code, bringing
the US and Canada into compliance with the rest of the civilized
world. ;-))
Seriously, the US and Canada are the ONLY coutries in the world
that didn't comply with EAN/UCC (now called GS1) standards.
I know this because I just signed my label up to get my own
barcodes, and it cost me all of $400 dollars US.
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UPC stands for "Universal Product Code". Universal means it is accepted worldwide.
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"Universal" does not stand for worldwide but for "universal for any type of products to be sold in retail stores".
Regards,
Tilman
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if you know you will reach over 1,000 record sells is this a good upc to get? if you sell your cd at other places with the same upc will they report your sales to soundstan or does it all comes to you(cdbaby)and you report them to soundscan?? last question Do the major labels respond to succesfull single sales or album sales ??
holla
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>> if you know you will reach over 1,000 record sells is this a good upc to get?
Sure. There's no difference between the UPC barcode we can give you, and the UPC barcode you could get yourself for $750.
>>if you sell your cd at other places with the same upc will they report your sales to soundscan or does it all comes to you(cdbaby)and you report them to soundscan??
The place that is actually selling your CD is the place that has to do the reporting to SoundScan.
CD Baby has nothing to do with it (when you're selling somewhere else). Though we made you the barcode it doesn't make you tied to us in any way except that we have to be selling your CD in CD Baby as well. (Not exclusively! It just has to be one of the places it is sold.)
>>Do the major labels respond to succesful single sales or album sales ??
Either one, yes, I guess.
The real answer is that the majors are just emotionless corporate profit machines driven by stockholders and lawyers. (Which is not to say they're "evil" because they're not even human. Like sharks aren't evil - they're just eating.)
If the corporation thinks it can safely make a profit on something it will try to. If you show the corporation how it can safely make a profit off of you, it will try to.
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The Uniform Code Council has raised its' rates significantly. $750 is now the minimum fee, and most companies are spending $1,500. If you decide to purchase through the UCC, check with them first. http://www.uc-council.org
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What is the percentage after a Cd is sold that is reported to the artist as a profit and the percentage reported to the member of the CDbaby ?
And is there a percentage paid to the owner's of the upc barcode?
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Derek, how am I supposed to know what size the bitmap graphic needs to be if I integrate it directly onto my artwork. Does the size of the barcode graphic effect it's ability to be scanned?
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For standard U.P.C. images, the graphc should be no larger than 3/4" high and 1 1/2" wide. Or, 100 by 200 pixels.
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| by kt
on Wednesday April 10 2002 @ 05:47PM PDT [ reply | parent ] |
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If I get a barcode from you, how can I sell my cd with Amazon and others,Are you going to send them back with the barcode,do we have to pay for shipping them back to us, or send them to Amazon or whoever? Just asking!!
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I think there is a lot of confusion about this because people are thinkin that they don't "own" the UPC code according to the UCC.
CD Baby is merely acting as a liason between the artist and the UCC so that you don't have to pay for the 10,000 UPC codes that you are likely never going to use.
CD Baby is not acting as your record label. They are on online distributor/retailer. You pay them based on your sales, true, but YOU are the record label.
So, if I have a CD that I am releasing under my own label of someone else's music, here's how it play out.
- I make a deal with the artist to pay them, say, 20% of the retail selling price of their CD.
- I manufacture 1000 CD's which I will retail for 12.99
- I use CD baby as my distributor for online sales, they take $4 per CD sold... This is really no different than saying CD Baby is paying me/my label $8.99 per CD (i.e. $12.99 - $4.00 = $8.99), so my CD effectively has a wholesale price of $8.99. I also use a CD Baby provided barcode, but this is not affecting my sales in any way, other than CD Baby reports my sales to SoundScan.
- I sell all 1000 copies. (Let's say in one pat cycle, for simplicity)
- CD Baby sends me a check for $8990.00
- It cost me, roughly $1500 to manufacture the CD's.
- It cost me another $55.00 to to get my distribution set up.
- I have to pay the artist $2.598 per CD sold, or $2598.
$8990 - 1500 - 55 - 2598 = $4837 Profit!
THAT'S WHY YOU WANT TO BE THE LABEL!
:)
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let's say i have my project manufactured by discmakers and provided with a barcode. then i sign a distribution deal where the distributor says they will cover my barcode and provide me with this their barcode. As a record label will i still receive credit for my project by Soundscan. Can a distributor do that?
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Why would you want to let them do that? If DiscMakers is providing you with a barcode, that should be sufficient and you should use that barcode accross the board for all sales related to that project, that way you do't have to say "Well we sold 5000 copies of Project X, 3200 of them were under UPC XXXXX and the other 1800 were under UPC XXXXX because the distributor wanted it that way."
That's just crazy! Make it easy on yourself and just use one UPC per project, no matter how many distributors you have.
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I made the silly mistake of signing up with The Orchard and they
put their UPC code sticker right over my UPC code that was in
the graphic of my CD. I had no choice. They insisted on it.
Makes no sense to me, but yes, it watered down my sales
reported to soundscan.
STAY AWAY FROM THE ORCHARD.
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| by
on Sunday May 19 2002 @ 09:36AM PDT [ reply | parent ] |
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DOES THE NAME FOR THE BAR CODE MATTER?
DO I NEED TO HAVE A BANK ACCOUNT WITH THE SAME NAME.
IF THE ALBUM IS SELF PRODUCED CAN I HAVE THE
BAR CODE THE SAME AS THE BAND ?
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Please send me more information on how I can receive a barcode and use CDbaby too market my album too new listeners
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question 1:
once you have the bar code, and your cd is in stores, cd baby and the stores are reporting to soundscan, but how do you report the sales at shows to soundscan?
question 2:
how many units does a typical indie cd need to sell to 'chart' independently? (ex. it is pretty common knowledge that if a cd sells 600,000 units it will be at or around number 1 on the billboard chart. what are the numbers for the other end of the spectrum?).
thanks!
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what is best way to report sales from live shows to sound scan?
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I'm from Canada. Am I supposed to get my barcode from Canada, or does this even matter?
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Only if you are applying for a U.P.C. by yourself, without going through CD Baby. Then you would need to contact the Electronic Commerce Council.
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Hey Derek,
Wha'ts up. Quick question. I already have my
own barcode. My question is WHEN will
CDBaby start reporting sound scans? Right
now, I have it set up to report my stage sales
and once the cds are in stores this Fall, those
will be reported as well. But, I don't know how
to get all the ones I sell online accounted for.
Thanks, Anne Heaton
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It's more complicated than you think. Maybe some day in the near/distant future, but not yet.
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Hi Derek,
Will not owning our own barcode hurt us if we get picked up by an independent record company or distributor? Will they want us to own our own or they own it than have it owned by CD Baby? Our CD manufacturer said This would be a problem. Let me know.
Thanks for your constant help,
Kevin
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Kevin,
Your new record label may suggest that you acquire your own U.P.C., or they issue you one. Sony Music does this with most of their new performers.
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Hi Derek,
If I wish to sell different CDs in the future than
the one I am about to distribute now, will I need
a new barcode for each new CD that I make? What is
the procedure? Please reply.
Thanks,
Gia
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>>will I need a new barcode for each new CD that I make?
Yep. That's the whole point! Every CD that you want to be scanned should have a totally unique barcode, so that the zitty-face clerk at the record store can slide your CD under the laser, and it will be recognized without him even looking at it, because of its unique barcode.
The cassette version has a different barcode than the CD version, which has a different barcode than the previous album and next album. Every unique "product" has to have a totally unique barcode.
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The RIAA has issued guidelines that the UCC follows with regards to CD's, Tapes, etc. and the U.P.C.
The digit in the eleventh position (reading left to right) is a 2 for CD's, and a 4 for Tapes. While Derek is correct, that each item (CD or Tape) requires a unique U.P.C.; there is a common number among them - the first four digits after the six digit prefix.
As an example, the U.PC. 651968000221 is for the Apologetix CD Morningstar. The U.P.C. for the Tape is 651968000245. As you can see the common number between the two items is 0002, which is their second album.
While the U.P.C.'s are different, for inventory purposes the SKU or Item Number remains the same.
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| by
on Saturday May 05 2007 @ 12:02PM PDT [ reply | parent ] |
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I don't like the RIAA. Also, that's a waste of number space
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1. How do I go about reporting my sales from home to Sound Scan. 2. If I go to Canada and sell some there, can I use the same UPC? 3. My cd is not complete; so can I sign up & pay, get the UPC, then send you the CD later? how much time does CDBaby give me? Great feedback. Merci.
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Bonjour Helene - Some answers for you:
>>1. How do I go about reporting my sales from home to SoundScan?
You don't. We do. Only authorized retailers that are set up with SoundScan can report sales.
>>2. If I go to Canada and sell some there, can I use the same UPC?
Yep! The UPC Barcode is for USA and Canada. The rest of the world uses 13-digit EAN numbers instead.
>>3. My cd is not complete; so can I sign up & pay, get the UPC, then send you the CD later? How much time does CDBaby give me?
Yes of course, that's how we do it. Sign up when you need it, we give you the UPC barcode. Manufacture your CDs, then send them to us when they're done. We give a few months leeway, but it's better if you wait to order the barcode until your CD is pretty much finished and you're doing the final artwork. When you sign up, you'll have to answer questions about song order, etc. So - (again) - better to come to us for the UPC Barcode when your CD is basically done.
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Key question:
If I get a barcode for my CD thru CDBaby, sell some CD's via CDBaby and some CD's on my own, am I obligated to pay CDBaby anything for each of the CD's that I sell on my own?
Thanks in advance for your answer.
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>>am I obligated to pay CDBaby anything for each of the CD's that I sell on my own?
Not at all! No no no! Hell no! (In other words: no!)
We're just a record store, man. Not a greedy label that wants to own a piece of you. We only make money by selling CDs, and I like it that way. Keeps us focused on the goal.
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Derek,
Thank you for your answer!!! I know my question may have seemed a dumb one, but your deal seemed
too good to be true in light of all the sharks I've been running into out there.
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Quick question: Suppose I want to sell a single or EP through you guys, but I'm only charging 3 or 4 dollars for it...Would you guys still take $4 for each one?
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Yep. Flat rate. Same amount of work, postage, shelf space, etc. Same $4.
I strongly recommend giving away your single or even EP in MP3 format for free to promote sales of the full-length CD.
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I live in England and when I realease a CD I would like it to be available through CD Baby in America and through some other distributors in europe. If I purchase a UPC Barcode from you will I need a different kind of code to put the CD on sale in europe or are UPC barcodes international? Thanks.
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The "UPC Barcode" is for USA and Canada. The rest of the world uses 13-digit "EAN numbers" instead. (See the same question asked 6 boxes up from yours.) So yes you'd need different numbers for USA/Canada vs. the rest of the world.
Remember, though, you don't need a UPC Barcode to sell through CD Baby! You could get an EAN number for your worldwide sales, then sell through CD Baby for USA sales, and not need a UPC Barcode.
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From what I've found so far in the Internet, it looks like any UPC-12 can easily be converted to an EAN-13 by prefixing the digit 0.
Does this really mean, by generating an EAN barcode using some freeware tools and my CDBaby UPC code number, I already have an EAN-13 barcode as well usable e.g. for Europe?
Regards,
Tilman
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How can I find out how many CD's were sold by a particular group in the past five years and how much money did the sales amount to.
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You can't. We can't either. Only way is to subscribe to SoundScan for about $10,000.
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I have a barcode on my CD that the duplicators added as part of the package I bought, but during the recording I shot a performance video of the band and now want to make a video to sell. Can I use one of the barcodes I order from you for the video?
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I know you guys (cdbaby) will give a report of cd sells but how do I get that report from other stores out of my state? you know for taxes.....
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How do you report your sales at live shows to soundscan??????
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You can't... yet. (Unless you're on a bigger label.)
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Derek, does this mean live sales with your credit card machine cannot be tracked and sales sent to soundscan? I am a new member and had my barcode made through Disc Makers. I am planning to sell CD's at a live show with your credit card swiper. Would this still be reported to Sounscan?
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Peace,
Do you only supply the UCC-12 prefix for us and we are allowed to assign our own item reference numbers to each product? Or do you supply the UCC-12 prefix and assign us with an item reference number for our products?
Saladin
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No we assign you a specific full 12-digit number for ONE single product (that we distribute). You can't assign your own numbers to things, without paying the $750 and getting set up with the UCC yourself.
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I need my CD's scanned so I can get make the billboard charts, can you guys help me with that? and Do you guys submit 1099's for tax purposes? Also, I am really confused now because I don't know why I bought a barcode from you and there is no way for me to get a reporting on what was sold by me and by you. Please clear my head.
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It sounds like you need to read everything on this page again, carefully. All your questions have already been answered here. Reading it again slowly will clear your head.
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Does the barcode have to be part of the
graphics on the CD?
Can I make a sticker and put it on the CD?
Better yet, can I make a sticker that will go on
the shrink wrap? Or is that not permitted?
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You'll have to ask the places where you're sending your CD. CD Baby doesn't need the barcode to be anywhere on the CD. Maybe Amazon does. Maybe Tower Records does. I'm not sure. You'll have to ask them.
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Hey Derek,
OK...Here's a scenerio question...I purchase your barcode now for my CD (being sold by you) because I am too poor to spend $750. Later, I win the lottery (or start to become wealthy from my music career) and decide that I would like to purchase the $750 barcode from the barcode gods in order to make my own so that sales will be reported under my label/company/band. Will traking for that same album start over because it is under a different bar code?
Thanks,
Anthony Eduardo
www.shoot4noon.com
email: compilations@hotmail.com
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I'm not sure. When & if it happens, I'm sure you could contact SoundScan to work it out - to tell them the barcode for the same album has changed. They're decent people there.
Or - to be safe - if you're planning on that - and care so much about SoundScan - spend the $750. It could be worth it to you.
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I couldn't find the specific answer to my
question on your site (but damn, WHAT a
site!!) or maybe I'm just thick.
Let's say my band gets a bar code from you
and start selling CDs. Then, as chance, fate,
luck and providence miraculously align, we
get signed to some soul-sucking label with a
dumptruck full of money. Will we (or they) then
require a DIFFERENT bar code for the same
product?
Thanks and thanks again for the site.
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If you get signed to a big big label then historically what happens is they tweak your album to their liking, and re-release it with a new title/remix/etc - and yes a new barcode.
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hey cdbaby,
Most performing artist sell more cd's at their shows than anywhere else. So why get a barcode registered with sound scan, if sound scan will never know how many cd's you're selling at your concerts? There has to be a way to get around this.
If I was to get a handheld scanner and laptop,
would this be the solution? - Isaac
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Nope - SoundScan will only allow live venue sales if you're represented by a bigger label and have gone through lots of red tape, including having the venue owner verify-and-sign confirming the actual number of CDs you sold that night. Then SoundScan calls that venue afterwards to confirm with the venue owner that signed it, to make sure it isn't frauded.
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If I become a member and pay fees but do not need you guys to sell but need a bar code for each albulm produced. Can I do so without sending in a cd to be sold. You services sound great but not needed right now except for barcode.
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No we only do the UPC Barcodes for CDs that we distribute through our system. If you don't want to send us your CDs, we can't make you a barcode.
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There is software that comes with a fellowes labeling system,and has Barcodes as apart of several things they offer.Is this the same as cdbaby holding parent company title on the barcodes they offer?With this your able to change style of the barcode and numbers(The fellows system that is)
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can i trust that your barcodes will not cross with our song catalogues? has there been any problems with your barcodes? how is your bbb history?
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Cross with song catalogs? I have no idea what you mean by that.
Any problems? No.
BBB history? Perfect.
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Also, when the CD or DVD contains other multimedia, you need and ISBN number.
What about that?
My Mastering Labs and Pressing Plants keep insisting on this ISBN Number!
Terry James
member ASCAP
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After HOURS scouring the web for information on Soundscan and registering Barcodes with them, i've found this page the most informative... Thanks!
The only question I have left, is whether getting a Barcode from a Dupe company automatically registers you with Soundscan..
Bet you a phone-call is in order :-) but I think people might benefit from an answer posted here if anyone knows! Or maybe a couple of links to GOOD resources on the subject..?
The Soundscan website itself was NOT much help at all
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Hello,
Question: If Cd Baby is an online record store, what is the setup fee for? What sort of setup is necessary that would incur a fee that should be kicked back to the artist when you are taking 4 dollars off the top of each cd sold on the site?
Thank you.
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Because we do a lot of work to make the web page before the first CD is ever sold, and there's no promise you'll sell a single CD.
Usually a record store (say, Tower) has a long list of criteria before they'll stock something: You have to be on a large label, with a signifigant promotions budget, through a major distributor, etc. All we ask is $35.
This answers it better:
http://www.cdbaby.net/35.html
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I just want to know where i can go to check up on other artists cd sales on soundscan? can i do that? i think i could... i just don't know where the site is.
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In order to see SoundScan sales you have to be a member of SoundScan - which is like $10,000 a year or something. Not even we can see the sales reports.
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A cd manufacturer/mastering house
suggesting acquiring an IFPI code so that
radio stations can track the number of plays
for a given song. I guess the information is
somehow embedded in the cd tracks for such
purposes during mastering. Any info on this?
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Nope! Sorry. I'll bet Oasis would know!
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Hi everybody,
Derek had a post here where he recommended the max barcode size of .75" H x 1.5" W
My question is what is the minumum size for a functional & readable barcode?
I recognize the usefulness of a barcode but it can be an eyesore in an otherwise nice artwork layout.
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I've seen UPC's half that size. I guess if you have a really good printer (ie laser) and the paper is a fair quality, this would work ok.
The scanner uses a relativity between the sizes of the bars, not the size itself ( Or we would all have to hold the scanner at a precise distance, Riiiggghhhttt? ) Experiment!
Unfortunately my printer suxors so I can't
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I would like to purchase a bar code from CD Baby and add another CD to my account; however, for some reason I cannot seem to do this online. Each time I attempt to do so a box pops up saying Identity Certificate Invalid. Please do help.
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Ooops! That error was from when we moved servers. Try it again now.
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I am a student at Alabama State Universtiy in montgomery Al. I am inquiring about getting a barcode for my album. Could you please send me price information and list of things i would need to do as for as the bussiness part of the album.
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2 Questions....
Question 1:
I've been reading up on a lot of stuff regarding releasing my CD. And according to the UCC, it's illegal for any company (distributors included) to sell barcodes. Why, then, are we paying an extra $20 on top of the $35 setup fee for the barcode?
Question 2:
I have no idea how my sales will go via CD Baby, but and though I have acquired thousands of fans over the years, I don't expect more than 100 CD sales. Classical music isn't exactly the most popular of genres in the United Stats. In any case, if sales _do_ get high (i.e. in the thousands) and all of these sales have gone through CD Baby, will CD Baby report those sales that are archived in the system to SoundScan if requested since you all are authorized to do so?
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#1 - technically, the $20 is not for the barcode itself. it's for the customer service. it's a lot of money, work, and labor to help everyone with their UPC Barcodes. if we couldn't charge enough to at least break even doing it, we wouldn't do it at all.
#2 - we report, to SoundScan, all sales of every CD with a valid UPC Barcode. but SoundScan won't let us report BACK sales, only current sales.
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I wrote an article about this back when the topic was "hot"
You may, or may not, find it worth reading as a synopsis of all the back-and-forth from here.
Bar Codes
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Well, I plan to sell my CDs in Canada and in
Asia. Does that mean i need to get a UPC
and a EAN?
How do I go about getting a EAN then?
Why do you charge us $20 for a UPC code
when some like discman and oasis can offer
it to us for free?
I also read from CDmaker that you are
technically not allowed to sell UPC codes. Is
that true?
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I think you'll need an EAN but I'm not sure. And sorry I don't know how to get one.
The reason we have to charge for the UPC Barcode is for the work/labor/cost of making it, getting it to you, reporting it to SoundScan for you, administering and tracking its info for all future time, and for taking the time to run bulletin boards like this and answer all kinds of email questions about it.
CD manufacturers often build that cost into the CD manufacturing project. Since it's a $1500-$3000 project there, they can afford it. But we can't afford to do it for free.
Technically not allowed to sell UPC? Technically we're not selling UPC barcodes. We're a distributor, assigning barcodes as an option for our distribution clients that don't have one. We have to charge the $20 for the future labor as described above.
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Can your barcodes be used in other countries? IE Australia?
We have an idie release of cd in a couple of months, but here in Aust and would like to sign up to cd baby..and use your bar codes if possible. Can you tell me if there is anything we should know before doing this.
Thanks Jane
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Read some of the posts above about the subject of the EAN code. From what I understand a UPC Barcode is only used in the USA and Canada. All other countries use the EAN code, which is a whole different thing we can't help you with. But more details are in the posts, above.
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Hi Derek,
Blake at DiscMakers told me today that he is in two bands that are able to report their venue sales to SoundScan via CDBaby. I called CDBaby and was told this is not possible. Could you please let me know if this is indeed possible?
Thanks so much,
Dina Torok
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No. Not yet. Venue sales through SoundScan are amazingly tricky, with lots of faxes, verified signatures from venue owners, red tape, and liability. So we're not doing it yet but hopefully someday.
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Concerning venue sales being reportable to Soundscan, could the sales taken from the credit card machines (carbon copy); once they are cleared of course through CD Baby, be counted towards soundscan? If the product was purchased by the consumer, then it should be reported. If soundscans are a barometer of what the consumer is buying, i think it should be counted. Prince basically bundled his records with the ticket price without fans knowing and it was all reportable. How could it be reportable if the consumer didn't have a choice in buying it? This is a case of the corporations (i.e. majors, clearchannel) either owning some of these venues or somehow influencing sales. Its a cycle. When the labels make money, it goes back to clearchannel or infinity broadcasting. Not to mention, when record labels ship free boxes of cds to smaller stores in turn for illegal soundscans. It been all reported my friends. So with that my question is, how can independents foster a new system of reporting to level the playing field when playing at venues not owned by the "corporations" or less than known venues.
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>> could the sales taken from the credit card machines (carbon copy); once they are cleared of course through CD Baby, be counted towards soundscan?
No - because there's no way to prove that you were selling CDs.
All that shows up here is a carbon slip telling us how much to charge. You could have been selling shoes or whatever. SoundScan wants PROOF by a trustable source who was right there at the venue, that it was actually CDs you were selling. That's why they require a form with the venue owner's contact info and signature. They actually contact the venue owner to verify.
Again - someday we'll find a solution to make this easier for everyone, but it's not top priority yet.
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I can't understand how to use the file for my barcode to print the labels for my cd's. I think you already have some of my cd's in stock.
sorry...i am confused. if this is a duplicate to an email i already sent, sorry.
r.b. stone
fayetteville, n.c.
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Dear Derek;
I have my CD with the Barcode of Brazil with 13 numbers, I ask you if I need other Barcode.
Tanks
Shirley Espindola
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Hi Shirley, I believe a 13 digit code is an EAN.UCC combined code.
http://www.uc-council.org/ean_ucc_system/stnds_and_tech/2005_sunrise.html
What this means is that it is a globally compatible standard that will take full effect officially in 2005. You should be ok with that number.
Max K.
------------------
"Dear Derek;
I have my CD with the Barcode of Brazil with 13 numbers, I ask you if I need other Barcode.
Tanks
Shirley Espindola
"
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I'd like to point out that although manufacturers and distributors can provide their customers with a UPC for their CD, anyone who wants to own his/her own label to release CDs (even a really tiny one) should register their label with the UCC instead of getting a bar code from another company.
For a single release without a label, getting one from CD Baby, Oasis CD, Discmakers, etc. is a viable option---unless you have money to burn, I suppose, and really want to register yourself with the UCC (they'd prefer you did, too).
Also, I'm not sure where the $750 fee for registering a company with the UCC comes from (and everyone seems to be quoting it), but according to their site, the annual renewal fee "is based on a member company's gross sales revenue and/or the number of their unique trade items (products). Based on the formula, the fee will range from $150 to $1,500 per UCC Company Prefix, with a maximum of $9,000 fee per member."
http://www.uc-council.org/ean_ucc_system/membership/member_faqs.html#faq16
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Wow, what a great service (and site!)
I have a quick question about purchasing a bar code. If I reprint the CD afterwards, can I use the same bar code? - I mean reprint of the same CD - ie. if I do 25 CD's to start, then when they sell, have 500 more copies done, will I need a new bar code?
Thanks!
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If it's the same CD, you use the same barcode, yes.
It's only when it's a DIFFERENT album, that you need a new barcode.
But future reprints of the SAME album get the SAME barcode.
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Would I be able to use this bar code for my next CD let's say? Even though there are different songs on it, so how would that effect music performance companies (ASCAP, BMI..)?
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No no no! A UPC Barcode has to be for ONE ALBUM ONLY - that's the whole point! It's a unique identifier. Like a social security number for people in USA.
(If you have three kids they can't all get the same social security number.) :-)
The music performance companies (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC) pay you for your radio and TV broadcast airplay. They have nothing to do with your UPC Barcode, and don't even care about how you package or sell your music. Only about what song is played on radio/TV and who gets paid for the playing of it.
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i've read several posts regarding sales of CDs at live shows and them not being reported to soundscan...
folks, just buy the CDs from yourself from cdbaby or whoever and then resell them at the show. the numbers get reported, and assuming you charge the same amount, you get your money back. simple as that.
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Of Course! Thanks Clint I'm about to release and
gig for my first CD and that totally solves the venue issue!
Thanks
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Hi Guys,
I would like to sell my CD through Amazon.com's
"Marketplace" program, in which they list the titles, you
ship the CDs yourself and they only take a 15%
comission plus $0.99 per sale. However, you must be
in their catalog already (???) and their respsonse to
"How do I add my titles to your catalog?" is:
"...listing your title with these distributors [list follows] is
an alternative method for getting your products into the
Amazon.com cataglog."
Is listing with CD Baby a way for Amazon to get it into
their catalog?
OR you can enroll in their regular program where they
take a whopping 55% (which works in a similar way to
yours, other than the comission!)
You guys just received my CDs and are in the process
of adding it to the site.
Thanks,
Jennifer
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Sorry we have no affiliation with Amazon at all. If having a UPC Barcode helps you get into Amazon, then I guess that helps, but we don't get you into Amazon - you'd have to do that yourself.
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Try going to http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/subst/partners/direct/direct-application.html/002-0060581-0899255
You can register your product with Amazon by joining their Advantage program. In the advantage program you send them some of your CDs, usually only one or two to start. But that gets your item in their catalog and then you can use marketplace to sell it yourself through Amazon. The difference is that with Advantage Amazon keeps a lot of the money and they stock and ship your CD but with marketplace to keep most of the money and you ship it to the customer. The biggest drawback is that they don't post audio samples of your tracks but they will allow you to make complete songs available for free downloads.
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I,maybe 2 months ago,payed for my barcode,For the Stranger Things Happen cd.That CD has been sent out to the digital download sites.But I didn't get the file so I can download print and use the barcode myself.? What! What!
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Are UPC codes available for meditation CDs??
Are meditation CDs the same as music??
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Of course. Nothing here said it had to be music.
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Where, how can I purchase top spine labels. I want to do the printing and insert the bar code on jewel cases and distribue me cd with a source in addition to CD Baby.
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Roxio Easy CD Creator 5 wants a 13 digit number (EAN). Is this product simply not capable of supporting US/Canadian 12 UPC? Suggestions?
Thanks,
Steve
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If Roxio insists on a 13-digit barcode, just add a 0 (zero) as the FIRST number of your 12-digit barcode. That will make it 13 digits, and it is technically correct.
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i had a question. if i get a barcode from cdbaby and i get a lot of
college radio play... in the monthly/weekly charts where it lists
the artist name and label, would cdbaby be listed as the label if
they were going by upc codes?
cheers.
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I've never used it. Sorry. You'll have to ask Roxio.
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I want to know the process after i must have sent 5 unlabeled CDs with my songs to you. If someone needs a 1000 of my Cds, what step do you take? I mean graphics, mastering etc before sending the album to the purchaser? Who pays for all these?
How do all these transactions operate. Another question is the method of payment for those outside US without the Bank of USA. Can't money be transfered to my bank acount with other international banks?
Thanks jamsheriff.
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How long once a bar code is distributed, will it show up in the main data base(s)?
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I noticed that Tower already has most of our CD's compared to the ones still in progress, but will the bar codes show up when you go to Barnes & Nobles/Virgin/Ameba?
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I recently joined CD baby and think its marvelous. I have a bar code issued by CD baby. The questions is how do I not confuse the bar code mass produced by me and yours in order to better identify and account every sale. Basically each copy of the album should have a different number to identify a copy. I do I ensure that I do not ssue the same number for two different copies between CD baby and spitfire entertainment. Thank You for your attention Chris Cajigas
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Chris - one product should NOT have multiple barcodes. If you had your own barcode already, you did not need another from CD Baby. Please email or call CD Baby to figure this out.
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I have an independent dvd. Can you provide me with a upc code?
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UPC/EAN AND OTHER CODES
IN RESPONSE to many of the comments here regarding UPC and EAS Codes, including assumptions that they somehow are related to keeping track of plays on radio, etc.:
Firstly, the UPC code (12 digits) is simply a number that's easier than spelling out the entire name of the ALBUM or COLLECTION of songs.Think of it as applying to the case, rather than to the songs or content.
The UPC code, as many have noted here, does nothing else than expedite checkout and inventory tracking (stores, total sales of a product and possibly further reporting of product sales for a particular branch- i.e. Soundscan in the case of US/Canadian music).
Most of the world uses the EAN (13 digits), particularly Europe, but even Asia and, if I'm not mistaken South America. These have NO OTHER PURPOSE THAN MAKING IT EASIER TO RECORD INVENTORY, SALES ETC. OF PRODUCTS (even softdrinks or toys, etc.) WITHOUT HAVING TO SPELL OUT THE NAME OR PUNCH IN THE PRICE. If someone does not accept a product without them, it is a questions of not wanting to be annoyed by the extra time required to type in the name of the product or punch the price.
The UPC works in Europe and many other areas, but the EAN encounters problems in the U.S. and Canada. There's logical format reason for this. You can put 12 digits into a 13-digit blank, but not the other way around.
NOW, when we talk about airplays, piracy protection, royalty administration, etc. we are into totally different territory. The code that helps in these cases is the ISRC code (International Standard Record Code). EACH TRACK, I.E. EACH SONG should have its very own ISRC code. These numbers mean something when it comes to registering airplay, downloads, etc. The ISRC is available for free in the US. In some countries it costs about 20 euros. This number, as opposed to the product number (UPC) is the important one and really a must for anyone serious about producing songs for radio and web.
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Great explanation. Very clear. Thanks.
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My CD has an EAN-code, will it still need an UPC-code if I want to use the Digital Distribution program?
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One thing that I noticed, is that it does cost a lot of money to become a reporting label and report sales via shows and venues and the like. However, if you are a independent store, there seems to be no cost. And now with being able to convert any desk computer into a POS system, what would stop an artist from becoming an independent store and reporting all the sales as if sold from that store?
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I will soon be sending my CD's to CD Baby
and I'm looking into barcodes! I live in the UK
and was wondering if I can use my CD Baby
barcode over here or is it exclusive to the
USA?
I'm being charged £40 for a barcode here and
of course would save a bunch paying only
$20. If I have to buy a different barcode for UK
can I then use THAT barcode for CD Baby?
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UPC Barcodes are only for USA and Canada. The rest of the world uses EAN codes. Right now if you try to enter an EAN code into CD Baby it will give you an error, but if you email us your info and EAN code we can enter it into the system ourselves.
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Forgot to ask also about getting a catalogue
number for the edge of CD cover. Do you
supply these with the barcode? Does it cost
extra? If you do supply these would it be the
same in USA as UK?
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