Yes.

If you’re transferring the exact same recording from DistroKid to another distributor, you should generally retain the existing ISRC.

What is an ISRC?

ISRC stands for International Standard Recording Code.

It identifies a particular sound recording.

Think of it as a unique identifier for the master rather than the song composition itself.

Why keep the same ISRC?

Because you’re telling streaming services:

This isn’t a brand-new recording.

It’s the same recording being delivered by a different distributor.

That can help platforms match your replacement correctly.

When should you use a new ISRC?

If you’ve created a genuinely different recording.

Examples could include:

a new studio recording

a substantially different mix

a live version

an acoustic version

a remix

Don’t reuse an ISRC across recordings that are actually different products.

Where should artists store ISRCs?

Not just inside their distributor account.

Maintain your own catalogue database.

For every track, store:

ISRC

UPC

master file

release date

songwriters

publishers

performers

artwork

contract information

DSP links

Your distributor may change.

Your catalogue records should remain yours.

Bottom line

The ISRC belongs with the recording, not your loyalty to a particular distributor.

Keeping good records makes switching services dramatically easier.