Writers Splits & Publishing Info

Writers Tab Overview

In this article, you'll learn:

1. How to add new writers
2. How to use the PRO number field
3. How to edit writer splits
4. How writers are stored in the contact database
5. Writers tab limitations
6. How to export writer splits onto a CSV

The Writers tab is for internal use and is designed to keep track of writers, their publisher(s), PROs, and song splits. These fields are NOT ID3v2 metadata that travel with the tracks when downloaded.

That being said, there is a business setting that, when turned on, adds the writer, split, publisher, and PRO into the Composer metadata field when tracks are downloaded.

Writers are stored as contacts in the Contact Database. Their details, like Publishers, PROs, and associated acts, can be updated in the database with additional notes and contact info.

The Writers tab is most useful when you're dealing with many different writers and publishers. It isn't necessary to fill out the Writers tab if you are the only writer, or if every song has the same writer split. In that case, it's easier to add that info straight into the Composer metadata field.

Add New Writers

• Click the plus sign (+) to add as many writers as appropriate for each song.

• Type in a new writer name or select from existing writers in the drop-down menu.
• Enter each writer’s  respective split (out of 100%).

The Writer side vs Publisher side 50/50 performance income splits are not necessary in the Writers tab. Just store simple Writer splits out of 100%.

• Type in a new publisher or select one from the drop-down menu.
• Choose their Performing Rights Organization (PRO) from the dropdown.

Editing a Writer Split

• Select Edit from the menu to the right of the Writer.
• Note you can switch to a different Writer but cannot edit the existing Writer's name.
• Update the Writer name in the Contact Database (see below).

PRO Number / ISWC Field

• The PRO number field is intended for the song ISWC.
• The ISWC is the International Standard Musical Work Code, typically assigned by your PRO (ASCAP, BMI, PRS, APRA etc) when you register songs with them.
• ISWC codes always start with the letter T- followed by nine digits and a numeric check digit,. e.g. T-123.456.789-1.
• Remember that none of the info in the Writers tab will travel in the metadata of a downloaded track; if you’d like to share the ISWC, add it into the Comments field on the Metadata tab.

Writers in the Contact Database

All Writers are stored in the Contact Database and are defined as Writers by the "Writer" tag.

When Writers are added in the Writers Tab, they are also automatically added to the Contact Database. Their names will populate in the Writer's name drop-down:

Applying the "Writer" tag to a contact will open additional fields to store their Publisher, PRO and Act information on their contact card:

• Next time you  fill in the Writers tab, you can choose from existing writers (any contact with the "Writer" tag) to pre-fill their Publisher and PRO details.

Editing Writers in the Contacts Table

Type "Writer" in the Contacts search bar to view all contacts with the "Writer" tag, or search their name.

• Select the pen to the right of the contact to edit basic details.
• Save changes when you're done by clicking the tick in the Edit column:

Editing a Writer’s Contact Card

• Select the contact's name to open their full contact card.
• Publisher and PRO info is stored here.
• Click Edit to update their details.
• Keep track of the artists each writer has worked with by filling out the “Acts” field.
• Add notes as helpful.
• Add contacts to mailing lists.

Writers Tab Limitations

• The data in the Writers tab is not indexed, which means that writer names and info will not return in search results.
• Writers’ names must be edited in the Contact Database - you can't edit them in the Writers tab.
• Only one Publisher can be added per Writer split. 
• The split cannot be divided between multiple co-publishers or administrators.
• There is not a way to specify your control of a writer, other than adding your company as the publisher.
• Territory information cannot be stored in the Writers tab.
• There are no IPI number fields, but these can be added as notes in the Writer Contact Card - or appended to the Writer’s Name.

Learn how to use Custom Fields to store additional information about tracks in DISCO.

Exporting Writer Splits in a CSV

• Open Reports in the sidebar and enter the playlist (album) title you'd like to export splits for in the top-right field.

• Under "More Options," select the Writer Information fields and any other Track Information you'd like in the export.
• Preview or Download the Report.
• Download the report as a CSV and import it to Google Sheets or Excel to edit.

The preview does not show the complete report.

Wrap-Up

The Writers tab is an important tool for keeping track of writers, their publishers, PROs, and song splits. While it comes with some limitations (for instance, the data is not indexed for search and does not travel by default), it remains a valuable resource for concisely storing important Writer info.