Library & Prep

Track ID

The identity of an unknown track, often an unreleased or edited record in a set.

A track ID is the name of a record someone wants identified, commonly asked about unreleased tunes, edits, or dubplates heard in a DJ set or mix.

Why it matters

DJs guard their unreleased IDs as a competitive edge. Tagging your own IDs and exclusives keeps your most valuable tracks organized and reachable.

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Frequently asked questions

Use a song recognition app like Shazam during the live set or on a recording. If that fails, post a clip to communities like r/TrackID or the comments of the set on YouTube or SoundCloud, where fans and other DJs often identify tracks quickly. Checking the DJ's own social posts or 1001tracklists.com after the fact is also reliable.

Unreleased IDs create exclusivity and hype. DJs with strong producer relationships receive exclusive edits or pre-release tracks that no one else can play, which differentiates their sets. An ID also builds anticipation: fans follow the DJ hoping the track eventually drops.

Generally yes. Interrupting a DJ during a set to ask for a track ID breaks their focus and can disrupt the vibe. Wait until the DJ has finished or between songs, or look it up afterward using a recording. Most DJs post tracklists or reveal IDs on social media after the event.

Hey, it's Ben Modigell 👋

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I DJ and produce as so I so — downtempo, minimal, dub house, tech house, and techno (releases on Spotify and SoundCloud, links above). Everything I write here comes from my own gigs, studio sessions, and library cleanups: the rules I follow, the failure modes I've actually hit, and the workflow I use when nobody's watching. If a technique didn't earn its place in my own sets, it doesn't make it into a tutorial.

DJingMusic ProductionTech HouseMinimal HouseDub HouseTechnoDowntempoLibrary Organization