Curious what you guys use as your test tracks for various purposes and scenarios. I've heard from bands and sound engineers that Hotel California seems to be "industry standard" lol. But what do y'all use to test your BFM systems, or do sound checks, or set up a room, or test a pair of headphones? I've got a few.
"The Keeper (Alex Banks remix)" by Bonobo - I use this one to test accuracy and clarity. On a lesser system, much of the song sounds like distortion, but on a good system or pair of headphones, the truth is revealed. It's actually a highly complex, hard to accurately drive, layered track that really puts a system through the paces.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oe-33sjkXy8
"Gorecki" by Lamb - Similar to The Keeper, this track is heavily layered and puts the whole signal chain to the test. If there's compression anywhere, it will show as the track builds. (the fact that youtube audio is compressed is not lost on me. I usually play it from Deezer which I pay for HIFI/lossless service)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSRYvYN1ayw
"Lose Control" by Teddy Swims - I use this one for vocals and also percussion impact
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhNujgPvIdw
"Outlands Part II" from the Tron Legacy soundtrack - deep rumbly bass. Good subwoofer tester.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U45Ol68T7LY
"Fluxxx" by Supertask - good clean deep bass. Another subwoofer tester
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJxQDcAVCW0
"Boomer Technology" by Boofy - fast fluctuating bass line. Testing subwoofer range and accuracy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsxWpc8uajA
(all the above tracks are SFW)
Test tracks/songs
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Bruce Weldy
- Posts: 8675
- Joined: Fri Nov 27, 2009 11:37 am
- Location: New Braunfels, TX
Re: Test tracks/songs
The standard for years has always been Steely Dan because it was all recorded so well. Although, probably not enough lows for the DJ stuff nowadays.
I've always used the song Texas by Chris Rea.....it's not perfect, but I know the song and it starts out with lows then adds the kick. A little hissy on the top end, but I know that and adjust. Then I play just a little of a tune by a local artist whose voice I know well, just to test the 1-2k range.
While I totally advocate getting the EQ right on the system before hitting the channels - if you can't get it figured out in one or two songs, you're wasing time.....and most likely pissing off the crowd who's already there.
I've always used the song Texas by Chris Rea.....it's not perfect, but I know the song and it starts out with lows then adds the kick. A little hissy on the top end, but I know that and adjust. Then I play just a little of a tune by a local artist whose voice I know well, just to test the 1-2k range.
While I totally advocate getting the EQ right on the system before hitting the channels - if you can't get it figured out in one or two songs, you're wasing time.....and most likely pissing off the crowd who's already there.
Last edited by Bruce Weldy on Wed Apr 08, 2026 4:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.
6 - T39 3012LF
4 - OT12 2512
1 - T24
1 - SLA Pro
2 - XF210
"A system with a few knobs set up by someone who knows what they are doing is always better than one with a lot of knobs set up by someone who doesn't."
Re: Test tracks/songs
I have a handful depending on what I'm testing. Here are a few:
For overall sound:
Earth Wind & Fire - Let's Groove
Beck - Morning (the whole album is well mastered, but this is my go-to)
Steely Dan - Josie
Fleetwood Mac - Dreams
Rage Against the Machine - Bombtrack
Dire Straits - So Far Away
Michael Jackson - Billie Jean
Megadeth - Kill the King (good double bass)
For bass:
Bassotronics - Bass I Love You (be careful with this one)
Snoop Dogg - Lay Low
NF - Destiny (steady low bass)
Trolls Soundtrack - Hair Up (don't laugh, it gets deep at the :50 mark
)
Linkin Park - Frgt/10
For overall sound:
Earth Wind & Fire - Let's Groove
Beck - Morning (the whole album is well mastered, but this is my go-to)
Steely Dan - Josie
Fleetwood Mac - Dreams
Rage Against the Machine - Bombtrack
Dire Straits - So Far Away
Michael Jackson - Billie Jean
Megadeth - Kill the King (good double bass)
For bass:
Bassotronics - Bass I Love You (be careful with this one)
Snoop Dogg - Lay Low
NF - Destiny (steady low bass)
Trolls Soundtrack - Hair Up (don't laugh, it gets deep at the :50 mark
)Linkin Park - Frgt/10