Guide
DJ Edits Explained: Clean, Dirty, Intro Edit and Other Versions
A DJ edit is a version of a song that has been reworked so it is easier to use in a set. Examples include the Intro Edit, which adds beat-only bars to the start, and the Clean version, which removes words that cannot be broadcast. The version name appears in parentheses after the track title.
What is a DJ edit?
The original can be awkward to use as is: the vocal starts on the first beat, or the lyrics include words that cannot be broadcast. A DJ edit changes the start, the length, the lyrics or the tempo to suit DJ use.
One song usually has several versions, written as "Title (Clean)" or "Title (Intro Edit)". Some are supplied by the label, and others are made by DJs and editors.
The counts on this page come from the titles of the 260,000+ tracks published on DIGTRACKS, tallied on October 10, 2026 by the label in parentheses. A song often has several versions, so these are counts of versions (files), not of songs.
The versions
Clean / Dirty
A Clean version has explicit words removed or replaced. A Dirty version has the lyrics unedited. On DIGTRACKS, (Clean) appears on about 68,000 files and (Dirty) on about 67,000, the two most common labels. Use Clean when you cannot choose who is listening.
Intro Edit (Intro Clean / Intro Dirty)
An Intro Edit adds beat-only bars to the start of a song. That gives you time to match the tempo before the vocal comes in, which makes it easier to mix in from the previous track. DIGTRACKS has about 26,000 files labeled (Intro Edit). Labels that also state the lyrics, (Intro Clean) and (Intro Dirty), appear on about 1,800 and 1,300 files.
Radio Edit
A Radio Edit is a shorter version made for broadcast. Some also have the lyrics cleaned for broadcast, but the label alone does not tell you, so preview the file. DIGTRACKS has about 25,000.
Extended
An Extended version has a longer intro or outro. Use it when you want a long blend between two tracks. DIGTRACKS has about 14,000 files labeled (Extended) and about 3,000 labeled (Extended Mix).
Instrumental
An Instrumental has no vocals. DJs use it under an MC, or as a bed for another song's vocal. DIGTRACKS has about 22,000.
Acapella
An Acapella is the vocal on its own, used over the beat of another track. Check that the key and tempo match before you layer it. On DIGTRACKS, (Acapella Dirty) appears on about 2,600 files, (Acapella Clean) on about 2,500 and (Acapella) on about 1,000.
Transition
A Transition changes tempo partway through. It is used to move from one BPM range to another, for example from around 100 BPM to around 128. On DIGTRACKS, about 700 titles state the starting and ending BPM in the form "100-128 BPM Transition" (the numbers here are an example).
Super Clean
Super Clean generally means a version that also removes suggestive content a Clean version leaves in. It is used at events with children. DIGTRACKS has about 400.
Short versions (Quick Hit and similar)
A version cut down to the best-known part of a song is generally called a Quick Hit or Short Edit. It is used when you want to play many songs in a short time. In this tally, those names were not among the frequent labels on DIGTRACKS.
Other labels
Main (about 9,100) generally means the standard version, Original Mix (about 5,700) is the original with no remix or edit, and Remix (about 6,300) is a version reworked by another producer or DJ. No Rap (about 200) has the rap section removed, and TV Track (about 180) generally means a backing track without the lead vocal.
Quick reference
| Version | What is different | Where it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Dirty | Lyrics unedited | Clubs and other places where the original lyrics are acceptable |
| Clean | Explicit words removed or replaced | Weddings, corporate events, shops, radio and streams |
| Super Clean | More removed than in a Clean version (general meaning) | Events with children |
| Intro Edit | Beat-only bars added at the start | Mixing into a song that opens with the vocal |
| Radio Edit | Shortened for broadcast | Radio and streams, or when you want a shorter play |
| Extended | Longer intro or outro | Long blends between two tracks |
| Instrumental | No vocals | Under an MC, or as a bed for an acapella |
| Acapella | Vocals only | Over the beat of another track |
| Transition | Tempo changes partway through | Moving to a different BPM range |
Choosing by gig
- Clubs: Whether you play Dirty or Clean depends on the venue and the event. An Intro Edit helps with songs that open on the vocal, an Extended version suits long blends, and a Transition lets you change BPM range.
- Weddings, corporate events and background music in shops: You cannot choose who is listening, so use Clean. With children present, choose Super Clean where one exists. An Instrumental works while the host is speaking.
- Radio and streams: Use Clean, or a Radio Edit with cleaned lyrics. The standard for language depends on the rules of the station or platform.
Which words are removed in a Clean version differs by song and by editor.
Finding versions on DIGTRACKS
DIGTRACKS is a monthly record pool for DJs. It costs ¥3,490 a month including tax and is billed in Japanese yen. Files are MP3, and downloading is done on a computer. A free account gives you search and previews.
- Search by title: The search box takes track titles and artist names. Words separated by a space narrow the results to tracks that contain all of them, so adding "clean" or "intro edit" after a title brings up that version.
- Browse by genre: The filter lets you choose genres. DJ EDITS holds about 29,000 files and TRANSITION about 800.
- Narrow by BPM and key: The filter also has a BPM range and key. Results can be sorted by artist, title or BPM.
There is no filter for version type alone. Versions are told apart by the label in the title.
FAQ
What is an intro edit?
A version with beat-only bars added to the start. It gives you time to match the tempo before the vocal comes in. Titles show it as (Intro Edit), (Intro Clean) or (Intro Dirty).
What is the difference between Clean and Dirty?
Clean has explicit words removed or replaced; Dirty has the lyrics unedited. Use Clean at weddings, corporate events, on radio and anywhere you cannot choose who is listening.
Is a Radio Edit the same as a Clean version?
No. A Radio Edit is shortened for broadcast, and a Clean version has edited lyrics. Whether a Radio Edit also has cleaned lyrics depends on the track, so preview it.
Where can I get DJ edits?
Record pools, the monthly services for DJs, distribute DJ versions alongside the originals. On DIGTRACKS you can download Clean, Dirty, Intro Edit, Instrumental, Acapella and Transition versions as MP3 for ¥3,490 a month including tax.
Can I make my own DJ edits?
Editing a track for your own practice is treated differently from giving away, selling or publishing the result. Distributing or publishing an edit generally requires permission from the rights holders of the original. The rules differ by country and by contract, so check before you publish or share one.
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