# Finding duplicate tracks and removing/isolating them?
**URL:** https://community.mp3tag.de/t/finding-duplicate-tracks-and-removing-isolating-them/57963
**Category:** Mac
**Created:** [July 21, 2022, 8:03am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/finding-duplicate-tracks-and-removing-isolating-them/57963 "2022-07-21T08:03:10Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@b1zguy](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/b1zguy)
#### Post date: [July 21, 2022, 8:03am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/finding-duplicate-tracks-and-removing-isolating-them/57963/1 "2022-07-21T08:03:10Z")
I'm looking to quickly view tracks with same title, per say, then either exporting/removing form view so I can delete/copy them from their current directory.
Thanks in advance!
EDIT: Lemme try make more sense:
- Find and show duplicate tracks
- Export these to another list
- Remove/hide tracks from view
- Delete the new versions
I guess I'm asking how to do a couple related things π
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### Author:  [@ohrenkino](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/ohrenkino)
#### Post date: [July 21, 2022, 8:09am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/finding-duplicate-tracks-and-removing-isolating-them/57963/2 "2022-07-21T08:09:08Z")
See this thread on the general approach:
> [@Feature Request: search folder search master library find duplicate](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/feature-request-search-folder-search-master-library-find-duplicate/53282):
>
> I inherited a lot of music lately, and am trying to import into my library. I would like to see the the file compare feature allow two kinds of of search 1st. type search - Compare songs in a base folder. for example: D:\music\new rock flac this would be the base folder, has say 100 songs. or Compare all songs in following folders: D:\music; D:\new mp3; D:\mp3 working; E:\music 1990s; E\music 2000s F:\Allmusic 1st type search - The second parameter is where to search. example: Fβ¦
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### Author:  [@b1zguy](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/b1zguy)
#### Post date: [July 21, 2022, 9:29am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/finding-duplicate-tracks-and-removing-isolating-them/57963/3 "2022-07-21T09:29:40Z")
I've taken a cursory look at the thread. Looks like I need to be using another program outside of mp3tag?
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### Author:  [@ohrenkino](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/ohrenkino)
#### Post date: [July 21, 2022, 9:50am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/finding-duplicate-tracks-and-removing-isolating-them/57963/4 "2022-07-21T09:50:27Z")
As MP3tag does not compare the contents of 2 files, you can use only sorting to get similar titles close to each other.
From then on you have to scan through the list manually.
MP3tag cannot supply a list of files that shows only similar files in respect to a certain criterion.
I linked the thread as it also links to a more general discussion about the sensibility to delete alleged duplicates.
AFAI can tell, a removal based only on the data in TITLE is probably never enough - you need something like an acoustic fingerprint.
The easiest way to get files that may be the same is probably to try to move/rename them based on the tag data.
Every file that already exists will lead to an error message and these files may need a closer look.
This still leaves out whether it is sensible to tear apart compilations or soundtracks or best of or live albums. Or to remove the single release from the EP and just leave all the other versions, yet, delete the file after which the EP was named ...
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### Author:  [@b1zguy](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/b1zguy)
#### Post date: [July 21, 2022, 10:01am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/finding-duplicate-tracks-and-removing-isolating-them/57963/5 "2022-07-21T10:01:16Z")
OK, I'm think I'm better understanding the complexity of my question; so I'll try explaining my use case.
I use mp3tag to manage genres for DJing music and I ingest new music via Spotify. So you can see the problem arises when always downloading music from Spotify playlists will leed to deuplicates if one has already downloaded in the past (without realising).
I wish to keep track of what songs I have downloaded (eg mp3tag3) and what new music I should grab from my playlists. Maybe this is beyond the forums yet I hope the context leads to a more fruitful discussion.
P.S mp3tag is already immensely helpful for managing genres. I currently use iTunes/Music to view all music, but Traktor for actual playing/DJing.
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### Author:  [@ohrenkino](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/ohrenkino)
#### Post date: [July 21, 2022, 10:36am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/finding-duplicate-tracks-and-removing-isolating-them/57963/6 "2022-07-21T10:36:50Z")
> [@b1zguy](#):
>
> downloading music from Spotify playlists will leed to deuplicates if one has already downloaded in the past (without realising).
If you follow a constant naming scheme, then any already existing file should lead to an error message.
Also, I think that iTunes has a function to show (alleged) duplicates...
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### Author:  [@MotleyG](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/MotleyG)
#### Post date: [July 21, 2022, 1:03pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/finding-duplicate-tracks-and-removing-isolating-them/57963/7 "2022-07-21T13:03:20Z")
> [@ohrenkino](#):
>
> I think that iTunes has a function to show (alleged) duplicates
It does do this, and it works very well too.
In iTunes, `File>Library>Show Duplicate Items` will get you to the first level. At the top of the list that show up, it will be highlighted on `All`. This shows all songs (exactly the same title) by (exactly) the same artist that exist in your library, but this isn't as helpful since often an artist will release the same title on a different album, or remaster. So if you select beside that the filter for `Same Album`, It will add that layer and essentially show only true duplicates.
I use this myself as it it truly the easiest way to find duplicates, if you have iTunes as one of your players.
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### Author:  [@b1zguy](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/b1zguy)
#### Post date: [July 22, 2022, 5:42am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/finding-duplicate-tracks-and-removing-isolating-them/57963/8 "2022-07-22T05:42:46Z")
I do use iTunes to centralise my library. However, as far as I'm aware, it only removes from iTunes, not delete the file?
I guess I can deal with iTunes loose matching method for now. Been trying to learn the Similarity software recommended in the linked thread.
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### Author:  [@ohrenkino](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/ohrenkino)
#### Post date: [July 22, 2022, 6:45am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/finding-duplicate-tracks-and-removing-isolating-them/57963/9 "2022-07-22T06:45:03Z")
> [@b1zguy](#):
>
> However, as far as I'm aware, it only removes from iTunes, not delete the file?
my Itunes also asks whether I want to delete the files also from the file system.
Still, if you have a list in iTunes, you can drag&drop it in/to MP3tag and treat the files there.
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### Author:  [@b1zguy](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/b1zguy)
#### Post date: [July 22, 2022, 7:44am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/finding-duplicate-tracks-and-removing-isolating-them/57963/10 "2022-07-22T07:44:19Z")
Yeah I thought it should've too. I'll see what it does when I next find a duplicate and try delete it.
> [@ohrenkino](#):
>
> you can drag&drop it in/to MP3tag and treat the files there.
Files can be deleted from mp3tag???
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### Author:  [@ohrenkino](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/ohrenkino)
#### Post date: [July 22, 2022, 7:58am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/finding-duplicate-tracks-and-removing-isolating-them/57963/11 "2022-07-22T07:58:17Z")
> [@b1zguy](#):
>
> Files can be deleted from mp3tag???
I think, a look at the documentation would be useful:
> [@Keyboard Shortcuts](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/keyboard-shortcuts/51736):
>
> Mp3tag menu Shortcut Command β , Preferences... β H Hide Mp3tag β₯β H Hide Others β Q Quit Mp3tag File menu Shortcut Command β O Open... β§β O Add... β₯β C Copy to... β₯β M Move to... β« Remove β₯β« Delete β P Create Playlist... β E Export... β R Refresh β₯β R Refresh Tag β S Save β₯β S Save (Force) βW Close Edit menu Shortcut Command β Z Undo β§β Z Redo β X Cut β C Copy β V Paste β₯ββ« Remove Tag β A Select All β₯β β Select Previβ¦
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### Author:  [@MotleyG](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/MotleyG)
#### Post date: [July 22, 2022, 11:21am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/finding-duplicate-tracks-and-removing-isolating-them/57963/12 "2022-07-22T11:21:32Z")
> [@b1zguy](#):
>
> Yeah I thought it should've too. I'll see what it does when I next find a duplicate and try delete it.
>
> > [@ohrenkino](#):
> >
> > you can drag&drop it in/to MP3tag and treat the files there.
>
> Files can be deleted from mp3tag???
Both work, whichever way you prefer.
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### Author:  [@b1zguy](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/b1zguy)
#### Post date: [July 23, 2022, 4:03am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/finding-duplicate-tracks-and-removing-isolating-them/57963/13 "2022-07-23T04:03:55Z")
I'm pretty sure my file naming structures are a little different, so probably need some fuzzy matching.
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### Author:  [@b1zguy](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/b1zguy)
#### Post date: [July 23, 2022, 4:39am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/finding-duplicate-tracks-and-removing-isolating-them/57963/14 "2022-07-23T04:39:53Z")
> [@ohrenkino](#):
>
> my Itunes also asks whether I want to delete the files also from the file system.
This is what my iTunes/Music says when deleting a song:
So no option to actually delete the file.
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### Author:  [@ohrenkino](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/ohrenkino)
#### Post date: [July 23, 2022, 6:05am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/finding-duplicate-tracks-and-removing-isolating-them/57963/15 "2022-07-23T06:05:53Z")
> [@b1zguy](#):
>
> I'm pretty sure my file naming structures are a little different
Different from what?
If you have not yet applied a consistent naming scheme, this may be a first step.
If you need the original name (for whatever purposes) then copy that to a user-defined field.
Once done, rename all the files with Converter\>Tag-Filename and something like
Format string: %artist% - %title%\_
If you already get warnings that a file could not be renamed then this indicates a duplicate.
You can then filter for all the files that do not have an underscore as they could not be renamed.
Or: have you tried to drag&drop files from iTunes duplicates list?
In MP3tag you can delete files from the file system.
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### Author:  [@MotleyG](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/MotleyG)
#### Post date: [July 23, 2022, 9:16am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/finding-duplicate-tracks-and-removing-isolating-them/57963/16 "2022-07-23T09:16:49Z")
> [@b1zguy](#):
>
> So no option to actually delete the file.
The joys of having Apple protect you on a Mac.π
Try here for your version of MacOS and Music app.
> **[Create, edit, and delete playlists in Music on Mac](https://support.apple.com/en-ca/guide/music/musd5d051981/mac)**
>
> In Music on Mac, create a playlist to organize your music or burn a CD. Remove playlists you no longer want.
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### Author:  [@b1zguy](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/b1zguy)
#### Post date: [July 23, 2022, 11:23pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/finding-duplicate-tracks-and-removing-isolating-them/57963/17 "2022-07-23T23:23:03Z")
> [@ohrenkino](#):
>
> Different from what?
> If you have not yet applied a consistent naming scheme, this may be a first step.
> If you need the original name (for whatever purposes) then copy that to a user-defined field.
> Once done, rename all the files with Converter\>Tag-Filename and something like
> Format string: %artist% - %title%\_
> If you already get warnings that a file could not be renamed then this indicates a duplicate.
> You can then filter for all the files that do not have an underscore as they could not be renamed.
Well, my convention applied to my file management is a little different to what gets exported from Spotify (ie. the playlists).
> [@ohrenkino](#):
>
> Or: have you tried to drag&drop files from iTunes duplicates list?
> In MP3tag you can delete files from the file system.
This great idea worked, yet now I'm left with empty directories!
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### Author:  [@b1zguy](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/b1zguy)
#### Post date: [July 23, 2022, 11:24pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/finding-duplicate-tracks-and-removing-isolating-them/57963/18 "2022-07-23T23:24:34Z")
Atleast I don't get crashes π
You linked to an article for handling playlists though?
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### Author:  [@MotleyG](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/MotleyG)
#### Post date: [July 23, 2022, 11:45pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/finding-duplicate-tracks-and-removing-isolating-them/57963/19 "2022-07-23T23:45:50Z")
> [@b1zguy](#):
>
> You linked to an article for handling playlists though?
There were a few hits from a quick search that Apple had showing support for how to delete files. But it does seem to be able to be done from within their Music app on MacOS. Even from within playlists, which seems to be what the Duplicates filter behaves like.
> [@b1zguy](#):
>
> Atleast I don't get crashes π
touchΓ© π€£
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### Author:  [@b1zguy](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/b1zguy)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2022, 4:02am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/finding-duplicate-tracks-and-removing-isolating-them/57963/20 "2022-07-28T04:02:08Z")
You mean I gotta do it from the terminal?
It'd be nice if I can easily compare two csv (ie. playlists or track lists) to see what is missing (and duplicates) and grab such tracks. Tempted to write the program/script myself, but that's for another day!
[Next page](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/finding-duplicate-tracks-and-removing-isolating-them/57963.md?page=2)