"Hit Save" is a highly regarded, unreleased progressive synth track by deadmau5 that originated from 2017 livestreams and evolved through various versions, including "Resaved" and "Unlucky," before influencing the 2022 official release "XYZ". The track is known for its atmospheric 16-minute work-in-progress version, which remains popular among fans on platforms like SoundCloud.
The genius of deadmau5 is that he has never pretended to be a guru. He is a grumpy, perfectionist, cat-loving nerd who happens to be a genius with a synthesizer. When he shouts "Hit save," he isn't lecturing from a pedestal; he is screaming across the void to his past self, and to all of us, trying to save us from the heartbreak of lost potential.
In an industry obsessed with the "hit" (the song, the single, the chart-topper), Joel Zimmerman redefined the value of the "save."
So, whether you are staring at a blinking cursor, a blank MIDI grid, or a daunting spreadsheet, remember the mau5. The best creative advice of the decade isn't complex music theory or expensive gear. It’s a two-word command that costs nothing but saves everything.
Go ahead. Do it right now. Hit save.
Keywords integrated: deadmau5, deadmau5 hit save, electronic music production, creative block, music production tips.
Nice choice — "Hit Save" is a solid Deadmau5 track.
Here are three quick angles you could use for a short piece:
Want a 150–300 word mini-review, a production breakdown with timestamps, or a short social caption?
The legend of the 16-minute stream ID is over. After years of circulating as a Work-In-Progress rip, Joel has officially polished and released "Hit Save" under its new title: "What A Save".
Found on the brand new Error5 EP, this track keeps that haunting, atmospheric synth progression we’ve been obsessed with since the first Twitch streams. Whether you knew it as "Hit Save," "Unlucky," or "Resaved," it’s finally here in its final form. Check it out now: 🎧 Stream on Spotify/Apple Music: Error5 EP 📺 Watch the 4K Visualizer: What A Save (Official)
#deadmau5 #WhatASave #HitSave #mau5trap #NewMusic #ElectronicMusic Key Track History
Origins: The track originally gained fame through deadmau5's production live streams, where fans labeled it "Hit Save" because of the recurring "hit save" voice command or theme in his DAW. deadmau5 hit save
Evolution: Over the years, several versions surfaced, including a 16-minute "stream rip," a vocal edit featuring Ellie Goulding’s "I See Fire" vocals, and a version titled "Unlucky" released on Audius.
Official Release: The finalized version, "What A Save," was officially released on August 8, 2025, as part of the Error5 EP.
Experience the official evolution of the track from its unreleased roots to the final studio version: deadmau5 - What A Save [Official 4K Visualizer] YouTube• Aug 9, 2025 What A Save
"Hit Save" is a fan-favorite, 16-minute unreleased progressive house track by deadmau5 (Joel Zimmerman) that first emerged during his production livestreams. It is widely considered by his fanbase, "The Horde," to be a modern masterpiece on par with his legendary track "Strobe". Track Evolution & Variants
The song has undergone several iterations over the years, leading to confusion about its official status:
"Hit Save" (The 16-Minute WIP): The original work-in-progress (WIP) from a 2017 livestream. It features a long, atmospheric build with "cosmically eerie" loops and subtle melodic shifts.
"Unlucky": A version uploaded by deadmau5 to the Audius platform.
"Resaved" / "I See Fire": A vocal version often played live, featuring lyrics like "fire spinning out of control" (vocals by WAX/WANE).
"XYZ": Released officially in 2022 on the mau5trap label, this track uses the same synth melody and core riff but is a more concise, "polished" evolution. Many fans still prefer the raw 16-minute "Hit Save" version for its immersive length. Critical & Fan Reception
While "Hit Save" lacks a formal studio review due to its unreleased status, fan consensus from platforms like Reddit's deadmau5 community is overwhelmingly positive:
Masterpiece Status: Fans frequently describe it as "perfection" and "criminally underrated".
Atmosphere: It is praised for its "darker," "atmospheric," and "epic" sound. "Hit Save" is a highly regarded, unreleased progressive
Production Quality: Even as a livestream rip, listeners note its technical complexity and the emotional weight of its chord progressions. Current Status (April 2026)
As of early 2026, the full 16-minute version has not received a standalone official release. However, deadmau5 continues to tour, and fans remain hopeful for a high-quality master to appear on his upcoming projects, such as the rumored 2026 album.
The year was 2013. "Live streaming" was not yet the polished industry it is today, and deadmau5 was a pioneer of the format. While many DJs were busy curating Instagram feeds, Zimmerman spent hours on end live-streaming himself in his home studio—making coffee, playing video games, and, most importantly, producing music in FL Studio (Fruity Loops).
He was known for his mastery of "in-the-box" production, often starting tracks from scratch and letting viewers watch the chaotic, technical process unfold in real-time.
On the surface, the clip is mundane. It is just a guy saving a file. However, the moment resonated with the internet for several key reasons:
Don't just save over the same file. Use "Save As" with a version number (e.g., Track_Name_v23.als). This protects you not only from crashes but from bad edits. If you ruin a mix, you can roll back to v22. deadmau5 lost his automation because he had no previous version to revert to.
So, what is "deadmau5 hit save"? It is a cautionary tale dressed as a comedy. It is a two-word poem about hubris, technology, and the cruelty of random access memory. It is the most valuable lesson ever taught on a Twitch stream.
The next time you are deep in the flow, sculpting a bassline that you believe will change the world, remember Joel Zimmerman staring at a frozen screen in 2014. Remember the silence. Remember the groan.
Then, press Ctrl+S.
Don't be deadmau5. Hit save.
Keywords integrated: deadmau5 hit save, music production tips, DAW crash recovery, Twitch meme history, Joel Zimmerman, Ableton Live workflow, digital audio preservation.
"Hit Save" is an iconic unreleased track by Canadian electronic music producer The Legacy of a Simple Command The genius
(Joel Zimmerman), widely regarded by his fanbase as one of his greatest "hidden gems". Origins and Development
The track first surfaced around 2018 as a "work in progress" during Zimmerman's live production streams on platforms like Twitch. It quickly gained legendary status within "The Horde" (his fanbase) due to its length, complexity, and emotive progressive house style—characteristics often compared to his 2009 masterpiece, "Strobe". Key Features of "Hit Save"
Melodic Progression: The song is a long-form progressive house track, typically spanning over 9 minutes in various bootleg versions found on YouTube.
Production Style: It features a slow-burning intro, intricate synth layering, and the signature atmospheric "dots and lines" of automation for which Zimmerman is famous.
Evolution into "XYZ": While "Hit Save" remains officially unreleased in its original form, elements of its melody and structure were eventually repurposed for the track "XYZ," which was released in June 2022 on the We Are Friends, Vol. 11 compilation. Legacy and Fan Reception
Despite never receiving a formal standalone release, "Hit Save" frequently appears at the top of community lists for the best unreleased EDM songs. Its name has become a bit of an inside joke among fans, symbolizing the painstaking detail Zimmerman puts into his work before finally "hitting save" on a project.
The Enigma of "Hit Save": Deadmau5’s Unfinished Masterpiece
In the world of electronic music, few tracks carry as much mythical weight as deadmau5’s "Hit Save." To the casual listener, it might seem like just another deep cut, but to the dedicated "horde" of fans, it represents one of the most beloved and elusive pieces of music in Joel Zimmerman’s vast catalogue. The Origins: From Livestream to Legend
The story of "Hit Save" begins where much of deadmau5's magic happens: his Twitch livestreams. Known for broadcasting his production sessions for hours, Zimmerman allowed fans to witness the track's evolution in real-time.
The "Saved" Connection: The track is famously linked to the officially released song "Saved," which appeared on the mau5trap compilation We Are Friends, Vol. 5 in 2016.
The "Hit Save" Name: Legend has it that "Saved" was named after a technical mishap where Joel lost progress on a project and had to rebuild it—hence the reminder to "hit save".
The Unofficial Versions: While "Saved" is a polished 9-minute progressive house journey, "Hit Save" often refers to a much longer, unreleased 16-minute Work-In-Progress (WIP) that features more atmospheric elements and distinct synth explorations. Production & Sound Design
"Hit Save" is a masterclass in the deadmau5 production style, blending technical precision with emotional depth.
If you want to recreate the vibe or learn from the track: