Why You Need To Use Reference Tracks When Mixing

You might have heard about reference tracks but what exactly are they and how can they help?

A reference track can help you stay on the right track and know if your tonal balance, arrangements and sound design is in the right ball park :)

I filmed this video a few months ago but never got around to posting it!

The next few video topics will cover :
Saturation
Advanced Delay techniques
More Free VSTs

SPAN Settings -
Overlap 80
Avg Time 5000
Block Size - 8192
20 - 20k
Slope 2.5
Smoothing 1- 2 octaves

[inthemix]

I filmed this video a few months ago but never got around to posting it!
The next few video topics will cover :
Saturation
Advanced Delay techniques
More Free VSTs

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[azzazymusic]

It’s unbelievable how you cut it short to the point without spending like 4mins talking about your life ... brilliant ... thanks again and forever

[JamieTK]

Another good little trick when using reference tracks is to solo different frequency bands, (Eg. The lows, mids and highs) and compare them with the reference track. This helps hone into elements which are out of place. It's also really handy to see how your kick and bass compare to your reference track :)

[omix]

Hey man! I've followed you for about a month now and I must say that almost every video that I've seen from you have been very helpful. I've produced music for a couple of years now but every time I'm watching your tutorials, I learn something new. Thanks Mike!

[buzzpsy]

You brother, you are amazing, I always search something for learning and I see your video and I jump onto it, thank you so much for all your advices, I really appreciate you for helping artist like us thank you so much

[jamesnesser]

I would add one thing, if it hasn’t been covered already. When you assign the reference track to the mixer do not route that track to the master or 2 bus, where it will be affected by whatever plugins you have there. Instead, route the reference directly out to one and two (shown at the bottom of the effects rack for that mixer track). Otherwise, great advice.

[TheOnlyToblin]

You've done so much for me with learning FL and mixing. Thanks a bunch dude! Even though we make vastly different music, your tips are always helpful!

Me I'm mostly making retro themed and styled remakes of old Amiga tracks.

[nikhilnambiaraudio]

Hey Mike! Could you do a detailed tutorial on how to mix your track using SPAN analyser(ref track)...that would be very helpful :)

[thomasmatthews]

Invaluable as ever, and so concise and we'll formulated and presented

[theprosico]

I never thought of using reference tracks for mixing. It is very helpful man xD 🔥💯🔥🔥👍

[emiel]

Great video, Mike. Most channels talking about reference tracks provide not so much info. You did it right with this subject! Greetings, Emiel.

[kcolg]

You're so well spoken and so good at explaining stuff correctly, very helpfull my man. Started out producing again a couple of months ago.

[bigmortgage]

Great advice and brilliantly delivered by you !

[Motel-Music]

So I just started using reference tracks and its a good track by a respected producer, however in my DAW all my meters go into the red the LUFS are to high, the VU meters go +10 etc. even when the volume is turned down. So how does that work?

[pronavsandhu]

Very well explained. amazing presentation skills and also straight to the point. cutting the gaps in videos makes it very quick and easy. thenk you

[gerardomerino]

Hi Mike, Thank you for the video. Could you please recommend where to download high quality tracks from? Thanks again!

[DopeTechy]

Only 9k view may be its not seen by many people But video content is bestest.

[jel-lo]

Great video. I noticed you have a Focusrite Scarlett Solo. I was thinking about getting a pair of headphones, and I was considering 250 ohms models, so my question is: do you think the Scarlett Solo is enough for 250 ohms headphones? And what about the 80 ohms ones?

[johnmorris]

Agreed. Use reference tracks if you want your mixes to sound just like everyone else's.

If you are just a song writer and you want your work heard then by all means use whatever tricks you can to get a half way o.k. mix to whomever. If it works who am I to knock it?

If you are calling yourself a professional studio and you are mixing for clients then you need to know how to mix. And the most important thing is your room. Just $150 worth of acoustic treatment is all you need. And then you want a full range monitor system. Or close to it anyway. A pair of KRK ROCKET 5 with a KRK subwoofer (set to 80hz at least 24db / octave). Despite what you might have heard the rockets are fine when played in a room properly treated. Now you have a system that is 30 - 20 000 hz. You will be able to hear all of the bass properly and you won't need reference tracks.

[JohnDivon]

I like the way you explain. Just subscribed.