reference track

Using Reference Tracks for Better Mixing Decisions

Why Use a Reference Track?

Our hearing is extremely adaptive. When we listen to the same track over and over, our perception starts to “normalize” the sound — even if something is off. That’s why it’s important to reset your ears from time to time.

A reference track (a commercially released song that has the sound you’re aiming for) helps you calibrate your ears. By comparing your mix with a high-quality reference, you get a clearer idea of what’s missing or overdone in your own mix.

Example:
You’re mixing a pop track. Pull in a clean, professional pop mix (like a Billie Eilish or Dua Lipa song). After mixing your drums for a while, your ears might lose perspective. Switch to the reference to check how punchy, bright, or wide their drums sound. Then go back and adjust accordingly.

Dealing with Master Effects

If you have processing like EQ, compression, or limiting on your master channel, it will also affect your reference — and that’s not what you want.

Two solutions:

  1. Group your entire mix into one bus and apply your master effects there. Your reference track can then bypass that group.
  2. Route your reference track directly to the hardware output. This avoids your master chain entirely. In Ableton, set the reference track’s output to “Ext. Out” instead of “Master.” Now it won’t be affected by any processing you put on your master bus.

Fast A/B Comparison with Mute and Solo

You want to switch quickly between your mix and the reference track to make real-time comparisons.

Use the Solo button to isolate the reference track, then un-solo to return to your mix. Or mute your mix group and unmute the reference — whatever helps you switch instantly.

Pro tip:
Label your reference track clearly and color it differently, so you don’t make changes to it by accident.

Watch the Loudness

Louder sounds better. That’s a psychoacoustic fact. If your reference track is louder than your mix, it will seem better — even if it’s not.

Use a gain plugin or utility tool to match the loudness levels. Compare at similar volumes to make an honest judgment.

Example:
If the reference track is 3 dB louder, turn it down to match your mix. Don’t raise your mix to match the reference — leave headroom.

More Can Be More

Don’t rely on just one reference track. Different songs will reveal different aspects of your mix.

Use 2–3 reference tracks that represent the sonic qualities you want: one for vocals, one for low end, one for overall tone. This gives you a more balanced perspective.

Mixing Order: A Structured Approach

With your reference track(s) ready and properly routed, follow this cycle while mixing. After each pass, take a short break — ears get tired!

  1. Levels / Volume – Balance each element’s volume.
  2. EQ – Shape the tone, compare brightness, muddiness, clarity.
  3. Panning – Position elements in the stereo field.
  4. Compression – Control dynamics and glue things together.
  5. Send Effects – Add reverb, delay, and other space effects.

After completing the cycle, take a short break, then repeat if needed.

Final Tip: Short Listening, Low Volume

Our ears get tired quickly, and long listening sessions lead to dull judgment. That’s why it’s crucial to mix in short bursts — ideally 5 to 10 minutes at a time — and at low volume. This helps you hear issues more accurately and make better decisions.

You can also try a technique we’ll call micro-mixing:
Focus on just one bar or a few seconds of audio. Make a small adjustment (like an EQ tweak or a level change), then listen again. This kind of zoomed-in, iterative work can lead to much more precise and controlled results.

Use this approach especially when working on tricky elements like:

  • Vocal clarity
  • Kick-bass relationship
  • Reverb tail lengths
  • Compression

Every now and then, turn the volume up briefly to check how the mix feels at a higher level — particularly for low-end energy and overall impact. But don’t spend too long mixing loud — it tires your ears and skews your judgment. Don’t listen too long in one stretch. Mix in short bursts (5–10 minutes) and at low volume. You’ll hear problems more clearly this way.

Occasionally turn it up loud to check how the mix feels — especially the low end — but don’t mix at high volume for long.

Summary

A good reference track is like a compass: it helps you stay on course. Set it up properly, compare often, and always match levels. Used right, it will dramatically improve your mixing decisions.

Here is a link to an ableton set with reference tracks: Black betty Project - Reference tracks

the link to a download with all stems, in case you do not have them anymore: Black betty Project - Stems