Use the rest of the drums as a reference when balancing the kick and bass
Problem: kick and bass don't fit well with the rest of the track
Including the rest of the drums in the mix while balancing the kick and bass helps provide context and ensures that the kick and bass don't clash with other elements. This technique allows the producer to hear how the…
Use multiple reference speakers for mixing
Problem: mix not translating well across systems
Having multiple reference speakers, such as the Reflector Audio coaxial speakers and others at East Side Sound, allows for cross-checking mixes on different systems. This helps ensure that the mix translates well across…
Use a reference track to evaluate your mix regularly
Problem: mix lacks professional polish or clarity
Regularly referencing a commercial track helps maintain a professional standard and ensures your mix is competitive. This technique is crucial for identifying issues that may not be apparent when listening to your own…
Use inspiration from reference tracks to guide your arrangement
Problem: lack of direction in arrangement
Listening to and analyzing reference tracks (like Celeste by Krosia) can provide valuable inspiration for how to structure and arrange your own track. This helps ensure that your arrangement aligns with the energy and…
Compare your mix to professional reference tracks
Problem: mix lacks clarity or impact
Regularly comparing your mix to professional reference tracks helps you stay objective and ensures your mix meets industry standards. This is especially important in genres like trance and house, where the low end and…
Use reference tracks to guide your mastering decisions
Problem: mix doesn't translate well to other systems
Listening to reference tracks helps you understand how your mix should sound in context. Without this, your mix may not translate well to other systems or compete with commercial releases. Regularly comparing your work…
Use reference tracks to compare your mix
Problem: inaccurate frequency balance, poor stereo imaging
Reference tracks help you understand how your mix should sound in context of your genre. They allow you to identify if your mix is too bright, too dark, or has incorrect stereo width. This is especially important when…
Reference other tracks to ensure mixes translate across environments
Problem: mixes that don't translate to other systems
Mixing without referencing other tracks can lead to mixes that sound good in your room but fail to translate to other listening environments like headphones or different speakers. By referencing commercial tracks, you…
Use reference tracks frequently to maintain clarity and balance
Problem: mix doesn't translate well to other systems
Mixing in isolation can lead to a mix that sounds good in the studio but doesn't translate well to other systems. By referencing commercial tracks every few minutes, you can ensure your mix stays balanced and…
Compare your mix to commercial references regularly
Problem: mix lacks clarity and comparison to commercial standards
Regularly comparing your mix to commercial references helps maintain a high standard of quality and ensures that your mix aligns with industry expectations. This is especially important when working on loud and…
Use reference tracks to compare tonal balance and loudness
Problem: lack of tonal balance or loudness consistency
The audio engineer compares the Foo Fighters track to the Death Magnetic album to evaluate loudness and tonal differences. This practice helps producers identify if their mix is too loud or has tonal imbalances. Using…
Use reference tracks to evaluate sub bass presence
Problem: unclear sub bass presence in mix
The producer references a track by Crochet to evaluate how the sub bass should be used in the intro. This is a common practice in mixing to ensure that the sub bass is present and impactful in the same way as in…
Use a reference track to guide sound selection
Problem: unclear sound direction, mismatched genre
A reference track from a professional artist can help you identify which sounds fit the genre and energy of your track. By comparing your sounds to the reference, you can make more informed choices about which samples to…
Replace mismatched sounds with ones that fit the reference track
Problem: sounds don't fit together or match reference
By comparing your sounds to a reference track, you can identify which sounds are not fitting and replace them with ones that are closer to the reference. This helps ensure that your track has a cohesive sound and matches…
Sound selection is subjective but should be guided by reference tracks
Problem: uncertainty in sound selection
While sound selection is subjective, using a reference track as a guide ensures that the chosen sounds work well together and fit the genre's expectations. This approach helps maintain consistency and quality in the mix,…
Use reference tracks to guide sound selection
Problem: uncertainty in sound selection
Listening to reference tracks on platforms like Spotify can provide inspiration and help producers make better sound choices. This is especially useful when trying to match the vibe of a track or when unsure about which…
Use reference tracks to identify and replace sounds that don't fit the desired style
Problem: sounds don't match the desired style or energy
By listening to a reference track, producers can identify the types of sounds used in a successful track and replace their own sounds with ones that match the reference's style and energy. This helps ensure that the…
Reference tracks with master effects disabled
Problem: inaccurate reference comparisons due to master effects
When comparing your track to a reference, disable all master effects (limiters, compressors, etc.) to ensure you're evaluating the raw mix. Effects can artificially inflate loudness or alter dynamics, leading to…
Use reference tracks to compare your mix
Problem: inconsistent loudness or frequency balance
Reference tracks help maintain consistency with commercial releases. By A/B testing your work against professionally mastered tracks, you can identify frequency imbalances, loudness discrepancies, and spatial issues.…
Use a reference track for kick and clap selection
Problem: kick and clap don't match the track's vibe
A reference track helps producers choose kicks and claps that match the vibe and energy of their target track. By comparing your samples to a professional reference, you can ensure your drum sounds fit the overall style…
Use a reference track to guide your mixing decisions
Problem: mix lacks clarity or competitiveness
Referencing a commercial track while mixing helps to ensure that your mix is competitive and professional-sounding. This technique allows you to compare your work to industry standards and make adjustments based on what…
Use reference tracks to analyze rhythm patterns
Problem: unclear rhythmic direction
The speaker references another track to study how the arp's rhythm is structured, particularly its rising and falling motion. This workflow tip emphasizes the importance of using reference tracks to guide rhythmic…
Use metering plugins to monitor levels, frequency spectrum, and phase
Problem: inconsistent loudness, poor frequency balance
Metering plugins are crucial for checking loudness (LUFS), peak levels, frequency balance, and phase coherence. They provide visual feedback to ensure the mix adheres to industry standards and maintains clarity.…
Follow a structured workflow with a cheat sheet
Problem: inconsistent mixing process, missed reference points
Use a cheat sheet to guide the mixing process: balance check, headroom verification, soloing kick/snare, and limiting tests. This methodical approach ensures consistency and prevents common mistakes like over-processing…
Check balance using the loudest section (hook) for headroom
Problem: insufficient headroom, unbalanced levels
The loudest part of a hip-hop track is typically the hook. By analyzing this section on the meter, you can assess overall headroom and identify if levels are too hot. This ensures the mix has enough dynamic space before…
Use into sample peaking instead of Truepeak limiting for louder Spotify playback
Problem: tracks too quiet on streaming platforms
Spotify's loudness normalization algorithm prioritizes into sample peaking over Truepeak measurements. By avoiding Truepeak limiting, tracks can achieve higher perceived loudness on streaming platforms without triggering…
Avoid over-limiting to -0.5 Truepeak as reference tracks don't use it
Problem: unnecessary Truepeak limiting
The speaker notes that commercial reference tracks don't limit to -0.5 Truepeak, suggesting this is an unnecessary constraint. Over-limiting to Truepeak can reduce headroom and negatively impact sound quality. Instead,…
Check reference tracks frequently to avoid over-cooking low end
Problem: overcooked low end, poor loudness comparison
The speaker demonstrates how relying on room monitors can lead to excessive low-end levels. By comparing to a reference track using a metering tool, they identify their mix is 1dB higher in the low end than professional…
Reference tracks to catch peaking issues
Problem: unnoticed peaking in mix
The speaker checks reference tracks to identify peaking problems, highlighting the importance of regular reference listening. This workflow prevents unnoticed clipping or distortion by comparing the mix to professionally…
Reference commercial tracks frequently to maintain context and balance
Problem: losing context during mixing
Checking against reference tracks every few minutes prevents the mix from becoming too subjective. The speaker performs a quick reference check at 166:01, highlighting the importance of comparing your work to…
Test phase alignment across multiple playback systems
Problem: inconsistent low-end translation
Phase issues may not be audible on studio monitors but can cause problems on phones, car stereos, or small speakers. Using a phase alignment tool ensures your mix maintains low-end integrity across all listening…
Reference a commercial track every 5 minutes
Problem: mix normalization bias, loss of perspective
Ears adapt to your own mix over time, making it hard to hear objective issues. Regularly A/B with a professionally mastered track resets your hearing to industry standards. This helps identify problems like excessive…
Avoid switching between monitoring systems during mixing
Problem: inconsistent monitoring leading to poor decisions
Experienced engineers warn against constantly switching between headphones, studio monitors, and different speaker setups. This creates inconsistent reference points that confuse the brain and make it harder to make…
Use reference tracks every 30 minutes
Problem: ear fatigue and normalization
Professional engineers recommend comparing your mix to commercial tracks at regular intervals. This prevents your ears from becoming fatigued or normalized to your own mix. By checking how your kick, bass, and overall…
Choose a genre and download 10 reference tracks to guide your sound selection
Problem: unclear genre direction, mismatched sounds
The speaker recommends selecting 10 commercial tracks from the same genre and analyzing their sounds. This helps producers understand which synths, kicks, and FX are used in the genre. By studying reference tracks,…
Use reference tracks to decide core sounds
Reference tracks help identify which sounds are essential for a track's identity. By comparing your work to commercial tracks, you can quickly determine which elements (like kick, bass, or lead) are critical to the genre…
Use reference tracks in mastering chain for objective loudness comparison
Problem: inconsistent loudness vs sound quality trade-offs
The speaker uses reference tracks at both the start and end of the mastering chain to compare loudness and sound quality objectively. This helps avoid over-compression and ensures the mastered track matches commercial…
Use multiple reference tracks for accurate mixing
Problem: mix sounds good in isolation but not in context
Relying on a single reference track can lead to inaccurate mixing decisions. Using 20+ references across different genres and production styles reveals that many tracks have imperfections but still achieve their…
Use Scepter's spectrum analyzer to visualize and solo specific frequency bands
Scepter's spectrum analyzer provides a clean, far-filtered view of the frequency spectrum, allowing precise identification of problem areas. The ability to left-click and solo bands reveals exact frequencies and key…
Compare your mix against reference tracks using Scepter's dynamic band-by-band analysis
Scepter allows side-by-side comparison of your mix with a reference track, showing differences in dynamics, frequency balance, and phase alignment. This feature helps ensure your mix competes with professional recordings…
Use reference tracks for real-time frequency comparison
Problem: Identifying frequency imbalances without manual gain matching
The plugin allows you to compare your track's frequency response against a reference track or side chain signal in real time. The volume is automatically matched to your track's level, eliminating the need for manual…
Capture and save side chain reference presets
Problem: Reusing side chain reference settings across sessions
You can capture a side chain signal as a reference preset by clicking the kebab menu and naming it. This allows you to toggle between your original signal and the saved side chain reference for instant A/B comparisons.…
Use dynamic reference track comparison
Problem: mix not translating well to other systems
The plugin includes a feature to compare your mix against a reference track in real-time. This helps maintain consistency with commercial releases by highlighting frequency imbalances. Producers can identify where their…
Workflow: Use reference tracks for inspiration
Problem: creative block, lack of inspiration
The speaker listens to parts of the inspiration track ('Say Less') to extract ideas for chord progressions and mood. This is a deliberate workflow step to avoid creating in a vacuum. It ensures the new track has a clear…
Mistake: Blindly copying reference track structures
Problem: unoriginal structure, mismatched elements
Even if a reference track has a great structure, its sonic elements (like synths, drums, and mixing) may not align with your own. Copying the structure without adapting to your sound can lead to a mismatched, unoriginal…
Use Tonal Balance Control for frequency reference and tonal analysis
Problem: tonal imbalance, lack of reference
Tonal Balance Control allows producers to compare their track's frequency spectrum against presets from commercial tracks. This helps identify tonal imbalances and ensures the mix aligns with industry standards. The…
Use reference tracks with analysis tools to compare tonal and rhythmic characteristics
Problem: lack of directional guidance in mixing
Analyzing commercial tracks using tools like Tonal Balance Control and Span helps producers understand where their track sits in the sonic landscape. This practice is crucial for melodic techno producers aiming to match…
Use reference tracks to structure your arrangement visually
Problem: unclear arrangement structure
By analyzing waveforms of similar tracks, you can identify standard structural patterns (intro, build, drop, etc.) without listening to the audio. This helps beginners understand arrangement flow and tension-building in…