How to… reference like a pro

We’ve looked at referencing techniques, but here’s one strategy to help you keep the mix’s big picture in mind and avoid ‘copying’ those reference tracks. Simply A/B back and forth between your mix and the reference track, but disregard details and only visualise a broad overview of four components: bass, low-mid, high-mid and treble. How solid is the reference track’s bass compared to yours? Are your treble frequencies too ‘flat’? If needed, load an EQ on your master and band-pass the frequency areas you want to compare. By focusing only on this four-part overview, you’ll hear what your mix is lacking.