Stop Obsessing: 3 Sneaky Ways To Use Reference Tracks
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Analyzing references by individual bands
Shawn Everett shares a transformative mixing experience using the Waves C6 multi-band compressor to analyze reference tracks. By soloing individual frequency bands, he could isolate and understand the specific low-end characteristics of a track, which helped him balance his mixes more effectively. This technique allowed him to dissect and learn from various records, such as the low-end on a Smiths record, by focusing on specific frequency ranges and understanding their impact on the overall mix. Everett emphasizes that this method of soloing frequency bands has been one of the most significant discoveries in his mixing career, providing a powerful workflow for detailed sonic analysis and better mix decisions.
Waves
Always reference the rough mix
Chris Lord-Alge emphasizes the importance of always referencing the rough mix when working on a project. He advises setting it up so that it is easy to A/B between your mix and the client's rough mix, ensuring the levels are matched for accurate comparison. This practice helps identify key elements in the rough mix that the client is attached to, such as specific instrument levels or effects. By doing so, you can better understand their vision and make informed decisions that respect their preferences while adding your own touch. Lord-Alge also discusses the challenge where clients become attached to their rough mix after listening to it repeatedly. He suggests that while you should bring your expertise to the mix, it's crucial to stay within the boundaries of what the client likes to maintain the essence of the original track.
Mix with the Masters
Organize the session for efficient rough mix referencing
Michael Brauer emphasizes the importance of contrasting the mix in progress with the rough mix. To facilitate this, he aligns the rough mix alongside the multitrack in his DAW, routing it as an independent source to his monitor controller. This enables swift A/B comparisons between the current mix and the rough mix. Key in this process is matching the levels between the two mixes as closely as possible. This ensures a meaningful comparison, verifying that the new mix is a true enhancement of the song.