This was amazing. So practical, so very well demonstrated. Everyone says "use a reference"; I have never heard anyone explain using max / min example refs and shooting for staying between the two. This is such a great idea. I subscribed! Thx!
When I first used a plugin that can capture the eq curve of a reference track and then compared it to my mix I found that my mixes always had more 400hz - 900hz than the reference. Then I would do what you suggested and eq my entire mix until it sounded similar to the reference and it was very helpful. I just got the Metric A/B on sale but haven't used it much so this is a reminder to start using it in every mix.
You should use it periodically. However, at some point you will develop your own sound that will not match other stuff out there exactly. When you get to that point the references are more for defining boundaries and keeping check on your work.
Great stuff, Billy. I resisted using reference tracks for a long time. My attitude was "if my mix sounds good what do I care how it sounds compared to something else?" Boy was I wrong. It wasn't until I started doing A/B-ing my mixes against others did I really begin to hear the "forward" midrange or how the stereo field was so different in other mixes compared to mine. And like you said, it "trains your ears." I'm convinced now it's the only way we can train our ears. That plugin is amazing, but for now I just load the reference track into Ableton, ext out to bypass mixbus and then click the track off. Then if you hit the solo button on the reference track it will still play solo (even though it's "off") makes a quick instant A/B.
Great advice the A B thing instant compare. My problem I have not been able to get past is in my room it sounds good by the time I am done but when I load to you tube and play back it's like there is a blanket over the speakers? I try everything some times the blanket is not as bad but all ways there.
Very dope man. Going to wait until plug-in alliance has one of their super sales and pick it up. Right now it’s $199. But they frequently give out vouchers where you get any plug-in for about $30-$50 dollars
I saw that plug-in awhile ago and thought I desperately need that and I almost bought it until I realized I could do the same thing in ozone which I already owned. Lol I know,I know, how could I not know that ozone had that function? Well, I didn’t but once I started using it my mixes took a major leap forward.
@@FreakingOutWithBillyHume it’s baked into ozone. It’s the reference button. If you look up how to use a reference track with ozone you’ll find videos on it. It’s really awesome especially when you can take the eq profile from your reference and apply it to your master. I love that! It’s called match EQ.
Hi Billy...should we really be A-B ing a song in the mixing stage to a mastered song? Shouldn't the mix stage be more of a setup to the sonics that mastering brings to the table? Maybe mixing stage is better to feel more free to experiment and not worry so much yet to exactly match a commercial released song? (Until mastering) Your thoughts....thanks......trace
Good question. There is a lot to this answer but I'll try to hit the main points. First - yes, experiment away! Try all sorts of things. But in the end your most of your clients want to compete with other artists on various platforms and mixing their music in a way that sounds very different could impact their competitiveness (notin all cases of course). But your question is more relevant to how we mixed many years ago. Back then most of us didn't do more than a touch of compression on the master buss and let the mastering engineer do more sound shaping. So comparing to mastered mixes was something we had to keep in mind as we did it. We knew it would be way louder and fine tuned. However today the client expects to hear mixes from the first to the last at a competitive level. I resisted this for years but actually got in arguments with clients and probably lost gigs over this. But as time went on I realized 2 things - 1. the world moves forward and you have to adapt to stay relevant which is why I dove into working 'In The Box' early on when my peers were avoiding it (I was never really a huge analog fanatic anyway). 2. At the end of the day I want the mixes and production I do to be as close as possible to what I and the client envision. At this point in my career I just mastering to make it a little louder and address any minor low end issue I may not hear because my mix room isn't perfect. Again... it really matters what it is you're working on. Most of my clients are competing in some genre. However sometimes it's just some cool weird music and it doesn't matter so we're only mixing for what we want.
You’re wonderful billy. Thank you so much!
Excelent video, thanks Billy for the tips
U hit the mark with my mix Billy! The reference locked u in perfectly. The outtakes at the end are entertaining too😄
Thank you! It was an honor and fun!
This was amazing. So practical, so very well demonstrated. Everyone says "use a reference"; I have never heard anyone explain using max / min example refs and shooting for staying between the two. This is such a great idea. I subscribed! Thx!
Thank you!
When I first used a plugin that can capture the eq curve of a reference track and then compared it to my mix I found that my mixes always had more 400hz - 900hz than the reference. Then I would do what you suggested and eq my entire mix until it sounded similar to the reference and it was very helpful. I just got the Metric A/B on sale but haven't used it much so this is a reminder to start using it in every mix.
You should use it periodically. However, at some point you will develop your own sound that will not match other stuff out there exactly. When you get to that point the references are more for defining boundaries and keeping check on your work.
I'm glad I found your Channel. awesome video thank you.
Thanks for watching and commenting. Glad you liked it!
So appreciate your expertise, Billy. I learn every time I watch your videos. So glad I found your channel :)
Thank you so much!
Great stuff, Billy. I resisted using reference tracks for a long time. My attitude was "if my mix sounds good what do I care how it sounds compared to something else?" Boy was I wrong. It wasn't until I started doing A/B-ing my mixes against others did I really begin to hear the "forward" midrange or how the stereo field was so different in other mixes compared to mine. And like you said, it "trains your ears." I'm convinced now it's the only way we can train our ears. That plugin is amazing, but for now I just load the reference track into Ableton, ext out to bypass mixbus and then click the track off. Then if you hit the solo button on the reference track it will still play solo (even though it's "off") makes a quick instant A/B.
Ahh...good solution for referencing in Ableton! Whatever it takes.
So i was doing some A/B on a CLA mix. Both tracks are same feel and style. I was shocked how tiny the low-end is on his track.
Great advice the A B thing instant compare. My problem I have not been able to get past is in my room it sounds good by the time I am done but when I load to you tube and play back it's like there is a blanket over the speakers? I try everything some times the blanket is not as bad but all ways there.
Very dope man. Going to wait until plug-in alliance has one of their super sales and pick it up. Right now it’s $199. But they frequently give out vouchers where you get any plug-in for about $30-$50 dollars
Yes, the price goes up and down.I think I paid $150.
love this plugin but i think i noticed a little color having it on
Very informative!!!!
Thanks!
smart !
I saw that plug-in awhile ago and thought I desperately need that and I almost bought it until I realized I could do the same thing in ozone which I already owned. Lol I know,I know, how could I not know that ozone had that function? Well, I didn’t but once I started using it my mixes took a major leap forward.
Which Ozone plugin?
@@FreakingOutWithBillyHume it’s baked into ozone. It’s the reference button. If you look up how to use a reference track with ozone you’ll find videos on it. It’s really awesome especially when you can take the eq profile from your reference and apply it to your master. I love that! It’s called match EQ.
Hi Billy...should we really be A-B ing a song in the mixing stage to a mastered song? Shouldn't the mix stage be more of a setup to the sonics that mastering brings to the table? Maybe mixing stage is better to feel more free to experiment and not worry so much yet to exactly match a commercial released song? (Until mastering) Your thoughts....thanks......trace
Good question. There is a lot to this answer but I'll try to hit the main points. First - yes, experiment away! Try all sorts of things. But in the end your most of your clients want to compete with other artists on various platforms and mixing their music in a way that sounds very different could impact their competitiveness (notin all cases of course). But your question is more relevant to how we mixed many years ago. Back then most of us didn't do more than a touch of compression on the master buss and let the mastering engineer do more sound shaping. So comparing to mastered mixes was something we had to keep in mind as we did it. We knew it would be way louder and fine tuned. However today the client expects to hear mixes from the first to the last at a competitive level. I resisted this for years but actually got in arguments with clients and probably lost gigs over this. But as time went on I realized 2 things - 1. the world moves forward and you have to adapt to stay relevant which is why I dove into working 'In The Box' early on when my peers were avoiding it (I was never really a huge analog fanatic anyway). 2. At the end of the day I want the mixes and production I do to be as close as possible to what I and the client envision. At this point in my career I just mastering to make it a little louder and address any minor low end issue I may not hear because my mix room isn't perfect. Again... it really matters what it is you're working on. Most of my clients are competing in some genre. However sometimes it's just some cool weird music and it doesn't matter so we're only mixing for what we want.