My Top Reference Mixes (…And how to choose your own)
What are the best reference mixes? Today, I share my favorite references, WHY they work, and how you can choose your own.
This week’s episode of the SonicScoop Podcast is sponsored by Soundtoys, ADAM Audio and Focusrite.
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There are a few categories for references. This first is TUNING references.
Whether that’s tuning a room, or tuning yourself to a new listening environment, in an ideal world you’ll have at least a few types of “tuning” references:
1. A mix you know well that sounds insanely pretty and impressive. (For me it’s “Paper Tiger” by Beck)
2. A reference for checking deep subs. (I use “Elephant Woman” by Blonde Redhead”)
3. A reference for mid bass or upper bass. (I use “La Femme D’ Argent” by Air.)
But it doesn’t stop there. You can have references for: 4. high end, 5. midrange, 6. stereo image, and 7. transient response.
Some mixes can serve dual purposes. For instance, “Elephant Woman” tells me a lot about subs AND midrange, AND stereo spread.
“Random Access Memories” and “Uptown Funk” and both tell me a ton about transient response as well as frequency distribution. I sometimes use “Happy Valentine’s Day” from Outkast for upper bass and midrange.
Just as important are GENRE references, especially when clients don’t provide them for you.
For example, Superunknown for rock, Radiohead for Indie and Alternative, Nicola Benedetti Silver Violin for classical strings. Modern references like Tame Impala and Billie Eilish have been very useful. Pop references like “Sorry”. I don’t use Steely Dan. But there are some 70s and 80s records I find useful.
And then, there are also LEARNING references. Some mixes taught me to hear compression, limiting, and distinct types of reverb and delay. For example, Flaming Lips “Race for The Prize” and “She Said” by The Beatles helped me learn to hear compression and limiting. So did “Careless Love” by Madeline Piroux, and Johnny Cash’s American recordings also helped me hear compression and limiting.
Hear them with me in real time, and get insights into finding your own.
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