What to Focus when Comparing to Reference Tracks

– Listen to Reference Tracks and Ask yourself What is your Favorites Reference Track Sound Characteristic?

a) Liver & Fuller

b) More Stereo Activity

c) Feels as the Music is Almost Surround with a Lot of Depth

d) Each Part can Heard On its Own but also Sound Well Glued together 

e) Mid Frequencies are Loud and Transparent

d) Vocal / Main Instrument is Forward and really Clear Above the Other Instruments

e) Quiet a Bit of Sub Bass. i.e. Air Movement without Being Boomy

f) Bass Sounds Firm and there is No Muddiness

g) Some Bass can Be Heard in the Mid Speakers Too

h) Some Quiet Sections, Some Loud Sections so Overall Dynamics can Still Be Heard

i) Hi-Frequencies are Airy but Not Too Bright

– if any of the Really Important Characteristics can Not be Done in Mastering, Go Back to the Specific Mix and Re-Bounce to Optimum

– Make use of Tools such as Capture / Compare Reference Curve, EQ Match, Loudness History