Reference Mixing

[outcast99]

Hey guys,

Im new to mixing and i know the songs i want to reference mix however i am trying to figure out the concept.

I currently use logic, how can i get the actualy songs into my daw? I read its not good to use mp3 so how would i be able to then? I have apple music, is there any way maybe i can transfer them into logic?

Im assuming there is a software to upload them into logic?

Any help would be much appreciated as this has been giving me a hard time!

Thanks!!

[muzines]

Just drag the files into Logic.
You ideally want good quality files of course...

No, you can't really use streaming services for this as you don't have access to the files to load them into your DAW. You can use your computer to "record" them but that's probably against the TOU of the streaming service, so you'll really want to own the files you're using.

[MOF]

Probably not a good idea to have them in Logic since you’ll most likely have output bus plugins processing your track. These will have to be disabled before listening to the reference track and then activated again to listen to your track.
Better to listen to the reference track in iTunes or Preview.
The mp3 ideally should be replaced with a CD quality version but so long as it’s a high quality mp3 it should be fine. You’re listening to eq, compression, effects etc.

[The Elf]

I'm sure Logic will allow you to route the reference to a 'clean' output.

[Kwackman]

I'm sure Logic will allow you to route the reference to a 'clean' output.

+1.
In the very recent past there was an article in the magazine about doing this in Cubase.
Different DAW but the ideas will be the same.

There are also a few plug-ins the will help make this easier for you. Metric A-B for one, there are others.

****[EDIT I was wrong, in the July issue it was actually about Delta monitoring, but I'm sure I read A/B comparing in a recent article too?]

[DanDan]

https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/sa ... c-magic-ab

[awjoe]

https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/sa ... c-magic-ab

Yeah, that one worked for me.

Ozone works for me.

But I thought you pretty much *had* to get a plugin to do easy track referencing. Is there a DAW that does it as well as plugins?

[The Elf]

https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/sa ... c-magic-ab

Yeah, that one worked for me.

Ozone works for me.

But I thought you pretty much *had* to get a plugin to do easy track referencing. Is there a DAW that does it as well as plugins?

Most of them! All you need to do is keep the reference muted and routed to a 'clean' output, and then solo it as you need.

I find this idea of needing a plug-in to do such a simple job a tad bemusing.

[Kwackman]

I find this idea of needing a plug-in to do such a simple job a tad bemusing.

No, a plugin is not needed, but sometimes the extra facilities are worth it. e.g. The ability to change the levels of the reference track to avoid loudness bias, ability to have more than one reference track available, ability to loop part of the reference track etc.
As you said, it's not needed, but these options at the press of one button in one plug-in window might speed up some workflows.
YMMV!

I'm still convinced I read an article on how to do this without a plug-in in Cubase in SOS, but old memory might be playing up again!

[RichardT]

I find this idea of needing a plug-in to do such a simple job a tad bemusing.

No, a plugin is not needed, but sometimes the extra facilities are worth it. e.g. The ability to change the levels of the reference track to avoid loudness bias, ability to have more than one reference track available, ability to loop part of the reference track etc.
As you said, it's not needed, but these options at the press of one button in one plug-in window might speed up some workflows.
YMMV!

I'm still convinced I read an article on how to do this without a plug-in in Cubase in SOS, but old memory might be playing up again!

I agree with this - although the extra functions are not ‘necessary’ they are massively helpful - especially loudness matching and frequency band level comparison. Also they are very helpful in comparing premasters with masters when it’s possible to sync up the two versions and swap between them with a single keystroke. I use ‘Reference’ and it’s one of my favourite plugins.

[outcast99]

Appreciate the help!

If i was to import songs into the metric ab plugin from itunes, do i have to buy the songs? Because at the moment it seems i cannot do it from library

[muzines]

If i was to import songs into the metric ab plugin from itunes, do i have to buy the songs? Because at the moment it seems i cannot do it from library

When you say iTunes, do you mean you have the mp3s/aafs? if so, yes you can import them directly. I'm not sure on the DRM status of the files though, if they are DRM protected you might not be able to read them.

If you don't have the files, and are instead streaming them off a server elsewhere, then what I said above applies.

[outcast99]

If i was to import songs into the metric ab plugin from itunes, do i have to buy the songs? Because at the moment it seems i cannot do it from library

When you say iTunes, do you mean you have the mp3s/aafs? if so, yes you can import them directly. I'm not sure on the DRM status of the files though, if they are DRM protected you might not be able to read them.

If you don't have the files, and are instead streaming them off a server elsewhere, then what I said above applies.

Thanks desmond, would m4a files be okay as a reference mix? From what i see thats the file type from itunes

[muzines]

Yes, just drag them into Logic. Have you tried already?

[outcast99]

Yea it works, someone told me m4a files are not good as a reference and you need the wav files instead? Is there any truth to that?

[Drew Stephenson]

I think for referencing you should be fine with a decent mpeg file - after all, you're not really listening for the finest of details at this point, you're looking at overall balance, tone, feel etc.
I reckon...

[James Perrett]

Yea it works, someone told me m4a files are not good as a reference and you need the wav files instead? Is there any truth to that?

It depends on how much fine detail you need. If you were wanting to accurately re-create individual sounds or effects from a track you may find that a .wav (or aiff, ALAC or FLAC) would allow you to hear further into the recording (assuming you have good monitors or headphones) but if you just need a reference for an overall mix balance then an m4a or mp3 would be fine.

[outcast99]

Appreciate it!!

[Watchmaker]

I like to have the highest quality examples guide me and mp3's just piss me off really.

/rant: MP3's should be consigned to the abyss of forgotten platforms because the fundamental principle of removing content to facilitate distribution, based on assumptions about peoples tolerance for content degradation using psycho-acoustics as a justification for commercial strategies, demonstrates the sub-optimal results obtained by leveraging the inherent weaknesses in committee decision making processes to suborn quality for convenience. An ill advised trade in every circumstance. It was also an enlightened ploy to further concentrate the vast lucre music generates into fewer hands, most especially, not those attached to the talent and techies who make it happen. Given modern bandwidth capabilities, the codec should be banned imo. /endrant

[The Elf]

I like to have the highest quality examples guide me and mp3's just piss me off really.

/rant: MP3's should be consigned to the abyss.../endrant

I agree completely.

Unfortunately 'MP3' has come to mean 'audio file' to many people. I've passed WAV files to pro musicians, only to have them come back and ask for an MP3, because they don't know what to do with a WAV file!

[Watchmaker]

/facepalm