Reference track
A finished song you compare your mix against.
Match loudness before comparing, otherwise the louder track always wins. Use references from the same subgenre and the same playback system you will be judged on.
Use this in your own career
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More studio terms
- Remix vs. rework
A remix uses the original stems; a rework rebuilds parts around it.
- Stems
Grouped audio exports of a track: drums, bass, synths, vocals.
- Mixing
Balancing the elements of a track into one coherent whole.
- Mastering
The final polish that prepares a track for distribution.
- LUFS
The loudness unit used by streaming platforms.
- Ghost production
Producing a track that is released under someone else's name.