So your track is much louder than your reference track? Are you using the same player for both tracks? ie. you need to listen to your reference track inside Reason in order to compare it to your source track - if you are listening to it in iTunes or something, then it's impossible to compare volumes. I'd be really surprised if your reference track (which is fully mastered, presumably) is much quieter than your unmastered source track.
Anyway, regardless of the volume differences between reference and source track, you will definitely need to volume match them before you can A/B them. So if you import that reference track into Reason, you can use the Big Meter to match it's RMS volume to your source track before A/Bing. A/Bing with big volume differences is impossible, as you are finding out.
I should also mention that while others may have a very different viewpoint, I don't think you should need to refer really often to a reference track while mixing. Using reference tracks is somewhat common while mastering, to match up a similar EQ curve. But during mixing I think it's probably best just to EQ and/or compress each track optimally without considering a reference track very much. Again, I'm not saying you are doing it wrong, but certainly many people mix tracks well with only minimal reference track use, if at all.
grizelda wrote:
hi jeremy,
i watched the tute last nite - it was really informative and eye opening for me! thank you.
one thing i would just like to ask - with regards to the whole A/B comparison during the post production process; i am constantly noticing that my songs, whilst mixed down pretty well for a home studio (imho), are always sooooo much louder than the reference track i am listening to. i notice that the reference track is much quieter but also a nice full sound with clarity and space in the mix. at mix down stage i dont use anything other than eq and compression on applicable channels (i use hp/lp on most channels too) and have not actually attempted to master a project yet as i am half tempted to just send off the stems and have them done by a real professional. so, my question, is this quieter yet polished sound something that can be done at the mastering stage ie limiting, eq'ing and compressing (not in that order) the master track which will help me get my project sounding similar at similar levels? i find that A/B is too hard at mix down phase when my mix is just so much louder and fuller than the ref track....i would be constantly turning the interface vol up and down to cope with the difference between the two. would love your insight if you have a moment.
thank you
grizel