REFERENCE 3

One of the easiest ways to ruin a mix is to slowly drift away from what sounds good.

REFERENCE 3 helps you make faster, more confident mix and mastering decisions by showing you exactly how your track compares to professional releases, and what to adjust to get closer.

Key Features

• New Smart Reference Tracks automatically suggest the four best-matching references from your library based on analysis of the track you're working on.
• New Auto-looping automatically loops the loudest section of your reference track.
• New Mix Descriptors displays each reference's tonal balance, stereo width, dynamics, and loudness, and how they compare to most professional releases.
• New Master Scope shows the exact EQ and stereo width adjustments needed to match your reference track. It also highlights phase issues and over-compression.
• New Match % shows how closely your tonal balance, stereo, dynamics, and loudness match your reference. So you can quantify your progress.
• New Mix Instructor tells you in written words exactly what you need to do to match your reference track. With band solo for added clarity.
• New Mix Balance suggests gain adjustments for your vocals, drums, music, and bass to match your reference.
• New Output Options include stereo, mono, mid, and side.
• New Reference Track Library organises your personal library of go-to references inside the plugin.
• New Phase Analysis highlights frequency-specific phase issues that can weaken punch, clarity, and mono compatibility.
• New Over-compression Detection shows where your mix has significantly less punch than the reference.
• Compare up to 12 reference tracks and switch between them instantly for faster, more informed decisions.
• Instant loudness matching ensures fair and accurate comparisons between your mix and references.
• REFSEND plugin lets you A/B entire FX chains or mastering chains with true loudness matching.
• Level Line shows you the precise EQ boosts and cuts needed to bring your tonal balance closer to the reference. Stereo Width Display shows exactly where to narrow or widen your stereo width to match your reference across the frequency spectrum.
• Track Align automatically syncs alternate versions of the same song for fast, precise comparisons.
• Solo Frequency Bands to audition specific frequency ranges to hear exactly where your mix differs from the reference.