This reference track thing cuts both ways though.

I have a tool in IK Multimedia called "MasterMatch" that will analyze a reference and then give you a starting point for comparison before you begin to "turn the knobs" so to speak.

I have found (and this may tie back to what Jim said earlier about CDs though) that in some cases I am not all that fond of the reference track though I remember liking it at some point in the past.

Has anyone ever had the experience of listening to a reference track and saying "I can do better than that"?

Maybe WAY off topic, I don't know.

Here is an example, from Glen Campbell's last album, the title track Ghost on the Canvas. I loved the song, but it was mixed WAY too hot for my personal tastes--and over-compressed.

I guess what I am saying is the more you study and investigate the more you learn all around.

I thought David Cuny's last post was a study in a great mix. Man you could hear EVERYTHING on that one.

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