You Suck at Mixing #7: Using Reference Tracks

GET THE LOUDNESS METER: youlean.co/you...
How should your mix sound like? Sure, you can use your ears, but when has that ever worked? Instead, having a couple reference tracks to go back to while you’re mixing down your track is incredibly useful in making sure you have a target with what you want your song to sound like.
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[@victorcoyenn]

“It’s very hard to know where you’re going, if you don’t know where you’re going.” -Underbelly. 8:28

[@hkoxnw]

"okay, so check it" -Underbelly. 0:34

[@pattocarvente6564]

So deeep

[@Nisalz]

I felt it.

[@claudeprince6724]

Wiser words have never been spoken.

[@igglue7671]

This is why I love underbelly’s community

[@bustinbustin6487]

It's pretty incredible that this guy has achieved a wonderful balance of informative and entertaining

[@chrwrd2960]

His dirty humor entertaints me a lot too, LoL :-)

[@JimJuno]

Don't you Love this guy 👌

[@Sigorzav_Mixing]

hilarious humor brings great memorization, atleast it worked for me, this guy is amazing!

[@Njmovies2]

I gotta say, as someone getting pretty frustrated while trying to make my mix sound good, your sarcastic approach helps me realise sucking now doesn't really matter that much. I shouldn't care too much about being good now but getting there while learning and having fun making music. Thanks Underbelly!

[@treehann]

I feel the same way; he's getting me to have more fun with it

[@skyboundzoo7529]

Amen

[@frnnndz6230]

Got this feeling right now man! Amazing

[@Bittamin]

I would love to hear your progress dude!

[@katherinec4360]

Even the greats are making shitsongs 😊

[@DavidBlaze420]

This does not work I watched all 7 of your mixing tutorials and I still suck at mixing.

[@-LTUIiiin]

well that just means You Suck at Mixing

[@vannloc7551]

Re watch the areas of urs that U suck most at

[@RaviYadav-bj6mw]

Try cymatics's mixing tutorials

[@crimewavbeats5532]

Choosing the right reference is very too

[@thlst-ly5jt]

Well, you suck at learning

[@benja303]

How to use Refrencd Tracks: Summary: ( Match the volumes by reducing ref track, have a variety of ref tracks that you know, Analyze and compare) Mixing is all about perspective. You cant tell how your song sounds unless you have something to compare it too. Thus refrence tracks Tips: -Reference tracks are targets for what our songs should sound like. -You can use tracks you DONT like to see wether you are going right or wrong. E.g if a track is too bassy, if your track has more bass then u know. -We will.match our shit song with the tracks loudness -Reduce the refrence tracks Volume until its down using -Use youlean loudness meter to check LUFS

[@digitaldiezel5870]

I produce shit songs... let's start up Shit Songs Anonymous and use each others music as reference tracks, then flood sound cloud with our shit songs...I guarantee you there are more of us than them...we can change the game!!! LOL

[@kikipups]

Good idea. then we don't have to deal with this mixing and mastering nonsense

[@prettynasty4550]

lol

[@user-md3is4dq2d]

I'm not sure if you're serious about this

[@BibleStorm]

I've got plenty of terrible shitsongs on soundcloud already I am not alone. We are the 99% Actually nah, spambots with a million reposts and no tracks are 99% of soundcloud

[@viajantefuturo9116]

thats actually a great idea

[@kikipups]

It's not the girth that matters ... it's the length.

[@earthlyng_official4599]

Kilian a lot of porn stars and women might debate that lol

[@geh3747]

Feeling insecure about your sausage? Just use sosig fattener! You’ll get a big, beautiful sausage right away.

[@vladdrus]

wowzers

[@astrocrowbeats]

Underthony Bellytano here

[@alphanumeric1529]

That is how blackholes are formed. Caution is suggested.

[@enzuma10]

you are so entertaining man. I laugh my ass off every time. It's the best combo. Entertainment and knowledge. Thank you!

[@luckybyte]

You really dropped truth at the end that was real.

[@bedtimeread]

"your shit song" ... kills me every time! XD

[@SkorpionDnB]

Why doesn’t ableton have a loudness meter

[@temoflores]

"chances are you're probably going to get skipped over, and that's the end of you're career".... best advice ever. I suck a little less now. Thank you brother.

[@ajbrazov]

Thank you my friend. I quit producing with DAWs on my PC almost 15 years ago for work and kids, but the main reason was my frustration with mixing, had good ideas back then but all sounded awful. Thanks to your videos and the way you explain it, it sounds very less frustrating and funny so I'm giving it a try after a long time.

[@joeyrabz1616]

How is the return @Scarafoo ? I have the same problem now... I love making music but I feel like I fail to understand what I need to do for my songs to sound as appealing as all the other songs I hear on the internet. It really frustrates me to the core, but quitting is not an option... eventually I'm gonna be able to take what's in my head and lay it down.

[@sulky2811]

I've been watching production tutorials for years and I can honestly say I've never found a channel that keeps me as engaged and amused as yours. I've learnt more from just a few videos than I have from hours of youtube shitvids. THANK U x

[@WuchtaArt]

This video was informational, but you're too close to the camera. Edit: I changed my mind, youre not too close

[@jiro4559]

Its too kicky

[@wavefireYT]

I thought it was good kickey,

[@crimewavbeats5532]

His sense of humor is one of a kind, he know what he's talking about too😂

[@OddPilot_]

Dude... I’m loving the content. It’s very much appreciated and you are giving your viewers REAL value. Keep up the great work my sarcastic comrad

[@Nikkimaya1]

If every band that was told that your sound is to different from "The Mainstream" decided that they should change their sound, music would really suffer. I understand what you're getting at here. Jump on the trend that is selling now if you want to make money. But, if you want to make art, do what you do, and don't let anyone tell you that you are doing it wrong. There is nothing better than hearing something that sounds completely different from what everything else sounds like. That is how music moves forward as an art.

[@joeycaruso611]

yeah but selling a "dj record"is a little different. needs to sound competitive.

[@Chad.Ziodynecock]

i get what you're saying, but the video was mostly about mixing, and while there is still room for creativity freedom in this aspect i imagine no one would be amused when they encounter a song that throws away all sense of taste and just did whatever the fuck its maker wanted in the middle of their playlist. it especially doesn't help if the artist then feigns their incompetence as "the mix sounding retarded is just me being unique and different bro" people need to realize that being different only makes you different. not good, bad, just different. it's not your free escape ticket from criticism nor an excuse to turn around and insult your audience by saying they are holding art's progression hostage or whatever

[@madronarenata6416]

No such thing as too subby, baby boy belly.

[@marielarme]

Mais t'es excellent. MDR, ces intros

[@prodbylukejay6542]

i spit out my drink when he said "ya dingus" lmao

[@cleverestx]

"It's not really the girth of the sausage that matters, but the length." - LMAO = subbed

[@ggpgpsgbs7758]

Very helpful. Thank you.

[@punkrock75]

This guy gets me in stitches. The more I watch these videos the harder I have to laugh. Never imagined the high entertainment level of his tutorials. The content is really good though. As an LPX user I am still watching these and use the tips for my own DAW.

[@ErhanGaming]

Okay so jacket.

[@jgillan92]

Michael Cassette 😍

[@stefancompaneet7605]

0:24 that smile, that damned smile

[@thejohnhoang]

ur fuckin hillarious

[@eross21]

after you have done all the adjustments and compared to the reference tracks, so how to you get the loudness of your shit song to match the loudness of the reference tracks ?

[@Beatsbasteln]

eric ross lots of pro-L2

[@eross21]

Beats basteln :3 what is pro-l2 ? limiter?

[@Beatsbasteln]

yes. well i was joking. ofc it's not as easy as that

[@Themostamazinguy]

Just push the volume faders up until everything is clipping

[@avo_music]

I was also thinking he would explain that but instead he really did lower the others lol

[@cancrispy3928]

This was perfectly explained, thank you!

[@Thandidladla]

"and you want your shitsong to suck in the same way. okay? checkit." hahaha Dude what a creative way to explain the problem, I checkit. Gonna watch the full series now haha Keep doing this good stuff

[@nenjidesu]

Lol Thandi, bist auch hier ? XD Dein Song Honesty ist der Knüller

[@Thandidladla]

​@@nenjidesu haha klar, der Kanal ist Gold. das ist das erste mal, dass mich jemand unter nem anderen Video gefunden hat lol Appreciate you my dude

[@nenjidesu]

@@Thandidladla Weiter so Bruder ! 🔥🤙🏼

[@DidoInFlames]

Michael Cassete and Eric Prydz beautiful songs

[@drmusic78]

When has that ever worked, you dingus?? hahahahaha Best lessons ever!

[@lllPA94lll]

I frequently get told that my sausage is too fat! Although, I'm not 100% sure people are talking about my music...

[@greesy5644]

So who are actually the people that tell you that?

[@funkyshade]

Underbelly, my song is always "Too Shitty", what can I do?

[@robhammond7118]

Fat sausages! You cuss too much for me but you are funny and extremely knowledgeable.Very good video bro.

[@the.prime.sunshine]

Are your reference tracks at full scale before considering the loudness

[@Itsmeitscharles]

Always been told to use reference tracks but this video has really helped me understand why and how to actually compare - thanks!

[@podespault]

If you compare shit songs with other shit songs... Aren't you ending up with a shittier song?

[@tofusauce]

"It's not the girth that matters, it's the length." Pure comedy

[@joaquingibanel5976]

man you are very funny hahah and you bring good tips long life to shit songs!! sausage style

[@ocea1911]

"it's very hard to know where you're going if you don't know where you're going." word

[@jSpirituS7]

How do I upload a reference song into abelton? Or for that matter, how do I get any music outside of the daw into the daw lol

[@sweetfoampunishment3286]

Simply brilliant sausage, wowzers!!

[@mrz.3]

I never get tired of the "shitsong" 🤣

[@gwendeseminat8r]

hi your underbelly, and i suck at producing

[@mrpooroldme]

I had to click the like button even though I don't approve.

[@massivHE1]

where to get good reference tracks from? how to now which track is good mixed?

[@robertofnascimento]

"not confirming to society in the way that I need to be" 😂😂😂

[@Reggi_Sample]

Holy Shit! kept me watching 🤣

[@92elmmusic]

Lovely shitsong

[@nicolasnicolas3889]

My mix should definitely have some shit in it, for textural purposes! ;D

[@helgdrev7537]

It's so wise what you're saying at the end of the video

[@taimo_or4963]

what is the FL equivalent of Utility?

[@SoundsBy80K]

holy moly, great explanation. thanks!

[@keanukim2198]

😂😂😂 best video on this subject and funny.

[@neoconnor4395]

I want to like this show, but can't.

[@xKilvertx]

I just Discovered Underbelly and his "You suck at Mixing" series ... fitting as I DO suck, the content is practical/useful and Underbelly is killing me Smalls! Love everything to do with this content.

[@Eric-dd8bk]

Hey nice video. What's the song you play at the end? That Jipsy Jazzy type jingle? I like it. Thanks to your video, I might suck less than I did before watching this video for sure.

[@who_cares848]

I love that you consistently used the term "shitsong" throughout the video 😂 getting a Mr. Lahey vibe lol

[@saksezo]

This video speaks the truth, I will from now on use reference just to make sure my shit is not that shitty, in other words , annoying.

[@inna716]

Man, you are like my brother

[@poolview]

But what’s the difference between dropping the gain with utility versus the track volume slider ?

[@woutschoenmakers7373]

Dj seinfield good choice!!

[@rem7502]

but as you change your mix wont your own volume level / LUFS change? how much would that matter.

[@wayneranson8763]

LMAO!!.... this was great 😂

[@jvonnjvonn4688]

How the hell ppl use an already mixed/mastered song like shouldn't you ref use commercial acapellas to match vocals they with your vocals Then the beat to match commercial beat

[@robindgordon]

spectacular! keep un the good work

[@wadsmillenia4906]

The advice at 5:24 might be the best mixing/production advice I've ever heard.

[@JohnPaulBuce]

too lofi is the best

[@jeffryschmidt635]

Hey that dj seinfeld track pumps

[@pattocarvente6564]

ID?

[@rjjrdq]

all mixes I hear sound like garbage. Sounding like "the pros" seems like a step down.

[@mrowkenesser]

Hi Underbelly, even though I watch a lot of your videos, I still suck at mixing... But I have a question that might help - do you actually care about the other meters in Youlean? For example my track has loudness range 1.8 LU, whereas for the reference track the respective value is 8.8 LU and I wonder how to change that and what does this difference actually mean.

[@stevenjavro2038]

Mr Rodgers meets Harry Caray

[@DerrickMayFan]

my free mp3 . net lmao

[@SoupreemEevul]

Too subby? Yeah me too bud

[@CH1EFBL1TZ]

I WANT YOUR TOO SUBBY SONG!!!!!!!!! where can i find it!!>>!

[@susanaayala1277]

love these videos and they're very helpful like genuinely better than most famous producers

[@jayv-in1860]

"even if you mixing in shitty apple earphones"... realises that underbelly is talking directly to me.

[@RagsToRichesFilms]

Why are these videos on the level of the college lectures I went to as far as the actual teaching that happens. Seriously though, these videos are so much more informed than most of the "EDM tips and tricks" videos.

[@nguqobo2261]

what's with the breathing??

[@mdmamusicproduction]

Amazing tutorial as always bro

[@dj2r1]

Did anyone notice that underbelly's beardgrow is uncemteric?

[@Stacity]

Im over belly and I suck at mixing bro.

[@prodbyskeptics6206]

Hahaha

[@ManOf1000Vocals]

Man your good and I was cracking up! Now that’s how you do a video! Keeper laughing and they will listen!

[@CharlesLouisRosario]

Holy sh!$ 😂

[@Joonsik_e]

you have beautiful eyes

[@Daniel-pu9fi]

Everything sucks in comparison with that Cassette track.

[@julianvillalba7997]

Hi, how do I avoid having my references affected by all the eq´s and compression from the mix bus?

[@wavefireYT]

I would master my own track in the project, this makes way more sence to me anyway as it will get more phased with the volume up. Then you hear more when tracks need to be eqed. I guess you don't need to do it as you go. Just a different approach that may make thing easier that I use or whatever.

[@bdkfbwk]

I simultaneously hate and love you for this mixing series!

[@Sam-zo2ho]

I do suck, thanks

[@LS-ps7rr]

My whole producer life sucks :D

[@alphanumeric1529]

Too subby track has way more treble than the too trebly track. Are my ears broken?

[@Da_Beef]

underbelly a legend

[@practice4089]

foorkin ROFL!!!