Reference Tracks

Putting your instruments at the same volume than your favorite rapper won't make your song a copy.

The world of music production is mainly subjective with respect to the ideas It wants to achieve, as long as It has a niche, you can do It. Also, Art is theft, even If that theft is from various sources, so, in music, don't be ashamed to compare what you do to others, though If you're gonna do It, do It in a productive way. This is where the concept of Reference tracks comes handy, as It is just using an already made song that is simmilar in style/arrangement and putting It against the cornerstone of our beats to figure out the way they have made the elements on their track cooperate so seemlessly to make for an enjoyable musical experience. In the presented article I'll talk about Reference Tracks, what they are, the advantages they bring you and why It's okay to use them. Let's begin by defining what a reference track is.

What is a reference track?

A reference track, simply put, is the use of one or many different songs that had been already made in order to have a professional point of comparison to the way we want to arrange our beat elements as a whole, whether It is the mixing, the rhythm or the arrangement of the song, It can come handy to have something to take as the base of our process of beatmaking with the use of reference tracks.

In case you don't believe they can help, here are some benefits they can bring to your songs:

Advantages of using Reference tracks.

Correct Mixing in your track

If you take a song that has the same genre and style and listen closely to the way all the instruments and effects are laid out, you'll notice they are mixed in a particular way, different, even If It is in one aspect from the rest of tracks in other genres, or even the same one. It can be the way the drums are panned, which instruments stands out more either in volume or frequency wise and how the stereo image of every sound is distributed. Having this can guide you in your process of mixing, comparing your track with a professional mix that can make you sound as one without the harsh process of having to go through several modifications and painful half assed beats.

Structure

Sometimes songs are structured in such a way that makes them catchy, epic or just make your eyes teary, all thanks to the different patterns that the artist chooses to portrait the different sections of the track in, and not only that, also the little details contribute to the overall listening experience. Hearing closely how they do this and using It for your advantage can make a good loop with drums a monumental song.

Sound Selection

Sometimes you might even feel unsure as to what instruments/drums use in your track. Listening to one or many reference tracks and taking notes as to which type of percussions and sounds they use, can bring you more knowledge about the genre and make you take sounder decision when you're picking up the backbone for your track.

There are many more benefits, though now the question of copying too far might rise, wouldn't It not impinge my creativity? Let's answer this

Reference Tracks and Creativity

Some people think that using reference tracks is an obstacle in the way of making beats, all this due to the claim that as It guides you too much, It doesn't allow for originality in making you copy the same pattern over and over, however, they don't take some things into account. First of all, we find ourselves in a point in music history where mostly every chord progression and melody that you sure know has been played, including even most of the mixing techniques. Secondly, to create a really innovative track and break the rules, you have to know them, that's why reference tracks are so helpful even If you don't expect It. They provide you with a frame for every Idea, even If you decide to use a reference track for every instruments, you can go for It, so better make sure to use them in your next projects.

I hope that the presented paragraphs can be of use to you, showing you the importance of reference tracks and how they can prove a valuable asset when you try to make your tracks sound as professional as possible. Good Luck and Thank you for your support.