Client Sent a Reference Track? What to Check Before You Master
Published · by Loopin
A reference track tells you where the client wants to land, not how to get there. Run five checks in ten minutes before you touch the master.
Check what the reference actually is
Ask for the file, not the link. A streaming link plays at normalised volume and a lossy copy hides detail, so your A/B against it is unreliable. If the client only has a link, say so, and treat it as a rough guide to tone, not loudness.
Then check the era and genre. A 2008 rock reference and a 2026 trap mix want different loudness and low end, even if the client calls both “big”. If the reference is a different genre to their song, ask which part they like: the vocal, the drums, the low end? One answer is worth ten adjectives. Write it at the top of your session notes so the whole job points at one thing. It also gives you something to quote back if the client later says it is not what they asked for.
Measure its loudness before you listen again
Drop the reference into your DAW and read its integrated LUFS. If it is hot, say around −8 LUFS, tell the client what that costs: a louder master is turned down by streaming services, and the extra limiting can flatten the drums. Our reference track guide covers the basics.
Most streaming-ready masters land near −14 LUFS, which is the level Loopin’s default export hits. Offer both: a streaming-level master and, if they insist, a hotter one labelled as such. Putting two numbers in front of them is faster than arguing about “loud”. Many clients pick the lower one once they hear it side by side at matched volume, because the drums keep their snap. If you want a quick first pass at both targets, try the free online masterer with a Punchy and a Warm feel.
A/B at matched loudness, in short bursts
Level-match the reference to your master before you compare. A louder reference always wins the first ten seconds. Listen in 15-second bursts, switching on the chorus, and note one difference at a time: low end weight, vocal presence, top end.
If you use the free online masterer for the first pass, pick the feel nearest the reference (Warm, Punchy, Crisp, Wide, Vintage, Club, Lo-fi or Cinematic), then compare its loudness-matched Original vs Mastered switch with the reference on top. Previews and A/B are free and unlimited. Automatic mastering takes no creative direction, so it will not copy the reference.
Decide what you can and cannot match
Loudness and general tone, yes. The reference’s vocal sound, drum samples and low-end arrangement are mix decisions, and no mastering step can import them. If the client’s bass is thin and the reference’s is huge, that is a mix note.
Tell them plainly, in writing: “I can get the loudness and general balance close. The vocal and the 808 are in the mix.” Offer to listen to a revised mix. This single email prevents the revision round that goes nowhere. It also shows the client you listened to the reference properly, which is half of what they are paying for.
Deliver with the comparison
Send the master, the reference, and the loudness readings for both. Label the files, level-matched, A and B. A client who can switch between them in one player sees the difference you made and the difference you could not.
Free downloads are capped at 1 per rolling 24 hours with no account, 2 with a free account, so plan your sends. For a full client EP, master the track free as a first pass and move to a human engineer where the reference needs hands-on shaping.
Frequently asked questions
How do I use a reference track for mastering?
Level-match it to your master, then compare tone and balance in short bursts. Use it for loudness and general tone, not as a recipe.
What LUFS should a reference track be?
Most streaming-ready masters sit near -14 LUFS. Measure the client's reference; if it is much louder, explain the trade-off.
Can automatic mastering match a reference?
No. Loopin offers eight feels to pick from, but takes no reference or creative direction, so choose the closest feel and compare.
What if the client's reference is a streaming link?
Treat it as a tone guide, not a loudness target. A link is normalised and lossy; ask for the file.
What can't mastering fix?
Vocal tone, drum sounds and low-end arrangement are mix decisions. Offer a revised mix instead of heavier processing.
How long does a reference check take?
About ten minutes: identify the file, measure loudness, level-match and A/B in 15-second bursts.