[Update] Using a reference track?

Ripping reference material is great for getting an overall idea of specific sounds and whatnot BUT remember that if you are using a commercial release it has already been Mastered. This can be misleading when trying to mix around it so keep that in mind.
 
Also there are a couple things I do to make sure any reference tracks aren't getting messed up or throwing me off too much.
 
One is that I send the track directly to the Master bus and keep NOTHING but a protection limiter on the master (no effects, totally dry aside from a limiter that in theory should not be doing ANYTHING unless a accidently crank something WAY up). I use a "Premaster" bus for any master effects. All my tracks and submix busses go through that BEFORE going to the Master.
 
By doing that I make sure my reference track is unadulterated. I also use that same track to import any Mixdowns I create so I can compare them to any new mixes I come up with (again to avoid any effects or volume stuff).
 
The other thing is as you mix you are generally going to want to leave headroom for any mastering that will follow your mix (generally around -6 to -3db). Your commercially mastered reference material is likely going to be as loud as possible so clocking in at just below 0db.
 
Since we know that extra volume creates the perception/illusion of something sounding "better" then we need our reference material's volume to match the material we are mixing.
 
So look at your meters and/or listen to the pure ref material against your own mix (a/b it while listening/watching main output meters) and make sure the volumes match. To do that you can just turn down the level fader on the track the reference material is on.
 
Hopefully that makes sense and helps.
 
/not a pro