Hi,
Does anybody knows how to realize a XOR with Mute or Solo Buttons?
I have a reference track within my mixing project and I want to do an  a/b comparison between my actual mix and this ref track. My actual solution is to mute the mix-master and un-mute the ref track and vice versa. Problem: There is always a delay (silence or both audio tracks) and I've to click a lot. Using more than one ref track makes it even worse.  It is not easy to concentrate to the sound differences with these distractions...
 
How do you do it?
 

When I am comparing two tracks that are already rendered (i.e. not in a live project with effects, etc.) I have a test project that has two tracks. I mute one and leave the other unmuted. I then create a group on their mute buttons. That way, clicking either mute button toggles its state and the state of the other mute button; easy peasy.
 
If you are experiencing some sort of delay due to plugins, you could try Magic AB. I have this, and while I haven't fully dug deep into it, it's really helpful. You can load up multiple reference tracks, level set them, and even set individual loops on each one. Really cool, and you can find it here:
 
https://www.samplemagic.com/details/184/magic-ab?gclid=Cj0KEQjwsb-vBRCLj7TvqpGx_MoBEiQALgFGnoDELtJRQVqj5IZhu-0UE3fA8ddYsaIQ3Jb9eFV-wBsaAptN8P8HAQ
 

smallstonefan
When I am comparing two tracks that are already rendered (i.e. not in a live project with effects, etc.) I have a test project that has two tracks. I mute one and leave the other unmuted. I then create a group on their mute buttons. That way, clicking either mute button toggles its state and the state of the other mute button; easy peasy.

Perfect solution!
I didn't know the Group functionality for buttons. I tried it and it solved my problem 100%
Thanks! 

I have always used exclusive Solo mode, and typically bounce the project to another track, but exclusive Solo should also work with busses (send ref track to one, project to other, with both feeding the main outs).

Glad to help! 
 
Side note - ever compared two plugins or two plugin settings but could not pick one without bias? Put each one in their own pro-channel fx chain and set up the mutes like described. Close your eyes and click a number of times until you no longer know which fx chain is active. Then click the button as many times as you like to toggle between the two until one stands out. 

++ for SampleMagic AB and also MeldaProduction's MCompare.
Also check out Ian Shepard's PERCEPTION plug-in.

I have found from experience that it is better to not have the reference track anywhere near the DAW at all. But I realise this is not always possible.  I use a digital mixer for example that has multiple 2 track stereo inputs so I have got the CD player connected there.  One button push, DAW goes off CD player is on.  I believe for the best result the time between hearing your mix and the ref track should be instant.  If it takes 10 seconds to hear the ref track then you are sort of not getting the full benefit.
 
The only thing is you need to match rms levels of the ref track to your mix.
 
Another option is to wire up some sort of switch box between your audio interface and your monitors so in one position you have your DAW playing normally and in the other you are hearing the alternate input. (preferbaly on some sort of variable control as well)  If it is a CD player the headphone output is sometimes a good spot to pick up the signal especially if there is a variable output level for the phones.
 
When mastering this is even more important although during mastering it is easier to drag the ref track into the mastering session and solo it too.
 
I am big fan of referencing great tracks that are right in the ball park to what you are trying to mix or master.  They are great for letting you know how far away from greatness you are actually going.  Gets you back on the rails so to speak.  They are good for taking your speakers and room acoustics out of the equation very much so.

And another + for Magic AB. Simple concept but really efficient and convenient; I like not have to bounce around the timeline looking for specific points in a reference tracks then using exclusive solo go between mix/reference. It's also great because all reference tracks can be volume adjusted individually as well as the master volume for the references, so you don't have to worry about shattering your eardrums. :)

mettelus
I have always used exclusive Solo mode, and typically bounce the project to another track, but exclusive Solo should also work with busses (send ref track to one, project to other, with both feeding the main outs).

Exclusive solo here as well.  works like a charm

Edit: There is a flaw in the method I am about to describe (and perhaps others). If you have sends on any of the tracks then read the following post (well read it anyway if you are going read and use my dumfuk advice because I don't wanna mess anyone up).
 
http://forum.cakewalk.com/FindPost/3286229
 
OP...
 
==============================================================
 
The way I do it is this...
 
I always insert a "Premaster" bus before the actual Master. All tracks get sent to the Premaster (by way of all the sub busses I create for everything). So it goes like this... Tracks > Sub Group Busses > Premaster > Master > Physical Outputs.
 
I keep my Master bus completely free of any effects and I keep it at 0db Unity gain as I work. I use the Premaster for any master type effects and to adjust levels if need be but generally the premaster is there just to test how my mix will respond to compression/EQ or other mastering type stuff. I am trying more and more to leave it completely clear and rely on the mix then just turn on/fiddle with those effects to get a rough idea of how glue compression and mastering EQ may go down once I get to the mastering stage.
 
Since my Master bus is totally free and clear of all effects and all my tracks go to the Premaster it creates a situation where I can route my reference track(s) main output to the Master and absolutely nothing will be altering the sound.
 
So then all I have to do is keep the reference track muted. Then when I want to compare my current mix to the reference track all I do is SOLO the reference track (which mutes everything else in the project) then unmute it. So it's maybe a one second silence at most as I click the solo/mute button. Not an instantaneous. one click a/b but it really isn't that far off.
 
Since I keep my general output level from the premaster (going into the Master) at around -6db I just have to make sure the reference track is outputting to the Master bus at -6db and it gives a proper relative volume comparison.
 
I actually keep previous mixdowns of the project and reference tracks in the same track within their own lanes. That way I can just solo the lane of the ref track/previous mixdown I want to compare with and use the method described above. This can cause a problem if my exports were -6db exports (for premaster) because then my ref tracks are of course going to be louder than the -6db exports (so with the 6db I removed to get the ref tracks matching my premaster bus level those exports end up outputting at -12db) but that can be worked around by putting the -6db exports in their own track and not lowering the level at all or leaving them in the main ref track and using clip automation to compensate for the volume difference).
 
It's a pretty decent system but I do need to spend some time with Exclusive Solo which I think might make things even smoother... and not just for this application.