And then one of my students asked, "..but do I really have to use reference tracks? What if I just want my own sound, not influenced by something else already produced?"
 
Ans: "Perfectly valid not to use them if you're getting the sound you want".
 
However, I do think ref tracks are helpful for example, when developing listening skills, when working with a client who may bring in their own or as suggestions to clients when making make production decisions, for checking out a studio or live system .... and whatever else you can think of!
 
Ref tracks are just another tool. Use them or not? There's no rules about it except the one you make for yourself...
 
G.

Listening to reference tracks is an essential part of 'ear' training. Even more so if you are contemplating commercial release of the material.
 
It's also important for clients to bring you a sample/s of a recording that typifies what They want their recordings to sound like.

Reference tracks are like a helpful reality check. You can listen to the song you're mixing and be mesmerized by how nice it sounds. If you listen to it A/B against professionally mastered tune(s) in a somewhat similar genre you can snap out of your stupor that you have your mix right. Or, at least, in the initial rounds of your mixing you can discover more easily areas you should address to make your mix better.

lawajava
Reference tracks are like a helpful reality check. You can listen to the song you're mixing and be mesmerized by how nice it sounds. If you listen to it A/B against professionally mastered tune(s) in a somewhat similar genre you can snap out of your stupor that you have your mix right. Or, at least, in the initial rounds of your mixing you can discover more easily areas you should address to make your mix better.

...and we all so need a reality check when mixing, don't we! Well said!
 
G