I've read it's a good idea to make a reference track to compare your mix with the pros.
They suggest a series 10 or 15 secs of several different types of songs from different albums also helps jog you out of the ear fatigue and over familiarity you get from working on one song too long.
How exactly do you do this?

I can play the CD's on my computer, thru my interface/soundcard via USB. 
But arming an audio track does not register on the meter.

I just started doing this and I can share how I do it, though some here may have more efficient methods.

I import a commercial tune into one track in my actual Sonar project that I want to compare it to and do not insert any sends into it--no EQ, etc. Leave your master faders at 0. That's it. Just mute the commercial track when you don't want to hear it and solo it when you do.

This is also a good technique when mastering, although my mastering program has a feature called Smart Bypass where I can turn off all effects, etc. in the signal chain with a click of the mouse so the commercial track is un-effected, and then turn them all back on for my original track just as easy.

Thanks,  but you told me what to do once it's in sonar.
What I need is to know how you got it into sonar?

The way I've done it is copy the CD track on my hard drive and import it into SONAR. IIRC WMP always converts the ripped files to MP3. I've used Nero.

Lol I guess folks are all giving me the benefit of the doubt and assuming I would surely know how to rip a CD.
I have literally never done that. Ever.
Can someone step me thru the process?
1. Put Cd in computer.
2 = ?

It is a fantastic idea and applies during mixing as well as mastering. I find that when I do professional work for clients they always have their fave CD's that they are trying to emulate so it is easy to get a hold of them.

I use a digital mixer and have a spare CD player input all together which is very cool. 

Important though. You must make sure that the ref track is always playing back at the same level as every stage of your production. If you are comparing your mix to a ref track then you may need to lower the ref track by 7 or 8 dB to get a level match. My CD player has a variable output control so this is easy. My VU meters also show when things are perfectly matched level wise. 

During mastering the same applies here too. You need to be able to easily alter the ref level so it matches each stage of your mastering. By the time you get to your final mastering stages then you will find the ref track will match your mastered level. 

Picking the ref tracks is a bit tricky too. You need tracks preferably with very similar feel and instrumentation etc. Leave out the ones that are nothing like your mix or mastering track. They don't help so much.

Ref tracks almost eliminate the monitors and room acoustics by default. That is why they are so good. You don't have to rely on them being so perfect etc.. They really help take a lot of the guesswork out of mixing and mastering.

So you have a CD player near your mixer and use it's line out (earphone jack?) to your input device's line in in order to record it? Can I assume you would simply maximize the meters during record?

M_Glenn_M


Thanks,  but you told me what to do once it's in sonar.
What I need is to know how you got it into sonar?

Sorry--thought you already knew how to import an audio file. "...import a commercial tune into one track..." 

You might want to look at YouTube on how to rip a CD. I found that just buying the song I want to compare from Rhapsody was much easier. All I needed to do was locate where I choose my new song purchases to go from within Rhapsody, etc.  


Then, just put the now time where you want the start of the commercial track. From within Sonar: File > Import > Audio. Then just browse to the song file.


Hope that helps.

I guess I'm just old, but do not buy songs online. And I don't own an ipod or mobile player.
I have those old round things called CDs.
I play em from my computer or my stereo system in the living room or the car.
The process I need is getting a CD playing in my computer into sonar.

I prefer to play the actual CD's and not work with anything less. Be aware that compressed versions of the CD may not sound quite as nice as the CD itself. I realise that compressed files can sound good but I have also heard differences between the two which may alter your decisions etc..

The client usually has the CD's and that is the best source. If you are not working for the client then I guess other sources of ref material may apply.