Reference Track Comparison

Performs a detailed A/B comparison between your audio and a reference track. Measures differences in spectral balance, loudness, dynamics, stereo width, and overall similarity, using normalized spectral curves.

Parameters

Parameter Type Default Description
file_path string required Path to your audio file
reference_path string required Path to reference track (WAV or FLAC recommended)

Example Output

$ compare_to_reference my-master.wav reference-track.wav

Reference Comparison Your file: my-master.wav Reference: reference-track.wav

Loudness: Yours: -14.2 LUFS Reference: -11.8 LUFS Difference: -2.4 LUFS (yours is quieter)

Spectrum: Centroid: 3,241 Hz Reference: 3,890 Hz Difference: Yours is darker (lower centroid by 649 Hz)

Band comparison: Sub: +0.8 dB vs ref Low: +2.1 dB vs ref (bass heavy) Low-mid: +0.3 dB vs ref High-mid: -1.4 dB vs ref (less presence) High: -2.3 dB vs ref (darker)

Dynamics: Crest: 8.4 dB Reference: 6.2 dB Difference: Yours is more dynamic (+2.2 dB crest)

Stereo: Width: 0.72 Reference: 0.81 Difference: Yours is narrower (-0.09)

Overall similarity: 71%

What the Numbers Mean

  • Loudness difference — How much louder/quieter your track is vs the reference. Large differences (>3 LUFS) make spectral comparisons less reliable. The louder track always sounds “better” perceptually.

  • Band comparison — Per-band dB differences. Positive = you have more energy there than the reference. Negative = you have less. Focus on differences >2 dB — those are clearly audible.

  • Overall similarity — Weighted composite score. 90%+ = very similar character. 70-89% = same ballpark, some differences. Below 70% = substantially different (check if the reference is the right target).

Example Prompts

A/B check

Compare my master at final.wav against the reference at ref-dua-lipa.wav — where am I falling short?

Spectral match

Is my mix brighter or darker than the reference? Compare the spectrum

Width comparison

How does the stereo width of my mix compare to this commercial release?

Pro tip

Level-match before comparing. If your track is quieter than the reference, differences in “brightness” or “punch” may just be level perception. Ask your AI to compare with loudness normalization for a fairer comparison.