Matches your audio to reference spectral, loudness, and width characteristics via Matchering. Analyzes the differences and produces a processed output file that closes the gap.
Requires the phantom-audio[matching] extra. Install with: pip install phantom-audio[matching]
Parameters
| Parameter | Type | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| target_path | string | required | Path to your audio file (the one to be processed) |
| reference_path | string | required | Path to reference track |
| output_path | string | required | Path to write the matched output file |
Example Output
$ match_to_reference my-mix.wav reference.wav matched-output.wav
Match to Reference: my-mix.wav vs reference.wav
Spectral Matching: Suggested EQ curve: +1.5 dB shelf at 8 kHz (add air) -1.8 dB bell at 300 Hz, Q=1.2 (reduce mud) +0.8 dB bell at 3.5 kHz, Q=2.0 (add presence)
Loudness Matching: Current: -14.2 LUFS Target: -11.8 LUFS Gain needed: +2.4 dB (apply before limiter) Note: True peak will exceed -1.0 dBTP. Limiter ceiling required.
Width Matching: Current: 0.72 Target: 0.81 Suggestion: +12% stereo widening above 2 kHz Note: Keep sub-200 Hz in mono for compatibility
Output: matched-output.wav
What the Numbers Mean
-
Suggested EQ curve — Specific frequency, gain, and Q values you can dial into a parametric EQ. These are starting points. Listen and adjust to taste.
-
Gain needed — The loudness gap between your track and the reference. Apply this gain before your final limiter to reach the target loudness.
-
Width suggestion — How much stereo widening to apply and in which frequency range. Always keeps low end narrow for mono compatibility.
Example Prompts
Full match
Match my mix to this reference — what EQ and processing do I need?
Spectrum only
Just match the frequency balance — show me the EQ curve to match the reference spectrum
Step by step
Give me a step-by-step mastering chain to get my mix closer to this reference track
Related Tools
- compare_to_reference — See the raw differences before matching
- compare_to_profile — Match against genre targets instead of a specific track
- analyze_spectrum — Verify EQ changes worked after applying
Pro tip
Match loudness first, then spectrum, then width: in that order. Loudness differences mask spectral perception, and spectral changes affect perceived width. Working in order gives you the most accurate results at each step.