Reference Mastering

Sound Like Your Favorite Track.

Every great master has a benchmark. Engineers in professional studios have always referenced commercial tracks to check their low end, loudness, brightness, and overall vibe. Now you can do the same - with Cryo Mix.

With Reference Mastering, you upload any song as a guide, and our AI uses it to shape the tone, dynamics, and loudness of your master to match that reference. The result? A master that sounds like it belongs in the same playlist as the artists you look up to.

What Is a Reference Track?

A reference track is simply a song you admire - one whose sound, energy, or genre matches what you're going for. It could be a chart-topping hit, an independent release, or anything in between.

Cryo Mix analyzes the reference's frequency balance, dynamic range, and loudness and uses these as a target when mastering your track. Your song still sounds like you - the reference just gives the AI a direction to aim for.

How to Use Reference Mastering

Reference Mastering is available starting from the Creator Plan and is applied during the mastering stage, after your mix is complete.

1. Upload an audio file of the song you want to reference (MP3 or WAV).
2. Cryo Mix will analyze the track and apply its characteristics to your master.
3. Listen to the result and export your master as usual.

Pro Tip: Choose a reference track in the same genre as your song - ideally one that's already been professionally mastered and released on a major platform. The closer the genre match, the more useful the guidance.

Tips for Choosing a Good Reference

Not all reference tracks are created equal. Here's what makes a great one:

• Pick something mastered, not mixed. Use a finished, released song - not a rough demo.
• Match the genre. A trap reference won't help a folk record much. Keep it in the same sonic world.
• Go for quality. Pick tracks known for sounding good on all speakers — earbuds, car speakers, and studio monitors.
• One reference is enough. You only need one strong reference to guide the master effectively.

What Reference Mastering Does (and Doesn't Do)

It does:

• Analyze the reference's tonal balance, loudness (LUFS), and dynamic range
• Use those characteristics to inform the EQ and limiting decisions on your master
• Help your track sit comfortably alongside commercial releases in the same genre

It doesn't:

• Copy the exact sound of the reference track
• Override your creative choices from the mix
• Work as a substitute for a well-mixed track

Pro Tip: If your mix has significant issues - like a muddy low end or a harsh vocal - fix those in the mix first. Reference Mastering works best when your mix is already in good shape.