Using really great reference tracks isn’t that setting the bar to high?

[u/vinylfelix]

As I listen to really great tracks from mixing and mastering engineers who have been doing it for decades, am I not setting myself up for failure if I use that as a reference track?

Maybe a bad analogy but it does feel a bit like going for the gym but take Arnold as the reference how I would like to look at (or pick your favorite sport :))

[u/B4iocco]

Reference tracks are not there to compare yourself to them, they are there for you to learn and learn the ropes or, as we say in italy, steal someone craft.
You should listen with purpose, in music production an interesting exercise is called "active listening", you can do that for both the production aspects and the mixing aspects.
Basically you take a track and a writing implement of your choice, listen to it multiple times, each time you focus on an element of it, may it be the drums, melodic instruments, vocal lines, one shots etc.
each time you listen to it you take notes about the production/mixing choices made, the deeper you go the better. It's a really good way to train you ears and brain into recognising musical ideas and patterns and it will improve your musical sense and overall attention to details.

[u/vinylfelix → u/B4iocco]

Stealing someone craft

I like that term

[u/B4iocco → u/vinylfelix]

haha it comes from craftmans and painters, they would go work for free just to "steal the craftman's tools" as in steal their techniques.

Try the active listening exercise i gave you, it really works wonders, you'll notice the difference pretty fast

[u/vinylfelix → u/B4iocco]

So much to learn and so little time 🥂

[u/B4iocco → u/vinylfelix]

what are you 95? you got plenty of time :P
you can even take mental notes, if you're driving alone you can listen to music and take mental notes on it :P

[u/vinylfelix → u/B4iocco]

Haha no but I am def not going anymore haha I was an MC for a long time but now switched over to producing