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Here's a short intro to the point of reference tracks http://www.homestudiocorner.com/use-a-r ... le-mixing/
Those of you who use them, already know that, though

I haven't used reference tracks as much, yet, but now I have narrowed at least some albums some down to use in my mix templates. I keep returning to three albums I really like, Colbie Calliat's "Falling for you", John Mayer's "Continuum" and Mat Kearney's "City of black and white". Some of these tracks are a bit overlapping into pop/rock land, though..

Care to share which favourites you pull up for singer/songwriter productions?

Check out Ryan Adams Ashes and Fire.Any John Mayer but Born And Raised is great on the production end.

Paul otten here is very good for that, other guys of course.

Good topic!

I use reference tracks to A/B most of the time, but usually not the same reference tracks, it depends what sound I'm going for. If writing for a specific listing, obviously would have to consider using the listing reference tracks if any are given. For singer / songwriter I've used Colbie Collait and others (sidebar ... I saw Colbie & Gavin Degraw together just a few months ago, what a concert!) Some other genres ... I've used a lot of Coldplay, Foo Fighters, lately some Mumford & Sons.

For "realistic strings" I've used John Williams and others, I'd like to find a more current "go to track" for strings.

Jim

For rootsy Americana I've been using the Robert Plant/Allison Krauss record that T-Bone Burnett produced. I think that record sounds amazing.

eo

For quirky female singer/songwriter I've been using Feist a lot. Amazing writing and amazing production. Very creative and very organic sounding.

Thanks for sharing, guys. I check it all out! Keep'em coming, it's both interesting and educational.
We can start more threads for other genres, so try to keep it singer/songwriter for this one.