A distinct reference, not a renamed preset
The original acoustic reference runs at 88 BPM and uses a faster chord decay envelope e^(-1.1t), versus e^(-0.45t) for the electronic reference. It changes the matching reference, not your song's tempo.
What to listen for
Compare vocal consonants, string attacks and reverb tails at matched loudness. Crest factor can reveal transient headroom, but a larger number is not automatically a better master.
Use your own reference when it fits better
Both styles share the measured -14 LUFS/-1 dBTP output limits. Upload a reference you are permitted to process when you need a different tonal or dynamic direction.
Read the result
The acoustic option selects a slower, faster-decaying generated reference. It does not recognize a real guitar or guarantee an unprocessed acoustic tone. The audible result depends on your source and the chosen reference, so preserve a clean export for comparison.
Common mistakes
Do not mistake lower average level for worse sound, or a higher crest number for guaranteed fidelity. Listen for room tails and consonants after level matching. If the generated reference is unsuitable, use a more relevant file you may legally process.
Questions musicians ask
How to master acoustic guitar?
Start with a well-balanced recording, compare a suitable reference and listen carefully to pick attacks, body resonance and room decay. This page selects the actual acoustic reference, but it does not separate a guitar from a stereo mix.
What is a reference track in music?
It is a recording used as a comparison for presentation and sound. Here, you can use the original generated acoustic reference or upload a permitted file. Similar instrumentation can help comparison, but matching a reference does not transfer its artistic quality.
Is mastering necessary?
A release benefits from a final quality-control pass, but not every track needs aggressive processing. If an automated result harms the performance, keep the original or seek a skilled engineer. A numerical target is not a requirement to accept a worse-sounding master.
Sources and calculation notes
Related tools and guides
Source
MixGlint original reference generator: audio/compose.py
Reference implementation checked September 30, 2026.