I use the exact same reference tracks for every single sound system/control room I'm evaluating, regardless of the genre the project will be:

- "The Infernal Dance of King Kashchei" excerpt from Igor Stravinsky's "Firebird Suite", by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Robert Shaw, from album on the Telarc label.

- "People" by King Crimson, from the THRAK album.

- "So What" by Miles Davis, from the Kind Of Blue album.

- "Airhead" by Thomas Dolby, from the Aliens Ate My Buick album.

- "Outshined" by Soundgarden, from the Badmotorfinger album.


The Stravinsky, Crimson, & Davis cuts have been my reference tracks since 1995. I added the Dolby & Soundgarden around 2002.

I use reference tracks to figure out what the speakers & room are doing. After that, I just mix. I never put up someone else's mix and play the "How do we compare?" game.