Effect / Mastering The Mix
Mastering The Mix REFERENCE
8.3Great
REFERENCE 3 is a plugin that lets you A/B your mix against professional reference tracks and shows what adjustments are needed to match them.
Plugin comparison
Mastering The Mix REFERENCE vs Voxengo SPAN
Specs, price and the Dubspot Score, side by side — with our verdict on which effect to buy.
Independent score / workflow fit / buying signal
Contenders
The side-by-side
8.8Great
Voxengo SPAN is a free real-time FFT spectrum analyzer plugin with multi-channel modes, correlation metering, and EBU R128 / K-system level tools.
Score verdict
Which should you buy?
On the Dubspot Score, Voxengo SPAN comes out ahead (8.8). That said, the right pick depends on your workflow and budget — read both reviews before deciding.
Technical matrix
Specs compared
| Signal | Mastering The Mix REFERENCE | Voxengo SPAN |
|---|---|---|
| Price | — | Free |
| Dubspot Score | 8.3 | 8.8 |
| Formats | AU (Mac), VST3, AAX | VST3, VST, AU, AAX |
| Price (official) | £59.00 GBP (no fixed USD price shown; site offers a currency selector) | — |
| Formats (Mac) | 64-bit AU, VST3, or AAX host; Apple Silicon native | — |
| Formats (Windows) | 64-bit VST3 or 64-bit AAX host | — |
| Key tools | Mix Descriptors, Masterscope, Mix Balance, Mix Instructor, and Match % | — |
| Mac requirements | OS X 10.15 or higher | — |
| Windows requirements | Windows 10 or higher | — |
| Type | — | FFT spectrum analyzer / metering utility |
| Price | — | Free |
| Formats | — | VST, VST3, AU, AAX (64-bit) |
| Platforms | — | Windows and macOS |
| Metering | — | EBU R128, K-system, RMS, true peak, correlation |
| Manual | — | Official SPAN user guide PDF on Voxengo site |
See the full plugin database for more comparisons.