Reference Recordings: Attaching Audio to a Score for Context
When musicians share sheet music, they often want to include an audio recording alongside it – not necessarily synced bar-by-bar to the notation, but available as a reference for interpretation, style, or comparison. This is what a reference recording provides: a separate audio file attached to a score that listeners can play independently while reading the notation.
When a Reference Recording Is Useful
Not every recording matches the score’s exact timing, key, or arrangement. In these cases, synced playback (where the audio follows the score cursor) isn’t possible or doesn’t make sense. A reference recording is the better choice when:
- Concert recordings – live performances often have tempo fluctuations and structural differences that don’t align with the notated score.
- Different keys or arrangements – you want students or collaborators to hear a version that inspired the score, even though it’s in a different key or form.
- Sound and style references – a recording that demonstrates the intended timbre, groove, or interpretation, even if it’s a completely different piece.
- Comparison material – when you want to discuss or contrast your arrangement with another version.
Reference Recording vs Synced Audio
These serve different purposes:
- Synced audio is time-aligned to the notation. The playback cursor follows the score, you can click a bar to jump to that point in the audio, and you can slow down passages for practice. This is created when a score originates from an audio recording or import.
- A reference recording is an attached audio file that plays independently. There is no bar-by-bar alignment – it appears as a separate audio player alongside the score.
Use synced audio when you want the recording and notation to track together. Use a reference recording when sync is not possible or not needed. For more on synced audio, see Practice with Synced Sheet Music and Audio.
How It Appears When Shared Online
When a score with a reference recording is shared via a web player, the listener sees the notation and a separate audio player. They can play the audio while reading the score, but the playback cursor does not follow the audio. This is still very useful for context – the listener can hear the target interpretation while studying the notation at their own pace.
If your goal is a shared score where listeners can click bars to jump in audio and see the cursor track the performance, you need synced audio instead. See How to Share Sheet Music with Audio Online.
How ScoreCloud Handles Reference Recordings
Both ScoreCloud Songwriter and ScoreCloud Studio support reference recordings. In either app, you can attach any audio file to a score as a reference. When you share the score via the web player, the reference recording appears alongside the notation as a separate player.
Both apps also support synced audio – audio that is time-aligned to the notation so the cursor follows the recording bar by bar. This means you can have synced audio and a reference recording in the same song at the same time. Combined with MIDI playback of the notated parts, this gives you three layers: MIDI playback (which you can use simultaneously with or instead of the synced audio), the synced original recording tracking the score, and a separate reference recording for additional context. This is a powerful combination – for example, a teacher could share a score with MIDI playback of individual parts, the original song audio synced to the notation, and a concert recording attached as a reference for interpretation.
Use a reference recording when you want to include audio that doesn’t match the score’s timing or structure – an inspirational track, a live performance, or a version in a different key – alongside a score that may already have its own synced audio and MIDI playback.
Related: Playback Timing
When working with synced audio (not reference recordings), Playback Timing controls whether playback follows the original performance’s expressive timing or strict notation timing. This setting does not apply to reference recordings, since they are unsynced by nature. Learn more at What Is Playback Timing?.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a reference recording?
A reference recording is an audio file attached to a score for listening context. Unlike synced audio, it does not track the notation playhead – it plays independently alongside the score.
When should I use a reference recording instead of synced audio?
Use a reference recording when the audio doesn’t match the score’s timing, key, or structure – for example, a concert recording with tempo fluctuations, or an inspirational track in a different key. Use synced audio when you want bar-by-bar alignment between the recording and the notation.