MP3 vs WAV files as reference tracks

[cdog14113]

If I use a MP3 file as the reference track, when mastering a track that is a WAV file will this give me lesser results? Is there a difference between using a MP3 as a reference track and a WAV file? And if there is, how big of a difference is there?

[sergree]

MP3 has lossy compression artifacts. In some cases it will be not an issue, but sometimes it may become critical. Usually mp3 has problems with ultra-high and ultra-low frequencies, so i'd recommend to use wav/flac or mp3 320kbps. MP3 less than 192kbps will provide not best results because the tool will match not correct frequencies, but frequencies of compression artifacts.