Setting up with

SoundID Reference
sonarworks.com
Intro Page 2

1. Launching a free trial

In this 🡒
2. Setting up on headphones

3. Setting up on speakers

QuickStart Guide 4. Applying calibration with standalone app

5. Applying calibration with DAW plugin

6. Registering and activating a license

Free Trial Page 3

Launching a

free trial

SoundID Reference is available for a free and fully 1. Download and install the SoundID Reference software

featured 21-day trial. If you haven’t purchased or trialed

2. Launch the SoundID Reference app and click on Sign up

the software yet, follow the steps below to get started

with a free trial: 3. Use the social login options, or enter your Email and

Password details manually

4. Go to your email inbox, and look for a new message

from Sonarworks Accounts.

Click on the link in the email to verify your email address

5. Once you've logged into your account, click on Activate

trial on this device

Headphones Page 4

Setting up

In this article:

1. System & hardware requirements

on headphones
2. Applying calibration on your system

3. DSP and calibration target settings

System & hardware requirements

→ Supported operating system: Windows 10 (or later);

macOS 10.14 Mojave (or later)

→ SoundID Reference software installed (download here)

→ Supported headphones, see the full list of 400+

supported models here
Headphones Page 5

Applying calibration on your system

1. SoundID Reference standalone app.

With the software activated, the next step is to load the System-wide calibration for your entire computer audio.
calibration profile for your headphone model and apply Follow this guide to get started: Applying calibration with
calibration on your system. The SoundID Reference the standalone app.

standalone app and DAW plugin feature a headphone

2. SoundID Reference DAW plugin.

selection wizard to help you find the brand/model of your

headphones.
Perfect for music production and mixing process,
featuring a Zero Latency filer. All major plugin formats are
The headphone selection wizard is identical in the
supported: AU, AAX, VST2, VST3. Follow this guide to get
standalone app and the DAW plugin. Identify what is the
started: Applying calibration with the DAW plugin
best fit for your system and workflow, and follow the
guides below:
Headphones Page 6

DSP and calibration target settings

Once you have the basics configured (output device/

channels and calibration profile), you can proceed to
explore the DSP settings, Target Modes, and other
features in the app. All changes you make from here will
be saved as a part of your Preset configuration in the
Output Panel:

→ Frequency Response Curves - select which curves are

being displayed

→ Filter Type - Zero Latency, Mixed, and Linear Phase

options

→ Custom Target - make target adjustments with a

Note! If your headphone model doesn't appear on the list, parametric EQ

it is not supported. We do NOT recommend using a profile

→ Translation Check - simulate your mix translation on
of a similar model - the results will be inaccurate. Instead,
different devices
you can submit a model request here, or look into our
individual calibration service.
Speakers Page 7

In this article:

Setting up
1. System & hardware requirements

2. Speaker measurements

on speakers 3. Applying calibration on your system

4. DSP and calibration target settings

System & hardware requirements

→ Supported operating system: Windows 10 (or later); macOS 10.14

Mojave (or later)

→ SoundID Reference software installed (download here)

→ Stereo speaker system (2.0), with additional subwoofer possible

→ Audio interface with +48v Phantom Power

→ XLR to XLR audio cable

→ Measurement microphone (using a Sonarworks microphone is

recommended):

→ Sonarworks measurement microphone - available in Sonarworks Store

→ Third-party measurement microphone, learn more here

Note! USB microphones are NOT supported.

Speakers Page 8

Speaker measurements
Hot tips:

To begin, launch the SoundID Reference Measure app. → If you're getting stuck, use this guide: Stereo speaker

The 4-stage measurement process will take around 20-30 measurement troubleshooting guide

min to complete:

→ If you're using a subwoofer, see how to set it up in 2.0

1. Hardware setup - setting up your hardware, I/O, and stereo here: Measuring a subwoofer in a 2.0 stereo setup

audio settings

→ Using a microphone stand is not necessary, the mic can

2. Listening spot - establishing the dimensions of your be hand-held

listening area

→ If you are unsure which are the midrange drivers in your

3. Room response - a series of 37 measurements of your speakers, see this article: Measuring a subwoofer in a 2.0

room and speakers

stereo setup

4. Results - once the measurement process is complete,

the results will be displayed

Speakers Page 9

Applying calibration on your system

1. SoundID Reference standalone app

After the speakers have been measured, calibration can System-wide calibration for your entire computer audio

be applied in 2 different ways. Identify what is the best fit (local files & players, browser, gaming, etc.). Follow this

for your system and workflow, and follow the guides guide to get started: Applying calibration with the

below: standalone app

2. SoundID Reference DAW plugin

Perfect for music production and mixing process,

featuring a Zero Latency filer. All major plugin formats are

supported: AU, AAX, VST2, VST3. Follow this guide to get

started: Applying calibration with DAW plugin

Speakers Page 10

DSP and calibration target settings

→ Frequency Response Curves - select which curves are
being displayed

Once you have the basics configured (output device/

channels and calibration profile), you can proceed to → Filter Type - Zero Latency, Mixed, and Linear Phase
explore the DSP settings, Target Modes, and other options

features in the app. All changes you make from here will
→ Listening Spot - calibrates the stereo image for
be saved as a part of your Preset configuration in the
speakers

Output Panel:
→ Limit Controls - apply calibration range and ceiling

→ Custom Target - make target adjustments with a

parametric EQ

→ Translation Check - simulate your mix translation on

different devices
Standalone app Page 11

Applying

In this article:

1. Installing the SoundID Reference app

calibration with the

2. Setting up your output devices

3. Loading a headphone calibration profile

standalone app
4. Creating and loading a speaker calibration profile

Installing the SoundID Reference app

The main module of SoundID Reference products is the

SoundID Reference app. It is used for logging into your
user account, downloading new headphone profiles, and,
most importantly, calibrating the sound of all local and
online music playback - streamed music, local files
playback, gaming, or browser media.

SoundID Reference installer (download here) will install

the SoundID Reference app in the default location:

→ macOS: /Macintosh HD/Applications

→ Windows: C:\Program Files\Sonarworks

Standalone app Page 12

Setting up your output devices

To calibrate your system, you'll first have to set up an

output Preset for your output device, channels, and driver
type using the Output Panel. You can set up any output
combination you prefer, using your audio interface, DAC
device, or the built-in headphone port:

1. Launch the SoundID Reference standalone app

2. Navigate to the Output Panel and click on Add new

output

3. Select the audio device to be used for this Preset

4. Select the output channels and verify the signal using

Play a test tone

Note! [WIN] There are 4 different driver types available for

5. Click on Add output to complete the process the standalone app on Windows. Each has its own
advantage, and you can use a different driver type for
each Preset you create. Learn more here: Audio driver
types in SoundID Reference app [WIN]
Standalone app Page 13

Loading a headphone calibration profile

Headphone calibration profiles are pre-made and ready to

use in SoundID Reference, with 400+ models supported.
See the full list of supported headphones here or simply
start a free trial to view what's available.

1. Create an Output Preset as shown above, or select one

you've already created

2. Click on Select your calibration profile > Add a new

headphone profile

3. Locate your headphone model, and click on Yes,

continue

After the profile has been loaded, it becomes a part of

your Output Preset. Any time you switch to this Preset, the
headphone profile you previously selected will be loaded
automatically.
Standalone app Page 14

Creating and loading a speaker calibration profile

For speaker calibration, you will first need to measure your

speakers using the SoundID Reference Measure app and a
measurement microphone (available in Sonarworks Store):

1. Create an Output Preset as shown above, or select one

you've already created

2. Click on Select your calibration profile > Create a new

speaker profile, and the Measure app will guide you
through the process

3. Click on Select your calibration profile > Open an

existing profile to open the Sonarworks Projects directory,
where all calibration profiles are stored by default

Important! Only headphone profiles are pre-made and

4. Select a speaker calibration profile (.swproj file) and
readily available in SoundID Reference. There are NO
click Open
pre-made profiles for speakers. Each speaker system has
a unique individual setup layout and room properties, so
each speaker setup has to be measured individually. To
learn how to measure your speakers, go here: Setting up
on speakers.
DAW plugin Page 15

In this article:

Applying calibration 1. Installing the SoundID Reference plugin

2. Loading the plugin in your DAW

with the DAW plugin 3. Loading a headphone calibration profile

4. Creating and loading a speaker calibration profile

5. Important to know when using the plugin

DAW plugin Page 16

Installing the SoundID Reference plugin

macOS:
→ Macintosh HD/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST/SoundID Reference VST Plugin.vst

Sonarworks headphone and room calibration can be

applied in DAW (e.g. Cubase, Logic Pro X, Pro Tools, etc.) → Macintosh HD/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/SoundID Reference VST3 Plugin.vst3

using the SoundID Reference plugin format. The plugin

→ Macintosh HD/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/SoundID Reference AU
can also be loaded in other apps/platforms that feature
Plugin.component

plugin hosting capability in one of the formats specified

below. For example, some advanced music playback apps, → Macintosh HD/Library/Application Support/Avid/Audio/Plug-Ins/SoundID Reference
like Audirvana, can host plugins too.
AAX

SoundID Reference installer (download here) will install Plugin.aaxplugin

these plugin formats on your computer: AU, AAX, VST2,
VST3. Here are the default install directories:
Windows:
→ C:\Program Files\VSTPlugins\SoundID Reference VST Plugin x64.dll

→ C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3\SoundID Reference VST3 Plugin.vst3

→ C:\Program Files\Common Files\Avid\Audio\Plug-Ins\SoundID

Reference.aaxplugin\Contents\x64\SoundID Reference.aaxplugin

Note! [WIN] Custom install locations can be assigned on

Windows by clicking on Customize during the installation.
DAW plugin Page 17

Loading the plugin in your DAW

1. Create a new session or open an existing project in your
DAW

In most cases, your plugin host app (e.g. DAW) will then
recognize the plugin automatically on start-up. However, if 2. Find or open your audio mixer view and locate the
it doesn't, please make sure that the plugin is located in stereo master bus (the master output channel). If your
the correct folder and your host software is scanning the new session does not have a master bus (e.g. Pro Tools),
same folder. More troubleshooting details can be found please create one

here.
3. Insert the SoundID Reference as the LAST plugin on the
master bus. The example below shows how to load the
plugin in Logic Pro X:
DAW plugin Page 18

Loading a headphone calibration profile

After the profile has been loaded, it becomes a part of
your Preset. Any time you switch to this Preset, the
Headphone calibration profiles are pre-made and ready to
headphone profile you previously selected will be loaded
use in SoundID Reference (all editions), with 400+ models
automatically. Learn more here: Presets in SoundID
supported. See the full list of supported headphones here
Reference DAW plugin.
or simply start a free trial to view what's available.

1. Click on Add new preset

2. Proceed to Select your calibration profile > Add

headphones

3. Find your headphone model listed in the app and select

the profile
DAW plugin Page 19

Creating and loading a speaker calibration profile

For speaker calibration, you will first need to measure your

speakers using the SoundID Reference Measure app and a
measurement microphone (available in Sonarworks Store):

1. Click on Add new preset, or select one you've already

created

2. Click on Select your calibration profile > Create a new

speaker profile, and the Measure app will guide you
through the process

3. Click on Select your calibration profile > Open an

existing profile to open the Sonarworks Projects directory,
where all calibration profiles are stored by default

4. Select a speaker calibration profile (.swproj file) and

click Open
Important! Only headphone profiles are pre-made and
readily available in SoundID Reference. There are NO pre-
made profiles for speakers. Each speaker system has a
unique individual setup layout and room properties, so
each speaker setup has to be measured individually. To
learn how to measure your speakers, go here: Setting up
on speakers
DAW plugin Page 20

Important to know when using the plugin

→ Keep the SoundID Reference plugin active on the

master bus throughout the entire recording, mixing, and
mastering process.

→ Bypass the plugin when rendering your project!

SoundID Reference plugin functions as a solution for your
individual monitoring setup only. For that reason, it should
be hard-bypassed when rendering your project (turn it off
completely in the channel strip) to avoid imprinting your
unique calibration EQ curve on the track. Learn more here:
Render-bypass workflow with the SoundID Reference
DAW plugin.
License Page 21

Registering and
If you have already purchased a license for SoundID
Reference, the next step is to register it in your
Sonarworks Account. Registering a license will allow you

activating a license
to activate the license and manage your active devices,
see further upgrade options, downloads, and more.

License Page 21

1. Log in to your account, or Sign up if you haven’t created

an account yet

2. Click on Register a new license

3. Enter your license activation key

4. Click on Activate on this device to activate your license

If you require additional assistance, reach out to us by

submitting a support request here.