5.1.x SoundID Reference for Headphones

How it works

Neutral sound on your headphones

Reference 4 is a software that removes unwanted sound coloration and delivers the same accurate studio reference sound on all headphones and monitors using Sonarworks SR technology.

Accurate sound on headphones

Presets for 200+ supported headphones are included with the software. For additional accuracy, consider getting your pair individually measured, or purchase a new pair of measured headphones from us.

• Accuracy of +/- 3 dB
  Presets included for more than 200 headphone models
• Accuracy of +/- 0.9 dB
  Buy a pair of individually measured headphones directly from us
• Accuracy of +/- 0.9 dB
  Send us your pair of over-ear or on-ear headphones for an individual measurement

Easy workflow

Apply correction using the plugin in your favorite DAW or use the Systemwide app to correct sound from any source on your computer.

• Reference 4 DAW Plugin – Compatible with any host application supporting VST, AU, or AAX plugins.
  • DAW Plugin use cases
    • Live instrument recording
    • Using MIDI controllers
    • Whenever the lowest possible latency is needed
    • Mixing and mastering
• Reference 4 Systemwide – Application for Mac or Windows that calibrates all system’s audio sources. Works as a virtual audio driver.
  • Systemwide use cases
    • Music listening on music and video apps, browsers
    • Mixing and mastering

• Mac: macOS 10.12 or later
• PC: Windows 8 (64-bit) or later
• SoundID supported or individually calibrated headphones –  Check if you can use yours
• Measurement Microphone – Check if you can use yours
• Audio interface: +48v Phantom Power and 44.1 kHz sample rate capability
• Cable for Microphone: XLR to XLR
• Optional:
  • Mic Stand
  • Measuring tape
• Internet: Stable internet connection

Supported Headphones

What’s new in v5.1.1

SoundID Reference

• [Win] Fixed an issue with SoundID Reference app not launching or freezing upon launch due to a deadlock with some 3rd party ASIO drivers.

SoundID Reference plugin

• [macOS] Fixed an issue with the AU plugin not validating in Logic Pro

What’s new in v5.1.0

SoundID Reference

• Presets can now be exported for integration with Merging Technologies Anubis interfaces. From the preset menu (right-click on preset name or click the dots next to them) select Export and follow the instructions.
• [Win] ASIO/WASAPI device management overhaul. When adding a new output device, the ASIO and WASAPI output devices are now separated. ASIO device behaviour is also adjusted, therefore many ASIO-related bugs are fixed. Due to the nature of ASIO drivers, a user will also see previously connected ASIO devices in the list of available devices.
• Added X-Curve and B&K 1974 Speaker Target options in Translation Check. These target curves can be found by selecting the Translation Check target mode and selecting the Other folder.
• Improved “Play test tone” button behaviour when adding a new output device
• Fixed an issue of SoundID Reference app not opening when called from web (Sonarworks User account system)
• Average headphone profiles now show the accuracy boundaries in the Before curve graph
• [Win] Fixed an issue that prevented user to change the driver type for an ASIO output device
• Fixed an issue that would cause the app to crash when sample rate was changed through Windows Control Panel
• Fixed several typos in Translation Check descriptions
• Fixed overlapping context menus. Opening a new context menu will close the previously opened menu.
• [Win] Fixed an issue that prevented users from adding both a WASAPI and an ASIO output device for the same interface
• Added a No internet connection error when submitting feedback offline
• [Win] Fixed an issue of displaying unrealistically high latency for some ASIO devices
• Fixed an issue that bypassed Safe Headroom limit when assigning the Gain slider to a MIDI slider/knob
• [Win] Fixed an issue that prevented user to use Mute shortcut on their keyboard when SoundID Reference was selected as the system output device
• [Win] Fixed an issue that caused system audio volume changes when switching between SoundID Reference presets
• Fixed the Set-up guide link to lead to the correct destination
• Fixed an issue of Target curve not showing for the first added preset
• Fixed an issue that caused a blank screen to appear after starting a trial
• Implemented a limit of 3 recently used calibration profiles
• Implemented a blacklist configuration file when launching SoundID Reference. This can be edited by the user and is pre-populated with some audio drivers that are incompatible with SoundID Reference
• Improved the search function in the headphone selection view
• [macOS] Replaced the outdated Sonarworks logo in Audio MIDI Setup
• Fixed an issue of Custom Target curve not appearing after restarting computer
• Updated the general designs of side panels
• [macOS] Fixed an occasional issue of a blank screen in SoundID Reference during trial activation
• [Win] Fixed an issue with Listening spot correction for the Windows audio device insert driver type
• More specific error pop-ups added to replace “Unknown error”, to help users and Sonarworks Support team with troubleshooting
• [macOS] Fixed an occasional issue of calibration not working on app launch

SoundID Reference plugin

• Plugin resize function implemented. A user can resize and scale the plugin interface from 50% to 200% from the main interface view.
• Implemented serialized parameters in the plugin. A user is now able to assign MIDI controls to some of the parameters through their DAW
• Fixed the issue of multiple plugin instances not saving separately. Each new plugin instance will at first load the last used configuration present in the SoundID Reference plugin config file. Any subsequent changes will save separately in the DAW memory block.
• Fixed the issue of DSP settings carrying over to new presets after the last preset is deleted
• Fixed an issue of Safe Headroom value not updating when loading different calibration profiles
• Fixed an issue of Translation Check categories not appearing selected

SoundID Reference installer

• [Win] Custom install location option added. When selecting a product to instal, a user can click Customize to select the target destination for the modules