SoundID Reference for Headphones is a headphone calibration plugin from Sonarworks that applies a correction curve to your headphones, targeting a flat, neutral-sounding reference across all audible frequencies.
SoundID Reference for Headphones is designed to make headphones behave more like neutral studio speakers. Sonarworks describes it as a calibration tool that works as a plugin in your DAW or as a Systemwide app that corrects audio from any source on your computer. The calibration target is designed to emulate neutral-sounding speakers, so the mix you hear should translate more predictably to other playback systems.
The plugin sets the frequency response target to be flat across the audible range. Users can adjust the target curve in real time and choose the frequency range the calibration applies to.
Three filter modes are available. Zero latency suits live tracking, while mixed and linear phase modes are intended for mixing and mastering, with linear phase offering the most clarity according to the developer.
Calibration is available as a VST2, AU or AAX plugin for compatible host applications, and as a standalone Systemwide app that calibrates all system audio. A library of 20 predefined translation simulations lets you check a mix in different listening environments.
Sonarworks supports more than 500 headphone calibration profiles. Individually calibrated headphones are described as offering +/-0.9 dB accuracy and accounting for left and right driver differences.
Formats, systems and requirements as listed by Plugin Boutique. Missing details are left out, not guessed.
| Developer | Sonarworks |
|---|---|
| Type | Plugin |
| Category | Referencing Tools |
| Formats | VST2, AU, AAX, Standalone |
| Operating systems | Windows, macOS |
| Architecture | 64-bit |
| Free trial | Yes |
You need Sonarworks-supported or individually calibrated headphones, a SoundID Reference measurement microphone or another omnidirectional measurement microphone, and an audio interface with +48V phantom power and 44.1 kHz sample rate capability. Headphones are not included with the product.
The product runs on Windows 10 or later (64-bit) and macOS 10.14 to 13 (64-bit only). It is available as VST2, AU, AAX and Standalone formats.
Sonarworks lists supported headphones by brand and model, including AKG, Audio-Technica, Beyerdynamic, Sennheiser and many others. Individually calibrated headphones are also supported.
FREE TRIAL