SoundID Reference Virtual Monitoring by Sonarworks plugin interface

SoundID Reference Virtual Monitoring: Headphone Studio Monitoring Plugin by Sonarworks

Rated 4.8/5 on Plugin Boutique (9 ratings)

SoundID Reference Virtual Monitoring is a utility plugin from Sonarworks for Windows and macOS that simulates studio monitors, cars, laptops and TVs so producers can check mixes on headphones.

WindowsmacOS64-bit

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01Overview

SoundID Reference Virtual Monitoring is built for producers who mix on headphones and want their decisions to hold up on other playback systems. It runs as a plugin on Windows and macOS and works with a library of more than 500 Sonarworks-supported headphones. The plugin offers near-, mid- and far-field speaker simulations calibrated to a flat reference sound, along with device and car simulations for checking how a mix behaves in everyday listening environments.

Best for

Headphone mixing
Mix translation checks
Car playback testing
Laptop and phone checks
Studio monitor simulation

Developer: Sonarworks
Category: Utilities
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

Permanent SoundID Reference for Headphones license included
Near-, mid- and far-field speaker simulations calibrated to a flat reference
Seven consumer device simulations, including phone, laptop and TV
Three car simulation presets for checking mixes in a vehicle
Works with more than 500 Sonarworks-supported headphones
Runs on Windows 10 or later and macOS 10.14 or later, 64-bit only
Requires 2 GB RAM and a 1024 x 768 display minimum

03In depth

Studio and speaker simulations

The plugin includes three speaker simulations: near-field, mid-field and far-field. Each is calibrated to a flat reference sound, so you can hear your mix through different monitoring distances without leaving your headphones.

The far-field simulation is useful when you want to judge how a mix fills a larger room, while the near-field simulation focuses on the detail closest to the listener. Switching between them lets you compare how the balance changes as the sound travels.

Device and car simulations

Beyond studio speakers, SoundID Reference includes seven consumer device simulations, covering phone, laptop, TV and more, along with three car simulation presets.

These are meant for checking whether your low end, vocals and overall balance still work on the playback systems most listeners actually use.

04Specs

Will it run?

Formats, systems and requirements as listed by Plugin Boutique. Missing details are left out, not guessed.

Developer	Sonarworks
Type	Plugin
Category	Utility
Operating systems	Windows, macOS
Architecture	64-bit

05FAQ

Questions, answered

What operating systems does SoundID Reference Virtual Monitoring support?

It runs on Windows 10 or later (64-bit only) and macOS 10.14 or later (64-bit only).

What do I need to use SoundID Reference Virtual Monitoring?

You need a Sonarworks-supported headphone model, or an individually calibrated headphone. The system requirements also list an audio interface with +48V phantom power and 44.1 kHz sample rate capability, plus 2 GB RAM and a 1024 x 768 display.