"Couldn't migrate settings" alert

If you're encountering a "Couldn't migrate settings" alert in the standalone app, this article explains the cause of the alert and further steps on how to proceed.

In this article:

1. Settings migration issues when updating SoundID Reference
2. The process behind the issue
3. Restoring the system
4. Creating new presets

Settings migration issues when updating SoundID Reference

During the process of updating, reinstalling, or reverting to an older version of your SoundID Reference software, there may be instances when the application fails to properly transfer DSP settings, preset configuration, and user preferences data.

If the software detects this issue after updating or reinstalling, the software will present this alert: "Couldn't migrate settings". This alert indicates that the software has relocated the file housing this information, creating a fresh config file in the process. As a consequence, all settings are reset to their original default values, requiring you to create new presets.

NOTE! Settings migration issues can only affect the presets you've created. Your speaker calibration profiles (the actual .swproj files) should still be available in the Sonarworks Projects folder, and you should be able to create new presets with them. Learn more here: Where can I find my speaker profile?

The process behind the issue

The SoundID Reference standalone app stores all its settings within a config file called Systemwide.cfg. This file can be located as follows depending on your operating system:

• Windows: 
  C:\Users\your_username\AppData\Local\Sonarworks\SoundID Reference\Systemwide\Systemwide.cfg


• macOS:
  Macintosh HD/Users/your_username/Library/Application Support/Sonarworks/SoundID Reference/Systemwide/Systemwide.cfg

Note: The user\AppData and User/Library directories on Windows and macOS are hidden by default. To enable showing hidden files and folders, follow the instructions here: How to show hidden files Mac and Windows?

Restoring the system

If the previously utilized config file has defaulted to a blank state, the only way to recover it would be to initiate a system restore to an earlier state.

This can be done via the System Restore feature on Windows, or Time Machine on macOS (or a third-party solution, if you're using one).

Creating new presets

If you're unable to initiate a system restore, you will simply need to create new presets, and adjust the DSP settings and other preferences again.

Your speaker calibration profiles (the actual .swproj files) should still be available in the Sonarworks Projects folder, and you should be able to create new presets with them: Where can I find my speaker profile?