How to activate and manage a Reference 4 license

Reference 4 is unsupported and discontinued since 2021. The Reference product line continues with SoundID Reference, learn more here:

  → Reference 4 system requirements and support status
  → What's new in SoundID Reference?
  → Upgrade paths for Reference 3 and 4

This guide provides steps for registering and activating a Reference 4 product license, including offline activation, license transfers, quick access to downloads and resources, and other user account features.

In this article:

• License registry
• License activation
  • Activate in Reference 4 Systemwide app
  • Activate in Reference 4 DAW plugin
  • Offline activation
• Device management
• License removal
• License ownership transfer
• Frequently asked questions
  • User account missing, or license missing from the account?
  • My activation key is "Already registered in a different account"
  • Can I use my license on multiple computers?

Refigster the license in your account

While Reference 4 doesn't require the license to be registered in your user account for activation (it can be activated simply by entering the license activation key in the software itself), the license registry provides access to other important features, such as computer management, license transfers, license upgrades, and general safekeeping purposes.

Note that having purchased or activated Reference 3 or Reference 4 in the past doesn't create a user account or register your key automatically. If the user account 

1. Log in to your Sonarworks Account or create a new account.
2. Click on Register a new license.
3. Enter your license activation key.

Important: Having purchased or activated Reference 4 in the past doesn't create a user account or register your key automatically. If the user account is missing (email address not recognized when trying to log in, or unable to reset password), the account doesn't exist with this email address (it was never created). Proceed to create a new account.

Note: If you're unable to find your license activation key, see how to proceed here: Where can I find my license activation key/upgrade code?

License activation

Activate in Reference 4 Systemwide app

1. Download and install the Reference 4 here: Reference 4 downloads.
2. Launch the Reference 4 Systemwide app and click on Activate your license.
3. Enter your activation key and email address, and click on Continue to activate.

Activate in Reference 4 DAW plugin 

1. Load the Reference 4 plugin in your DAW.
2. Click on the SW logo > Add License.
3. Enter your activation key and email address, and click on Continue to activate.

Offline activation

If you're working on a computer without internet access, follow the Reference 4 offline activation instructions below. Offline activation can also be used in case the regular activation method fails for any reason.

1. Launch the Reference 4 Systemwide app and click on the SW logo (or click on Activate your license if you're launching the software for the first time).
2. Click on Add new product license > Offline Activation > Generate activation request file (save the generated .swinfo file).
3. Transfer the .swinfo request file to an online computer using a flash drive, and proceed to the Reference 4 offline activation web page.
4. Enter your details and activation key, and click on the Browse button to upload the .swinfo request file.
5. Download the generated .swlic license file, and transfer it to your offline computer.
6. Return to the Offline Activation window and click on Import license file (upload the .swlic file).

Note: Offline activation can also be done in the Reference 4 DAW plugin or the Measure app. The activation window varies across different software modules and versions, but generally, the process remains the same: SW icon > Add product license > Offline Activation.

Device management

Most Sonarworks product licenses can be used on up to three computers at the same time, while EDU licenses feature a single activation seat only. The active device management system in the user account allows users to deactivate are previously used device to free up the activation seat for a new one (license transfer to another computer):

1. Log in to your Sonarworks Account.
2. Click on Manage under your product license.
3. Deactivate one of the computers listed.

Important: There’s a limit of 7 deactivation events to prevent license abuse.

Note: Reinstalling your operating system or replacing major hardware components (such as the motherboard or hard drive) will trigger your computer to be recognized as a new device by the licensing system - reactivation will be required.

License removal

Licenses can be easily removed from the user account too. This can be useful there is a need to migrate the license to a different user account, without having to reach out to the Sonarworks support team. Removing the license from the account will also trigger an email notification containing the activation key, so that you can always find it later on. 

1. Log in to your Sonarworks Account.
2. Click on Remove under your product license.
3. Click on Remove again to confirm. 

Note: License removal from the account is not a valid ownership transfer method. If you wish to sell or give away your license to someone else (another person - new owner), follow the directions below.

License ownership transfer

If you're looking to transfer the ownership of your existing Sonarworks product license to another person, follow the instructions below. It is important to follow this procedure, as it is the only legitimate way of selling or giving away your license to somewone else. This will ensure that there are no future issues or conflicts regarding accounts, registry, activation, and product support.

To complete an ownership transfer, both the orignal and new owner have to submit separate support requests (each individually), and including the following information in the inquiry:

• Full name of the original license owner, and the intended new owner.
• Email address of the original license owner, and the intended new owner.
• License activation key of the product to be transferred.

Frequently asked questions

User account missing, or license missing from the account?

It is important to understand that having purchased or activated Reference 3 or Reference 4 products in the past does NOT create a user account or register your key automatically. A user account has to be created manually by the user (standard practice for legal agreements, such as EULA, Terms and Conditions, and other policies). 

If you're trying to log in and your email address is not recognized, it means the user account was never created. Similarly, if the user account is present but there are no licenses in it, you haven't registered your license activation key yet, or potentially, you have registered it in an account using an alternative email address. 

If you are unable to find your license activation key, follow the directions here: Where can I find my license activation key/upgrade code?

If you are unable to find your license activation key, follow the directions here: Where can I find my license activation key/upgrade code?

My activation key is "Already registered in a different account"

If you see the "Already registered in a different account" error message when trying to register your key, it is likely to be a duplicate account issue. This can often be the case if you are actively using several email addresses for various purposes, or perhaps an email address used in the past has been forgotten about, and similar.

Such issues can be self-resolved in most cases, without any need to contact the Sonarworks Support team. Use these handy user account features to resolve issues:

• License removal: Remove licenses from unwanted accounts, so they can be registered in the needed account instead.
• Delete account: After removing any licenses from an unwanted duplicate account, you can delete the unneeded account altogether to avoid any further login issues and associated problems.
• Change account email address: If you are migrating your active email address, you can easily update it in your account to avoid issues in the future.
• Password reset: Recover access to a previously used account for which you no longer have the password.

Note: Using Apple's "Hide my email address" option for the user account creation is not advised, as it creates an account associated with Apple Private Relay service domain:  "...@privaterelay.appleid.com". This can lead to account issues when trying to log in with your actual email address, while your activation key has already been registered in an account with an email address you don't recognize.

Can I use my license on multiple computers?

Yes, regular Reference 4 licenses can be activated and used on up to three devices simultaneously, while EDU licenses (if you've applied and purchased with an educational discount) can only be activated and used on a single device.