If you encounter an issue where the SoundID Reference DAW plugin or Measure app does not activate while the standalone app is activated, this article will provide a solution.
In this article:
- "No active license detected" warning after activation
- Disable the Rosetta mode for DAW
- Revert to the previous plugin version
- "No active license detected" in Measure
Status: issue resolved
Resolution version: 5.13.5.1210 - download here
Release date: Apr 13, 2026 - release notes
"No active license detected" warning after activation
After the latest SoundID Reference update, we are aware of an issue where the software activates successfully, but the DAW plugin or Measure components do not reflect the license status. Instead, it remains deactivated and displays the following warning message:
This affects all plugin formats (VST2, VST3, AU, AAX) and is not limited to any specific DAW. The issue comes from the SoundID Reference standalone app and DAW, are running in a different processing mode. In most cases, the SoundID Reference standalone app would be running in the Apple Native mode, while the DAW is running in the Rosetta translation mode on macOS.
When a DAW runs under Rosetta, it generates and reports a different Computer ID to the SoundID Reference plugin format, which conflicts with the anti-piracy measures in the software - the different Computer ID will cause the plugin to fail to recognize the activation, as the activation was established using the SoundID Reference standalone app running in the Apple Native processing mode (reporting a different Computer ID).
The Sonarworks Development team is currently investigating a long-term fix for this failing process. For now, there are two possible solutions, including reverting the plugin to a previous version.
Disable the Rosetta mode for DAW
It is possible to set both DAW and the SoundID Reference standalone app in the same mode - either Apple Native processing mode, or Rosetta, depending on your needs.
Navigate to your DAW in the Applications folder.
Right-click the application and click on Get Info.
- Uncheck the 'Open using Rosetta' checkbox to launch DAW in the Apple Native mode.
Note: If needed, the solution can be applied the other way around too: keep the DAW running in Rosetta, and enable the 'Open using Rosetta' option for the SoundID Reference standalone app instead (both apps running in Rosetta). Note that you will need to re-activate the software from your account for the solution to take effect.
Revert to the previous plugin version
Alternatively, if you are unable to match the processing modes between the components (one has to be Apple Native mode, and the other has to be Rosetta - for whatever reason), reinstalling the previous 5.12.2.1 version of the plugin will resolve the issue.
It is easily possible to revert the needed plugin format only, while keeping the latest versions for the rest of the software:
- Remove the currently installed plugin format in use:
Macintosh HD/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST/SoundID Reference VST Plugin.vstMacintosh HD/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/SoundID Reference VST3 Plugin.vst3Macintosh HD/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/SoundID Reference AU Plugin.componentMacintosh HD/Library/Application Support/Avid/Audio/Plug-Ins/SoundID Reference AAX Plugin.aaxplugin
- Reinstall the needed plugin format; each format is available separately here:
- Reactivate the software.
Note: To retain this solution when a new software update is released, make sure the exclude the needed format from the update. Click on Customize in the installer, and deselect the plugin format(s) that need to stay on the previous version.
"No active license detected" in Measure
If you own SoundID Reference for Speakers & Headphones or SoundID Reference for Multichannel, but Measure shows the 'No active license detected" error message, the issue is likely that Measure is set to run via Rosetta. The solution is the same as above. Make sure to set Measure to run the same as the standalone app (natively by default).
Note: If you own SoundID Reference for Headphones this error message is warranted, as the Measure app requires a higher tier software license.
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