Setting up with the SoundID Reference DAW plugin

Get started with the SoundID Reference DAW plugin - load headphone or speaker calibration profiles, adjust DSP and target mode settings to calibrate your DAW signal.

In this article:

• Install SoundID Reference
• Load the plugin in your DAW
• Load a calibration profile
  • Load a headphone profile
  • Create a speaker profile
  • Load a speaker profile
• Safe Headroom
• Adjust your DSP and calibration target settings
• Presets sidebar
• Render-bypass workflow
• Using a dedicated monitoring bus
• Multichannel speaker profile configuration
  • Calibration Curve Assignment
  • Channel Groups and Output Gain levelling
• Frequently asked questions
  • Why is the output volume lowered?
  • Which Filter Type should I use?
  • How can I set a specific monitoring SPL level after applying calibration?
  • Why are the output VU meters showing different signal levels for Left and Right?

Install SoundID Reference

SoundID Reference can be used in DAWs (Cubase, Logic Pro X, Pro Tools, etc.) via the plugin, and in other apps with plugin host capability (for example, Audirvana). SoundID Reference installer (download here) will install the plugins (VST, VST3, AU, and AAX) into these default directories:

macOS

Macintosh HD/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST/SoundID Reference VST Plugin.vst
Macintosh HD/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/SoundID Reference VST3 Plugin.vst3
Macintosh HD/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/SoundID Reference AU Plugin.component
Macintosh HD/Library/Application Support/Avid/Audio/Plug-Ins/SoundID Reference AAX Plugin.aaxplugin

Windows

C:\Program Files\VSTPlugins\SoundID Reference VST Plugin x64.dll
C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3\SoundID Reference VST3 Plugin.vst3
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Avid\Audio\Plug-Ins\SoundID Reference.aaxplugin\Contents\x64\SoundID Reference.aaxplugin

Note [WIN]: Custom install locations can be assigned on Windows by clicking on Customize during the installation.

Load the plugin in your DAW

In most cases, your plugin host app (e.g. DAW) will then recognize the plugin automatically on start-up. However, if it doesn't, please make sure that the plugin is located in the correct folder and your host software is scanning the same folder. More troubleshooting details can be found here. 

1. Create a new DAW session or open an existing project in your DAW.
2. Find or open your audio mixer view and locate the stereo master bus (the master output channel).
   • Note: On some DAWs, the master bus has to be created manually (e.g. Pro Tools).
3. Insert SoundID Reference as the LAST plugin on the master bus. The example below shows how to load the plugin Logic Pro X.

Load a calibration profile

Load a headphone profile

Headphone calibration profiles are pre-made and readily available in SoundID Reference (all editions). We have measured and averaged close to 300 headphone models - see the full list of supported headphones, or simply start a free trial to view what's available. 

1. Click on Add new preset.
2. Proceed to Select your calibration profile > Add headphones.
3. Find your headphone model listed in the app and select the profile.

Click on the loaded calibration profile name to change the profile and access the Recent calibration profiles section in the dropdown menu. Learn more about how to use presets here.

From here, you can start exploring the audio settings, check out the new Translation Check and Custom Target features, get familiar with the new sound by enabling/disabling calibration with the dedicated button at the bottom-right corner.

Create a speaker profile

If you have already measured your speakers, proceed to load a speaker calibration profile. If not, create a new speaker calibration using the SoundID Reference speaker measurement module and measurement microphone:

1. Click on Add new preset.
2. Proceed to Select your calibration profile > New speaker measurement.
3. Follow the instructions in the speaker measurement module to create a speaker calibration profile.

Note: There are no averaged speaker calibration profiles readily available in the software (as opposed to headphones). Each speaker system's sound is unique, not just to the speaker model, but also to the individual setup layout and room properties, so each speaker setup must be measured individually.

Load a speaker profile

1. Click on Add new preset > Select a calibration profile.
2. Proceed to Open an existing profile - this will open the Sonarwoks Projects directory.
3. Select a speaker calibration profile (.swproj file) and click Open to load it.

Safe Headroom

The Safe Headroom feature in SoundID Reference ensures there is no clipping (gain-staging-related distortion) as a result of applying calibration. Safe Headroom is enabled by default, and the Output Gain is lowered by the amount of the highest peak in the correction curve. While Safe Headroom can be disabled in the app/plugin settings to max out the Output Gain slider, it is recommended to have it enabled at all times. 

If you notice a drop in the output volume, it is caused by the Safe Headroom taking place. To compensate for it, simply increase the output gain on your audio interface. Learn more about this feature here: Safe Headroom.

Adjust your DSP and calibration target settings 

Once you have the basics covered, you can proceed to explore the DSP settings and other features in the plugin. All changes you make from here will be saved as a part of your Preset configuration in the left sidebar.

• Frequency response curves - select which curves are being displayed.
• Filter Type - Zero Latency, Mixed, and Linear Phase options.
• Listening Spot - calibrates the stereo image for speakers.
• Limit Controls - apply calibration range and ceiling.
• Custom Target - make target adjustments with a parametric EQ.
• Translation Check - simulate your mix translation on different devices.

Note: If unsure which settings to use, leave the default settings as they are, or learn more about DSP features here: DSP features in SoundID Reference. The default settings can always be reverted by clearing the plugin configuration: Clearing the DAW plugin configuration.

Presets sidebar

The presets in the SoundID Reference DAW plugin make switching between various calibration profiles effortless, with customized DSP settings assigned and ready to go (Limit Controls, Filter Mode, Target Mode, etc.). Presets are especially useful if you are using multiple calibration profiles for headphones and speakers - you can create as many presets as needed, assign different calibration profiles to each one, and rename the presets to your preference.

From there, the DSP settings adjustments for each preset are saved automatically (including the right-side output panel controls - Output Gain, Mono Mode, etc.), as well as the freq. response curves you've selected to be displayed:

1. In the left sidebar, navigate to Presets > Add new preset > Select your calibration profile.
2. Select a headphone profile, open an existing speaker profile, or create new.
3. Adjust the DSP settings to your needs.

Note: The Custom Target feature employs a separate level of its own 'Custom Target presets', learn more here: Custom Target.

Preset configuration is synced across different DAWs, projects, and plugin formats (VST, VST3, AU, AAX) on the same device. For example, a preset made in the AU plugin in Ableton will show up with the same settings in the VST plugin in Reaper.

Additionally, MIDI control can be employed to switch between presets quickly; learn more here: MIDI mapping in SoundID Reference DAW plugin.

Render-bypass workflow

Bypassing the plugin for rendering

The SoundID Reference plugin must be bypassed every time you export audio from your DAW. Otherwise, the correction will be imprinted on your mix, adding your individual system's coloration to the rendered audio.

1. Work with the Calibration enabled throughout the entire mixing and mastering process
2. Hard-bypass the plugin for rendering. Turning off the Calibration button in the plugin is not enough - the plugin must be turned off in the DAW channel insert strip.

Note: A dedicated monitoring bus can be used to auto-bypass the plugin during rendering; learn more here: Using a dedicated monitoring bus for the SoundID Reference DAW plugin.

Render-bypass notification

SoundID Reference will notify you if calibration was left on when rendering the project. This is only an informative message - rendering will continue (proceed to bypass the plugin, and render again). The notification is enabled by default, but it can be turned off in the settings menu.

Note: The render-bypass notification is supported in select DAWs only, such as:

• Ableton Live 10, 11, 12.
• Avid Pro Tools 2018 (offline bounce only):
  Go to File > Bounce Mix, and select Offline in the bottom-left corner.
• Cubase 8 or later.
• Studio One 4 or later.

Unsupported DAWs include Pro Tools 10, Logic Pro X, and Reaper. Since not all DAWs communicate fully with our plugin, reliable detection isn’t possible. 

Unwarranted render-bypass warning

In some cases, the plugin is bypassed during rendering, but the warning still appears. Known causes:

• Cubase & Studio One: Control Room (Cubase) and Listen Bus (Studio One) interfere with the render process data. The warning is unnecessary; disable it or add the plugin to the regular Master section.
• VST3 plugin: The render data process isn’t available with the VST3 format, so the plugin cannot notify correctly. To resolve this, disable notification or use VST2 instead, or use a dedicated monitoring bus as shown below.

Using a dedicated monitoring bus

For a more effective solution, create a dedicated monitoring bus for SoundID Reference (outside the master output chain). This avoids the render-bypass workflow and prevents the Safe Headroom volume drop. For details, see: Using a dedicated monitoring bus for the SoundID Reference DAW plugin. 

Some DAWs include dedicated monitoring sections (e.g., Cubase Control Room) that are auto-bypassed during rendering. If available, we recommend using this feature.

Multichannel speaker profile configuration

Calibration Curve Assignment

After loading a multichannel speaker calibration profile, ensure the individual calibration curves are applied to the correct channels:

1. Expand the channel group view and click on the Curve Assignment.
2. Click on the 'Play' button to test-tone each channel.
3. Change the assigned channels if needed by clicking on the dropdown menu.

Channel Groups and Output Gain levelling

The Channel Groups view in multichannel profiles lets you adjust Output Gain. Most channels are paired (L–R, Ls–Rs, Lrs–Rrs), while Center and LFE can be adjusted individually. Multiple groups can be adjusted together by ticking their checkboxes. This doesn’t force them to the same level - instead, each group keeps its relative setting, and the slider moves them all up or down while preserving those differences.

Note: If your workflow involves certain volume standards, note that Safe Headroom will reduce your volume. Learn more here: Safe Headroom feature in SoundID Reference Multichannel.

Frequently asked questions

Why is the output volume lowered?

A drop in the Output Gain level is due to the Safe Headroom feature, designed to prevent clipping when calibration is enabled; learn more here: Safe Headroom.

Which Filter Type should I use?

The Filter Type selection depends on your individual workflow and preferences. If you're just getting started with SoundID Reference and are unsure which Filter Type to use, we recommend using Zero Latency for the majority of the production process and then switching to Linear Phase towards the end to check for any phase-related issues in your mix. Learn more here: Filter Types.

How can I set a specific monitoring SPL level after applying calibration?

If you need to follow a certain SPL standard for monitoring, perform an SPL measurement at your listening spot with calibration running and the Safe Headroom feature enabled, then make the necessary level adjustments to the output level on your audio interface. 

Why are the output VU meters showing different signal levels for Left and Right?

The Listening Spot feature calibrates the overall channel volume imbalance and channel delay to ensure perfect volume and time alignment at the listening position, with sub-millisecond precision.  Learn more here: Listening Spot.