Take the money and run...

Hi Peter, 

Thanks for the post, sorry to hear you're having trouble with the software! 

We have just released the 5.0.2 update, which features a ton of bug fixes along with a full software code refactoring job, which will bring long-term stability in a serious manner. That is not to say there are no longer any issues - we are still working hard on bug-fixing and there will be a lot of things improved with 5.0.3 in a couple of months too. Here's the full list of things we've done with the 5.0.2 update (if the issue you're experiencing is still ongoing after updating, please elaborate on what exactly you're getting stuck with in a support request):

Release notes for 5.0.2

Date of release: 9 June 2021

SoundID Reference app

•  Major code refactoring to improve future troubleshooting and development time
•  Issue that caused volume spikes when adjusting sample rate fixed
•  [macOS] Issue with clicking sound when using SoundID Reference with the latest Safari browser update (14.1) fixed
•  Some occasional issues with New update available alert fixed
•  Some redundant items from Preferences and menus removed
•  [Windows] Issue with Windows audio device insert (APO) driver type imposing calibration limits fixed
•  [Windows] Some issues with preset creation for Virtual ASIO driver type fixed
•  Some generic/unknown errors replaced with more informative messages
•  [Windows] Deleting the configuration file drops all virtual ASIO device entries, to avoid multiple entries when reinstalling software
•  Collapsed preset menu in the sidebar now shows the appropriate HP or speaker icon, depending on which type of calibration profile is selected
•  The issue with text being cut off when resizing the window fixed
•  Support added for selecting headphone modes for individually calibrated headphones
•  Improved preset name renaming policies
•  User feedback issue when adding CAPS in the email address field fixed
•  Some typos fixed

SoundID Reference Measure

•  Debug mode file target location fixed
•  [Windows] Audio artifacts for UAD Apollo devices fixed
•  Tiny UI improvements, including the logo size and design

SoundID Reference plugin

•  Dark Theme for SoundID Reference plugin available through the menu
•  Translation Check curve not appearing when launching the plugin fixed
•  Several minor UI issues fixed: some missing elements, some wrong colors, some text underlining issues
•  Broken Privacy Policy link fixed
•  Some text fields updated
•  Hover states for Target Mode selection added
•  License information panel color issues and height issues fixed
•  [macOS] Improved AU plugin load time when launching DAW software or projects
•  The order for menu items has been changed
•  Latency always reported as 0 on launch issue fixed
•  The issue with EQ filters moving around when clicked on fixed

How to set up for use with UAD Apollo and Pro Tools. (Not as a Plugin!). Though I suspect that this is Impossible because of the nature of Apollo.

totally agree with Peter, it doesn't worth the money to upgrade . for minor fixes and dark them you should have done this for free but its full of bugs and hassle anyway, fortunately i'm in the trial version. will remain in Reference 4 for now in the future i may look somewhere else for similar software. sorry sonarworks but in this upgrade the only thing you were thinking about is how to make users pay more money.  a wise man said  "cheap good will cost you more !"

Hi Ghayath and Peter,

I have addressed your concern in another post already, but just in case you've missed it, posting here too:

Yes, naturally there is a heavy focus on the new flagship product, but this doesn't mean that Reference 4 is left unattended. As promised, Reference 4 is still in active development (will be until March 2022), and we are addressing any Reference 4 issues, should they arise. From a legal perspective, we are, of course, fully honoring our Terms and Condition, as well as Warranty terms for Reference 4 purchases too (details here).

For more details, see this article: Reference 3 & 4 software releases (compatibility component matrix). 

To address your concerns, we should clarify that nobody is forced to upgrade to SoundID Reference. It is up to the users to decide on whether the new features are worthwhile for them. For those interested, here is a full list of the main new features in SoundID Reference:

• Custom Target - fine-tune the target curve with a built-in parametric EQ
• Translation Check - check your mix on different devices to see how their music translates outside the studio
• ‘For listening’ profiles - support for earbuds and in-ear headphones with 147+ new models
• New drivers - new APO and ASIO-to-ASIO system-wide drivers for Windows, with near-zero latency capability
• VST3 support - VST3 plugin is now available for both Mac and Windows
• Presets in SoundID Reference DAW plugin - create and save presets right in the SoundID Reference plugin
• L/R channel switch - swap channels to hear an audio track in a different way you're used to
• Mono mode - switch from Stereo output to Mono output to make better decisions while mixing
• Dark theme - now available in the plugin format too
• Appearance sync - allows syncing the light/dark theme with OS setting
• Resizing and UI zooming, and Compact View - resize the app window size to your needs with a swing of a mouse, simplify your GUI view
• Zoom feature in SoundID Reference DAW plugin - adjust the magnification level of the plugin window
• New headphone selection wizard - revamped selection wizard with the option for models with multiple modes
• Log-in based authorization and license management - create your SoundID Reference account to log-in and register the product

It would be great to hear your feedback on the list of features above, many thanks!

P.S. The dark theme is already available in Reference 4 Systemwide too, in case you've missed it :)

Kyle, to address your questions about UAD:

If you are asking for a UAD native plugin format for Console - no, this is not available. This would require a direct hardware integration project with UAD, as we have already done with Mearginf Technologies and Wayne Jones AUDIO. Learn more about this here: Applying calibration on integrated devices (profile export).

We are, of course, trying to get these integration projects going with other companies too (UAD would be great for such a project). The added value is obvious - it would be great to run SoundID Reference calibration direct in UAD, without the need to get the software involved on your computer. 

You can still use the standalone app for calibration, instead of the plugin format. Simply assign the SoundID Reference app as your DAW output in the DAW output settings. This does mean that you need to run a DAW in the first place (which can be avoided with UAD/Console), but the output-to-app nonetheless, if you want to take advantage of it (see the example with Logic below).

Once you have routed the signal from DAW to the SoundID Reference app (or the equivalent Systemwide app for reference 4 users), you can complete the output patch by assigning the Apollo as your output in the Sonarworks standalone app.