Applying calibration with standalone app

Get started with the SoundID Reference standalone app - load headphone or speaker calibration profiles, adjust DSP and target mode settings to calibrate your systemwide audio. 

In this article:

1. Installing the SoundID Reference app
2. Getting started with the SoundID Reference app
3. Setting up your output devices
4. Loading a headphone calibration profile
5. Creating and loading a speaker calibration profile
6. Adjusting the DSP and calibration target settings

Installing the SoundID Reference app

The main module of SoundID Reference products is the SoundID Reference app. It is used for logging into your user account, downloading new headphone profiles, and, most importantly, calibrating the sound of all local and online music playback - be it streamed music, local files, games, or browser media.

SoundID Reference installer (download here) will install the SoundID Reference app in the default location:

macOS: /Macintosh HD/Applications
Windows: C:\Program Files\Sonarworks

Getting started with the SoundID Reference app

Launch the SoundID Reference app, then:

1. Log in - use your existing Google, Apple, or Facebook account, input your Sonarworks Account credentials, or sign up to create a new Sonarworks Account
2. Start a free trial option will automatically register and start your 21-day trial access
3. Activate license will redirect you to your Sonarworks Account for the SoundID Reference manual license registration process
4. Input your SoundID Reference activation key to register your license, click on the 'Register a new license' button
5. Under the SoundID Reference activation key, click on the 'Activate on this device' button to activate the license with the SoundID Reference app

Setting up your output devices

To calibrate your system, you'll first have to set up an output Preset for your output device, channels, and driver type using the Output Panel. You can set up any output combination you prefer, using your audio interface, DAC device, or the built-in headphone port:

1. Navigate to the Output Panel and click on Add new output
2. [WIN] Select the device type (WASAPI/ASIO)
3. Select the audio device to be used for this Preset
4. Select the output channels and verify the signal using Play a test tone
5. [WIN] Select the driver type
6. Click Add output to complete the process

NOTE! [WIN] There are 4 different driver types available for the standalone app on Windows. Each has its own advantage, and you can use a different driver type for each Preset you create. Learn more here: Audio driver types in SoundID Reference app [WIN]

Loading a headphone calibration profile

Headphone calibration profiles are pre-made and ready to use in SoundID Reference (all editions), with 400+ models supported. See the full list of supported headphones here or simply start a free trial to view what's available.

1. Create an output Preset as shown above, or select one you've already created
2. Click on Select your calibration profile > Add a new headphone profile
3. Locate your headphone model, and check the Select current mode options (some models support multiple calibration modes such as ANC, Ambient, and others)
4. For individually calibrated headphones (IHC profile), select Individual calibration and enter your calibration ID. See detailed instructions for adding your individual headphone calibration profile here
5. Click on Yes, continue to load the profile

After the profile has been loaded, it also becomes a part of your Preset. Any time you switch to this Preset, the headphone profile you previously selected will be loaded automatically.

Create and load a speaker calibration profile

For speaker calibration, you will first need to measure your speakers using the SoundID Reference Measure app and a measurement microphone (available in Sonarworks Store). If you have already measured your speakers, proceed to Step 3 below.

1. Create an output Preset as shown above, or select one you've already created
2. Click on Select your calibration profile > Create a new speaker profile, and the Measure app will guide you through the process
3. Click on Select your calibration profile > Open profile to open the Sonarwoks Projects directory
4. Select a speaker calibration profile (.swproj file) and click Open to load it

Adjusting the DSP and calibration target settings 

Once you have the basics configured (output device/channels and calibration profile), you can proceed to explore the DSP settings, Target Modes, and other features in the app. All changes you make from here will be saved as a part of your Preset configuration in the Output Panel

• 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 

You're all set!

Once you have loaded the appropriate headphone or speaker calibration profile, you're all set to start working! All outgoing system audio is now calibrated and you can start hearing the difference.

To have a quick in-app guide of the new features, you can click on the 'See what's new' button in the center (or access it later from the ⋮ Menu icon).