Sound ID Reference for Speakers & Headphones Upgrade from SoundID Reference Headphones
Price history
- On sale
- 15 of the last 90 days
- Lowest in 90 days
- $119.00
- Highest in 90 days
- $169.00
About this plugin
SoundID Reference represents a practical approach to the persistent translation problem in music production. This upgrade expands the existing headphone calibration software to include speaker room correction, addressing a genuine workflow gap for engineers who mix across multiple monitoring environments.
The plugin functions as a corrective EQ layer that applies Sonarworks' proprietary frequency response calibrations to either speakers or headphones. Rather than claiming to fundamentally alter perception, it targets the well-documented colorations introduced by typical consumer and professional audio equipment. The calibration profiles draw from extensive measurement data across 500+ headphone models and apply similar correction principles to speaker monitoring when combined with optional measurement tools.
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What distinguishes this upgrade is its attempt to unify the monitoring chain. Engineers working between a treated control room and portable headphones can now reference against a standardized target curve across both systems. The software operates as a plugin, integrating directly into DAW mixing chains rather than functioning as external hardware compensation.
The tool appeals primarily to remote engineers, mastering facilities managing multiple monitoring paths, and mixing professionals without access to treated acoustic spaces. Its effectiveness depends heavily on accurate headphone model selection and honest assessment of room acoustics when applied to speakers.
Among comparable solutions, SoundID occupies middle ground between measurement-based tools like Sonarworks' own professional offerings and broader EQ correction plugins. It's most useful as one component in a calibration strategy rather than a complete acoustic solution, particularly valuable for the practical engineer seeking consistent reference points across dispersed working environments.