One module is system-wide, so you can set it up to load when you log in to your computer, and any sound that comes out of your system is treated through the software. It saves all the frequency response, phase and volume information at your listening position.įrom there, the other 2 modules are for utilizing your new frequency profile to adjust the freq/phase and volume response of your monitor output, in theory giving you a flatter, more accurate and less colored sound for your listening position in the studio.

The process took about 10 minutes, at which point you could save your own sonic reference profile as a bespoke file. Incredible technology here, using sound to get an accurate idea of the specs of the room. It took 24 mic-position samples it measured to within a couple centimeters how far apart the speakers were, and how far away my listening position was from the speakers. If you don’t get the microphone, you can upload calibration information from whatever mic you have (condenser).

You can download a specific calibration file for your microphone by typing in the serial number in the downloads section on the sonar works website.

If you buy the studio version of Reference 4 you get a calibrated reference microphone sent your way. This was surprisingly easy – the software walks you step by step through how and where to hold the microphone, while calibrating tones are played and measured by the software. The process begins by using the first module to take measurements of your monitor setup. I also gave it to a mate who’s setting up a brand new studio space in Bushwick, to see how it would help him as he fine-tuned the space.įirst off, it’s important to understand Reference 4 consists of 3 “modules” which work together to measure your room acoustics, then apply calibration based on those measurements to both your system audio output and DAW output. I ran it through its paces at a couple of studios – my smaller project studio, where I do most of my day to day writing, mixing and mastering. ANR got a hold of Sonarworks new version of their flagship studio calibration and frequency tuning software, Reference 4.

Sonarworks reference 4 review