SoundID Reference
SoundID Reference is calibration software for headphones and speakers, designed to create an accurate studio reference for mixing.
What SoundID Reference is
SoundID Reference is calibration software for headphones and speakers, designed to create an accurate studio reference for mixing. Speaker calibration measures room and speaker frequency response, while headphone calibration uses a built-in profile. It supports more than 500 headphone models, stereo systems, and multichannel setups up to 9.1.6, with measurements for up to 16 channels. The package includes a standalone systemwide app and a DAW plugin in AU, AAX, VST2, and VST3 formats. Named compatible DAWs include Cubase, Logic Pro X, Pro Tools, Reaper, Ableton Live, FL Studio, and PreSonus Studio One. Translation Check simulates playback through cars, laptops, TVs, smartphones, and other devices. Users can set a target curve and choose zero-latency, mixed, or linear-phase processing.
Good
- Supports more than 500 headphone models
- Handles multichannel setups up to 9.1.6
- Includes standalone app and DAW plugins
- Simulates cars, laptops, TVs, and smartphones
- 21-day trial requires no credit card
Watch out
- No free plan
- Periodic internet connection required
- Speaker measurement needs a compatible microphone
- USB microphones are unsupported
Who it suits
It suits audio engineers, producers, musicians, DJs, composers, sound designers, game developers, and audiophiles working on macOS or Windows.
Verdict
SoundID Reference combines headphone, stereo, and multichannel calibration with DAW plugins and playback simulation. Choose a plan based on the calibration scope you need and note its internet and microphone requirements.
Plans and prices
From SoundID Reference's own pricing page, checked 9 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| SoundID Reference for Headphones | €99, paid once | Headphone calibration · 500+ supported headphone models · up to 3 devices |
| Virtual Monitoring | €129, paid once | Headphone calibration · Virtual Monitoring with 3 default speaker simulations and 10+ spatial targets · up to 3 devices |
| SoundID Reference for Speakers & Headphones | €249, paid once | Headphone and stereo speaker calibration · 500+ supported headphone models · up to 3 devices |
| Virtual Monitoring PRO | €299, paid once | Headphone calibration · Virtual Monitoring · binaural measurement microphone · up to 3 devices |
| SoundID Reference for Multichannel | €499, paid once | Headphone, stereo, and multichannel speaker calibration up to 9.1.6 · up to 3 devices |
The facts
Each one read from SoundID Reference's own pages, with the date it was checked.
Where it runs
- Apps and plugins
- SoundID Reference includes a standalone systemwide app and a DAW plugin in AU, AAX, VST2, and VST3 formats.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Platform and internet limits
- The maker lists macOS 11 or higher and Windows 10 or 11, and says periodic internet connection is required for license validation and offline use or activation is unsupported.checked 9 Oct 2026
What it does
- DAW compatibility
- The maker names Cubase, Logic Pro X, Pro Tools, Reaper, Ableton Live, FL Studio, and PreSonus Studio One as supported DAWs.checked 9 Oct 2026
- DSP controls
- Users can adjust a custom target curve and choose zero latency, mixed, or linear phase filter processing modes.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Hardware integrations
- The maker lists hardware integrations including Audient ORIA, Universal Audio Apollo X, Grace Design m908, RME interfaces, Lynx Aurora(n), AVID MTRX, ADAM Audio A-Series, and other devices.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Headphone support
- SoundID Reference supports more than 500 headphone models.checked 9 Oct 2026
- How calibration works
- For speakers, the software measures the room and speaker frequency response to create a calibration profile; for headphones it applies a built-in calibration profile.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The maker lists audio engineers, producers, musicians, DJs, composers, sound designers, game developers, and audiophiles as intended users.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Mix translation
- Translation Check simulates listening environments including cars, laptops, TVs, smartphones, and other playback devices.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- SoundID Reference calibrates headphones and speakers to provide an accurate studio reference sound for mixing.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Speaker configurations
- The software supports stereo speaker systems and multichannel setups up to 9.1.6, with multichannel measurement supporting up to 16 channels.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Speaker measurement requirements
- Speaker measurement requires a measurement microphone; USB microphones are unsupported, and the audio interface must support +48V phantom power.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Support and returns
- The maker links to Sonarworks Support and states a 14-day money-back guarantee for digital items purchased from its online store.checked 9 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2012checked 28 Sep 2026
- Headquarters
- Riga, Latviachecked 28 Sep 2026
- Maker
- Sonarworks says it was founded in 2012 and lists its Latvia office at Smerla iela 3, Riga, LV-1006.checked 9 Oct 2026
Money
- Trial
- The fully functional trial lasts 21 days, requires no credit card, and is available for Mac and Windows.checked 9 Oct 2026
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