I use this to get decent sound out of my slapped-together setup consisting of 2 JBL control ones and a sub. I'm sure I could do much better with more expensive monitors but I'm not ready yet to shell out 1000+ quid for a setup that would be a real step up. So this has to do, and with SoundID, it delivers :)
I got this as an upgrade from Reference 4 studio which lacked Apple silicon support and therefore had no functioning plugin for Ableton under MacOS :scream:. I also own a similar plugin from the Italian competitor that also makes killer amp model pedals, but I prefer the Sonarworks product since it comes with a standalone app that links into the system audio. With this version I can finally stick to the same app/plugin for both windows and mac, both in plugins and system audio.
The calibration procedure is a bit lengthy but well explained. After that you get a nice graph that shows frequency and phase shifts in your setup, and the correction.
Latency is short enough to play live instruments. I am rather sensitive on that front when playing guitar, but the "zero latency" algorithm that only corrects frequency works well enough evening out the boominess in my minuscule attic studio and latency is fine. For mixing and listening to music use the "linear phase" algorithm that also corrects phase shifts and which makes an audible difference to resolution and localisation of sound sources in the stereo panorama. The third algorithm "mixed" does a good job for live playing when stereo resolution is important, but I don't use it all that often.
The pre-measured profiles for headphones make my Sony WH1000 XM4 bearable for mixing and recording, but just so—no replacement for professional mixing headphones. Still nice to have the option, even though it's not perfect.
Couldn't wish for more features—the product is really well thought-through. The only slight downside I can possibly find is the occasional hassle with drivers, especially when switching back and forth between the standalone and the plugin under windows—e.g. when taking a break from working in ableton and listening to music on spotify. But that's really complaining on a high level, and probably rather Windows' fault than Sonarworks'.
Overall, can fully recommend!
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