In the pursuit of achieving a perfect mix or just being able to trust what you hear, the choice between speakers and headphones has always been a critical decision. Each approach offers a unique listening experience, with its own set of advantages and limitations. Virtual Monitoring transforms the way to approach headphone mixing, elevating it to the level of studio-grade speaker monitoring.
The Latvian company, currently offers its SoundID Reference calibration software and has created the simplest way to calibrate headphones' frequency response, as well as the monitors used in studios, from standard stereo all the to multichannel set-ups up to 9.1.6. SoundID Reference was the new name adopted for the former line of Sonarworks Reference software, combining most of the developments that the company introduced in its listening app SoundID (personal sound) and the experience with the studio community on calibration of studio monitors, emulation and calibration of headphones for reference listening. Sonarworks continues to expand on its mission of solving the "translation problem" and accurately deliver the same reference listening in any conditions and independently of the use of speakers or headphones.
What makes things more confusing is that, apart from the calibration approach, and delivering a reproduction that is closer to a target reference, this type of software tools are equally as able to provide "emulations" of other environments (studios and speakers) or devices (speakers/headphones). While currently many other software companies are offering "virtual models" of reference responses and environments using the names of actual famous studios and devices, Sonarworks has preferred the approach of the "Translation Check" featured in SoundID Reference, allowing to realistically simulate a plethora of different devices and device classes, from a library of predefined simulations. This includes the possibility to check how a recording or mix sounds in different listening environments, anywhere, and in any conditions.
The new SoundID Reference Virtual Monitoring add-on focuses on this cross translation, to deliver the most accurate simulation of stereo studio monitors on headphones, enabling musicians, producers and audio engineers to mix on headphones, as if they were working on studio speakers. According to Sonarworks, this includes the possibility to switch between near field, mid field and far field monitors, all finely tuned to the reference target sound that SoundID provides when calibrating studio monitors - a solution already trusted by the many thousands of users of the Sonarworks calibration software globally.
The new SoundID Reference Virtual Monitoring add-on also allows users to adjust the target frequency response or even simulate various astoundingly realistic environments. "All the Virtual Monitoring features are available on any of the 500 supported headphone models, letting you have full control over your mixing decisions with full confidence," the company says.
"Mixing on headphones has become as integral a part of modern music production as using headphones for listening. However, it's challenging to achieve a mix made on headphones that translates well to speakers. The reason for that is that headphones don't fully convey how music is perceived when played on studio monitors. The challenge becomes even more intense when considering how mixes sound in cars, phones, and other everyday devices where they are frequently evaluated," says Anatoly Shiryayev, Product Manager of SoundID Reference at Sonarworks.
"Driven by these challenges, we developed a solution that lets you experience your mix as it would sound in a studio, a car, or on a phone. This enables you to hear your music from another angle and achieve a mix that translates seamlessly in less time."
SoundID Reference Virtual Monitoring is available for purchase as a $49 add-on to any existing permanent SoundID Reference license. It's also possible to experience this new tool as part of the regular SoundID Reference 21-day fully functional free trial.
www.sonarworks.com
