By using model specific calibration profiles, the Sonarworks Reference 3 plug-in delivers accurate studio sound on most popular studio headphone models.
Due to high demand, Sonarworks has more than doubled the number of supported headphones, reaching 18. With the latest update, Sonarworks presents the calibration profiles for the most popular studio headphones from Sennheiser, AKG, Beyerdynamic, Audio-Technica and other brands.
By employing a patent-pending measurement method, Sonarworks identifies sonic aberrations in headphones and corrects them using a DAW plug-in. The sonic signature of every headphone is tuned to a target frequency response, which makes them sound like flat speakers in a well-treated studio. By using the Reference 3 plug-in, engineers are able to mix with confidence, knowing how their work will translate to other sound systems. All calibrated headphones share the same tonality, which is very useful when collaborating over distance.
The standard version of headphone calibration does not require any extra hardware. Anyone using a pair of supported headphones will be able to enjoy reference headphone sound in a matter of minutes. After downloading the DAW plug-in, the headphone model must be selected from pre-measured profiles, at which point it is possible to toggle calibration on/off or to adjust the level with wet/dry control. A 21-day free trial is available on the company website, sonarworks.com.
Originally launched in January at the NAMM Show 2015, the Sonarworks Reference 3 plug-in has received tremendous positive feedback from early users in online music production communities as well as from highly regarded professionals.
13-time Grammy-awarded engineer and music producer Rafa Sardina calls Reference 3 plug-in, "a much needed new standard on headphone calibration and compatibility."
"I had practicality retired my HD600's when I came across Sonarworks. I downloaded the free demo and to my surprise the headphones came alive! I've now reincorporated them into my critical mix decision making. I can now carve out offensive frequencies plus add the right amount of weight and clarity to my mix with great confidence. I'm eager to try the speaker calibration software now, " says 3-time Latin Grammy awarded record engineer Abraham Martinez.
With the introduction of this update, the Sonarworks Reference 3 plug-in can be used with the following headphones:
- AKG K141 MKII.
- AKG K240 MKII.
- AKG K701.
- AKG K702.
- AKG K712.
- Audio-Technica M20x.
- Audio-Technica M40x.
- Audio-Technica M50x.
- Beyerdynamic DT770 80 Ohm.
- Beyerdynamic DT880 Pro.
- Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro.
- Sennheiser HD280.
- Sennheiser HD598.
- Sennheiser HD600.
- Sennheiser HD650.
- Shure SRH840.
- Sony MDR7506.
- Superlux HD681.
Headphone calibration profiles are available in two flavours - standard and individual. Standard calibration profiles are based on averaged measurements across many samples from the same headphone model and ensures +/- 3dB accuracy towards the selected reference. Individual profiles are created through individual measuring of the particular pair of headphones ensuring +/-0.9dB accuracy. More information can be found at http://sonarworks.com/headphones/overview/
The plug-in for digital audio workstations (DAWs) is offered in AU, AAX Native, RTAS and VST standards and compatible with both OS X and Windows. Currently, a single license for Sonarworks Reference 3 headphone plug-in costs 69€/$69 and individual headphone measurement service is available at a special introductory price of 44€/$44 at http://sonarworks.com/store
About
Sonarworks is a recording studio software development startup, specializing in acoustic calibration and DAW plug-ins. For years, the company has been working with custom studio calibrations. Reference 3 was shaped through the experience of working with the best sound engineers. The technology behind Reference 3 is a result of more than 3 years and 1M USD investment in R&D.
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