My Imperfect Room Sounds Great! | Sonarworks Reference 4 Review

Today I'm reviewing the Sonarworks Reference 4 Studio Edition. Not sponsored - just a piece of software I've had for a few months. Spoiler alert: I think it's great, and it's transformed my mixes!

Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
2:21 - Sonarworks Products
3:39 - Measuring Your Room
6:41 - Results of Calibration
7:17 - Systemwide Software
10:00 - DAW Plugin
11:26 - Conclusions

I am a composer, producer and musician, based in London.
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[Sesaon]

Hi Dan. After treating my room and investing in some flat speakers/headphones SR4 has been the icing on the cake. My mixes and masters translate to other systems so well that I can now rely on my speakers/headphones with total confidence.

I use a PC and have no latency issues with Windows 10.

Regarding disabling the plugin for audio export in Cubase I set up a "Mix Bus" before the Stereo Out. My Mix Bus Plugins are on the Mix Bus and SR4 and Abbey Road Studio 3 are on the Stereo Out and I export from the Mix Bus (setting in my mix template) so I never export through SR4.

The one thing that occasionally happens is the sound through the speakers isn't quite right (for me a honky low end) and I go "Ah you've left the Plugin set to headphones!" That demonstrates to me how good the correction really is. Love it. So tell your mum it's essential :-)

[molem]

Hi Dan, I have used Sonarworks since version 3 and love it.... like you mentioned too, one of the libraries I work with commented that my mixes improved (kind of overnight) which I can only put down to to this software. I am also having those random latency spikes (on Mojave), it is a known issue and Sonarworks are trying to it resolve it! Great channel btw :-)

[Rhythmattica]

I personally dont run/install the system wide driver.. Issues abound.... I use SoundSource which allows AU plug routings system wide and by a per app basis.. much easier to implement on / off.
To Add.

00:37
Im Glad you do... My first Loan bought a Sampler (16+) and an Atari Mega 4 with Midex and cubase, could of bought more than 2 2nd hand cars...
Accessibility to the tools required is but a add on these days... Everyone has a computer capable of doing music... But that also is the conundrum..
in the 80's and 90's, Hardware wasnt a click to purchase, but a matter of research... You had to make your dollars work the best they could for you.... Especially before the internet...little lone Native VI's / FX... And you worked hard to get that dream bit of
To take every cent you earnt to get more gear as tools for writing music was in itself dedication to your art...
No internet, no "Youtube University" (Rick Beato), but a complete journey,  the beauty of gear limitations realisecallSamplers and the ever evolving Sequencers Like Pro24 (with all are now DAWS) .
Ah... Loved that time... Still have many of my Synths today...
Apologies for the
Just appreciate you do appreciate and reflect on what now is so accessible ... Though with that, we find more talent, but also more S--T.

[HumanBeingWithFeelings]

Great review, thanks. I just got it on sale. Can't wait to start using it :)

[ramtinkeshavarz]

There are more than a dozen top music YouTubers who reviewed this item, but your review was by far the best. Not only did you make a great review but you also answered every single technical question I had. Great job mate. This video should be further up on the recommendations.

[JFredrikAndersson]

I also love the Reference 4. My tiny studio-room absolutely sounds better with it.
I have the same problems as you.
1. I forget to disable the plugin when exporting. Almost sent in my Spitfire/Westworld entry with it, but I did notice it before uploading...
2. My systemwide also jumps to really high latency (or even stop sounding at all). I think it often happens when computer wakes up from sleep. I am also on Catalina. Plugin works perfect, though (I use Cubase).

[anatol]

Can you adjust also the by birth..problematic frequency of the speaker ?For example make the yamaha HS less fatiguing and flattest sounding?

[khalilroukoz]

Great video! I just purchased this, and having issues when i get to the part to turn up input gain. and when i do so results come back as high volume interference! and cannot pass this initial test. did you experience any similar issues?Ghanks

[robertj]

Very good review, strange cos Sanjay C did review of IK arc 3 a competitor to Sonorworks. I am 71 and recorded since my 20s. Final mixes and most mixes headphones are more articulate than monitors. I use Allen & Heath Xone and Sennheiser hdr 120 II headphones. Using SE Acoustic shield with mics helps to lessen the room effect of the room unless of cause you are in big studios to get sound of the room. Your review was very good. I would like it if you did a follow up after using for 10 plus recordings. I use less mics now for recording, but would recommend the SE acoustic mic shields to flatten the room sound