Should You Use Room Correction EQ? My Honest Sonarworks Reference 4 Review!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 23 พ.ย. 2020
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I've been curious about the true response of my speakers & room for over a decade, but never actually measured it... until now!
This video shows you the actual frequency response of my current mix room, discusses whether or not I use room correction software, and the 3 scenarios that make room correction a good idea. - เพลง
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I own and use this, and I also agree that it's not something you'd wanna set and forget and have it change everything you've already learned about your room and speakers. I use it more like a virtual second set of monitors. I'll flip it on for a few mins to check stuff out, maybe make a few changes, turn it off, listen, etc. For that purpose, I find it a really useful tool.
Thanks for the informative vid! 👍
Jordan , what makes this channel really stand out on YT, is your sheer honesty. Know bullshit , know ego or prima donna crap, just good sincere advice. All the best
I bought this a little over a year ago when mixing in my old "studio"... my 10x10 bedroom. I also found that once the correction was applied, it was like a blanket had been taken off my monitors. I think this is a great learning tool to measure the response of your room, then make adjustments with acoustic treatment to flatten the response when remeasuring. As with anything though, it shouldn't be a tool to lean on for a poor mixing environment (like my old bedroom was). Thanks for the honest review.
Had translation issues with my speakers for years (Presonus Sceptres 8") Especially around 150hz. Started using sonarworks about a year ago and...man what a difference. I don't have any translation issues anymore. No more car tests because if it sounds bad in my room...it sounds bad everywhere...if it sounds good in the room..then that's what it sounds like...can't blame my room or speakers anymore.
How much treatment do you have?
@@dougleydorite good amount. Wideband bass absorbers in nearly every corner. Light diffusion. Carpet floors and walls - soft ceiling. The room shape is certainly the main problem
@@KyleBrianAbbott I’m in a similar boat other than the carpet. Are you sure the carpet is helping you? I’m actually thinking of removing the carpet on my floor because my mixes don’t translate in the higher frequencies (sounds too harsh)
@@dougleydoritethat could be a bass issue you know. You hear too much bass, so you EQ it out in the mix, move to another place and there's no low end, qnd you are left with a bright harsh mix. Might not be, but more often than not it's the low end, as high end doesn't cause standing waves the same way bass does. After a certain freqency the standing waves are so small they arn't perceived as peak and nulls like with bass.
It could also be a speaker thing where it trails off in the highs and you are adding too much because of that. High end is rarely to do with a room (but could be due to some rare cases).
@@DaftFader for sure. I’ve actually done a lot since this last post, including laminate floors and massive amounts of treatment. The floors help offset the amount of damping. Lots of trial and error over the years, and measurements. Soon I’ll get Trinnov
Been a fan of your work since Structures and dead and divine days. It's so cool to have this channel around now days so I can understand the magic that went into many records that are still iconic to me. You are a well spoken and natural dude, I enjoy listening to you and your channel every time a new vid comes out! 🤘
I've been using Sonarworks for about a year and a half. What I found is that using the mix knob allows you to painlessly re-learn your speakers. Start at 10 and slow move your way up over time. Example: the 1st of every month move the knob another 10%.
Hey Jordan! For quite a while now I’ve been thinking about what I want to do for a career and mixing music has always been an interest of mine, I love the idea of taking what a band has created and putting my own special touch on it to take their music to the next level. I’ve recently started getting into mixing, spending hours on end watching TH-cam channels, reading articles and of course mixing my own projects as practice. I feel having this would help me so much with understanding how a mix should translate and training my ear to what frequencies I should be paying attention to and watch out for. If I do or don’t get it, I do want to say thank you for the videos you post, they are very insightful and easy to understand!
I have been using SW for a couple years. And I swear by it.
It has helped me with translation in a very big way.
I have Event tuned reference 8 powered monitors.
I seriously struggled even using reference tracks before SW because my speakers have a very muddy midrange.
so between using isoacoustic speaker stands and SW, it has made life much easier for me.
Thanks for your opinion on this Jordan.
I think you have great advice
David
This is incredibly solid advice for the "recommended users" portion! I've been an on and off pro musician/producer since the early 90's and I can personally relate to everything said here. Especially the mix checking from desk to back of the room. Standing waves are brutal on your perception! To me that is the key to realizing what is going on in a room. There is a difference between what you hear and what you feel. We tend to lump this whole experience together as a "listener" and that is sometimes the problem when looking for an accurate mix as a "professional."
When it's all said and done, we need the tools! Great video, I just got this in my feed and I'll be checking out more of your stuff!
Currently looking to level up my mixing game and already had this on my list! I mix on headphones and in my living room, so this would benefit to my situation!
Also, your honesty and the insights you give on your videos are super sick!
Hearing you talk about having to walk to the back of your mix room to really hear the low end really took me by surprise, because I did the same thing in my mix room for years! Hearing low end is a bit of a struggle for me on my current setup. Having something like the Sonarworks software would be a huge help for my mixing process!
I'm mixing In my home studio room for almost 4 years now and I totally agree with you Jordan, I learned how it sounds and how to make things translate outside. Think that's the way to go. The problem is that now during Quarantine and Covid-19 era, my 3 year old daughter can't go to school and I have to Mix/work with her at home all the time, specially at night time and I'm having to force myself to work and mix on Headphones. I Really don't like it but at the same time I know it's possible if I put my heart and effort to make it work. There's where I think a tool like this can help me earn the confidence I'm lacking right now much faster. Would love to have the opportunity. Thanks very much, not only for this one, but for all your videos and courses. Big fan here! Take care and keep on rocking good stuff Jordan!
This has already been on my wishlist for a while on Sweetwater. I haven't gotten to spend a ton a time on my monitors to really know their sound in my room which is a long rectangle. I think this would help me get a more accurate representation of what I should be hearing and what are the problem areas in my room. Thanks for doing this Jordan and Sonarworks!
Sonarworks Reference studio edition is the centerpiece of my workflow for long long time - can't imagine how to work without it again - lifesaver!
As a mixing engineer who is moving from three different environments this would be a life saver!
Hey Jordan, I'm actually running the software on demo and loving it. I mix a lot on headphones but I also record in different places and the demo that runs for 20+ days has already been a life saviour. Love your content and I really appreciate you giving us your opinion on that.
Hi Jordan,
I am presently mixing on Sennheiser 598 headphones. I just purchased a portable reccording/mixing rig prior to this Covid lock-down. I am also in the midle of your mixing course and learning my headphones tonal characteristics. I was planning on getting some monitors with Sonarworks to have consistency in different mixing environments. So therefore I think this would be a great addition to my setup.
Thank you for every thing Jordan. Have a great holiday and best of luck to everyone.
It would help me out a lot cause I just moved to a new house, a new ‘home’ studio and it would be the perfect new start. Improving my mixes from day 1! Great video as always! Keep up the good work!
SonarWorks sent me a system as an artist with endorsement agreement. My speakers 4” Genelec and bigger Neumann KH310 are fairly new so I am adopting SonarWorks into my daily workflow. It’s early days but I am already feeling better about hearing the low end more accurately 😊 I recommend the system to people who can easily adapt to room correction.
Hey Jordan, I've been making my mixes in my little home studio for the past one year, finally being lucky enough to have a space and not having to work on headphones. It's a little square shaped room for which I created my own acoustic panels out of rock wool, which helped me with the reflections a lot, but to be honest, I don't really have confidence in shaping my low end. When I hear mud, I'm never sure it comes from the room or the actual mix I'm working on. I think Sonarworks might actually be the tool to give me the confidence I badly need. By the way, thanks for the content and your newsletters, I've been learning a lot from them in the past years, please keep them coming!
This is a totally valid point Jordan. My problem was that I never trusted my ears when I was mixing in my studio room - because my room's EQ curve was so off! After getting Sonarworks it really solved the second guessing for me.
Hi Jordan, I am glad that you are pointing out how crucial room acoustic is. I am sound engineering student from Poland and due to Covid I really need to find a static income, so I decided to mix music for people. I can't afford proper monitors atm, so I mix on my ath m40x and I feel like my mixes does not translate well. It is hard to find any job right now so software like this would provide more happy clients. I wish best luck for all the participants! Sonarworks makes some killer software!
I'm glad my friend referred me to your channel today, as I was actualy saying to him how of a struggle it is to translate to other systems in the world. Sonarworks might be a good starting point!
Another killer video Jordan and it was so interesting to actually see the response from your room. I've just moved into a new place with a fairly small room that I'm able to work from as before I was just using my laptop and headphones whereas now I'm using my HS7's so scenario 1 is the camp I'm in so this would be one hell of a benefit to get a copy of Sonarworks.
Hey Jordan, great video! I've been thinking about getting the Sonarworks Reference 4 for quite some time now, I began mixing when the lockdown began and I've been loving it and progressing so much! However, I feel like I struggle a lot with translation across different systems since all I have to mix on is a cheap headphone which is fairly flat in the low end and mid range but the highs are all over the place, so I always end up making my mixes either too harsh or too dull. For that reason I think the Sonarwork Reference would be a great tool for me. Cheers man, keep up the great work!!!!!
Hey Jordan! I been working on tracking , mixing and mastering for almost 10 years on and off. I’ve think I would benefit from this software so I can finally see what I’m doin wrong in all these processes. I compare my mixes to my peers in atlanta and I always fall short! Hope that I will be considered. Love the channel and all the tips you give us to better our production! Thanks a lot duude🤙
Hey Jordan, I've mixed a few songs already but not to a point where it's my day job. Just a few bucks from local bands. I've noticed that my mixed end up sounding spikey around 3khz but notching it down makes my mixes super dull. Clearly something is wrong in my room despite all the treatment. The Reference 4 would actually help me maybe turn this into a career. Learned a lot from you in almost half a decade of following your content and referencing your mixed when I mix and from your book! Keep it up! You've helped a lot people!
I had to mix on headphones mostly before covid because I spent a lot of time in Europe touring and would try to work on mixing in my hotel with the mix room headphone app. Now I have my own studio. I was looking for some good powered monitors and at the suggestion of a very respected engineer back east I bought the focal alpha 50s. He told me they are a little on the bright side but I just needed to get used to them in my room. He was right... and I set them flat and they can be a little bright. But your schooling has changed my mixes from day one. Thank you Jordan. I prayed and searched for a while and was blessed to find you!
I'm new to mixing and mastering and really trying to learn. My room isn't treated yet and once it is I believe this would help me greatly. It was really cool to hear what difference is with this tool. I don't want to rely on it but think it would help greatly. Love the videos and keep up the great work!
Mixing bass and reverb tails are the bane of my existence. Having a room that is fairly well treated would seem to help and it has tightened up the sound. The studio is my favorite place to be...with 17 homemade mineral wool traps..lovingly created in my garage. The revelation of mix flaws still happens as I check my mixes in the car or on blue tooth speakers... I’m no stranger to the notion of “Back to drawing board!”
I currently do a lot of editing work from my laptop, while I mix from my studio at home. Having this would be incredible for hearing consistency from location to location 💪 Thank for the great vid Jordan!
Walking back and forth in my mixing room is absolutely the bane of my existence! Difficult to find the Sonarworks mics in Canada so I tried the Sonarworks headphone trial recently and it blew my mind.
Really love how you don't try to sell everyone on the products you discuss, certain products for certain scenarios. My partner and I just had a baby girl, her bedtime seems to be the only time I have to be in my home studio which also adjacent to where the baby sleeps. I've been trying to mix on headphones, but my mixes have not been translating well at all on other speakers. Love your videos, keep up the great work!
Thanks for bringing that question !
I already tried it and it was pretty interesting to hear the differences.
I am right with you on my mixes. I have been understanding my various speaker setups over the years quite well. I have always wanted to get room correcting software. When I tried the demo of this one I like the help it gives. I agree with you on the mix knob and understanding the curve. I really am interested in getting the full setup with the mic and all. Great video and thanks for your input.
I've been learning to mix for 5 months on pc speakers and consumer headphones in a studio apartment which is basically a 20x20 room with a 10 foot ceiling. So, room treatment would be an expensive nightmare. I'm currently looking into some budget friendly monitors and headphones, but I know I'll have to address the room eventually. For now, I've pretty much settled into the fact that I'm gonna be making many trips to my car in the middle of the night for reference. It's the most action my car has seen since the pandemic hit. I feel like Sonarworks could do a lot to help in the time being. Anyway... I'm glad I found your channel. Thanks for the thoughtful review and for doing the giveaway. Good luck to everyone.
I've been interested in this system for awhile. I've been an engineer/producer since the 90s, but took time off from 2000 to 2007. Now I'm at it again and recently moved into a new space. I'm having a difficult time with translating my mixes. The lower midrange seems to be a particular problem. I end up spending way too much time going back and forth trying to get that range dialed in. Anyway, thank you for your videos. I've been watching for about a year and find them helpful. Having been in the profession for a long time, I can tell who knows what they're talking about, and you definitely do.
I own a studio that offers mobile services. Many times I find myself in some really awkward environments. This could be a game changer for some of those situations. Thanks for the honest review. I am in the same camp as you when it comes to my speakers the room and translation. I have been using the same monitors for over 10 years. Cheers!
I could really see this being useful in my current room. Right now I'm mixing in a deep shallow room with a raised ceiling from the roof, and laminate flooring. It holds no bass. My Kali LP6s help a lot, but I constantly am having issues with mixes not translating well. I'm learning to mix for the room, but this from sonarworks would be really helpful. Thanks, love the channel.
been a long time user of the HCMS courses. i've found them super helpful in narrowing my focus and eliminating the audio-forum nonsense. have two kids and most of my audio work for the near future will be on headphones in the basement. this correction software could go a long way in helping maximize my time. cheers.
All I wanted when I started producing and mixing/mastering music was sound that translated good allround. Since I live in an appartment, I can only use headphones and the Sonarworks would tremendously help me up my game without the hassle of treating my whole room (which I don't have the possibility for doing + funds for).
Man, I have been on the strug-bus of translation for the last year. I've moved 3 times since late fall 2019, and am gearing up for a fourth come mid December. (Woo 2020!) Its been killing my turnaround time. I'll be moving into a new space that should be fairly permanent and this may help me mix more confidently right off the bat.
Great video! Im going to be looking into this post move regardless of the giveaway results
I am new to mixing and have to use headphones to monitor because I live in an old apartment where noise and noise complaints are frequent. A free sonarworks license would allow me to start my mixing journey on a solid foundation, and may alleviate some of the translation issues I’ve been having, since I don’t even have a car to do the car check with. Haha. So this would make a world of difference. Either way, thank you for taking the time to explain this software!
Hey dude! Great video as always! I come here for the honest reviews & tips as I’m brand new to recording and mixing. Recently took the plunge into a decent home studio setup and have been grinding away late at night when my wife and 2 year old son are asleep to record new demos for my band. Sonarworks would definitely help me learn how to make my home mixes translate better so they aren’t so flubby and maybe help me grow into a self sufficient producer so my band wouldn’t need to pay someone else to mix our records! Anyways cheers! Looking forward to your next video
When you described having to get out of mix position and go to the back of the room to feel the bass... thats me lol. This sounds like it would help me a lot
We are renovating my bedroom studio and have decided to move the desk. The room is also square so I will be headphone mixing more often. I have a pair of headphones that are on the supported list that I will be using more. Thanks for the vid and the opportunity.
I’ve always just loved your honesty in your Videos
I've been mixing on my current speakers in two different facilities for over 15 years. Just ran Reference a few days ago and I after "relearning" my speakers and room I'm sold on it. I've got new monitors on order this week so the hope is Sonarworks will make the transition much smoother.
I have had translation issues forever. A friend introduced me to Sonarworks in his home studio, and let me measure my room with his copy. Like you, I was surprised at the uneven response in my room! I have pretty extensive treatment, but apparently the shape and size of my room does not help. I am saving up to get me a copy . I believe it will help me immensely.
I am indeed need help to EQ my mixing room by listening watching to your video I've learnt that this type software to help me to mix close to the point that it is acceptable. Specially my hearing is being disturbed ringing sound. Thank you again, I've learned something today.
Thank you very much Jordan, you are always very honest and precise in articulating the arguments and reporting your point of view, I really appreciate that.
In these days I was evaluating the purchase with black friday, it is increasingly known how in the end it is our ears and our ability to carefully evaluate decisions that create a satisfactory mix. The “magic button” doesn't exist, and I honestly think that's what makes the world of the mix engineer fascinating and fantastic. My small home studio is partially treated, I made it myself, and I had to learn to listen to it and translate it over time.
Now I'm undecided about buying Sonarworks, not because I don't think it's a valid product, rather because your point of view coincides with what I also thought. I continue to follow you with great interest, your ideas are always very interesting, thanks for your professionalism and your sharing.
Have a nice day😊
"new monitors, new room" - that's a nice description of what correction software provides - a different monitoring,
in fact it's often not even "better" because EQ causes phase shifts, and doesn't at all help with frequency decay in the room, just messes things up differently,
and on top of that, human ears are not linear, every ear is different and also internally does certain corrections, so even using correction software on headphones makes very little sense - actually having glasses using headphones may have as big difference as opening a window when mixing on monitors in treated room
Hi Jordan, I've recently started taking my mixing very seriously due to COVID restrictions and the inability to access the normal luxuries of the old world we know and love. I've been producing and writing heaps of music since being financially burdened and restricted by the world around us and would love to have a solid foundation to keep growing on in my currently untreated (hopefully soon to be treated) room in my apartment in Vietnam. Love your work and keep up the great content mate!
What a great video! Thank you for your honesty and your always helpful advice!!
Great video Jordan, very helpful. I'd love to give Sonarworks Reference a try!!!
I've been struggling for many years with translation issues. Most of my mixes are for super low tuned (LOW F) sludge metal and my room dimensions are very odd. I feel that I have a very good understanding of mixing, but every time I take my mix outside of the studio I am super discouraged and disappointed with the translation. I have put quite a bit of time into learning the craft only to be let down every time at the final stage of the process. I've tried all kinds of fixes. Room treatment, monitor upgrades, adding a sub, utilizing reference tracks, etc. It feels like translation is the one thing holding me back from greatness. The Sonarworks Reference pack may be my last hope. I would super appreciate an opportunity to receive this software. On a side note: Please keep up the good work that you are doing with these videos. You have taught me many valuable lessons. :)
I am literally in the same boat as you. Down to the tuning, room, and knowledge I have. It’s extremely frustrating and discouraging. I moved a year ago, and ever since I got a new room that I mix in, it’s been a nightmare getting my music to translate, I’ve tried everything!
I think I’m gonna give this a try too. Best of luck to you, I feel your pain lol
Reference mixes are a life saver.
maybe some mix cubes
Mixcubes/ns-10 and bass balancing in good headphones with reference, mastering EQ basics and You can't suck with it if!
Great video. Love all your stuff. I just moved to a new location and just set up my space. This would help me get confident with it more quickly.
This seems like the perfect tool to me. Have been making music for over a decade and JUST NOW got my own place and finally have all of my gear set up in one place. I’ll also still be doing remote work since I can’t record loud in my space, only mixing.
I do have some kali lp6’s but I’ve had to do most of my work on headphones. I think both the monitor and headphone version would really increase my decisiveness and confidence when mixing.
Just built a small studio at my house. I'm at the start of my producing journey, these would go a long way! Great vid
I just built a new house and have a new room. I've been mixing on the same setup for quite some time now but I just can't seem to get the same translations that I had in my old room.......I've been fumbling with that. This seems like a tool that might help me get the new room dialed in......your video convinced me of that. Thanks for the opportunity to win this license!
Forgot to mention to thank you for doing this review. It was really helpful.
I've been trying to improve the sound of my room, but since I'm broke, I don't have the resources to improve it. So I rely on my headphones to "check" my low frequencies, so Sonarworks Reference will help me a lot. Thanks for the honest video by the way! :D
@6:06 the correction likely sounds harsh because your mix has harshness in it from you compensating for having the dull/muffled highs prior to the correction. If you start a fresh mix with the correction at 100%, you will not overcompensate on the high end and it will sound smooth, considering the mix is good.
yes but as he said , what's the point of mixin with a flat freq response since the music is gonna be played on iphones where the freq response is like a ns10 where mid bands is boosted ?
@@soundsokok If that’s your logic we may as well not mix at all. People with nice audio systems in their vehicles or concert stadiums don’t matter. Just record and put it out as is.
@@bikesandbeats4693 tons of hit music was mixed on ns10 . One of the best albums ever ( mix wise ) by dr dre (2001 chronic ) was mixed on ns10 .
@@soundsokok I think the idea behind using NS10s is literally "if you can make it sound good on these, it'll sound good on anything"
@@soundsokok PART of records were mixed on NS10’s. No one ever mixed an entire hiphop record on an NS10. You want to see how your bass hits in a club, you are not fine tuning that on NS10’s. And the purpose of NS10’s is to reveal harshness, which if we are staying on topic, the guys monitors did not reveal without the correction software.
well, during lockdown I was forced to mix only with my heaphones (7506, that I really like and I'm pretty used to it) but I realize that my mixes was soooo unbalanced! I downloaded the demo and at the beginning I don't really like it... but I tried instead and well... my mixes get better! now i am waiting for more entrance to buy the license! Jordan: as usual, you killed it!
I started learning how to mix music at the beginning of this year. i got my 1st laptop, interface, and set of monitors but the hard part besides learning to mix is the results. I live in an apartment and I have zero treatment in my bedroom so its pretty tough to hear exactly what will come out in the final product. so I feel like this plugin could help me achieve better mixes. love the videos!
Hey Jordan, thank you for testing this software! :) A few month ago I bought some new monitors but I am still ending to use my headphones 80 % as mixing device because I am so used to this pair. I would love to use my new monitors as main mixing device so that eventually my mixes will translate better..
Hello Jordan, really enjoyed the video, and reference 4 is something I've been deliberating on for quite some time now. My and Dad I started a garden studio project last year and it's it's just getting wrapped up now. I'm new to mixing and production and I think it would be great to have reference 4 to help complete my studio and get the room sounding as good as it can so I can get some good mixes going and hopefully get me some work as I start my career as a music producer and mixer. Cheers Jordan, keep up the good work.
Jordan,
Thanks for all you do for the community. Your tutorials, guides, and general knowledge have improved my mixes tenfold. As for my bid for the SW4 giveaway.. I feel like I'm on the cusp of getting it right. I've been mixing everyday for 2 years and making progress everyday. The only thing holding me back is my mixing environment/room. I'm stuck in a oddly shaped room with horrible reflections. Mixes just don't translate. Room treatment has helped a bit but eq wise its just not happening. I'm constantly running back and forth between the car and the room making small adjustments hoping its gonna translate and its just not happening. I feel like SW4 would solve that and give me that extra 5% I need to feel comfortable working with clients. I would be forever grateful. Regardless, thanks for everything you do and the knowledge you share. Much love.
I feel pretty lost in my room right now, because when I listen to music, I tend to go back and forth, away form my mixposition to the back of the room, just like you described your experience in your old project studio. I think this tool would be so helpful to get an idea how my room sounds and why I don´t seem to get good results, even though I already put up some treatment (I build myself) and it doesn´t quite solve the issues. cheers from Austria and many thanks for your tremendous work!
I’m always going back and forth between my home studio and mixing on headphones. I just moved and got new headphones, so both listening environments are pretty new to me. This would be a super great time to have something like this
Sheesh, this sounds so useful. I do exactly the same thing! I mix on a pair of KRK 5 inch monitors, so to hear the low end I have to lay in my bunk bed in the back of the room. It's reassuring to hear that I'm not crazy for doing that. My buddy has a space where we do all the recordings, too. So we record there and mix in my bedroom. The constant back and forth has led to some wild inconsistencies in the past. I'll bring stuff back to my room and it sounds nothing like how we recorded it. Not sure if I'm too late for the giveaway, but either way, I'm glad to know I'm not crazy for listening in my bunk bed for the low end.
I could use that softwares for sure. You pretty much described my mix situation. I have a new baby and I’m exclusively mixing on headphones now in an untreated room 🤷🏽♂️
Hey man. I’m constantly one the move so really could use the tool from Sonarworks. Thanks for a great channel!
It would be great to try this out, especially if you’re in different scenarios simultaneously!
Our 8 month old is a light sleeper. It's been a challenge getting through the course and finishing up mixes. Using sonarworks on my Beyer Dynamic 880's might help make those useable to mix with. As it is theses headphones are fairly bright. Thanks for reviewing this! I've been curious for a bit and I trust your opinion.
Cheers.
I've had Sonarworks for a few years now and its made a HUUUUUUUUGE difference in my work. I absolutely love it! I think if you're like me and still have a LOT to learn, Sonarworks Reference 4 is an absolute must-have plugin. And Systemwide is freaking awesome!
Great software, honestly. The wet knob is spot on, you can make the response a bit flatter but not too flat, so you get the best of both worlds and nothing is exaggerated. The headphones part is also great, I mix on Sony MDR-7506 cans and the software has a built-in profile that flattens it right up. I'm excited to see how my mixes turn out with this, but right off the bat I can hear that everything is flatter, clearer and more balanced.
I'd definitely need one of those because I have a small space and a lot of stuff inside... especially I don't have a room dedicated to mixing.
HCMS already helped me move forward but I guess this could be something to help me go even more forward in my mixing learning journey.
I actually got to use the headphone edition for a trial through Focusrite a while back. For someone like me mostly mixing on cans, it did come in handy. It's been on my list of utilities to buy for sure. I kinda knew you wouldn't be using it though, but that was cool of Sonarworks to let you see what it could do.
It sounds to me like you know your speaker intimately. That is awesome!
I’ve been mixing in pro studios and all of them have acoustic treatment AND some type of correction eq on the mains. Now I mix in my house in a very small room. I was going crazy trying to get a good low end and mid, mid-high range, even with “acoustic” treatment. I went and bought the new SoundID. I’m glad I did, know I can get closer to a great balance, still use headphones and bough the IK mtm’s which have their own correction software and sound closer to my mains (KRK V8 S1).
Would love to try this out. Still new to mixing and was considering to buy one since they are having a Black Friday Deal.
I’ve been looking into Sonarworks for a while, it’s great to see a review from you.
I started mixing around July so I think those would help me out now. I have a pair of PreSonus 4.5 and I think I’m getting better with them, but I’m still unsure how it’ll translate in other places. I often check the mixes on my headphones and AirPods. I think their software would also allow me to try mixing with my Sony WH1000XM3 as I have more time at night and I can’t use my speakers then.
Since lockdown I've had to do everything on headphones. Sonar works paired with good hertz can opener has been a life saver!
Same here. Sonarworks before or after Can Opener? Been seeing that question come up a lot and I still can’t decide what’s right!
I tried to use both together, but there's something in the Can Opener's crossfeed algorithm that makes loud bass noises quite painful to my weak ears, especially since Sonarworks adds a lot of sub-bass content into my cans on its own already.
Sonarworks alone was a keeper for me though, either for speakers and for headphones. Game changing software.
It’s actually not a room measurement , it’s a speaker measurement in the room. I’ve been using reference for a couple years now. I’ve noticed a huge improvement in my mixes and my confidence in my mixes from using sonar works reference. How can you decide if something doesn’t have enough midrange if you can’t hear it or hear all of it? In short you can’t unless, you have learned your speakers so well that you know where to compensate for the increase or lack of frequency in certain ranges. I like to hear all my frequencies so I can know what I hear is what’s actually there, for me this is the to our way for things to translate the best way possible. My personal experience anyways!! Thanks for the vids man, enjoying them!!
I am desperate. 😅 I can't get accurate mixes. So far I finished two materials but it was totally about trial and error. Whether you choose me or not, I am truly grateful for the knowledge that you share especially to us striving independent artists. Respect from PH.
Yes, that 200hz range is probably a bump from your desk. But, if you’ve mixed for years with great results you have learned your room without the help of the software. I have the software and use it, but I incorporated it early on in my room. You give great practical advice as always. Love the channel
I’ve been mixing in the same room now for about a year buuuuut unfortunately my room is nearly a perfect square which I know is probably the worst mixing environment possible. Annnnd my ceilings are only 7 1/2 feet which has been challenging as well to deal with. I don’t want to make this a huge sob story but I am trying to build a business so I don’t have to be on disability anymore and I have been looking at the Sonarworks for any edge but unfortunately I just can’t afford it so this would be extremely helpful for me. I was lucky enough however that a friend gave me a pair of NS-10mc’s which I’m pretty excited about learning🙌🏼 Thanks for the consideration Jordan. Really love the channel and your guidance has been invaluable.
Hi Jordan! I agree with you that after mixing for a large amount of hours on the setup you have atm can bring a self-correcting approach in order to translate well the mixes in other devices: I saw it with myself mixing in my 4x4x2.15 meters room, that has rockwool and wood panel on the walls but no ceiling insulation.
Said that I know that right now my room isn't perfect, but obviously I'd spend some time to recalibrate my ears to a different sound delivery.
I'm not afraid to leave my "temporary comfort zone" to try and risk to improve the listening in my workplace, and subsequently the quality of my work!
I’ve recently made some acoustic panels to try and help my room but I haven’t been able to get my hands on some sort of room measurement software. Sonar works definitely looks like the best one 🤘
I am constantly moving homes and along with that I always have to fine tune my room for my mixes. I believe I would definitely benefit from having the software due to this issue of getting to know how my room sounds constantly. It seems that it would help me big time!
great video!!!, and i always have problems with my low end, translation outside my home studio, i will use it for that!!!
I work on audio stuff for years, but right now im working with a new monitors and a new control room, i really dont feel confortable right now with the translation of my mixes on this room, i still love my old AKG K99 and i still use it right now, if i have a weapon like SONORWORKS i think it wolud be awesome for my results. THANK YOU !
Hey brother.I just upgraded my monitors, and the first mix I did on them was quite a shock. I feel like this would be a good time to use this software like you said, since my monitors are new(about a week), and also I'll be mixing one of the biggest albums of my career in a few months. Thanks, rock on everybody.
cool video. I mix in an 8x10 shed with drywall. I also have drums in there. Had to put up blankets behind me because of crazy reflections. Recently started mixing through headphones then referencing on my monitors. When I started doing this , that "helped" with translation issues. I'd probably benefit from this software.
Great video! Thanks for sharing your gift and time.
I’ve been really curious about this software for a while. I’m struggling with translation in my current room, so I’ve been adding more and more treatment, but Sonarworks might be the answer I’m looking for.
While I’ve really struggled with getting my mixes to translate in the past, I’ve been getting used to my focals to the point where I’m starting to get really good consistency. However; I’m completely rebuilding my mixing space this coming year so the room and acoustics are going to be changing drastically. Even if I don’t win this, I’m definitely buying it just to help regain my sense of space quickly
Great video as always, Jordan. I've been a musician since I started taking guitar lessons at age 7. I dabbled in live sound mixing with the various bands I played in, so I know what sounds good (you know they say a sound man can make or break a band). Currently, due to me not having a dedicated space I've been mixing in my living room with headphones through a Tascam US-1800 D/A converter. Something like this would be extremely helpful.
Moving to a new mixing room soon and it's directly below kids bedroom. So the double of new room + using headphones while kid sleeps would make this super helpful.