In this video, you'll see a step-by-step tutorial of how to calibrate your system
using Sonarworks Reference 4. If you're still wondering if it's worth the investment, check
out this other video I made where I go through the two biggest myths surrounding Sonarworks.
But if you're new to this channel, I'm Kyle. If you want to learn audio production online,
subscribe to Audio University.
Inside the box, you'll find your 24-digit product key and basic instructions for
downloading the Reference 4 software. Go to sonarworks.com/reference/downloads
select your operating system. Once the file downloads, open it to run the installation
wizard. Read through the licensing agreement and then select "I Agree". If you plan to
calibrate your monitors, select "Install" under the "Reference for Studio Edition".
Once installed, you'll see this screen. Select "Let's Set It Up" to begin. To set up my monitors,
I'll select "Monitor Speakers". Make sure you've got your measurement microphone
and audio interface and click "Launch Measure". Reference 4 Measure will open in another window.
To begin the calibration process, select "Measure Your Speakers". You'll see a checklist. Plug your
measurement microphone into your audio interface. Engage phantom power on that channel. Make sure
that direct monitoring is turned off so that the microphone signal is not routed to the speakers.
Connect the output of your interface to your speakers. The last checkbox is really important. I
rushed past this step the first time and spent 15 minutes trying to figure out why it wouldn't work.
It says to set the sample rate of your audio interface to 44.1 kHz.
You might find this setting in the computer's sound device settings. Look for the device
properties and then select additional device properties if you don't see sample rate on that
screen. Notice that my Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 only gives me the option for 48 kHz in this window.
In order to set the sample rate to 44.1 kHz, I need to open the Focusrite Device Settings app.
Now I can check the last box and click "Next". If you're using a Sonarworks microphone, find the
six-digit code on the side of the microphone. When you click "Next", you'll see the unique
frequency response of your specific microphone. With this information, Reference 4 can take into
consideration the effects the microphone itself has on the measurements and correct accordingly.
Mine has a 6 dB boost in the high frequency range, as you can see on this graph. To learn more about
frequency response graphs, you can watch the video at the top of your screen. Click "Next".
Now it's time to select the inputs and outputs that you'll be using to measure your system.
Select the input of your audio interface in the "Measurement Microphone Input Channel" drop down
menu. Gently tap the microphone and increase the preamp gain until the system recognizes
the connection. Select the output that feeds your speakers in the "Output Channels" drop down menu.
Click the play button to play a test signal and adjust the level of your speakers until they are
at a normal conversational level. "Please adjust the volume of your output device.
My voice should sound at normal conversation volume. Left speaker. Right speaker."
Next, you'll fine tune the microphone input gain level.
The system will use this sound to locate your microphone in the room.
Click "Next" until you see this screen. It's important to follow these guidelines in order
to get the best measurement possible. Keep the microphone at your listening position/
Make sure it's placed at ear level. Point the microphone between the speakers and hold
it away from your body so that the body doesn't interfere with the measurement.
When you're ready, click "Start Measuring" and hold the microphone at your listening position.
Adjust your microphone input gain to the specified range.
You can see that my microphone is too loud, so I'll turn it down a bit.
Keep your microphone in place so that the system can locate the microphone in space.
Now the system will measure the distance between the speakers.
To do this, you'll need to hold the microphone between 0.4
and 0.8 inches away from the center of your left speaker's mid-range driver.
Hold the microphone still so that the system can get a good measurement.
"Stay where you are. Measurements in progress. Left speaker done." The system will prompt you
to do the same to your right speaker. "Stay where you are. Measurements in progress."
Then it will ask you to verify the distance between your speakers.
Now you'll need to hold the microphone in the listening position again to determine
the distance from each speaker. Remember to follow the guidelines from earlier.
Again, you can verify that the distance between each
speaker to the listening position is accurate. Now for the fun part.
It's really important to follow these guidelines to get the most out of the system. You might even
want to use a microphone stand to ensure the microphone stays the same distance away from
the floor at each position. You'll be prompted to hold the microphone in a specific position.
The program will map out the location of your microphone to help you find the right position.
Once you place the microphone in the correct position, the system will run a sweep measurement.
Like I said, it might be helpful to use a microphone stand, but it's not required. There are
37 positions. After taking a measurement in each of these positions, your results will be ready.
Click "Show Results". Type in a profile name and click "Save and Finish". You can either launch
Reference 4 Systemwide software or close the program. Inside of the Reference 4
Systemwide software, you may need to click "Add Preset" in the bottom left-hand corner.
Then you can find your profile by selecting "Open Profile". Once your profile is loaded, you can
listen to your system and use the other features built into the Sonarworks Reference 4 software.
To learn more about Sonarworks Reference 4, check out the next video. If you found this video
helpful, hit the "Like" button and subscribe to Audio University. Thanks for watching.