Is Sonarworks Good For Room Correction?

[@ApollyonPsy]

Sonarworks works great when I've used it in studios with a decent amount of acoustic treatment. I've personally never had the experience of it making music sound 'worse' to me it always sounds better, especially if there are small bass nulls in the room. I can imagine using Sonarworks in a non-treated studiio with big peaks and troughs in the frequency response to cause problems however. I hope to buy a Trinnov system soon.

[@NNATM]

It needs a lot of time to tune SW correctly. You have to experiment with dry/wet and limits. Yes it sounds very flat and it sucks magic out of music. But in a room with a decent acoustic treatment, it does help a lot for the mixes to translate very well. For me it works just great and I can almost 100% trust my mixes with it.

[@united100]

I had exactly the same problem with sonarworks... so in the LIMIT CONTROL section, I select NO BOOST, which means that sonarworks only subtracts unnecessary frequencies, not adding anything, which causes strange sounding music

[@LeeFrancis]

If his reference tracks sound terrible with sonarworks engaged but sound great without, then that would suggest to me that it hasn't been calibrated correctly OR maybe he just isn't used to a flatter frequency response? If he is already very familiar with the sound of his room and speakers, he likes the sound of the reference tracks played through that setup and his mixes translate well, then adding room correction might not be a good idea.. unless he is prepared to put in the hours and re-learn the room again with correction engaged (which would be pointless imo)

[@miguelmoreira5248]

I use sonarworks 80% wet, reduced boosts and extended limits. My Focals sound way worse without sonarworks... Haven't had translation problems, have been using it for years.

[@dragutesku]

I agree with Sonarworks I used it a lot is not that great, I'm using now the Neumann software with the DSP sub kh750 with my kh310 speakers, and I am very happy with the results!

[@shinemastering]

I only use Sonarworks on the monitor section so it's not affecting the actual DAW output on mix down. I also only use it at 50% Mix so it's just helping the bigger peaks. It's a helpful tool for those who can't afford Trinnov yet.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

I'm sure if you are persistent with setup you can get a good working setting. My only issue with this for me is at what point do you trust what you are hearing is 100% correct and best for the room.

[@OfficialAlexZitto]

I tried the Sonarworks and it didn’t work for me. Actually a friend who owns a mastering studio told me that was the first time I sent him a bad mix😂 so I took the chance and got the VSX from slate audio and oh my my what a difference . Now I’m not here to advertise for slate but I guess we are here to find out what works. I guess Paul didn’t keep all the good stuffs that works for him for himself alone that’s why he will continue to be successful. I tried the VSX and at least it did solved 95% of the issues . That’s from my own experience.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

That's one I haven't tried myself. I always here good things about it though. I will try and get all 3 into this room and setup 3 different room corrections. Then see how vsx and sonarworks compare to the Trinnov.

[@OfficialAlexZitto]

That will be great! The good thing about it is that you can return it if you don’t want it. Go for the platinum version it gives you a lot of options for the reference rooms.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@@OfficialAlexZitto I'll try and get hold of one. Thanks

[@DubFreakuencies]

I second that. VSX is indeed good, although it takes some time to get used to it, but it pays off.

[@fantaztikbeatz]

I love VSX

[@braxal6983]

Paul, I really appreciate you being honest. I am so happy you do not act in the role of a shill. We are losing a lot of good KZbinrs that appear to work for manufactures interest. Thank you!

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

Best way to be. I guess the difference I have is that I review and talk about equipment I own and have bought, so I have zero reason to not tell the truth and be honest. I'm asked on a regular basis to review rubbish products that are built cheaply, and I receive a cut of sales. I hate the term influencer. Influencers scam their fan base to get them to buy rubbish they don't even use. 90% of what I review ends up staying in the studios or is something I already own. I'm glad my no nonsense honest approach is respected by people watching.

[@braxal6983]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio You got my respect and I appreciate you being a source I can trust!

[@braxal6983]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio Paul, do you still feel the way you do about Sonarworks in this video? If you feel Sonarworks may not be the right solution do you have another suggestion other than Trinnov? Trinnov is such a big expense.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@braxal6983 trinnov is expensive. But it works incredibly well. Here's my issue with sonarworks. You can do 10 captures of your room using trinnov and they are almost identical to each other every time. You do 10 captures using sonarworks every one is vastly different. Which ones right. Sonarworks may work but you need a trinnov to tell you which one is right. For that reason I just can't trust sonarworks. And it hasn't improved since a year ago. Sonarworks is the cheaper alternative. The only other is dependant on your speakers. The IK multimedia arc is a cheap alternative that actually works.

[@braxal6983]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio I appreciate your help . So if I do not use Trinnov you suggest IK Multimedia over Sonarworks? I am just double checking. I just spent a good amount of money and time installing professional treatment for my room and man it sounds good in here.... Just looking for the best option if I do not get a Trinnov. Thank you for all your help.. By the way my Pandora arrives today.

[@mhstoregameon]

Hi Paul. How about Dirac Live Room Correction Suite? Have you tried it yet?

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

I haven't personally set it up myself. So can't really comment

[@xorphase]

In my opinion, Dirac Live sounds tighter to the room and much more natural. I even prefer to use REW and attenuate certain frequencies with an eq free of phase problems. For example, I use the eqs included in the dsp of my mergin Anubis which are the same as those included in the Piramix. Excellent eqs to correct. Only if your room is treated correctly.

[@Mariusags]

I have used sonarworks a lot, but struggled with mixes translating to other speakers. So basically it didn’t help me in the end. Turned it off and now the mixes translates better. No more surprises, because there were always a few.

[@Mike_Benz_]

I've had a very much different experience with Sonarworks in my less then ideal environment I work in, without Sonarworks none of the songs I use as references (which sounds amazing everywhere played in the world) sound how I imagine them to sound on my setup in my space, they sound like they have problems in the frequencies Sonarworks is displaying with its Reference EQ graph after going through their room testing setup. Once I turn on Sonarworks my reference songs sound like (how I believe) they are suppose to sound with far more detail, depth and are way more pleasing to the ears. I trust my setup far more with Sonarworks on then off. So yeah like you said, if your reference songs sound how you believe they should sound with Sonarworks off (don't sound right when Sonarworks is on) then don't (why?) use it? But if they sound better (how you believe they should sound) with Sonarworks on, then I say use it. Note: Use lots of reference songs you trust and love the sound of.

[@dronbana]

What are some of the reference tracks that you recommend? And where can i get them from? I use Apple music presently, is that good enough. Thanks 🙏🏻

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

I use my own reference track that I've created specifically for the purpose of referencing. The issue you have with getting access to reference tracks is getting hold of the full quality master.

[@josephmcgregor6959]

Off-topic question: Do you use a de-esser? Any thoughts about the SPL Mk2 or the Maselec MDS-2?

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

I used to have the SPL original de-esser and I would say it's not useful in mastering. The bands are fixed to female and male typical sibilant frequencies. The maselec is a much better unit for mastering. We use the Maselec mpl-2 a lot when mastering. Similar to the MDS-2.

[@dynoprod.]

Which ine do you recommend? Apart from Trinnov

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@@dynoprod. the IK media arc is pretty good. I've heard pretty good things from this by reptible people. I haven't tested myself.

[@CT-ho6si]

How do you feel about something like Sonarworks and its microphone being used for room analysis only -- to get an idea of what further room treatment might be needed? Or is the ideal path to simply treat the room as best as possible based on the shape, dimensions, and construction type/materials, then use a Trinnov for the final corrections?

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

Yeah no harm in this. It's going to help for sure.

[@alanwilliams1360]

I’ve been wondering about reel to reel tape for recording and how it compares vs more modern methods. Have you used them or what do you think of them?

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

I'm not a fan of reel to reel. I find them too noisy and clients aren't ever really that keen on the overall sound of tape. For me I'd much rather use modern tape units like the Roger mayers 456-HD or anamod ats-1 or Neve 542.

[@TigroGumi]

Sonar works is a very mixed bag I find. I've done calibration back to back and found them to be very different from each other in a well treated room. I find it a little gimmicky. Which is a shame. Because I was going to test a Atmos setup with a Kali 7.1.4 setup and use the multi channel sonar works with it, but I might be best not to at all. I'll demo it and see but haven't been convinced by it entirely myself. For the stereo I'll be going with a Trinnov Nova. I could still do good binaural mixes that way. The Atmos setup I'm more thinking for personal production as a means to get experience in it first before thinking of investing properly. There's no big rush for Atmos just yet, so I've got time. Although, always loved the idea of making or mixing film stuff. It' not a very good business strategy though o think "build it and they will come".

[@Justin_the_Analog_IC_architect]

Sonarworks marets itself as room correction - but it's not. Correcting a room is impossible since the tonality of a room comes from comb filtering - meaning you'd need to go back in time to make the correction. It's speaker calibration software. It flattens the response of a speaker to make it "ideal" In a small project studio, this can be a good thing. If you've spent 10's of thousands of pounds on room treatment and high-end monitors (that you bought for thier sound) then it's all a bit pointless.

[@mytt88]

What's your thoughts about sonorworks with headphones? And headphones in general if a well treated room isn't an option?

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

All headphones like monitors need some correction. I use Audeze LCDx headphones and I know without headphones correction, I'm not hearing the best sound. I like to replicate my room in headphones. So when taking them off it's like I'm listening to monitors.

[@marianolarocca-ionique5027]

i think the same about sonarworks, im a producer and i dont like the sound of the corections it does... my genelecs 8040b sound way better when sonarworks its bypassed

[@marianolarocca-ionique5027]

and the same for my audeze mm500... much better without correction

[@michaelnagel2410]

Do you have an opinion on Genelec GLM?

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

I haven't got too much experience with GLM. I have heard it's good though.

[@michaelnagel2410]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio thanks for the response! Love the channel

[@ErikAnders]

Agreed

[@sclinnyjohnson-nm8hk]

Nice Commentary

[@leckomio8812]

My guess is the client or animals here did not use or consider the psychoaucustic hearing curve by harman. Sonarworks uses a deviation of it and that is not on par for a lot of folks. But you can use their eq shelving to get there. In a treated room it works and one can verify it by measurements. Sure if on isn't totally accurate while measuring or has zero acoustic treatment the correction will suck badly. What Trinov does is a rip off. It does not need an overpriced DSP unit to have an EQ with channel delay. That is the pitfall with this industry. Prestige. You need to have a physically "box" in your studio otherwise it digital voodoo and sounds bad. I'm not saying that DRCs do not sound different. They do. There are some open source out there that beats the commercial ones when done right. It is that in the end the psychoaucustic plays a huge role and we have a lot of different psychos on this planet.

[@gavmurray7398]

also tells you that maybe said guy has tuned his ears from hearing songs in a night club or a big car system..