SoundID Reference compatibility with audio interfaces depends on several key factors including your operating system, hardware specifications, and proper driver installation. Most professional audio interfaces work seamlessly with SoundID Reference, provided they support 48V phantom power for measurement microphones and maintain stable sample rates between 44.1kHz and 192kHz.
What are the minimum system requirements for SoundID Reference?
SoundID Reference requires specific system specifications to function properly with your audio interface setup. Your computer must run macOS 11 Big Sur or later, or Windows 10/11, with an active internet connection as offline installation isn’t supported.
For RAM and processing power, you’ll need at least 4GB of RAM, though 8GB or more is recommended for multichannel setups. Your CPU should be a modern dual-core processor or better to handle the audio processing without introducing latency issues.
Storage requirements are minimal, with approximately 1GB of free space needed for the software installation and calibration profiles. However, if you’re working with multiple speaker configurations or frequently updating profiles, consider allocating additional storage space.
Your audio interface must support sample rates of 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88kHz, 96kHz, or 192kHz. The interface needs 48V phantom power capability for measurement microphones, and you’ll need XLR connectivity as USB microphones aren’t supported for professional calibration.
Which audio interface brands work best with SoundID Reference?
Several audio interface manufacturers offer excellent compatibility with SoundID Reference, with some providing enhanced integration features. RME interfaces, including the Fireface UFX III, UFX II, and UCX II, offer direct profile export functionality, allowing you to load calibration settings directly onto the interface’s DSP.
Focusrite interfaces, particularly the Scarlett and Clarett series, provide reliable performance with SoundID Reference. These interfaces offer stable drivers and consistent phantom power delivery, making them popular choices for studio calibration setups.
PreSonus AudioBox and Studio series interfaces work well with the software, offering good driver stability and low-latency performance. Universal Audio Apollo interfaces provide professional-grade compatibility, though you’ll typically run SoundID Reference as a separate process rather than through UAD’s console.
AVID MTRX family interfaces with SPQ DSP offer specialized integration for multichannel setups up to 9.1.6 configurations. Merging Anubis interfaces support multichannel corrections and provide simultaneous calibration for multiple speaker sets and headphones.
| Interface Brand | Key Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| RME | Direct DSP export, low latency | Professional mixing/mastering |
| Focusrite | Stable drivers, reliable phantom power | Home studios, project studios |
| AVID MTRX | Multichannel support, SPQ DSP | Immersive audio production |
| PreSonus | Low latency, good value | Budget-conscious setups |
How do you set up your audio interface with SoundID Reference?
Setting up your audio interface with SoundID Reference follows a straightforward process that begins with proper driver installation. Download and install the latest drivers for your specific audio interface model from the manufacturer’s website before launching SoundID Reference.
Configure your audio interface’s sample rate to match your preferred working rate, typically 44.1kHz or 48kHz for most projects. Set your buffer size between 128 and 512 samples to balance latency and stability, adjusting based on your computer’s performance capabilities.
Connect your measurement microphone to an XLR input on your interface and enable 48V phantom power. Launch SoundID Reference and select your audio interface as both the input and output device in the software’s audio settings.
Follow the guided measurement process, placing the microphone at your listening position. The software will generate test tones through your speakers and capture the room’s acoustic response. After measurement completion, you can adjust the calibration target and apply the correction.
For interfaces with direct export capability like RME models, you can export your calibration profile directly to the interface’s internal memory, eliminating the need to run the software continuously in the background.
What should you do if your audio interface isn’t working with SoundID Reference?
When your audio interface experiences compatibility issues with SoundID Reference, start by checking your driver installation and ensuring you’re running the latest versions of both your interface drivers and the SoundID Reference software.
Verify that your audio interface appears correctly in your system’s audio settings and that SoundID Reference recognises it in the software’s audio device selection. If the interface isn’t visible, restart both the software and your interface, then check all USB or Thunderbolt connections.
Sample rate mismatches often cause connectivity problems. Ensure your interface is set to a supported sample rate (44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88kHz, 96kHz, or 192kHz) and that this matches your DAW settings if you’re running other audio software simultaneously.
For phantom power issues, confirm your interface provides 48V phantom power and that it’s enabled for the input channel you’re using. Some interfaces require manual activation of phantom power through their control software or hardware switches.
If you’re experiencing latency problems, try increasing your buffer size or closing unnecessary applications that might be competing for system resources. For persistent issues, check if your interface requires exclusive mode access and temporarily disable other audio applications.
Buffer underruns or audio dropouts typically indicate insufficient system resources or conflicting audio drivers. Update your operating system, close background applications, and consider using your interface’s native ASIO drivers on Windows systems for optimal performance.
Professional audio calibration software like SoundID Reference transforms how you approach mixing and mastering by providing consistent, accurate monitoring across different environments. Whether you’re working with AI-powered voice processing tools or traditional mixing workflows, proper calibration ensures your creative decisions translate well to other playback systems. When you invest in reliable audio interface compatibility with sound calibration software, you’re building a foundation for professional results that we at Sonarworks have refined through years of research and development.
