SoundID Virtual Monitoring
Simulated Spaces for Confident Headphone Mixing
It delivers the most accurate spatial simulation of stereo studio monitors on your headphones.
Simulate different spaces on supported headphones
Step 1
Open SoundID Reference
To enable the Virtual Monitoring, in addition to its license, a user must have an active license for the base software.
Step 2
Choose headphones
Virtual Monitoring works exclusively for headphone profiles and cannot be activated with speaker profiles.
See all supported headphones
Step 3
Enable product
Get started by enabling the product in your software.
Step 4
Switch simulations
Get high-end studio monitoring in your headphones. Try translation check feature for consumer devices simulation.
Create realistic simulations of high quality near, mid and far field
Work in a reliable flat-reference studio environment that reveals every detail of your mix.
Mix confidently knowing your sound remains consistent across any playback system
Quickly test how your mix holds up on real-world setups like cars, laptops, and TVs
Hear through realistic near-, mid-, and far-field monitor environments with precision
Works everywhere you need it to
Authentic studio monitor simulation
Hear realistic simulations of high quality near, mid and far field speakers calibrated to the reliable flat reference sound.
Monitor your mix reliably on virtually simulated speakers inside your headphones. Works with over 500 supported headphones from our best-in-class database.
Translation Check device simulation
With Virtual Monitoring, Translation Check includes 10 revamped spatial simulations of various consumer devices - cars, laptops, phones and TVs.
Works in plugin and systemwide
It allows you to apply it to all content played on your machine. The virtual studio captures the essence of a treated control room, using a stylized aesthetic that's both engaging and easy to interpret. Vibrant, dynamic visuals for device-specific audio simulations.
★★★★★
"Love the concept of the virtual monitoring. Switching between different speakers and headphone help me immensely to fine-tune my mix."
‒ reviews.io
★★★★★
"I’m absolutely thrilled with the Virtual Monitoring add-on. Sometimes I catch myself needing a brief moment to tell whether the music is coming from my speakers or from the headphones. There can hardly be a better compliment for the product. Thank you, Sonarworks and please keep up the great work!"
‒ reviews.io
★★★★★
"Virtual monitoring really helps to keep working outside of regular hours and maintain consistent mix balances. It truly surprised me, highly recommended!!"
‒ reviews.io
★★★★★
"The virtual monitoring is extremely helpful, and I find it much easier to find a good balance between instruments, especially with low-end heavy instruments. In cases when you’re forced to work entirely on headphones, virtual monitoring is every bit as helpful as the Sonarworks correction software itself."
‒ reviews.io
★★★★★
"Just makes life easier and saves you time!"
‒ reviews.io
★★★★★
"I would like it to include more presets."
‒ reviews.io
★★★★★
"After some time spent getting used to it, I've found the virtual monitoring add-on to be super revealing of discrepancies in my mixes. It's very straightforward to use and a worthy add-on"
‒ reviews.io
★★★★★
"Seems pretty good so far I like having the ability to check your mix on 3 different speakers especially for low end."
‒ reviews.io
Pricing
Virtual Monitoring
Generic simulation profiles
Includes SoundID Reference for Headphones
Works in DAW as a plugin + systemwide
Includes custom target curves
*Virtual Monitoring doesn’t include a binaural in-ear mic
PRO version for Ultra-realistic room cloning technology on headphones. Includes SoundID Reference for Headphones.
| Upgrade from SoundID Reference with Virtual Monitoring Add-on
Includes Virtual Monitoring PRO features and USB binaural in-ear measurement microphone (hardware component)
| Upgrade from SoundID Reference
Includes Virtual Monitoring PRO features and USB binaural in-ear measurement microphone (hardware component)
Compare functionality
Both versions include a permanent SoundID Reference for Headphones license
New
Virtual Monitoring
Virtual Monitoring PRO
Spatial Room Simulation on Your Headphones
3 speaker simulations: near, mid, and far-field
7 consumer device simulations: Phone, Laptop, TV, and more.
3 car simulation presets
Ultra-realistic, personalized simulation of your room
Ultra-realistic, personalized simulation of other acoustic environments you visit
Required gear
Any of 500+ Sonarworks-supported headphones
Any over-ear headphones (headphone calibration not needed)
Sonarworks binaural in-ear measurement microphone (included)
Access to the room for measurement
Supported environments
Stereo
Stereo
Application of the simulation
Plugin & system-wide
Plugin & system-wide
!!! Virtual Monitoring PRO version requires access to the room you want to copy, over-ear headphones, and the Sonarworks binaural mic (included with the product).
Sonarworks SoundID Reference products used and loved by Grammy-Awarded Engineers worldwide
★★★★★
Total game changer!
anonymous, reviews.io
★★★★★
"Amazing product!"
Alexander Petty, reviews.io
★★★★★
"Selecting and ordering what I needed for my home studio was so easy. The software is awesome and easy to use. Thanks!"
Daniel Kiuru-Ribar, reviews.io
“Sonarworks is a world leader in digital speaker and headphone calibration.”
FORBES
“A much needed new standard on headphone calibration and compatibility”
— Rafa Sardina
18-Time Grammy® & Latin Grammy® Winner Producer/Mixer/Engineer. Celine Dion, Madonna, Frank Sinatra, The Rolling Stones, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Dr. Dre, David Foster, Alejandro Sanz, Luis Miguel, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga, and many more
“Speaker calibration made easy for anyone”
— Maria Elisa Ayerbe
Grammy Award-Winning Audio engineer and producer. Mary J Blige, Ricky Martin, Marc Anthony, JLo, and CEO of South Mountain Music
“You guys came down to Capitol and we tuned one of our rooms and ran the software. All of us were really impressed.”
— Steve Genewick
3 Time Grammy Nominated Recording & Mixing Engineer worked with numerous A-list stars like Bob Dylan, Elton John, Willie Nelson, Sting, Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney, Queen, Norah Jones, and more
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between VM and VM PRO?
↓
What's the difference between VM and VM PRO?
Virtual Monitoring is an extension to the SoundID Reference software, available in two versions:
→ Virtual Monitoring (Add-on): Apply pre-made spatial simulation presetsof speakers & consumer devices on headphones. Works with SoundID Reference headphone calibration (requires Sonarworks-supported headphones).
→ Virtual Monitoring PRO: Ultra-realistic simulation of your own room or any other environment (stereo) on headphones. Requires any over-ear headphones (no headphone calibration needed) and the SoundID Reference In-ear Binaural Microphone. Also includes the Virtual Monitoring Add-on features.
Is there a free trial available?
↓
Is there a free trial available?
→ Virtual Monitoring(Add-on): A free trial for SoundID Reference with all Add-ons is available in your Sonarworks Account.
→ Virtual Monitoring PRO:A free trial is not available, as it requires hardware (the SoundID Binaural In-ear Microphone).
For more details on how to activate the Virtual Monitoring trial, see this article: How to trial and activate Virtual Monitoring.
Can I upgrade to VM from an existing license?
↓
Can I upgrade to VM from an existing license?
Upgrade to Virtual Monitoring (Add-on):
→ For existing SoundID Reference license owners (any version): VM is available as an Add-on to your existing license: Virtual Monitoring Add-on.
Upgrade to Virtual Monitoring PRO:
→ For existing SoundID Reference license owners (any version): Upgrade from SoundID Reference to Virtual Monitoring PRO.
→ For existing Virtual Monitoring Add-on license owners:Upgrade from Virtual Monitoring Add-on to Virtual Monitoring PRO.
What are the system requirements?
↓
What are the system requirements?
Virtual Monitoring(Add-on):
→ Supported operating system:
macOS 11 Big Sur (or higher).
Windows 10 (or higher).
→ Stable internet connection (offline use not supported).
→ SoundID Reference + Virtual Monitoring Add-on product licenses.
→ Sonarworks-supported headphones.
Virtual Monitoring PRO:
→ Supported operating system:
macOS 11 Big Sur (or higher).
Windows 10 (or higher).
→ Stable internet connection (offline use not supported).
→ SoundID Reference + Virtual Monitoring PRO product licenses.
→ A dedicated USB-C port to connect the SoundID Binaural in-ear measurement microphone.
→ Any over-ear headphones (no headphone calibration needed).
→ An audio interface with separate speaker and headphone outputs.
→ 44.1 KHz sample rate for the Virtual Monitoring PRO measurement process.