When mixing sound for video, having an accurate monitoring system is one of the most important factors in being able to hear what’s actually going on in your mix. Acoustic treatment should be considered an essential addition to any room in which audio production takes place. Even with room treatment though, you’re likely to still have some imperfections in the frequency response at the listening position. A good way to deal with this is using a room correction system.
Curtis Judd, a friend of the Experts, is an excellent educator who shares his tips and tricks via a YouTube channel and also in a series of courses based on picture and sound for picture.
In this video, Curtis demonstrates the process of using Sonarworks Sound ID Reference to measure the response of studio monitors in a room and then apply corrective EQ to smooth out some of the bumps for a flatter frequency response at the listening position.
Sonarworks Sound ID Reference consists of a measurement microphone and software which, when connected to your audio interface and monitoring system, will guide you through the process of taking multiple measurements in and around your listening position. From these measurements it tailors a corrective EQ curve specific to your room and monitors. Once measured, the curve can be applied either through a desktop app or with a plug-in which you can use on the master fader in your DAW.
In the video, Curtis demonstrates using the system with his Focal 6 monitors. Before and after comparisons are included and he notes the improvements in accuracy with the EQ curve from Sound ID Reference engaged.