Room correction software measures how your space is interfering with your sound and provide solutions to fix it, giving you a better picture of your music. Whether you’re producing in a spare bedroom, moving between studios, or running a full-blown professionally treated studio, the right correction system can completely change how your mixes translate to the outside world.

What is room correction software?

Room correction software measures how your studio/room is colouring the sound coming out of your speakers, then fixes it using clever EQ techniques. Every space – from bedroom studios to treated control rooms – add their own bumps, dips, reflections, and resonances to the audio. Using room correction software is now as simple as setting up a special measurement mic, which figures out where the problems in your room are (boomy bass, harsh highs, an/or phase issues). The software then applies their own EQ and filters so what you hear is closer to the truth.

Why would you want/need room correction software?

If your room isn’t set up for mixing, it’s lying to you, and your mixes won’t translate to other listening systems. Mixing in this type of environment can lead you to believe you’ve got the prefect balance, only to find your track sounds muddy in the car, or thin on headphones. Room correction software helps level the playing field by giving you a more accurate monitoring environment.

  • Beginners: Will benefit because their untreated bedroom or spare room can finally become a reliable environment where they can learn to mix and get consistency across different listening systems
  • Pros: Will be able to squeeze the last 5% of accuracy from already-treated rooms, making critical decisions with confidence.

Think of room correction software like wiping smudges off your glasses – the music was always there, but now every detail comes into focus, and you can truly hear it as it is.

What options are available?

Let’s jump into comparing some of the industry’s popular room correction software tools, what they do, their strengths, and who they’re aimed at.

IK Multimedia – ARC Studio

Price point: $299 (Bundled with calibration mic & hardware).

What it does/Strengths: Bundle of mic + hardware + software; measures your room & creates correction for your monitors; low latency; desktop hardware bypass (once set up). If you’re just starting out or working in a home/garage setup, great value. Fast setup, reliable results. Ideal if you don’t want to fuss over too many settings but want better mixes that translate.

Who is it for?: For beginners to semi-pro or project studios where you do client work, podcasting, streaming.

Sonarworks – SoundID Reference

Price point: $249 software – $299–349 with mic bundle.

What it does/Strengths: Very flexible; supports both monitors & headphones with the ability to set target curves; good UI; widely trusted; system-wide and plugin modes. Great for people on the move using headphones. If you mix on speakers sometimes and headphones other times, this is a solid middle ground. Also great if you want more control over the sound signature

Who is it for?: For pro mixers, engineers, and producers who demand fine-tuning.

Trinnov Audio – Nova

Price point: $1,500+ (hardware unit, 3d microphone, pro market)

What it does/Strengths: Ultra-premium. Massive measurement capabilities; correction in amplitude + time + phase; multi-position listening; very high fidelity; used in high-end studios/hi-fi/cinemas. Probably overkill for most home studios. Very expensive. Still, if you’ve built out your room quite well and want the brightest, truest sound possible (especially for mastering, critical work, or for clients who expect excellence), then this is the one to aspire to.

Who is it for?: For broadcast studios, mastering studios, high-end scoring stages, or producers/engineers who need the top-tier, rock-solid reference environment

Which is the best for you?

  • If you’re budget focused and want something simple to set up and get going quickly – Arc Studio
  • If you’re after more flexibility and reference consistency – SoundID Reference
  • If you want ultra-high fidelity & you have the room & budget for it – Trinnov Nova

Remember – RouteNote Create subscriptions start from as little as $2.99.
You can also purchase full sample packs, beats and plugins without a subscription!

Sign up