From setup to
your first reference.

01 / Installation

Windows

You need Windows 10 (version 1607) or later and a DAW with VST3 support. Check the release notes for the processor architectures available in your download.

1. Close your DAW and download the Windows package for your processor architecture.
2. Extract the archive first. If the package includes an installer, follow its instructions. For a manual installation, copy the complete .vst3 bundle to C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3. Windows may ask for administrator permission to copy files there.
3. Keep the bundle and its internal folders together. Do not copy only the binary from inside the bundle.
4. Open your DAW, enable VST3 scanning in its plugin settings, and run a rescan. Add Audio-RefMatch to your master bus or main output.

02 / Installation

Linux

Use a Linux DAW with VST3 support and a package that matches your processor. Distribution and library compatibility depend on the release; check its accompanying notes.

1. Close your DAW and download the Linux package.
2. Extract the archive, preserving its directory structure and file permissions.
3. Create ~/.vst3 in your home directory if it does not exist, then copy the complete .vst3 bundle into it. The folder is hidden; enable hidden files in your file manager to see it. A user installation does not require root access.
4. Open your DAW and check that it scans ~/.vst3. Rescan VST3 plugins, then add Audio-RefMatch to your master bus or main output.

If the plugin will not load, check your DAW's scan log for missing libraries or an architecture mismatch. Include that information when contacting support.

03 / Getting started

Using Audio-RefMatch

1. Load a reference. Import an audio file or drag it into Audio-RefMatch. Free supports one loaded reference; Premium lets you keep multiple references ready.
2. Choose a passage. Use the waveform to seek and loop a relevant section. Compare passages with similar instrumentation and energy.
3. Match the listening level. Use the level-match controls before judging differences, so a louder track does not dominate the comparison.
4. Switch between source and reference. Play your session and use reference/source monitoring to A/B your mix against the loaded track.
5. Listen, then inspect. Use the spectrum and difference analysis for tonal balance, the goniometer for stereo information, and Peak, RMS and LUFS meters for level comparisons. Band audition helps focus on a frequency range.

Return to source monitoring when you finish comparing, and check your DAW's export routing before rendering your mix.

04 / Troubleshooting

Plugin not showing up?

• Confirm you installed the package for your operating system and processor architecture.
• Check that the complete bundle is in a VST3 folder your DAW scans, rather than inside an extra extracted package folder.
• Restart the DAW and rescan. If a previous scan failed, check its blocked or failed plugin list and follow your DAW's instructions to retry.
• For silence or unexpected playback, check the track routing, playback state, loaded reference, and source/reference selection.