User Guide

Abbey Road Studio 3 / User Guide
4
Getting Started
Abbey Road Studio 3 enables you to use stereo headphones to monitor a multichannel mix as heard in a specific
studio control room. It does not change the processing of the mix itself, but rather the environment in which you
monitor it. Plugin output is always a binaural stereo headphone signal containing all the mix channels in their virtual
positions.
Here are the essential steps for setting up Abbey Road Studio 3. Each step is described in detail in later chapters.
1. INSERT THE PLUGIN
Insert one instance of the Abbey Road Studio 3 plugin on your master buss (don’t use Abbey Road Studio 3 on
individual tracks). There are three components that support different input channel formats: stereo, 5.1 surround,
and 7.1 surround. Insert the component that matches the DAW channel format. The components are the same
except in the number of Input Channels (the mix sent to each specific loudspeaker) and the Studio Monitors
options.
2. ESTABLISH THE CHARACTERISTICS OF YOUR HEADPHONE MONITORING
Studio Monitors The stereo component offers three different front loudspeaker types. This selection affects your
perception of the sound of the speaker itself, as well as its interaction with the room. The surround components
use the same monitor type for front and surround speakers, so there is no Studio Monitors selector. (Refer to
Studio Monitor Select, in the next section.)
Headphone EQ Curve You have the option of applying a standardized EQ correction curve to your headphone
signal. (Refer to Selecting a Headphone EQ Curve, later in this user guide.)
3. SET UP HEAD TRACKING
Head Tracking is an important feature that coordinates your head movements with the sound imaging of the
Studio. It provides the same aural feedback that you experience in the studio to make vital mix and sound field
decisions. To get the most from Abbey Road Studio 3, we recommended that you always work with Head Tracking
on. (Refer to Head Tracking, later in this user guide.)
Before you bounce the final mix, make sure that the Abbey Road Studio 3 plugin is bypassed.