Sonnox Toolbox ListenHub is a macOS audio monitoring and referencing tool with a plugin and system-wide app, offering A/B comparison, metering, frequency isolation, and AU plugin hosting on outputs.
Purpose and Core Function
Toolbox ListenHub by Sonnox is designed to streamline referencing and monitoring in music production, allowing producers and mixers to compare their work against commercial tracks from streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, or local media players on macOS. It provides a complete audio control toolbox with perceptual resets and consistency for fresh ears.
ListenHub integrates with software routing transparency, acting as a zero-latency plugin or a system-wide app. It enables immediate insight into your mix’s stereo field, dynamics, and frequency balance, helping you make better mixing decisions without losing objectivity. The tool aims to bring the tactile nature of hardware monitor controllers to your computer, simplifying the referencing process.
Key Capabilities for Referencing and Monitoring
ListenHub offers multiple simultaneous inputs to reference various sources, including system audio, DAW-imported files, and your in-process mix. It allows easy switching between multiple outputs for different monitor speakers or headphones, and supports AU plugin hosting on any output. This enables you to apply room correction or simulation software like Sonarworks or Slate VSX with different profiles automatically, enhancing translation across listening systems.
Unique monitoring tools include band solos with a spectral analyzer to isolate frequency ranges, channel solo for checking mono compatibility and stereo width, and stepped volume controls for repeatable listening levels. The Match Input Loudness feature automatically corrects level differences between references, eliminating loudness bias. Short-term LUFS metering helps you set consistent levels in your arrangement, while Auto-mute protects your ears and speakers from loud bursts.
Workflow Integration and Control
ListenHub can be accessed directly from your Mac or via a free companion app for iOS and Android devices, freeing up your screen space and providing control from your phone or tablet. It functions as a plugin (AU, VST3, AAX) in your DAW or as a standalone system-wide application, offering flexibility in how you integrate it. You can stream reference tracks directly, avoiding the hassle of downloading them.
Stepped volume control ensures by pushing you to stay competitive while avoiding contextless meters. The spectral meters display frequency content for a balanced mix reflective of your references. A simple loudness and dynamics meter keeps you grounded, while the short-term LUFS meter guides you toward a dynamic yet consistent arrangement, avoiding crushed dynamics.
Applications and Limitations
Suitable for bedroom producers to professional mixers, ListenHub is essential for any macOS-based mixing workflow where referencing commercial tracks is key. Use it to A/B against favorite productions, check mono compatibility, and focus on over-looked details like kick-bass relationships. By hosting AU plugins, you can also use it as a system-wide effects chain for streaming or entertainment, improving headphone familiarity.
Limitations include a system requirement of macOS 10.12 Sierra or later and the need for a free iLok account and iLok License Manager for licensing. ListenHub includes 2 activations per license, supporting iLok Machine, USB, and Cloud methods. The plugin formats are Mac only: AAX Native, AU, VST3, and Standalone. Zero-latency operation is claimed for the plugin, but actual latency may depend on your system.
Key features
- Multiple simultaneous inputs for referencing system audio, DAW files, or your mix
- Switch between multiple outputs for different speakers or headphones
- Host AU plugins on any output with automatic settings per output
- Band solos with spectral analyzer to isolate frequency ranges
- Channel solo to check mono compatibility and stereo width
- Stepped volume control for repeatable listening levels
- Match Input Loudness and Short-term LUFS metering
- Auto-mute to catch loud bursts
Best for
Best for macOS-based producers and mixers who want a comprehensive referencing tool to A/B against streaming tracks, check mix compatibility, and use system-wide audio processing. It is ideal for those using room correction software like Sonarworks or Slate VSX, and who prefer controlling audio from a mobile app.