SolAudioLab Virtual Headphones
macOS VST3 | Universal Binary | Beta 0.5

Virtual Headphones is a monitoring plug-in that lets you compare the tonal
character of other headphones and selected consumer listening devices through
the headphones you already use. It can also apply a neutral correction for
your current headphones.

This macOS VST3 package is built from the same consolidated Beta 0.5 source used
for the verified Windows Beta 0.5 build. The headphone model data, correction
rules, state mapping, Consumer Check behavior, recent-model feature, LISTEN
toggle, and remote SolAudioLab notice behavior are intended to remain the same
across platforms.

Logic Pro does not load VST3 plug-ins. Logic Pro users must install the separate
Logic AU Beta 0.5 package.


[SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS]

- macOS 11 or later
- A 64-bit DAW that supports VST3 plug-ins
- Supported architectures: Apple Silicon arm64 and Intel x86_64
- Plug-in format: macOS VST3


[INSTALLATION]

1. Quit your DAW completely.
2. Open the "vst3" folder and then the "SolAudioLab" folder in this ZIP.
3. Copy "Virtual Headphones.vst3" directly into:

   /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/

The final installation path should be:

   /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/Virtual Headphones.vst3

Enter an administrator password if macOS requests it.
4. Start your DAW and run its plug-in scan or rescan if needed.


[UPDATING AN EXISTING VERSION]

1. Quit your DAW completely.
2. Remove the existing "Virtual Headphones.vst3" bundle.
3. Copy the new Beta 0.5 bundle into the VST3 folder above.
4. Start your DAW and rescan plug-ins.

Beta 0.5 keeps stable model IDs and includes migration for projects saved with
Beta 0.2.3. Keep a backup of important DAW projects while testing Beta builds.


[BASIC USE]

1. Select FIND under MY HEADPHONES and choose the headphones you are wearing.
2. Select FIND under FLAT OR HEADPHONES TO EXPERIENCE and choose FLAT, another
   headphone, or a supported consumer listening device.
3. Under LISTEN, one full-width button switches between the selected target and
   MY HEADPHONES. Repeated clicks let you compare without moving the mouse
   between two buttons.

FLAT is not another headphone model. It applies a neutral frequency-response
correction for the headphones selected under MY HEADPHONES.

Beta 0.5 contains 330 MY HEADPHONES models and 408 target models. Headphones,
in-ear devices, and earbuds are presented in one target list.


[RECENT MODELS]

The model picker keeps up to six recent MY HEADPHONES models and six recent
TARGET models separately. The compact RECENT text appears above the search box.
Click a recent model name to select it immediately.

Recent-model history is stored only in the local SolAudioLab settings folder on
this Mac. It is not sent to SolAudioLab.


[CONSUMER CHECK]

Selected widely used consumer targets are marked CONSUMER CHECK in orange text.
Click the model name to select it immediately without opening the guide. Click
CONSUMER CHECK to select that target first and then open the information guide.
Closing the guide leaves the target selected.

Consumer targets are practical mix-translation references, not exact
reproductions of every listener. In-ear fit, ear tips, seal, ANC, adaptive
processing, and device DSP can change the actual response.

Cross-type comparisons use the same LISTENING REFERENCE rules as the approved
SolAudioLab web version, with reduced correction strength and limits.


[REMOTE SOLAUDIOLAB NOTICE]

The two-line SolAudioLab area at the bottom can receive optional news text and
a SolAudioLab link from:

   https://solaudiolab.com/virtual-headphones/plugin-notice.json

The plug-in only reads this small HTTPS text configuration. It does not download
or execute code, and it does not send project names, DAW information, headphone
choices, or other user data to SolAudioLab. The request is performed outside
the audio-processing thread. If the server cannot be reached, audio processing
continues normally and the cached or built-in text remains available.


[READING THE GRAPH]

- MY HEADPHONES: the original frequency response of your current headphones
- TARGET or FLAT: the target response or neutral reference line
- CORRECTION: the response of the correction filters that are actually applied

Safety Attenuation provides headroom for level increases caused by correction.
The same attenuation is used while comparing the two listening states.


[IMPORTANT: TURN IT OFF BEFORE EXPORT]

This plug-in is for headphone monitoring only.
Turn it off manually before the final Export or Bounce.

The plug-in automatically bypasses its audio processing when it detects an
offline Export. Some DAWs and export methods may not report this state to the
plug-in, so do not rely only on automatic detection.


[CURRENT macOS BETA SECURITY NOTICE]

This Beta 0.5 build is signed with a SolAudioLab Apple Developer ID Application certificate, notarized by Apple, and stapled with the notarization ticket. The distributed plug-in bundle was also validated again after packaging.

If macOS or your DAW still asks for confirmation after download, use the normal macOS security prompt or plug-in manager. Do not disable macOS security system-wide. Only install packages obtained from the official SolAudioLab distribution.

[IF THE PLUG-IN DOES NOT APPEAR]

- Confirm that the installation path is correct.
- Confirm that the DAW supports 64-bit VST3 plug-ins.
- Remember that Logic Pro does not support VST3. Install the AU package instead.
- Run the DAW's plug-in Scan or Rescan.
- Restart the DAW after approving the plug-in in macOS security settings.


[BETA NOTICE]

Perceived headphone response can change with fit, ear-pad condition, ear shape,
acoustic seal, and the measurement data. Consumer in-ear and earbud targets can
vary even more with fit and device processing. Use the result as a monitoring
and mix-translation reference, especially for important decisions.

When reporting a Beta issue, include the DAW and version, macOS version, Mac
architecture, sample rate, selected MY HEADPHONES model, selected target, and a
short description of the problem.


[WEB VERSION AND MORE INFORMATION]

https://solaudiolab.com/virtual-headphones/

Copyright SolAudioLab. All rights reserved.
