HoRNet VHS MK2 - User Manual

Introduction

What is VHS MK2

HoRNet VHS (Virtual Headphone System) MK2 is the ultimate tool for headphone mixing. It combines precise frequency response correction for over 100 headphone models with sophisticated room simulation based on ray-tracing, allowing you to make reliable mixing decisions wherever you are.

The goal is to remove the "headphone feeling" and give you the spatial perception and tonal balance of a real acoustically treated recording studio.

Headphone Correction

Response Linearization

Every pair of headphones has its own sonic "fingerprint" that colors the sound. The VHS MK2 correction module applies a specific inverse EQ profile for your model, making the response as flat and neutral as possible. The equalization target used is the Harman Over Ear 2018 curve, considered the industry standard for natural and balanced headphone listening.

Brand/Model Selector: Choose your model from a vast list of measured profiles.
Favorite Button (Star): Click the star icon next to the headphone name to set the current model as default. Every time you open a new instance of the plugin, this headphone will be loaded automatically.
EQ Display: The yellow line shows the correction curve applied in real-time.
Correction Fader: Adjusts the amount of correction applied, from 0% (no correction) to 100% (full correction). This control allows you to dose the intervention if you prefer to keep some of the original character of your headphones or get used to the linearized response gradually.
On/Off Switch: You can activate or deactivate the correction with the dedicated switch (top right in the headphone section).

Custom Profiles

Do you have a model not on the list or want to modify the curve of an existing profile? Clicking the Edit button opens the advanced editor.

Here you can:

Modify equalization points to adapt the response to your taste or your specific headphones.
Import AutoEQ: This button allows you to import equalization profiles generated by the AutoEQ project. Visit https://autoeq.app, search for your headphone model and download the correction file selecting the "Equalizer APO Parametric EQ" format. Once downloaded, use this button to load it into VHS MK2 and immediately apply the optimized correction curve.
Save new custom profiles that will appear in the main list.
Create corrections from scratch for natively unsupported headphones.

Room Simulation

Advanced Virtual Acoustics

The Room Simulation section recreates the listening experience through studio monitors. Using physical simulation algorithms, VHS MK2 calculates how sound propagates in the room, reflections on walls, and the interaction between the two speakers.

Speaker & Listener Position: You can freely move the position of the speakers and the listening point (Listener) in the virtual space. This changes stereo perception and sound image, just like in a real studio.
Speaker Simulation: You can choose the type of speaker to simulate (brand and model) to hear how your mix would sound on different monitors. Each model includes its characteristic frequency response.
Room Size: Allows you to choose the volume of the virtual studio from three optimized presets:
- Small: A small and controlled room (4m x 5m), ideal for intimate and dry listening.
- Medium: A standard control room (5m x 6m), balanced and natural.
- Large: A larger environment (6m x 7m) that offers greater spaciousness and "air" to the mix.
Ambience Fader: Controls the level of room reflections relative to the direct signal. Increasing it gives a more "alive" room, decreasing it results in a drier sound.
Simulation Type: Choose between two simulation engines:
- Simple: Uses a simplified algorithm based on algorithmic reverb and static filters. It is very light on CPU and ideal for quick listening or on less powerful machines.
- Advanced: Uses a full Ray Tracing engine. It calculates thousands of sound rays bouncing off walls, accurately simulating material absorption, diffusion, and precise ear position in 3D space. It offers maximum realism but requires more resources.

Note: The simulation includes natural cross-feed (the right ear also hears a bit of the left speaker and vice versa), fundamental for correctly evaluating stereo panorama and center balance.

Additional Features

Room Preset Management

You can save and load your favorite room setups. Presets save all geometric and acoustic settings, allowing you to instantly recall your "ideal studio".

Favorite Button (Star): As with headphones, clicking the star next to the room preset name allows you to set that configuration as default. It will be automatically loaded when the plugin starts.

Resizable Interface

The interface is vector-based and fully resizable. Drag the bottom right corner to adapt the plugin to your screen.

Quick Start Guide

Recommended Workflow

Insert HoRNet VHS MK2 as the last plugin on your monitoring chain or Master Bus (remember to disable it before bouncing if you don't want to "print" the correction!).

In the Headphone Correction section, select the brand and model of your headphones.

Activate the Room Simulation section if you want to mix as if you were in front of monitors.

Adjust room parameters if necessary, or use default settings which represent a well-treated studio.

Tip: Switch often between "headphone correction only" (Room Simulation OFF) and "room simulation" (Room Simulation ON) to verify how the mix translates between pure headphones and speaker systems.

HoRNet VHS MK2User Manual