Calibrate multiple monitors quickly

Laptops have dramatically gained in power and features in the last five years, and models such as the latest MacBook Pro’s really are desktop replacements. So much so that they have taken over from desktop computers as most creatives main machine.

It makes sense to use a laptop rather than desktop as you can use them on the move, and when you get back to the studio, plug them into a Linedock, and use them in the same way as a traditional desktop computer.

As with any set-up, monitor calibration is critical, and the Datacolor SpyderX has a handy feature that will help ensure that all of your monitors are displaying the correct brightness and colour.

StudioMatch enables you to tune each of the monitors in your studio quickly and efficiently whatever the colour space you’re using.

This feature is traditionally aimed at the Pro market so is only available in the SpyderX Elite package.

However, as we use our laptops for creative work, and many of us connect our machines to external monitors when back in our home studios, the need to check and calibrate multiple monitors is more relevant than ever before. It’s no longer a professional only need.

The StudioMatch calibration process does take longer than just calibrating one monitor; after all, it’s twice or thrice the work. If you have a standard video or stills studio set-up with one MacBook Pro and one monitor, then the process will take about ten minutes, add a monitor, add another five minutes or so.

At the end of the StudioMatch calibration process you’ll see that all of your monitors are displaying precisely the right colour, no variant in tone and colour, they should all be spot on.

Before you start with the StudioMatch calibration, make sure you have all monitors set the Adobe RGB, REC. 709 or whatever colour space your working in.

Also, ensure that you have the monitor’s data cables plugged in.

How to use StudioMatch to calibrate all of your monitors.

1. Makes sure all monitors are using a similar colour space, use the Datacolor Profile Manager to check.
2. Start Datacolor SpyderX Elite.
3. Select Calibrate MY Display(S)
4. Click through the options until you see Select Workflow
5. Select Studio Match and then Match displays attached to just this computer
6. Below click the monitors you wish to calibrate together.
7. Run through the usual calibration process with the first monitor
8. Once complete the calibration will switch to the next display.
9. With monitor calibration complete it’s time for the SpyderTune
10. Your laptop screen is your primary display, adjust the settings on the other displays to ensure they visually look the same as the laptop
11. Click next to finish the process.

Using StudioMatch will make a massive difference to your work and will ensure that all of your studio monitors are displaying the same.

As each monitor requires a full calibration, the process can be time-consuming, so do allow yourself a good 10 minutes to run through the process properly.