IK Multimedia Releases ARC Studio Hardware

US Designed to instantly improve any studio monitoring system 22/02/24

IK Multimedia has released ARC Studio, which they say is a unique out-of-the-box hardware acoustic room correction system that instantly upgrades traditional studio monitors with breathtaking results. A spokesperson told us, "There's a reason all of today's top-tier studio monitors include active room correction - it vastly enhances their performance and ensures that mixes translate flawlessly."

Here's the full details direct from IK Multimedia...

ARC Studio offers this same massive boost in performance and accuracy to any monitor in every studio. The system includes a standalone hardware processor; new ARC 4 software (also available separately) for analyzing and correcting the listening environment with additional controls; and a precision MEMS measurement microphone.

For the first time in the recording industry, an affordable hardware processor can be used as a correction and calibration system for any type of studio - be it home, project or professional - without the limitations of a software-only system.

Improves Mixing Accuracy
Rooms have a big impact on how music is heard. The size, shape, materials, and furniture all work to distort the frequency and stereo balance of studio monitors, degrading their sound.

ARC 4's all-new algorithm analyzes and corrects these issues in minutes. The music snaps into focus with more controlled low-end, tighter transients and pinpoint stereo imaging. It's like an instant upgrade for monitors, leading their users to mix faster and more confidently than ever.

Installs in Minutes
With the included mic connected to an audio interface, ARC 4 software guides the user through a rapid process of measuring acoustical responses within their listening position. IK's award-winning ARC technology uses this 3D snapshot to identify and completely correct all the problematic issues degrading a monitor's performance.

ARC 4 stores the correction profile and loads it to the ARC Studio processor, sitting invisibly between the interface and monitors to apply to all incoming signals. The standalone processor corrects studio monitors in any studio, including hardware- and console-based setups.

Corrects Any Studio
For pro studios, whether DAW-based or console-based, ARC Studio with ARC 4 offers sonically transparent correction and custom-tuning for any monitoring setup from nearfields to mains, preserving the inherent system's sonic quality.

For DAW-based studios, ARC Studio eliminates the need to insert the ARC 4 plug-in on the master bus of a project and preserves zero-latency monitoring setups. Plus it allows users to listen to their preferred streaming service with acoustically corrected monitoring without messing around with system drivers.

Using ARC 4, profiles can be created and stored for every configuration, listening position or even monitor pair and quickly recalled or loaded to the processor unit at any time. Whether in a makeshift studio or a world-class one, fine-tuning the monitoring perfectly to taste is no longer a challenge and has never sounded so good.

And not only is the ARC Studio hardware designed and made in Italy to the highest precision and quality standards, but its clever engineering makes it extremely affordable and it is available at a fraction of the cost of other hardware solutions. Now everyone can dramatically improve the sound in their mixing environments: from a single pair of monitors to multiple monitoring systems, up to large facilities with multiple mixing and recording rooms.

Audiophile Performance
ARC Studio features a 120 dB(A) analog input to analog output dynamic range, 0.5 Hz to 40 kHz frequency response, and ultra-stable clocking for vanishing low jitter, offering total sonic transparency and accuracy only found in mastering-grade audio converters.

The processor unit connects to the studio and monitors via balanced XLRs with a power-safe relay-based hard bypass - so when bypassed everything is protected from sudden power-related pops. Between the premium audio quality of ARC Studio and ARC 4's all-new correction algorithm, the result is the most natural, transparent monitoring ever.

Includes Monitor Emulations
ARC Studio can be reloaded instantly with new settings using ARC 4 software. ARC 4 now features a monitor emulation function that turns any monitor system into iconic studio monitors, plus popular hi-fi speakers and mobile devices, with breathtakingly true-to-life results, accurately reproducing the frequency and phase response of the originals.

With over 20 profiles included in ARC 4, a single pair of monitors now lets users test a mix on different reference systems quickly, without ever having to head to the car or buy additional pairs of monitors.

System Customization
ARC 4 now comes with 9 factory-tailored target curves suitable for most situations. The default curve offers optimally balanced results with Flat and other specific curves for different needs or setups. By default, ARC corrects the entire frequency spectrum, but users can define limits to both upper and lower correction ranges separately. This is useful to preserve monitors' unique voicing or correct a certain frequency range.

There's also a control to adjust the resolution of the correction filter to use more or fewer frequency bands. Depending on the room's unique sound, this can achieve a more surgical correction, or a broader, smoother balance.

Selectable Natural and Linear phase modes ensure precise stereo imaging. Natural mode improves the phase response, while linear phase maintains the original inter-channel phase response, which may be preferable in certain rooms and conditions. With ARC Studio, users will experience limitless flexibility as their studios grow and evolve.

Pricing and Availability:
ARC Studio and ARC 4 software are shipping now and available from the IK Multimedia online store and IK authorized dealers worldwide:
ARC Studio $/€299.99* - Includes processor unit, ARC 4 software, and measurement mic.

ARC Studio Upgrade $/€249.99 - For registered users of ARC (any version with mic), iLoud MTM, or iLoud Precision. Includes processor unit + ARC 4 software. Measurement mic not included.

ARC 4 Software and Mic $/€199.99 - Advanced room correction plug-in, and measurement mic.

ARC 4 Software Only $/€149.99 - Advanced room correction plug-in. Measurement mic not included.

*Pricing excludes taxes.

More information:

ARC Studio

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