IK Multimedia has just launched a new piece of kit that might be a game-changer for DJs and producers looking to get the most accurate sound from their studio monitors. Called the Arc Studio, this little box pairs with the latest Arc 4 software to tackle one of the big issues in home and professional studios alike: room acoustics.
Anyone who’s ever mixed down a track knows the frustration of a mix that sounds great in the studio but falls flat elsewhere. Room size, shape, and furnishings can all skew the sound from your monitors, making accurate mixing a challenge. The Arc Studio system aims to correct these acoustic imperfections, promising to deliver a more controlled low-end, tighter transients, and precise stereo imaging.
How it works
Once you’ve set it up by taking a “3D snapshot” of your room’s acoustical response using the included measurement microphone and the Arc 4 software (you’ll need an XLR cable, a mic stand, and an audio interface to do this), the unit plugs in between your mixer or DJ gear and speakers, and identifies and correct acoustic issues.
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The correction profile is stored and applied to all incoming signals via the hardware processor, meaning you can now enjoy the benefits of room correction without the need for a software plug-in on your master bus if you’re a producer, or without special DSP-enabled speakers if you’re a DJ (that being the other obvious hardware method of achieving this).
Simple hardware, flexible software
If you love to tweak, the Arc 4 software comes with a variety of factory-tailored target curves and allows for custom correction ranges and filter resolutions. Plus, it includes monitor emulation profiles, allowing you to hear how your mix would sound on different systems without leaving your studio – including things like smartphones, car stereos and TV speakers.
The Arc Studio package, which includes the processor unit, Arc 4 software, and measurement mic, is available now for $/€299, with various upgrade options for existing IK Multimedia customers. For more details or to see the Arc Studio in action, head over to IK Multimedia’s website. We hope to carry a review very soon here, too.
Phil Morse
