IK Multimedia ARC

IK Multimedia's ARC (Advanced Room Correction) System is a unique plug-in designed to solve acoustical problem for mixing.  This means that it aims to make mixing in any room possible, regardless of the acoustic treatment put up.  The software will tune your monitors that you are working on to the room that you are working on it in.  This is a huge breakthrough for home studio owners, as it no longer makes the room a disadvantage.  It takes in an EQ setting for the room that you are using it in and this is reflected through your monitors.  I wasn't involved with the installation of this software as it was already installed on the system that I have used it on.  The interface of the software is pretty user friendly, but I'd recommend having the manual handy at first so you can get all of the features and techniques down.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

The system that I have run the IK Multimedia ARC software on is Pro Tools HD based, with an Apple Mac G5 computer.  This isn't the type of software that will take up much processing power at all, so it didn't effect the session that I was using it with in any way.  You only need to have one instance of the software open, so its not even like you could overload your system with this if you wanted to.


OVERALL OPINION

For those engineers who work in their home, or in less than ideal acoustical settings, IK Multimedia ARC is a god send.  It is easy to use and does the job very well without hiccups.  The price of the software isn't the cheapest, but considering what it does and how it will help you in the short and long run, I'd say it would definitely be worth it if you are in a situation where something like this is necessary.  As more and more people work out of their home, the chance for error becomes larger when not working in ideal situations, and ARC is a unique tool which can help to do away with these sorts of problems...

(Originally written by jean06300/translated from Audiofanzine FR)


No problems.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

It can't be compared with a classic FTT analyzer... It's a different approach.

OVERALL OPINION

This plug-in was not conceived to correct room acoustics but to calibrate your monitoring system.

Use it if you want to hear how your monitors (professional systems included) really sound!!! I used it for my Genelec and Dynaudio monitors...

Install the ARC software in your computer to discover what a linear sound reproduction is, which by the way isn't very pleasant in the beginning but you'll get used to it. It won't take you long to realize that some monitor manufacturers don't say the truth about their products. You'll also notice that a subwoofer is indispensable with all near-field monitor speakers because they are not reliable below 50 Hz. Once you calibrated your system you'll notice that the subwoofer output level has decreased, which is normal because low-frequency room modes probably boost the low-end.

I've been mixing using the ARC system for six months with a pair of ADAMs and a subwoofer. The subwoofer is placed in front of me (just above the computer monitor) at the same distance as the speakers (approx. 0.6'). If your mix is good, it will sound right with every speaker system. I test my mixes with L Audio and Adamson PA systems, a Marantz hi-fi system and Logitech multimedia speakers.

Tip: When you do the test place the microphone capsule horizontally in the spot where you usually work and exactly at the same height as your ears. Don't forget to mute the ARC plug-in when you bounce your mix. That's it! The M.I.T professors who conceived this system know a lot about acoustics!