All user reviews of 5/5 for the IK Multimedia ARC

I took advantage of promotions for 15 years this summer IK Multimedia ARC to purchase Sytem (the sudden I had the T-RackS 3 Deluxe and Miroslav Philhamonik gift, roughly € 240 to receive the equivalent of € 900 plug ...). I had already taken a number of discussions in forums about it, and I wanted to make my own opinion, so it was definitely an opportunity!
No problem with the installation, the software is very stable, I use it almost exclusively now through AudioHijack patch that allows the main output directly with the plug (the coup all I hear out the treatment), so much more convenient than the IK should provide with their system! And again, it avoids the bouncer and forget to disable the plug!
The manual (English) offers different types of configuration, you look to find one that most closely matches your situation.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

I work on a Mac with Apogee Duet in sound card that comes on Prodipe Pro Ribbon 8. I mix in my living room (before the move) and the speakers are fairly close to the corners, so I had many problems especially for bass.
The plug is terrible in this configuration, I made a mix recently and it's simple: my best mix (I've heard in many places, no surprises, everything is what I heard at home) and it took me less than an hour for a 4min song (hard rock genre) while I was putting a lot of time before and was corrected regularly each replay. I hear very well the problems of my old mixes, and it sure makes you want to redo everything ...
On professional productions means new details, we understand better how it was done, it makes you want to listen to all his favorite bands! Even if the sound is less flattering, you feel like the sound "right".

OVERALL OPINION

This sense of "fairness", or "truth" is for me one of the huge advantages that makes the ARC system needed: you work with a clear conscience, you greatly improve your workflow, you improve the quality of your productions. ..
The Arc system is no substitute can not be a true room correction, but it can already be aware of the real defects of your place of listening, and is still a solution for those who do not have access to that room correction . For Home Studios is a real solution that I recommend to all.
The price is reasonable, it saves on buying high-end speakers that would not solve your acoustical problems, I intended to buy Focal, I'm glad I purchased the Arc System, I rediscovered my speakers and it was not they who were really concerned (although I still dream of Focal and I plan a real acoustic correction coming soon).
Skip it, do not listen to the skeptics who have never tried the product, go for it you will not regret it!
This is probably the material for home studio I would recommend first to anyone now.

easy installation.
measurements are simple to perform well if you follow the manual, which is well explained.
This software, after the measurements with the microphone (included), is an EQ on each monitor to be as close as possible to a flat spectrum.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

The software does not take much CPU power (it must always have the good stuff ...)

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for a short time.
I made two mixes with two pre-mastering of an electro songs and rock songs: well it works!
Provided extinguish the arc when you leave the project ... (I'm sure that some forget this detail).

Most:
_ Easy
_ Very very very effective (if done the right thing and we dealt with the reverb of the room)
_ Walking with a Sub with "Full range"

the - ...

The value for money is good given the quality and time saved.

The choice is to do and redo

Installation very easy, provided you master the routing of audio card
the manual is clear parcontre british

no bug found,
configuration very simple and explicit
I use a MacBook Pro under leopard 10.5.6

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

Mac laptop intel macbook pro,
the software requires little under 7 live, stable, precise effective for the prod,

edit: the software is used in VST, AudioUnit .... in a sequencer,
However, it can broaden its use via (mac) audio hijack a host vst, for use with applications such as itunes, skype, vlc .. then watch movies and listen to music with the arc

the record is impressive honestly a good monitoring system and it had much pleasure to listen to itunes with bow, ca change,

OVERALL OPINION

I possess a few months,
I could not do without considering the quality of the result with,
we gain a lot, I have a pair of Adam S3A, I put foam acoustic
a small arc that brings a lot +

I have gained in frequency,

a very good software especially with his pal audio hijack

First of all, sorry for the long view. I could see no better way to convince them that tell the story between the plug and me!

- No problem during installation. Just a little challenge for authorization boring but once done no more about it.

- No conflict

- The manual is clear and essential

- The config ...
Ah the config! Not that it is complicated but it is necessary to achieve it properly, accurately, taking his time.

Explanation:
I ordered two soft drinks and waited for the other with unusual impatience. The CRA came first and he took advantage of my enthusiasm.

A textbook, why?

I put the VST host and he said that no config has been done and should be soft launch in stand alone. Never mind!
I place the microphone vertically, making do and so 32 times in the room. I figure that by the max it will be taken at the top.
The time of the test is coming ...
"Play" -> no! -> Disgusted!
Pay as much for it?! Balls!
For some reason, despite the price, I preferred to bend (not to get upset, no doubt).
Meanwhile, the long-awaited soft and comes'm good.
Then, the enthusiasm and hope diminished income, I reaffixable me once, twice. Idem. It's still horrible. The sound is tight. One has the impression that a big problem with phase reversed the two lobes of the brain. Disturbing!
Ready to throw a fire-mail to the editor or the seller (or maybe even both, it would do me good), I finally decided to peel the manual and follow to the letter so that we do not blame myself anything if I had to send the famous mails.

And that's when I began to understand ...

Decision must be made accurately and symmetrical. Furthermore, it is preferable to a config listening position and switch on time.
I focus therefore taken where I work by concealing the sofa at the bottom.
I load the config in the plug and filled with apprehension I press Play ...
It is better, much better, but where are the bass? Those that make me tremble every time the kick, those that make me vibrate with each bass sound? And it's very sharp, bordering on rude!
Reflecting on all this, I realize that the microphone is upright and put my speakers on the desktop. The tweeters are below the level of the capsule. It is time to have the speakers up to my ears, what I logically have done long ago!
Rebelote, re-config ...
This time the highs are reduced and the whole is coherent but not my lower back. Having said that their departure will have made clear the top of the spectrum.
I remember when I read the manual that it takes time for acclimatization. A bit like when you open your eyes in the morning ....
So be it!
I start tapping alternately with and without correction and all lit up. In great big fan of bass, I was grossly overdosed on sub! And as and when my ears finally get used to and begin to appreciate what they hear.
Listening is prolonged and the issue finally arrived (the same as every time I send me a sushi) how I could do without?
Brightened the night until it becomes completely white. Much of my favorite pieces are passed through the CRA and I just hearts!
I rediscovered all the pieces. It's going to seem con but I had the impression that the sound went from 2D to 3D. Another dimension has been the depth! A true revolution!
The most significant effect occurred with the song Let It Snow! Performed by Dean Martin. It was and is incredible. We really feel like it is in front of us, income charmed the ladies with his haunting voice. Stunning!
So I conducted a test in my sweet offering to take my place and close your eyes to listen. The music starts and then the voice comes and the surprise was such that she could not help but open our eyes to see if someone had not slipped in front of her!

In short, to conclude on the configuration, you'll understand that it is a crucial step!

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

The plugin is not greedy and stability in cubase looks good

OVERALL OPINION

It's been a month since I use it at the least listen.

Its arrival has transformed my coaches and my behavior. I am now much more confidence in what I hear and I feel that what comes out will be heard anywhere. But it is still too early to say that this is actually the case.

The configuration may seem a little heavy, but as for the authorization, once it is made is no longer mentioned, except for changes in the room.
But the real weakness is related to its strength. You end up not wanting to do without it and unfortunately it is not possible to use it all the sauces. Except on a Mac or a hack is via soft Audio Hijack.
On the PC, I found nothing better than to insert a VST before the release of Winamp with a plugin.
There is also the fact that the preamp and converter located between the microphone and the computer are important. The fact is that unless an execrable material, these links are in my opinion not the ability to reduce the effectiveness of the software to zero.

Before the purchase I looked up from reading several opinions and tests in French as in English.
Also, I have had to do with Audyssey processor via home cinema amp which I had also impressed. In this case a home theater in a vaulted cellar and not treated.
However, I never had the opportunity to test another system of correction.
I had a lot of a priori vis-à-vis the mark due to bad experiences, but IK was very strong.
In addition, a promo made me take a second look at the software: Amplitube 2 and I must admit that, even if it does not replace the hard, it's far from bad. On the contrary. The surprise was also fun!

The price / quality ratio I think is very good since this app has allowed the music to get me more pleasure every day. And because I feel more confident (rightly?)
I would do naturally that choice without any hesitation.

To conclude on this opinion a little (too) long, it seems important to clarify some details:
Above all, the control operates when the app is processed.
One might think that the CRA will linearize a room but I think he aims to linearize the monitors at a given position.
As I already mentioned in the forum before you even have it in hand, this app is not intended to replace a physical treatment.
To me, the two fit together perfectly. That is to say that the physical treatment will help advance the software to calibrate many. Then he will fully appreciate the job of the plug.
The goal to keep in view to take full advantage of the CRA is to do everything possible for it to do its job as best as possible. Nothing should be overlooked.

(S) word (s) of the end:
We know that it is (at least you guessed but now you know) and so we did not we say that we probably missed something but in the end it just fine this we have (or not ...).
And when was it the apotheosis! It's better than just icing on the cake.
It's like the air conditioning in a car, sushi, the deadly combo a fighting game or the playmate of the cake comes out!

no incompatibility problem-free installation, printed manual (in English, but I do not between ranges, (I bought Woodbrass in France yet, maybe is there a manual on the CD in French I did not even look since the English for me) clear and essential (unless you have read all dj on the net before you buy <img class="smiley" src="/images/audiofanzine/interface/smileys/icon_wink.gif" alt="wink" />

For measurements, I dcoup small squares of cardboard that I numrots of 1 25. I put a pice of money in the center of my point listens and has the small boxes around, Fawn symtrique. I just had it that the measures in plaant to the center of the mic stand above each numro, encommenantpar lapicede currency. I made three measures diffrent, and as I read in several tests, the results are close trs.

practice, the microphone comes in a small plastic box filled with gray foam comparable auxanciennesboites akg mics (I think it no longer delivers akg mics with these boxes)

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

APRs have read many opinions and test j'tais quite eager to find out how it would change the cost of my System.
Rsultat: Difference fairly standard (which means that my pice needs some acoustic treatments Cyble suplmentaires)
In the beginners it is fairly Drout by the change in sound, it's like when you open your eyes APRS staying in the sun and you see all green. Accustomed by costs only I had, I was a little shocked a radical change (you have to say my pice induced a peak of 200Hz 12dB on the right speaker!). But soon you get used to the new sound that gets corrected APRS, APRS and a tempsd'acclimatation, the fact disable the CRA is well ahead of the defects and therefore the interest CRA:

- By listening to multiple disks which I knew they sounded great: a still sounds terrible even much better
- By listening to mixes of me or made by others has highlighted the serious default
- Compensating for "rsonancespourries" that make the sound energy gets carried away some frquences, it is well aware of the effect of mask nousempchaitd'entendre pr cisment lot Fawn prcise. And the best is that I did not even really aware that it came from the pice. It made me the same effect as when I get my t Premire glasses, where I had never RALIS that I saw so little net and such clarity lol silent as possible. And it is the linear toutl'intrtd'une COST because we often think we can compensernaturellementune cost of the bad times we know it well by acclimation the pice, but the masking effect is always the same if we know that this is a peak frquence this nel'empchepas of "blurring the costs ".
Dsormais-when I go to my headphones (DT990) costs at the speaker, I have the shock loss and dtails moinsflatteuse COST. It's really the Hallue.
On Mac there is a small software (Audio Hijack: not come with the bow) I understand that can get the sound and VLC itunes etc. ..
EDIT:
<span style="font-style: normal;">pc winamp plugin (vst bridge) is used to apply the ARC output, only BMOL the vidos are poorly read by winamp, a jerk .. ) on the other hand to cost a hard working.</span>

niveauconsommationdes resources, the plug does not seem to use about 5% of resources of my Core2Duo 6400

OVERALL OPINION

Reu I did that yesterday, but I am surprised dj hyper enjoyable, and I see that the CRA dj will make me mixing more comfortable and efficient.
I will also have to evaluate the effectiveness of corrections that I could do in the future in my pice (notammentdes basstrapssupplmentaires), my opinion is far less pice of IDAL, the compensation is less barbarous and a better sound.

It would not hurt that the measurement software can gnrer corrections halfway between IDAL and the extent to which a correction permetre less brutal beginners to acclimatize.

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!