Introducing ARC System 3

[Peter - IK Multimedia]

Introducing ARC System 3

Bring a new dimension of acoustic correction to any studio.



We are proud to announce a new generation of acoustic correction with ARC System 3. This new system offers an all-new 3D room analysis algorithm, easier setup, compatibility with more measurement microphones, and superior results.

Engineers and producers, now is the time to start mixing better, faster, and more confidently than ever before. By correcting poor room acoustics, ARC 3 lets you trust the sound you hear as the most accurate representation of your mix. It combines an ultra-accurate MEMS measurement microphone, room analysis software, and a correction plug-in, all in a simple-to-use package that delivers amazing results.

Walls, furniture, and other objects reflect and absorb sound, changing the frequency balance and stereo imaging an engineer or producer hears in their studio. ARC System 3 detects and accounts for these issues by quickly and precisely measuring the sound of a room to generate a correction profile that can be loaded into the ARC plug-in for use in any DAW.

By measuring a room at three different heights around the listening position, IK’s award-winning VRM™ (Volumetric Response Modeling) technology creates a 3D snapshot of the room to identify problematic issues without over-processing the sound. The result is an incredibly natural-sounding correction that recreates the experience of working in a professionally tuned room.

ARC 3 offers additional controls to fine-tune corrections for ideal performance in any room and setup:

Adjustable correction range - Choose to define limits to upper and lower correction ranges separately to preserve a monitor’s unique voicing or to correct a certain frequency range.

Variable resolution and smoothing - The correction filter’s resolution can be adjusted to use more or fewer frequency bands, for either surgical correction or a broader, smoother balance.

Two Phase Modes - Normal and Linear phase modes ensure precise stereo imaging.

Plus, you can now leave the car test in the past. ARC System 3 allows users to emulate all sorts of listening devices such as TVs, smartphones, car audio systems, and many popular studio monitors and "virtual systems". This guarantees a perfect sound translation across common listening devices.

With neverending ways to study your mix, ARC System 3 gives you useful tools including Peak, RMS, Loudness and dynamic range metering, a real-time spectrum analyzer, and so much more! Monitor your sound and speed up your workflow to make quick and effective changes.

ARC System 3 (software-only) is available now and the complete bundle including the MEMS microphone will be available in Q2, but can be pre-ordered now.

Price and availability

ARC System 3 software-only version is now available for $/€199.99.*

Existing owners of any registered IK product that retails for $/€99 or more can purchase the ARC System 3 software-only crossgrade for $/€99.99.

ARC 2.0 or later users will receive a $/€50 coupon off the $/€99.99 price (applied automatically in cart).

ARC System 3 complete bundle with MEMS microphone will be available in Q2 for $/€249.99 and can be pre-ordered now.

Furthermore, all customers who purchase and register ARC 2.5 after April 1, 2020, will receive a free software-only upgrade to ARC System 3.

Existing owners of any registered IK product that retails for $/€99 or more can now pre-order the crossgrade of the ARC System 3 complete bundle with MEMS microphone for $/€149.99.

To learn more about ARC System 3 and order yours today, click here.

*All prices excluding taxes

[Funkybot's Evil Twin]

Is there a "System Wide" approach in this package to cover music/audio played outside of the DAW environment? For instance, Spotify, YouTube, etc.?

Which reference microphones are compatible?

[InsertNameHere]

Does the original arc correction microphone still work with this version? Is the $50 upgrade price ($99-$50 coupon) limited time only?

[Peter - IK Multimedia]

Is there a "System Wide" approach in this package to cover music/audio played outside of the DAW environment? For instance, Spotify, YouTube, etc.?

Which reference microphones are compatible?

There isn't a system-wide setup for ARC System 3, it works as a plugin for those mixing/mastering in their DAW.

Previous ARC microphones and any RTA measurement mics will work (for best results latter should have calibration files, but any will work).

[Peter - IK Multimedia]

Does the original arc correction microphone still work with this version? Is the $50 upgrade price ($99-$50 coupon) limited time only?

Yes, see above about the mics. At this time there is no end date set for the coupon.

[RSL369]

Wow what a letdown.
I can't believe you didn't release a systemwide version.
You had a chance to dethrone Sonarworks and missed it.
ARC always sounded better than SW to my ears, but without systemwide version it is only half as useful.
Such a shame.

[Peter - IK Multimedia]

We improved the audio algorithm as the main goal and most useful for the main use cases of software like ARC System 3. That was the main focus, and your ears don't deceive you - if you want better quality for mixing and mastering, you'd want to use ARC System 3.

[teilo]

Wow what a letdown.
I can't believe you didn't release a systemwide version.
You had a chance to dethrone Sonarworks and missed it.
ARC always sounded better than SW to my ears, but without systemwide version it is only half as useful.
Such a shame.

If you are on Mac, use RogueAmoeba Soundsource or Audio Hijack to insert AUs onto any output, or even individual apps. Works like a charm, and avoids having to mess with yet another virtual audio device.

[Jopmanajop]

For Windows ODeus WDM2VST (or ASIOLink). Never closing my DAW, because Windows audio is coming through for monitors correction, headphones correction and just for quick audio analysis and capturing

[the-machine]

I just gasped and then i didnt when i red there is no system wide

IS there upgrade path to ARC 2.5 owners?

[Funkybot's Evil Twin]

I just gasped and then i didnt when i red there is no system wide

IS there upgrade path to ARC 2.5 owners?

There was a really dodgy spell with Sonarworks where things didn't work well at all for a good bit of time following a rewrite and it took many updates over a few months to resolve and get things functioning well again. So I get that Systemwide can be a nightmare and you need good driver folks to make it all work. Totally get why IK may not want to do that...but it's such a deal-breaker for this as a potential Reference alternative. I don't want to have one listening environment for my DAW+ARC and what's essentially a second listening environment of anything else I listen to in the room. You want to know your room acoustics backwards and forwards, and that's the benefit a Systemwide approach offers because the speaker curve isn't constantly changing.

Maybe for ARC 3.5?

Right now, I wouldn't even consider leaving Reference behind and purchasing ARC without a Systemwide option in the latter.

[the-machine]

You are very right Funkybot

I was running arc 2.5 via effect rack and voicemeeter bannana. Its so good to listen to everything via corrected speakers, then you get to know the tracks that are mixed well and its so much easier to reference when you mixing yourself. Unfortunetly Voicemeeter bannana is buggy and if the driver is installed, some applications and especialy video game's sound stutter alot, so i had to abandon it.

Awesome to see LUFS and RMS meters included in the plugin. Those are very useful.

[Peter - IK Multimedia]

At this time, the best bet would be AudioHijack or a freeware alternative for systemwide. I believe most options on Windows are free and there are free options on Mac too, though AudioHijack is a very stable and supported product which is why it was first to come to mind.

[Peter - IK Multimedia]

IS there upgrade path to ARC 2.5 owners?

Yes:

ARC 2.0 or later users will receive a $/€50 coupon off the $/€99.99 price (applied automatically in cart).

...

Furthermore, all customers who purchase and register ARC 2.5 after April 1, 2020, will receive a free software-only upgrade to ARC System 3.

[Dewdman42]

2 questions.

How can i obtain the coupon as a Arc2 user?

Has the mic been updated in any way or is it basically the same as the mic that was included with my Arc2 system?