Thread: IK Multimedia ARC System

Does anybody have this or has used it? What are your thoughts?

http://www.ikmultimedia.com/arc/

I got it - still sealed in the box tho - I won it as part of the prize for getting 2nd at the Beats on the Beach iStandard - so IDK!!! i don't even know how much it's worth

Its priced between $500-$600 depending where you go.

Yo you gotta hook it and tell me what you think. I was reading some post on the digidesign forums and some people swear by it. If anything you can give it to me. Support your troops!!!!

Don't get me wrong, I love IK products. But I have asked a bunch of big engineers about it and they say your money would be better spent elsewhere (monitors, sound interface, room treatment, etc). If that stuff is on point, then it could be a good look.

I thought the same thing Jim. But honestly I cant afford or justify having multiple monitors. Also, theres not much I can do for room treatment. So I am thinking if this tool can help me then it might be worth the investment. I just need to find someone who can test it for lol.

You cant justify having multiple monitors? Every decent studio in the world has multiple monitors. What are you mixing on now?

Im married with 2 kids man, my priorities are a little different. I guess if i wanted to i could save some money up and find the best setup. Im using Event Project Studio 6

You could get ns10's for the price of the arc system... That would be a much greater investment is all im saying.

Originally Posted by JIM BOND

You cant justify having multiple monitors? Every decent studio in the world has multiple monitors. What are you mixing on now?

So you feel that multiple monitor SETS are helpful. I know in every professional studio i've ever seen, they've had multiple monitor sets, but can it be counterproductive in a home studio (about a 12X12 room) I have the KRK 8's. Just wondering.

how much are ns10's going for now?

Ive got it, had it since august and i cosign it to the fullest. i can honestly say my mixes have improved alot becuase of this lil device,

SG, ITS STILL IN THE BOX??? LOL UNTUCK THE HOT THING MY DUDE, :laugh:

just make sure its set up correctly, other wise you'll get some confusing results, but bond is right about ns 10's they could be a better investment, ive had and sold 2 pairs so far (money issues) im gonna go cop my 3rd pair at xmas. if your mixes suck.......the ns10's will really let you know....

Jim Bond- I appreciate and value anything you say but my money is tight. I thought about the NS10 but the ARC system sounds ill. I wish there was way to try both of them out. To be honest im at a point where im not making money of this and have to rationalize this music thing. Thats a whole another story.

JJ Malone- Man I know if i tell my wife i want something for xmas she'll get it for me. so i was thinking about that. i dont know i gotta weigh shit out. it will definitely help me cause i move a lot.

I'm not sure why you think buying the arc would be a conservative move if money is tight. When in doubt, I say go with an industry standard. Do what makes you happy though lol.

Originally Posted by HM productions

Jim Bond- I appreciate and value anything you say but my money is tight. I thought about the NS10 but the ARC system sounds ill. I wish there was way to try both of them out. To be honest im at a point where im not making money of this and have to rationalize this music thing. Thats a whole another story.

JJ Malone- Man I know if i tell my wife i want something for xmas she'll get it for me. so i was thinking about that. i dont know i gotta weigh shit out. it will definitely help me cause i move a lot.

mmm, i think if you move about alot, the arc could be a good move....and ..if you already have a good set of monitors, i can def say that the arc WILL without doubt help your mixes, i have a room with tile floors and a huge glass window and with out the arc, it would take me twice as long to mix.......if in doubt, try it out, you have 10 days b4 you have to register the program with ik (it works in full), if you dont like.....say it was an xmas present gone wrong and return it.....happy days...

but saying that, the ns 10's i think would improve your mixing skills, its no easy task to mix on the ns 10s or atleast i didnt think so, and i think ns 10's are no doubt a better investment in the long run, but im not sure they will help your cause as much as the arc would in the present... dillema, but if your wifes gonna buy it, it takes abit of the pressure off.....

I can get both it would probably take me a minute. You know what thinking about it now, I'm gonna post one of my joints

http://www.zshare.net/audio/50740877bb6d0388/

This is pretty new.

, its no easy task to mix on the ns 10s or atleast i didnt think so,

That's the point. When it's easy to make something sound good on monitors, there is something wrong. I'm not saying NS10's are the only thing you should be looking into, that was just an example.

Originally Posted by JIM BOND

You cant justify having multiple monitors? Every decent studio in the world has multiple monitors. What are you mixing on now?

This year is the first year I realized how true that statement is. That is my next purchase...either that or a new MAC.

I guess nobody is either feeling the beat or the mix.

Originally Posted by HM productions

I guess nobody is either feeling the beat or the mix.

I dig the vibe of the beat - but it kinda feels undone - I see where u were going with the snare rolls & only having 1 main snare hit per bar - but after a while it kinda feels like an intro (& needs more main snare (not my favorite snare sound - could be layered with sumn a lil more organic for this type of beat))

but imo the beat outshined the rapper - he's borderline boring - there's a LOT that can be done to the mix to make the hook more exciting - more layering/panning/delay/eq/efx... cuz this type of beat is loud & needs something like a freeway/jay/beans type of spit - or laced (since u have a southern cat) like TI would on a Just Blaze beat - I like where the beat is going & the majority of your beat-mix


SO MY MAIN QUESTION

I guess mainly to JJ since he has most experience...

HOW DOES ARC (how has it to you specifically) improve:

your beat mix

your vocal mixes

your overall sound

is it supposed to correct/compensate for the room you are in?
or the room vocals were recorded in?

SG, i agree on the snare. I was playing with it a few times to get more out of it. I think I'll redo the snare and play with the placement. As for the vocals I might have to bring him back to redo it. Dude has a real laid back flow, so its a struggle.

Thanks for the feedback.

Originally Posted by Jaay Peso

So you feel that multiple monitor SETS are helpful. I know in every professional studio i've ever seen, they've had multiple monitor sets, but can it be counterproductive in a home studio (about a 12X12 room) I have the KRK 8's. Just wondering.

its always good to have a cheap set and then your True flat monitors

Originally Posted by HM productions

I can get both it would probably take me a minute. You know what thinking about it now, I'm gonna post one of my joints

http://www.zshare.net/audio/50740877bb6d0388/

This is pretty new.

I like this, i think the snare and hihat selection could be better, the hats dont really make the track ride. The vocals could be more balanced in the mix. the beats nice tho

Originally Posted by stupidgenius

SO MY MAIN QUESTION

I guess mainly to JJ since he has most experience...

HOW DOES ARC (how has it to you specifically) improve:

your beat mix

your vocal mixes

your overall sound

is it supposed to correct/compensate for the room you are in?
or the room vocals were recorded in?

Basically, it is supposed to compensate for the room you MIXING in, Before i got it, the bass responce in my room was way over the top, standing in certain areas of the room.....all i could hear is the bass. I started using this and it fixed that problem. my mixes are most def improved now, not only that, its just alot faster to mix without having to deal with bass issues. On vocal mixes, it hasnt made a great deal of difference. but on beats, its def a good change.

Originally Posted by JJ MALONE

I like this, i think the snare and hihat selection could be better, the hats dont really make the track ride. The vocals could be more balanced in the mix. the beats nice tho

Thanks for the feedback. I thought the same thing about the hats. I thought they sounded thin and tucked away too mmuch. I will probably redo it sometime over the weekend.