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User Manual

Measurement

Software

Correction Plug-In

Measurement

Microphone

ARC System 2 is powered by

Summary of Contents for ARC System 2

Page 1: ...User Manual Measurement Software Correction Plug In Measurement Microphone ARC System 2 is powered by...

Page 2: ......

Page 3: ...32 are registered trademarks property of Audyssey Laboratories Inc used under license All other product names and images trademarks and artists names are the property of their respective owners which...

Page 4: ...2 ARC System 2...

Page 5: ...tive Subwoofer and Powered Speakers setup pag 20 3 2 5 How to connect the ARC 2 Measurement Microphone pag 21 Chapter 4 Using the ARC 2 Measurement pag 23 4 1 Opening the ARC 2 Measurement software pa...

Page 6: ...47 5 2 6 Full Range Bass Correction pag 48 5 3 Monitor Control Window pag 50 5 3 1 Main volume knob pag 50 5 3 2 Dim switch pag 50 5 3 3 Mute switch pag 50 5 3 4 Mode selector pag 51 5 3 5 MIDI Assign...

Page 7: ...5 ARC System 2...

Page 8: ...graph 4 below pertaining to Software Transfer Storage Network use You may also store or install a copy of the IK Multimedia Product on a storage device such as a network server used only to install or...

Page 9: ...efect IK Multimedia or its authorized dealer will use reasonable com mercial efforts to repair or replace the product and return it to you postage prepaid or issue to you a credit equal to the purchas...

Page 10: ...ogy with 10Hz resolution Less measurements needed for optimum results Improved precise bass response and focus Smoother midrange and high frequency response Combined L R Correction option Customizable...

Page 11: ...set up that is not commonly available among musicians working in project and home studios At the same time it can be extremely expensive for professional studios especially when a precise sonic targe...

Page 12: ...3 ARC 2 Plug In The ARC System 2 is a combination of a professional calibrated measurement microphone figure 1 1 measuring software figure 1 2 and a multi platform plug in figure 1 3 that can be integ...

Page 13: ...uracy of your monitoring system When you experience the ARC System 2 the perspective of what you are recording mixing or mastering becomes immediately clear and reliable The audible results are Low en...

Page 14: ...rate representation of its acoustical problems in the overall space figure 1 4 In fact instead of applying a standard EQ as all other systems do that will be helpful only in the sweet spot and make al...

Page 15: ...nt menu turn the correction on and voil the alterations introduced by your room acoustics will be corrected This will allow you to finally trust the sound of your studio monitors and room figure 1 5 T...

Page 16: ...pplied by the ARC 2 system As you can see the low frequency extension of the speaker is not pushed beyond the physical limits of the speaker which is another advantage in comparison to all conventiona...

Page 17: ...sappear and instead sounding very open and natural This aspect makes it even more useful when you consider that in entry level studios omni directional micro phones are usually not an option Technical...

Page 18: ...platform plug in is the ARC System 2 component that will apply the ARC System 2 correction curve measured by the ARC 2 Measurement software to the monitoring system The ARC 2 Plug In should be inserte...

Page 19: ...e measurement process must be done at 48 kHz the ARC 2 Measurement software must set your audio interface sampling rate at 48 kHz For this reason please check that your audio interface sampling rate i...

Page 20: ...If you use a powered subwoofer that performs bass management just connect your audio interface outputs to the subwoofer inputs and your L and R satel lites to the proper subwoofer outputs This way th...

Page 21: ...3 Setup for measurements 19 ARC System 2 3 2 3 Passive Speaker setup Figure 3 2 shows one possible way to connect your system components when passive speakers are used figure 3 2...

Page 22: ...rements 20 ARC System 2 3 2 4 Active Subwoofer and Powered Speakers setup Figure 3 3 shows one possible way to connect your system components when an active subwoofer is used together with powered spe...

Page 23: ...e microphone to an external preampli fier or to a mixer and then connect the preamplifier output to the audio interface line input To get the necessary precision the preamplifier should be as clean an...

Page 24: ...3 Setup for measurements 22 ARC System 2...

Page 25: ...Applications folder and launch ARC 2 Measurement 4 2 Welcome to the ARC System 2 Upon launching the Measurement app ARC 2 will display its welcome screen Click NEXT to continue figure 4 1 figure 4 1 N...

Page 26: ...elect the corresponding option on the ARC 2 Measurement application figure 4 2 This number is located above the XLR connector on your microphone You can also deter mine which microphone type you have...

Page 27: ...ample Output 2 Microphone INPUT click this menu to select the audio interface input where the ARC 2 Measurement Microphone is connected Remember to set the Gain at the middle position now and turn on...

Page 28: ...ent Microphone positioned at the main listening position Therefore the first thing you need to do is to place the ARC 2 Measurement Microphone at the main listening position From now on in this user m...

Page 29: ...e microphone at the speakers because all measurements will be wrong and the resulting cor rection will be wrong as well After securely clipping the microphone on a standard mic stand be sure to point...

Page 30: ...the audio interface mic input 48 V phantom power ON pointed at the ceiling and at the correct height Now place the microphone at the main position figure 4 8 figure 4 8 Once the microphone is correct...

Page 31: ...n its default position slowly adjust the MIC GAIN control on your audio interface or on your microphone pream plifier to have the Input Level Meter indicator display within the OK range b In case you...

Page 32: ...u plan to sit when listening to your speakers A single or a few points measurement will never be accurate and this cannot precisely represent the real acoustical problems of the room Consequently the...

Page 33: ...ment at 9 o clock then you need to take another measurement at 3 o clock and so on Now if you have two listening areas a chair plus a client couch like in example 3 the result will be more accurate if...

Page 34: ...ion This is the position you should use to calibrate levels and for the first measurement All other measurements are symmetrical to an imaginary central line so measurements after the initial one main...

Page 35: ...are taken alternatively on the Left and Right side The optimized listening area is extended to the client couch as well Placing the microphone as shown on figure 4 14 will create a correction interven...

Page 36: ...main listening position This is the position you should use to calibrate levels and for the first measurement All other measurements are symmetrical to an imaginary central line so measurements after...

Page 37: ...ake at least 11 16 measurements Please note that these are just examples Since all rooms are different you should experiment with various measuring patterns and take several mea surement sets to maxim...

Page 38: ...r vice versa 4 If you usually work with a few people at each the session try to measure the room in the same conditions Taking the measurements 1 Place the ARC 2 Measurement Microphone at the main pos...

Page 39: ...ment System stands by to take measurement 2 figure 4 18 7 Repeat points 2 3 4 5 and 6 for all measurements figure 4 19 figure 4 19 8 Note that you will not be able to press NEXT until 7 successful mea...

Page 40: ...raph 4 6 1 Examples of measurement locations in various room types and give different names to each of them This feature is very useful because you will be able to instantly recall different measureme...

Page 41: ...onitoring figure 5 1 The ARC 2 Plug In applies one of the measurement sets you have saved from the ARC 2 Measurement software on your stereo master bus to match sev eral different target curves You ar...

Page 42: ...nd used with previous ARC System versions ARC 1 3 minimum and they will be listed in the measurement menu below new ones however due to the different and improved structure of the MultEQ XT32 algorith...

Page 43: ...you take the time to properly measure your room again so that you will be able to fully take advantage of the four times improved resolution of the new MultEQ XT32 plug in architecture and all of the...

Page 44: ...e also available with the Midrange Compensation Mid Comp option AUDYSSEY MIDRANGE COMPENSATION Mid Comp is sometimes neces sary to correct the directivity differences that often occur in that frequenc...

Page 45: ...you should always refer to the Factory Target and Custom curves for the truest accuracy and highest fidelity of the correction during your recording or mixing work 5 1 5 Frequency Response Graphs The...

Page 46: ...ctual real level anymore Use the ARC 2 Peak Meter in PRE mode to monitor the actual project level On the Peak Meter click POST figure 5 9 to check the ARC 2 processed signal level 5 1 8 Correction ON...

Page 47: ...egistered and authorized your product clicking the LOCK but ton will simply show you the product serial number figure 5 13 figure 5 13 INFORMATION INFO by clicking the INFO button figure 5 14 the cred...

Page 48: ...l taste by dragging the green break points in the EQ curve for gentle tone shaping while still getting all the benefits of the ARC 2 correction figure 5 15 This will not alter the correction ARC 2 has...

Page 49: ...Curve you can use this button to apply it and listen to the effect it has on your monitoring figure 5 18 figure 5 18 Loading an EQ Curve takes a bit of calculation by the ARC 2 Plug In so this button...

Page 50: ...ion is applied below that point as it may potentially overload speakers However in some rooms with especially odd low frequency issues the ARC s measurement system can be misled and set a Low Frequenc...

Page 51: ...3 figure 5 24 On most rooms where the regular automatic roll off point detection works without issues you may notice a deeper low frequency extension of your monitoring system when Full Range Bass Cor...

Page 52: ...as the overall output level in your control room or also to avoid clipping which might occur with particularly hot program material By care fully adjusting this Master Volume control and the Trim Knob...

Page 53: ...ntly linked to the selected parameter figure 5 30 5 4 Opening the ARC 2 Plug In in your DAW The ARC 2 Plug In is a stereo to stereo processor that should be inserted on the stereo master bus of your a...

Page 54: ...ur DAW 2 Create a new session or open an existing one 3 Open the DAW audio mixer and locate the stereo master bus If you are using Pro Tools and your session does not have a stereo master bus yet plea...

Page 55: ...to the new sound Do not judge the corrected system by only listening for a minute or two Always give yourself enough listening the time to understand how different the room is sounding 3 Do not change...

Page 56: ...5 Using the ARC 2 Plug In 54 ARC System 2...

Page 57: ...is then created from grouping the representatives The few EQ systems that do correct for multiple positions simply average the measurement results This tends to gloss over common acoustical problems...

Page 58: ...when bouncing the final mix down If you use mastering processors on the main stereo master bus make sure to put these before ARC 2 ARC 2 will always have to be the very latest processor in your audio...

Page 59: ...al making the proximity effect found in conventionally studio used cardioid microphones disappear This is important for home and project entry level studios since omnidirectional microphones are commo...

Page 60: ...6 Frequently Asked Questions 58 ARC System 2...

Page 61: ...stration Card figure 7 1 figure 7 1 1 Here you can find your SERIAL NUMBER 2 At the bottom of the registration card a legend helps you identify the characters in your SERIAL NUMBER For clear character...

Page 62: ...Area but I forgot my User Name and Password What should I do You can retrieve your User Area login details in two different ways Run the Authorization Manager and follow the steps until you reach the...

Page 63: ...esponse is strange and incorrect making the monitors sound worse than when ARC 2 Plug In is not enabled Do you have any suggestions Be sure that your audio interface is set to 48 kHz when running the...

Page 64: ...than when ARC 2 Plug In is not enabled Do you have any suggestions Please check if the ARC 2 Measurement Microphone is working by connecting the microphone to a 48V phantom microphone preamp and liste...

Page 65: ...Web info please go to www ikmultimedia com ContactIKForm php 8 1 User Area The User Area is a special section of our website specifically designed for our users needs figure 8 1 figure 8 1 If you are...

Page 66: ...erarea To enter the User Area for the first time you have to log in with the User Name and Password that you ve received from us via e mail after your first IK product registration If you have changed...

Page 67: ...demarks of Apple Computer Inc registered in the U S and other countries Windows and the Windows logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and or other...

Page 68: ...PN MNU AC 0005...

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