ARC 4 Studio

[Mr Clean]

Has anyone else tried this out? I just received my unit a few hours ago and been having a play.

Box.jpg

It definitely makes a big difference to the sound of my set up/room. It will take a bit of learning because I've had over 10 years in this room with the same gear but hopefully it'll help me to get better mixes across the board.

This is what the room correction EQ looks like on first test after a quick room analysis. Before in Green and after in Orange.

ARC.png

As a first test, I did a new mix of my last recording and I think the the newer mix sounds better, not perfect, but better. Then again, this is all new to my ear so I guess I'll have to do a lot more practise, trial and error. See what you think? Feedback much appreciated.




Original Mix

Believe Original Mix.mp3

New ARC Mix

Believe New ARC Mix.mp3

[Lt. Bob]

ooh .... maybe I need that!

[Mr Clean]

ooh .... maybe I need that!

It's an interesting bit of kit.

A/B'ing lots of music that I'm familiar with shows quite clearly how muddy my set up sounds, very mid rangey and a mushy low end. In my systems defence though, I am still using an old Wharfedale Amplifier and Speakers I've had for over 20 years. Hearing them sound flat and cleaner is a real difference.

[CrowsofFritz]

I want to get that myself!!!

[Lt. Bob]

I have a OLD Goldline Frequency Analyzer with the pink/white noise generator..... still works .... plus every once in a while I see it as a prop on sci-fi shows

[Mr Clean]

I want to get that myself!!!

As yet I can't really say it is worth the cost but it definitely makes a big change in the sound when engaged. Time will tell going forward with more trial.

I have a OLD Goldline Frequency Analyzer with the pink/white noise generator..... still works .... plus every once in a while I see it as a prop on sci-fi shows

That looks like a pretty cool tool for its day.

This is a set and forget standalone hardware option. Clever bit of kit. You can leave it in the output chain, on or off by the flick of the switch on the front or in the software. You can emulate other speakers/set ups on the fly by options in drop down lists.

[Lt. Bob]

That looks like a pretty cool tool for its day.

This is a set and forget standalone hardware option. Clever bit of kit. You can leave it in the output chain, on or off by the flick of the switch on the front or in the software. You can emulate other speakers/set ups on the fly by options in drop down lists.

I'd want to be able to use it with my stereo so I guess I'd leave it as hardware.

the Goldline has a panel of a buncha red leds and gives you the level of frequencies ...... I forget but I think like 12 or 13 bands. It's pretty cool to look at and it does work fairly well.
The calibrated mic is that thing sticking out of the top of it .... hmm, that's a pic from the 'net and I'
m not seeing a mic ..... that one may be broken

[vomitHatSteve]

That looks cool!

Will it tell you what EQ it applied?

[CrowsofFritz]

I want to get that myself!!!

As yet I can't really say it is worth the cost but it definitely makes a big change in the sound when engaged. Time will tell going forward with more trial.

I have a OLD Goldline Frequency Analyzer with the pink/white noise generator..... still works .... plus every once in a while I see it as a prop on sci-fi shows

That looks like a pretty cool tool for its day.

This is a set and forget standalone hardware option. Clever bit of kit. You can leave it in the output chain, on or off by the flick of the switch on the front or in the software. You can emulate other speakers/set ups on the fly by options in drop down lists.

I just now have the chance to listen to the mix with my good headphones.

ARC mix is noticeably better. If possible, test out a very busy song. That would be a good litmus test.

[Armistice]

If I look that thing up on the webz it's priced at 200 euro - that just happened to be the first search result, from the company itself, so, not having seen the actual EU:AUD exchange rate lately I thought... $300... that might be worth the investment. And then I put "Australia" in the search, and found it for only $500+ at various places. As much as $649 at other places.

Sigh...

[CrowsofFritz]

If I look that thing up on the webz it's priced at 200 euro - that just happened to be the first search result, from the company itself, so, not having seen the actual EU:AUD exchange rate lately I thought... $300... that might be worth the investment. And then I put "Australia" in the search, and found it for only $500+ at various places. As much as $649 at other places.

Sigh...

Poor upside down cunts

[Armistice]

If I look that thing up on the webz it's priced at 200 euro - that just happened to be the first search result, from the company itself, so, not having seen the actual EU:AUD exchange rate lately I thought... $300... that might be worth the investment. And then I put "Australia" in the search, and found it for only $500+ at various places. As much as $649 at other places.

Sigh...

OK - seems there are two versions. I'll have to dig into that a bit more. The "studio" version comes with a box that does something, apparently. 299 euro. That makes more sense.

[Armistice]

And it doesn't support Win 7. I am going to have to bite the bullet on a new PC sometime soon - too much software no longer supports Win.

I'm sort of baulking at the sheer amount of work required, though.

[Mr Clean]

I just now have the chance to listen to the mix with my good headphones.

ARC mix is noticeably better. If possible, test out a very busy song. That would be a good litmus test.

That's good to hear. I'll definitely be testing it with other mixes shortly. I just picked the most recent ones because it was fresh in my brain and still on my desktop with easier access.

OK - seems there are two versions. I'll have to dig into that a bit more. The "studio" version comes with a box that does something, apparently. 299 euro. That makes more sense.

That's the one I have. Cost me £299.

Basically, it is a hardware version of the older plugin version. The box sits in your output chain and you can load your EQ profile into the box and forget it. Never have to load the app again if you don't want to but with the app, you can change settings on the fly and imitate different set ups like mobile phones, TVs, Bluetooth Speakers and a whole host of other things, as well as customising the EQ to whatever curve you want through presets or manually.

And it doesn't support Win 7. I am going to have to bite the bullet on a new PC sometime soon - too much software no longer supports Win.

I'm sort of baulking at the sheer amount of work required, though.

That's a shitter! I'm on Win10 and it works absolutely fine. I took advantage of the free Win10 upgrade when it was a thing.

As annoying as reinstalling everything is, I recently formatted my PC and put a clean install of Win10 on. It was the perfect opportunity to get rid of 1000s of plugins I had acquired over god knows how many years and start afresh. I hardly have any now as I always use the same ones again and again. It's a lot more refreshing to have to scroll through 20 or so plugins to find what I want.

[Mr Clean]

This is probably the best video out there about the system and believe me, I watched them all before I pulled the trigger and bought.

[rayc]

Interesting but a bit to expensive for me. I wonder about Warren and his droob mate. They did the analysis & without listening to the results, set about editing one visually. Seems Wazza's hair dye has leeched into his brain. I suppose it should be a don't do this at home warning video.

[Mr Clean]

Interesting but a bit to expensive for me. I wonder about Warren and his droob mate. They did the analysis & without listening to the results, set about editing one visually. Seems Wazza's hair dye has leeched into his brain. I suppose it should be a don't do this at home warning video.

I think they probably listened first but edited the video badly to show them mucking around with settings. That bit really bugged me also.

[Mr Clean]

I just had another quick play with an older, busier, mix. Drums, Bass, Guitars, Vocals. I just pulled the faders down and then mixed as I normally would from scratch. Nothing else is changed. All EQ, Comp, etc is the same in both mixes. The ARC mix sounds clearer to me after only 5 minutes of tinkering. Kick is possibly a little too loud but it is a quick example.

What do you think?

Original Mix

Have Faith (Original Mix).mp3

New ARC Mix

Have Faith (ARC Mix).mp3

[CrowsofFritz]

I just had another quick play with an older, busier, mix. Drums, Bass, Guitars, Vocals. I just pulled the faders down and then mixed as I normally would from scratch. Nothing else is changed. All EQ, Comp, etc is the same in both mixes. The ARC mix sounds clearer to me after only 5 minutes of tinkering. Kick is possibly a little too loud but it is a quick example.

What do you think?

Original Mix
Have Faith (Original Mix).mp3

New ARC Mix
Have Faith (ARC Mix).mp3

I agree the kick is too loud. Hard for me to judge it because of that because the other mix is more balanced. But that’s great it’s making a difference for you. I really want one, but I may have to be patient on this one

[Mr Clean]

I agree the kick is too loud. Hard for me to judge it because of that because the other mix is more balanced. But that’s great it’s making a difference for you. I really want one, but I may have to be patient on this one

Yeah, to be honest I totally rushed that mix example and should've held back a little, at least until I wasn't half asleep and checked it out a couple of other places.

I've replaced the Loud Kick version with a revised mix now. Early morning fresh ear tells me it sounds better.