IK Multimedia ARC System 4 | Professional Room Acoustic Correction and Monitoring Optimization Software (Software Only)
ARC System 4 is a room correction solution aimed at studios and music producers. It builds a response model of your listening environment through a guided measurement process and applies precise compensation via a real-time plugin to correct frequency and phase issues, making mixing decisions more reliable. This is the Software Only version and requires you to provide your own measurement microphone and audio interface.
Key Features
- Guided measurement workflow: Quickly capture room/listening responses and create a customized correction profile.
- Automatically generates compensation curves, and offers target curves plus manual fine-tuning options.
- Adjustable correction strength and low-frequency response optimization to improve low-frequency mixing decisions.
- Standalone measurement application + real-time correction plugin to cover both measurement and production scenarios.
- Supports creating multiple monitor/position presets for quick switching and comparison between different working setups.
- Designed for use on the monitoring bus with low-latency processing to maintain smooth playback.
- Can load calibration files for measurement microphones to obtain more accurate measurement results.
- Multiple reference/target curves to help check mix translation across different scenarios.
- Conservative resource usage, suitable for personal studios and mobile production environments.
System Specifications
- Platform: Supports macOS and Windows 64-bit operating systems.
- Hardware: audio interface, monitor speakers/headphones, and a compatible measurement microphone (microphone not included).
- Installation and activation: Internet access and a manufacturer account are required to complete authorization and updates.
- Recommendation: Use an audio interface with ASIO/Core Audio drivers for stable latency performance.
- Compatibility: Can run in major DAWs that support the corresponding plugin formats.
Plugin Formats
- AAX
- AU
- VST3
Supported Applications and Workflow Integration
During measurement, use the standalone application for recording and modeling. Afterward, insert the correction plugin in the DAW as the last slot on the monitoring/master output channel to correct playback without affecting the audio files themselves. Common practices include: Pro Tools — use AAX on the main output; Logic Pro — use AU inserted on the Stereo Out; Cubase/Nuendo — recommended placement in the Control Room; Ableton Live, Studio One, etc. — placed at the end of the Master Bus. Keep it enabled during mixing/playback; disable it for offline rendering or stem export, or use a dedicated monitoring path to avoid writing the correction into files.
