Arrakis DARC Virtual Console Software

AoIP for Everyone.

Audio over IP does not need to be complicated or expensive. With the DARC Virtual Console, you can control any Dante network audio source. Mix, adjust levels, everything you need for an On-Air or production room console.

A Virtual Console designed for you.

Meet DARC, an intuitive, powerful Dante Virtual Console. It is a powerful mixing console that runs virtualized in a PC environment.

Designed to be easy to setup, and use, yet flexible and powerful for your needs today, and tomorrow.

Virtual Broadcast Console.

4, 8, 12 or 16 input channels.

3 Stereo output buses.

Simple & Configurable

The DARC Virtual Console can be ran as a stand alone unit, or in conjunction with an AoIP network with multiple studios. It will control any Dante enabled audio device on your LAN, whether it is a source connected to our Simple IP units, or any Dante device such as the Dante AVIO.

Standalone Unit

As a standalone unit, you don't need a large AoIP network to utilize this brilliant board. Simply connect all your audio sources into one of our Simple IP boxes (or any Dante enabled device), then connect the Dante Virtual software onto the same network. Utilizing the Dante Controller software, you choose which sources to control, and away you go.

DARC Virtual Software, ran on a Windows PC

GB Switch

Connect the Simple IP & DARC Virtual PC to a standard network switch.

Simple IP

Connect all your audio sources & outputs here. The beauty of Simple IP is that it is expandable. Start with 4 stereo channels (In & Out) and expand as needed.

AoIP Configuration

Since DARC controls any Dante audio source, you can configure DARC to control any audio source on your LAN. This allows you to make your setup as large and complex as your studios require. Which also allows you to expand your operations in the future.

DARC Virtual Software

Controls any audio source on your Dante network.

Simple IP

Connect all your audio inputs and outputs here.

Rack Room

If you prefer your equipment centralized, you may bring your audio inputs and outputs to a rack room. All I/O will be accessible anywhere on your Dante network.

DARC Surface

Console control surface that utilizes DARC Virtual to control audio sources on your Dante network.

AES67 Studio

Connect any of your existing AoIP studios that are using AES67 compliant equipment, such as Wheatstone, Telos, or Lawo.

Auxiliary Studio

Connect any of your existing studios to the Dante network, either using Simple IP, or a Dante AVIO device.

Analog Source

Connect any of your existing consoles to the Dante network, either using Simple IP, or a Dante AVIO device.

3 Types of Channels

Microphone

Simple IP Required

• 1 to 16 Mic channels. Your choice, your configuration. Simply connect your mics to the Simple IP inputs. Each Simple IP box allows you to connect up to 4 mic channels. Channels are software assignable.
• Mic Pre Needed. Simple IP are all high level stereo inputs. Mic channels require an external mic preamp with mono to stereo wiring.
• Mic Monitor Mute. Mic channels will automatically mute the monitor output when activated.

Stereo Line

Simple IP Required

• 1 to 16 Inputs. Software assignable line inputs. Simply connect your audio source outputs to the Simple IP inputs. Each Simple IP box allows you to connect up to 4 Stereo Line inputs.
• Analog or Digital. Choose to use either analog RJ45 inputs with the Simple-IP-8A or Digital XLR AES3 inputs with the SImple-IP-8D.
• +4dBu or -10dBu analog inputs. Simple-IP-8A is jumper selectable between balanced +4dBu and unbalanced -10dBu inputs.

Phone

Simple IP Required

• Phone channel. Within the DARC software, choose to assign one of your I/O on the Simple IP to a phone mix-minus to connect to your phone hybrid.
• Mix-Minus. Once a channel has been assigned as a Phone channel in the software, it will configure to audio to work with your phone hybrid.
• Talkback. With the Phone channel setup, the first mic channel will have a Talkback function that allows you to talk to the caller off line.

Logic Outputs

Optional Add-on

• 2 Logic Output. As an optional add-on, add logic outputs to the DARC family. This USB logic output connects to your PC, and is controlled via the DARC Virtual Console software. This is programmable to turn on On-Air Lights, trigger phone hybrids, etc... This option gives you 2 relay outputs.
• 8 Logic Output. 2 outputs not enough? Get the 8 logic output USB control instead.

3 Output Buses

  Program - Audition - Utility - Monitor - Cue - Headphone

• PGM, AUD, UTL. DARC can assign output control to any output on your Dante network. This may be one of our Simple IP units, which has 4 stereo outputs per box.
• Monitor, Cue & Headphone outputs. Utilize the Cue function built in to the DARC software to play audio off-air through your monitor, cue or headphones. Monitor, Cue and Headphones all connect to your Simple IP unit.
• Mic Monitor Mute. Mic channels will automatically mute the monitor output and play audio through the headphones when activated. Talk back audio plays through headphones as well.

Power of Software

• Touch Screen compatible. The DARC Virtual Console is touch screen compatible, and will work with any Windows based hardware.
• Configurable. The power of the DARC software, is that you can choose how many input channels & faders to have control over. The software lets you choose between 4, 8, 12 or 16 inputs. This means you can start small, and then grow your operation at any time without having to buy a new board.
• Control any Dante audio source. DARC lets you control any Dante audio inputs or outputs on your LAN. Simply select the inputs and outputs via the Dante Controller.
• Manage channel labels programmatically. Name an input channel a ‘Mic’ and the channel reconfigures the console for muting, phone talkback, and more. Name a channel a phone and it is automatically reconfigured to have a mix minus bus. Save a Preset for your on air shift, and load it when it is time to go on air.
• Remote Control. As a Windows based software, you may use any 3rd party remote access software, such as GoToMyPC, LogMeIn & more. Access your studio anywhere in the world, using the latest and most secure software in the world.

What you need to get started

To get started with DARC AoIP is extremely simple. You only need two components:

(1) Dante Audio Source - You need to connect your audio sources, such as your microphones, headphones, phone systems, automation, etc..., to the Dante audio network. You can do this using the Simple IP analog or digital nodes, Dante AVIO adapters, Dante Virtual Sound Card, or any other Dante enabled device. Once your device(s) is connected to the Dante network, this step is complete.

(2) DARC Virtual software - Then all you need is the DARC Virtual console software ran on a Windows PC (not included). This software is designed to recognize Dante devices on your Local Area Network (LAN), and then gives you the ability to control any of these devices.

Optional - You can now connect other optional equipment to your Dante network to expand your setup as necessary. Whether you want to use a physical control surface such as the DARC Surface, or add more equipment to your Dante AoIP network such as Simple IP. It is all expandable to as large as you want or need.

Technical specifications:

4, 8, 12, 16 Channels. Digital Console. Flexible and powerful.

• Configurable Channels - with configurable channels, you can can choose between controlling 4, 8, 12 or 16 Dante network audio channels.
• Mic Channels - choose between 1 to 16 mic channels.
• Digital Meters - stylish and easy to use digital meters for Program, Audition & Utility buses.
• No More RF - Simple IP uses balanced inputs & outputs for use in high RF environments.

Remote Control from Anywhere. Connect and Control.

• Windows Based  - Any remote access software is capable of controlling your DARC unit. This means that you can turn channels on/off, control volume, etc, from anywhere you have an internet connection. Whether from your phone, your home PC, you are in control.

Dante & AES67. AoIP done right.

• Dante  - DARC Virtual Software utilizes the Dante audio networking protocol. This protocol has hundreds of manufacturers, and is world recognized.
• AES67 - Dante utilizes AES67, which allows you to connect any AES67 enabled device.
• Dante Virtual Soundcard - The Dante Virtual Sound card is included in the price, and enables you to put ASIO sources from your PC to the Dante network.
• Dante Controller - Is a free software from Dante, that allows you to route input and output audio on your Dante local network.
• Dante AVIO - The Dante AVIO hardware are extremely affordable input and output adapters. Quickly and easily connect any analog or digital hardware device, and stream the audio to the Dante network.

3 Stereo output buses. Program, Audition & Utility with mono mixdowns.

• Active balanced - All outputs & inputs are active balanced on Simple IP hardware.
• Stereo or Mono - Both stereo & mono outputs for 3 output buses on Simple IP hardware.
• Listen - Monitor, Cue & Headphone output to cue and talk to callers off air.

3 types of Inputs. More options, more power.

• 1 - 16 Mic Channel - Your choice, your configuration. Simply connect your mics to the Simple IP inputs. Each Simple IP box allows you to connect up to 4 mic channels. Channels are software assignable.
• Stereo Line level Channel - Using Simple IP, the stereo input channels are appropriate for source devices like CD players, MP3 players, network feeds, etc. With balanced inputs, it allows you to safely connect to sources, that are originated in other studios, where the long wiring could introduce hum & noise.
• Telephone Channel - Easily connect to an external telephone hybrid using Simple IP. The caller can talk to you through the Cue system while a 'Push to Talk' button in the software enables the first mic to talk off-line to the caller.

Phone line system. Connect your phone hybrid to Simple IP for a powerful phone system.

• Phone Channel - dedicate a channel to easily connects to an external telephone hybrid.
• Talkback Cue System - the caller can talk to you through the Cue system while a Talkback button enables the Control Room mic to talk off-line to the caller.

Analog RJ45 or Digital XLR. Flexible for you.

• Simple IP 8A - Has RJ45 analog inputs and outputs.
• Simple IP 8D - Has XLR, AES3 digital inputs and outputs.

Windows & Touchscreen Compatible. The best technology.

• Windows - DARC Virtual Console works with the Windows OS. See the support page to view the required specs.
• Touchscreen - Use any Windows OS based touchcreen with the DARC Virtual Console. DARC is specifically designed to be easy to use with touchscreens.

AND MUCH MUCH MORE

Check out our brochures for more information.