WORLD OF MUSIC ; PORTABLE KEYBOARD - Latest Portable Music Keyboards, Synthesizers and Music News

IK Multimedia’s hardware room correction system ARC Studio, promising to ‘instantly upgrade your studio monitors’. This standalone processor is designed to run the new version of IK’s room correction software, ARC 4.

IK Multimedia has announced the release of ARC Studio, a standalone hardware processor for its newly-updated ARC 4 acoustic room correction software that promises to “instantly upgrade” your studio monitors.

Room correction software compensates for the acoustics of the room your monitors are placed in by analyzing its acoustic profile, identifying problematic frequencies and adjusting the output of your monitors accordingly. Everything from a room’s size and shape to the furniture in it can dramatically affect its acoustics; room correction accounts for this to achieve a neutral frequency response.

IK Multimedia has been in this game for a while; previous iterations of its ARC software were designed to run on your machine, whereas ARC Studio gives you the opportunity to run the software on a dedicated processor that sits in between your interface and your monitors. There’s a number of benefits to this approach, eliminating the need to place the ARC 4 plugin on the master bus of a project or introduce additional latency to your monitoring set-up.

ARC Studio arrives bundled with a precision MEMS measurement microphone that’s used to measure the acoustic profile of your listening environment through the ARC 4 software and compensate accordingly, delivering “controlled low-end, tighter transients and pinpoint stereo imaging”. Separate profiles can be created, stored and instantly recalled for different monitors, listening positions and room configurations.

In addition, ARC 4 now offers monitor emulation, so you’re able to emulate the frequency and phase response of well-known studio monitors from other manufacturers, hi-fi speakers and even mobile devices to get a sense of how your mix will sound on other systems.

• For pro studios, whether DAW-based or console-based, ARC Studio with ARC 4 offers sonically transparent correction and custom-tuning for any monitoring setup from nearfields to mains, while preserving the inherent system’s sonic quality.
• For DAW-based studios, ARC Studio eliminates the need to insert the ARC 4 plug-in on the master bus of a project and preserves zero-latency monitoring setups. It also lets you listen other sources, like streaming music, with acoustically corrected monitoring.

Designed and manufactured in Italy to exacting specifications, the ARC Studio hardware boasts a 120 dB(A) analogue input to analogue output dynamic range, 0.5Hz-40kHz frequency response, and ultra-stable clocking. The company says it offers the transparency and accuracy of mastering-grade converters at a far more affordable price.

ARC Studio – Make any studio monitors sound better (including the ARC 4 software and measurement mic) is priced at $/€299.99, but existing ARC users can upgrade for a discounted price. ARC 4 – Mix faster and more confidently than ever can be purchased on its own for $/€149, or $/€199 with the measurement mic.

KRK is launching a limited-edition version of its CLASSIC studio monitor designed in collaboration with Grammy-nominated producer Scott Storch.

The shiny and gold KRK Scott Storch CLASSIC 8ss is limited to only 500 pairs

The KRK Scott Storch CLASSIC 8ss is spin on the CLASSIC 8, an active two-way studio monitor equipped with 8″ woofer and 1″ soft dome tweeter. The CLASSIC 8 delivers 100W of power in total – 75W for the woofer and 25W for the tweeter – and a dynamic, modern sound that’s punchy and bass-forward.

Storch’s signature monitors have been outfitted with a gold chrome faceplate and feature the producer’s signature on the front and back. The CLASSIC 8ss are said to capture Storch’s “eccentric, unique flair” and offer the same +2db KRK Bass Boost function as the regular CLASSIC model; flip this switch and they’ll amp up the low end for an enhanced bass response.

“For years, the KRK CLASSIC 8 monitors have been essential to my artistic music-making process,” says Storch in a statement. “To now have personalized versions of my favourite studio monitors is an exciting venture for me. I’m honoured that KRK chose me for its first-ever artist collaboration.”

Scott Storch is a producer and songwriter known for working with Grammy-winning artists. Storch has been nominated for four Grammy Awards.

Each monitor will cost $299. If you want a bit of gold chrome in your life, don’t wait around – only 500 pairs of the CLASSIC 8ss are being made. Find out more on KRK website.

JBL promises professional performance from its new PRX900 portable PA systems.

JBL is taking its PA to the next level offering with the release of the PRX900 Series of loudspeakers and subwoofers. Designed for bands, DJs, venues and more, these promise advanced acoustics, comprehensive DSP, plenty of power and wireless Bluetooth control via the JBL Pro Connect app.

The range includes three powered two-way loudspeakers and two powered subwoofers, with all-new proprietary driver systems said to deliver clarity and definition even when you crank the volume.

The DSP can be accessed via the onboard LCDs or the JBL Connect and includes a 12-band parametric EQ and integrated dbx Drive Rack technology. This provides live and fixed Automatic Feedback Suppression, a soft system limiter with Soundcraft Overeasy option, and speaker delay settings and presets.

The PRX900 Series is completely scalable, with the Pro Connect app enabling you to control up to 10 speakers. You can also integrate with the BL EON ONE MK2, PRX ONE, and EON700 systems.

In addition, you do not have to worry about durability – there are rigid composite loudspeaker cabinets and the subwoofers are housed in 18mm birch cabinets with optimised bracing. The PRX900 also has the advantage of being backed by an out-of-the-box seven-year warranty.

“For years, our PRX800 Series loudspeakers have been first-call systems for bands, DJs, installers and houses of worship in large part thanks to their acoustic profile, their low-end extension, and their volume,” said Brandon Knudsen, HARMAN Professional Product Manager, Portable PA Loudspeakers.

“With the PRX900 Series, we’re taking things to the next level with next-gen acoustic innovations and an even brawnier power package to deliver clean, clear sound at any volume. Systems take advantage of the latest BLE technology and the JBL Pro Connect app ecosystem, for unrivalled control.”

Find out more about the JBL PRX900 Series on the JBL Pro website.