Arrakis Systems ARC-8 User manual

ARC-8
R A D I O C O N S O L E P R O D U C T S
Technical Manual
ARRAKIS
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Radio Console
November 1, 2014
1.0

Thank you for purchasing this product by Arrakis Systems inc. Our company has provided professional audio
equipment to the broadcast, commercial audio, and consumer audio markets for more than 30 years. Our prod-
ucts are sold worldwide and are well known for leading edge technology, quality, and reliability.
Thank you from Arrakis Systems inc.
Arrakis Systems inc. is located at Arrakis Systems inc
6604 Powell Street
Loveland, Colorado
80538
Business Hours: 8:00am - 4:30pm mountain time
Contact: Voice: 970-461-0730 x316
Fax: [phone]
email: [e-mail]
web: arrakis-systems.com
Having difficulty contacting Arrakis?
Refer to the website (www.arrakis-systems.com)
for current contact information
How to contact Arrakis Systems
I N T R O D U C T I O N
ARRAKIS
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1.1
DHD-Live software for the ARC console is provided at no charge and does not include the cost of telephone support.
The software is specifically designed to be easy to use for people with average PC computer and radio industry
experience. Support is limited to the product manual and the on screen help system in the software itself. Refer to
the Arrakis website at www.arrakis-systems.com for updated training materials. In a case where telephone support
is a necessity, Arrakis has per minute and per incident support available that can be paid for by valid credit card. For
comprehensive support and advanced automation features, please consider one of our automation product. Refer to
the website or contact the factory for details.
Telephone Support for the ‘Free’ DHD-Live software

16. A Product and Cart Combination should be
moved with care. Quick stops, excessive force,
and uneven surfaces may cause the product and
the cart combination to overturn.
17. Servicing. Refer all servicing to qualified
servicing personnel.
18. Damage Requiring Service. Unplug this
product from the wall AC outlet and refer
servicing to qualified service personnel under
the following conditions:
a. When the AC cord or plug is damaged.
b. If liquid has been spilled or objects have
fallen into the product.
c. If the product has been exposed to rain or
water.
d. If the product does not operate normally
(following operating instructions).
e. If the product has been dropped or
damaged in any way.
f. When the product exhibits a distinct change
in performance. This indicates a need for
service.
19. Replacement Parts. When replacement parts
are required, be sure the service technician has
used replacement parts specified by the
manufacturer or that have the same
characteristics as the original parts. Unauthorized
substitutions may result in fire, electric shock, or
other hazards.
20. Safety Check. Upon completion of any repairs
to this product, ask the service technician to
perform safety checks to determine that the
product is in proper operating condition.
21. Cleaning. Do not use liquid cleaners or aerosol
cleaners. Use only a damp cloth for cleaning.
1. Read All Instructions. All safety and operating
instructions must be read before operating the
product.
2. Retain All Instructions. All safety and
operating instructions must be retained for
future reference.
3. Heed All Warnings. All warnings on the
product and those listed in the operating
instructions must be adhered to.
4. Follow All Instructions. All operating and
product usage instructions must be followed.
5. Heat. This product must be situated away from
any heat sources such as radiators, heat
registers, stoves, or other products (including
power amplifiers) that produce heat.
6. Ventilation. Slots and openings in the product
are provided for ventilation. They ensure reliable
operation of the product, keeping it from
overheating. These openings must not be
blocked nor covered during operation. This
product should not be placed into a rack unless
proper ventilation is provided through
following the manufacturer’s recommended
installation procedures.
7. Water and Moisture. Do not use this product
near water—for example; near a bath tub, wash
bowl, kitchen sink or laundry tub; in a wet
basement; or near a swimming pool or the like.
8. Attachments. Do not use any attachments not
recommended by the product manufacturer
as they may cause hazards.
9. Power Sources. This product must be
operated from the type of power source
indicated on the marking label and in the
installation instructions. If you are not sure of
the type of power supplied to your facility,
consult your local power company.
10. Grounding and Polarization. This product is
equipped with a polarized AC plug with integral
safety ground pin. Do not defeat the safety
ground in any manner.
11. Power Cord Protection. Power supply cords
must be routed so that they are not likely to be
walked on nor pinched by items placed upon
or against them. Pay particular attention to the
cords at AC wall plugs and convenience
receptacles, and at the point where the cord
plugs into the product.
12. Lightning. For added protection for this
product during a lightning storm, or when it is
left unattended and unused for long periods of
time, unplug it from the AC wall outlet. This will
prevent damage to the product due to
lightning and power line surges.
13. Overloading. Do not overload AC wall outlets,
extension cords, or integral convenience outlets
as this can result in a fire or electric shock hazard.
14. Object and Liquid Entry. Never push objects
of any kind into this product through openings
as they may touch dangerous voltage points
or short-out parts that could result in a fire or
electric shock. Never spill liquid of any kind on
the product.
15. Accessories. Do not place this product on an
unstable cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table. The
product may fall, causing serious damage to a
child or adult, and serious damage to the
product. Any mounting of the product needs
to follow manufacturer’s installation
instructions.
S a f e t y I n s t r u c t i o n s
S A F E T Y
ARRAKIS
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1.2

RISK OF
ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
WARNING— This equipment generates, uses and can
radiate radio frequency energy. If not installed and used in
accordance with the instructions in this manual it may cause
interference to radio communications. It has been tested and
found to comply with the limits for a Class A computing device
(pursuant to Subpart J of Part 15 FCC Rules), which are designed
to provide reasonable protection against such interference when
operated in a commercial environment. Operation of this equipment
in a residential area is likely to cause interference, in which
case the user, at his own expense, will be required to take whatever
measures may be required to correct the interference.
The Exclamation Point symbol, within an equilateral
triangle, alerts the user to the presence of important
operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in
product literature and instruction manuals.
WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK,
DO NOT EXPOSE THE CONSOLE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
WARNING: SHOCK HAZARD - DO NOT OPEN
AVIS: RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE - NE PAS OUVRIR
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT
REMOVE ANY COVER OR PANEL. NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS
INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
Hazard / Warning Label
Identification
The Lightning Flash With Arrowhead symbol, within an
equilateral triangle, alerts the user to the presence of
uninsulated dangerous voltage within the product’s
enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute
a risk of electric shock.
C AU T I O N
S A F E T Y
ARRAKIS
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1.3

W A R R A N T Y
ARRAKIS
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Warranty
This console carries a manufacturer‘s warranty subject to the following guidelines and limitations:
A) Except as expressly excluded herein, Arrakis Systems inc. (“Seller”) warrants equipment of its own man-
ufacture against faulty workmanship or the use of defective materials for a period of one (1) year from date of
shipment to Buyer. The liability of the Seller under this Warranty is limited to replacing, repairing or issuing cred-
it (at the Seller’s discretion) for any equipment, provided that Seller is promptly notified in writing within five (5)
days upon discovery of such defects by Buyer, and Seller‘s examination of such equipment shall disclose to its
satisfaction that such defects existed at the time shipment was originally made by Seller, and Buyer returns the
defective equipment to Seller’s place of business in Loveland, Colorado, packaging and transportation prepaid,
with return packaging and transport guaranteed.
B) Equipment furnished by Seller, but manufactured by another, shall be warranted only to the extent pro-
vided by the other manufacturer.
C) Thermal filament devices (such as lamps and fuses) are expressly excluded from this warranty.
D) The warranty period on equipment or parts repaired or replaced under warranty shall expire upon the
expiration date of the original warranty.
E) This Warranty is void for equipment which has been subject to abuse, improper installation, improper
operation, improper or omitted maintenance, alteration, accident, negligence (in use, storage, transportation or
handling), operation not in accordance with Seller‘s operation and service instructions, or operation outside of
the environmental conditions specified by Seller.
F) This Warranty is the only warranty made by Seller, and is in lieu of all other warranties, including mer-
chantability and fitness for a particular purpose, whether expressed or implied, except as to title and to the
expressed specifications contained in this manual. Seller’s sole liability for any equipment failure or any breach
of this Warranty is as set forth in subparagraph A) above; Seller shall not be liable or responsible for any busi-
ness loss or interruption, or other consequential damages of any nature whatsoever, resulting from any equip-
ment failure or breach of this warranty.
1.4

Software End User License Agreement
This product contains software licensed from Arrakis Systems inc. and possibly from other software companies. Own-
ership of this product constitutes acceptance of this agreement.
1- This product contains intellectual property (i.e. software programs) that are licensed for use by the end user cus-
tomer (hereinafter “End user”).
2- This is not a sale of such intellectual property
3- The End user shall not copy, disassemble, or reverse compile software programs
4- The software programs are provided to the End user “as is” without warranty of any kind, either expressed or
implied, including, but not limited to, warranties of merchantability, and fitness for particular purpose. The entire risk of
the quality and performance of the software program is borne by the End user.
5- Arrakis and its suppliers shall not be held to any liability for any damages suffered or incurred by the end user
(including, but not limited to, general, special, consequential, or incidental damages including damages for loss of busi-
ness profits, business interruption, loss of business information and the like), arising from or in connection with the
delivery, use or performance of the software program.
W A R R A N T Y
ARRAKIS
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1.5

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W A R R A N T Y
ARRAKIS
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Table of Contents
1.6
Section One Introduction
Section Two Product Description
Section Three Operation Instructions
Section Four Installation Instructions
Section Five DHD-Live
Section Six Service and Maintenance
Section Seven Bluetooth (optional)

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P R O D U C T D E S C R I P TI O N
PRODUCT
DESCRIPTION
2.0

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ARC-8
Advanced Radio Console
P R O D U C T D E S C R I P TI O N
Product Description
2.1
With a single stereo mixing bus, the ARC-8 is ideal for fast paced live on air, production, and
remote applications. Two mics supports a host and guest talk format. The mix minus bus (for
an external hybrid) supports Telephone talk formats or call ins. The ‘Talk’ button on mic chan-
nel one feeds the mic to the caller and the caller to the console cue system... fast and easy!
The ARC-8 even has a built in PC USB sound card on channel eight to play in digital directly
from your favorite PC audio software. At the same time, the Program output from the console
records in digital over the USB directly to your PC recording software. Arrakis even provides
‘Digilink-Xtreme (ARC mode)’ software with the system to get you on air & doing production
immediately. The ARC-8 is also easy to install with BOTH professional balanced and con-
sumer unbalanced input & output jacks. The ARC-8 is ideal for any on air or production radio
application !
10 Source inputs total
2 mic, 7 stereo line, 1 PC USB
8 input channels
2 high quality Mic channels (with optional 48VDC phantom power)
5 stereo line input channels (with both unbalanced and balanced inputs)
Channel 8 is selectable between a PC USB sound card input & a stereo line input
Stereo Program Mixing bus (with both balanced and unbalanced outputs)
PC USB output of the Program bus for recording in digital direct to your PC
Monitor, Headphone, and Cue system with External input for off air monitoring
Cue system autocues (with Program dimming) into the Monitor & Headphone systems
Mix minus Telephone output for interfacing with an external phone hybrid
Conductive plastic slide faders & LED switch lamps for long life

P R O D U C T D E S C R I P TI O N
Operational Description
2.2
Monitor
Head
phone
ARC-8
Mic 1
Mic 2
Cue Cue Cue
Cue
Cue
CueTalk
Arrakis Systems inc.
External
PC
CH 3
CH 8
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Left
Right
Program
-20 -15 -10
-5 -3 -1 0 1 2 3
-20
-15 -10 -5 -3 -1 0 1 2 3
Two Mic channels
For normal on air talent
or a Host and Guest talk
format.
Channel one features a
‘Talk’ button to talk to the
phone hybrid.
Five line channels
For CD players, MP3 play-
ers, and other analog
sources.
Channels 3-7 have BOTH
unbalanced and balanced
stereo input jacks
PC channel
The ‘B’ input on channel 8 is an inter-
nal PC USB sound card for playing
directly in digital from a Windows PC.
The ‘A’ input is a stereo, RCA, unbal-
anced, -10dBu, consumer level input.
Phone channel Seven
Channel 7 can be used as a Tele-
phone input and generates a Mix-
minus output to be connected to
an external phone hybrid. Turn
the Cue button on to listen off-
line to the caller. Push the Talk
switch on the Mic one channel to
use the Control room mic to talk
off-line to the caller. To place the
caller on air just turn the chan-
nel on.
Monitor &
Headphone
Level Controls
slide faders for con-
trol of monitoring
level
Monitor Input
Selector
selects an External
audio input (such as
off air) as the
source for the Moni-
tor & Headphone
systems
CH 8 A/B switch
select between a stereo line level input and
an internal PC USB soundcard
VU Meters
LED VU meters with accurate VU ballistics
for the main Program bus
CH 3 A/B switch
select between an unbalanced or
balanced source input
Auto-cue into the Monitor and Headphone systems
The ARC-8 features a cue system that plays through the monitor and headphone systems. To cue a channel, depress the cue switch. The
Program audio in the Monitor speakers will dim and the Cue audio from the cue’d channel will play through the monitor speakers and
through the headphones.
Channel On-off switches

P R O D U C T D E S C R I P TI O N
2.3
This software is provided standard with the ARC-8 console. It is designed for Live On Air play, basic automation, & radio production. It
is specifically designed to be easy to use !
500 event Play List for assembling a show (play lists may be created, saved to file, and then reloaded for playback)
Cue audio files while playing On Air (uses PC sound card and external speakers for 2nd play)
Jingle box supports playing any 3 of up to 300 carts at the touch of a button
Set the fade parameters on Songs for perfect crossfades in the Play List
Record the ARC-8 console Program bus mix direct to the PC
Phoner recorder / editor for recording callers
much much, more...
Download Xtreme from the Arrakis website
and try it out (www.arrakis-systems.com)
Back panel Diagram
Digilink-Xtreme Software for ARC consoles
ARC-8
Mic 1
In
Mic 2
In In In In
Ch 5 Ch 4 Ch 3
48V
Mic
Pwr
L
R
L
R
L
R
Ch 5 Ch 4 Ch 3
In In In
Ch 8 Ch 7 Ch 6
L
R
L
R
L
R
Ch 7 Ch 6
PC
USB
Ch 8
Pgm Left Pgm Right
Out Out
Mon
Out
Out
Pgm
In
Ext
L
R
Ch 7
Mix
Minus
Out
+12V Main
DC Power
Out
HP
Bal
In
Bal
In
Bal
In
Bal
In
Bal
In
Mute
Logic
XLR
balanced
Program
outputs
USB
PC
XLR
Mic
Inputs
48VDC
phantom
power
RJ45
balanced
inputs
RCA
unbalanced
inputs
1/8"
Headphone
Jack
12 VDC
power
Balanced
Mix minus
Output
to Telephone
Hybrid
RCA
unbalanced
External
Input to
Monitor
RCA
unbalanced
Program
outputs
RCA
unbalanced
Monitor
outputs
RCA
unbalanced
inputs
RJ45
balanced
inputs
L
R
L
R
Mic
Level
Trimpots
Mute relay
output

P R O D U C T D E S C R I P TI O N
24
Specifications
Electronic
Stereo Line Input
Freq Response- +(-).5dB 20-20kHz
S/N- -82dB typ, +8dBu in, +8 dBu out
THD- .01% typ, +8dBu in, +8 dBu out
CMRR- -75dB typ 1kHz
Max Input- +23dBu, balanced
Mono Mic Input
Freq Response- +(-).5dB 20-20kHz
EIN- -115dBu typ, -50dBu in, +8 dBu out
THD- .05% typ , -50dBu in, +8 dBu out
CMRR- -60dB typ 1kHz
Impedances
Mic Input- > 2000 ohms
Line Input- > 10000 ohms
Outputs- < 100 ohms
System
Max Output- +23dBu balanced
Stereo Separation- -75dB typ 1KHz
Cue to Pgm XTalk- -90dB typ 1KHz
-75dB typ 20kHz
On Air Light Logic: reed relay closure, 50mA max
Source Start Logic: none
Mic Turret Logic: none
Power Supply
110vac - 220 VAC, 50-60 hz, autosensing
Certified: UL, CE, CS, CB
External inline module: 3"W x 5 3/4"L x 1 3/4"D
Physical Specifications
Dimensions:
Depth - 11 1/2"
Height - 2"
Width- 18"

O P E R A T I N G I N S T R U C T I O N S
OPERATING
INSTRUCTIONS
3.0

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O P E R A T I N G I N S T R U C T I O N S
Quick Start
3.1
Monitor
Head
phone
ARC-8
Mic 1
Mic 2
Cue Cue Cue
Cue
Cue
CueTalk
Arrakis Systems inc.
External
PC
CH 3
CH 8
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Left
Right
Program
-20 -15 -10
-5 -3 -1 0 1 2 3
-20
-15 -10 -5 -3 -1 0 1 2 3
Two Mic channels
For normal on air talent
or a Host and Guest talk
format.
Channel one features a
‘Talk’ button to talk to the
phone hybrid.
Five line channels
For CD players, MP3 play-
ers, and other analog
sources.
Channels 3-7 have BOTH
unbalanced and balanced
stereo input jacks
PC channel
The ‘B’ input on channel 8 is an inter-
nal PC USB sound card for playing
directly in digital from a Windows PC.
The ‘A’ input is a stereo, RCA, unbal-
anced, -10dBu, consumer level input.
Channel Seven Phone
Channel 7 can be used as a Tele-
phone input and generates a Mix-
minus output to be connected to
an external phone hybrid. Turn
the Cue button on to listen off-
line to the caller. Push the Talk
switch on the Mic one channel to
use the Control room mic to talk
off-line to the caller (the caller is
auto-cued). To place the caller on
air just turn the channel on.
Monitor &
Headphone
Level Controls
slide faders for con-
trol of monitoring
level
Monitor Input
Selector
selects an External
audio input (such as
off air) as the
source for the Moni-
tor & Headphone
systems
CH 8 A/B switch
select between a stereo line level input and
an internal PC USB soundcard
VU Meters
LED VU meters with accurate VU ballistics
for the main Program bus
CH 3 A/B switch
select between an unbalanced or
balanced source input
Auto-cue into the Monitor and Headphone systems
The ARC-8 features a cue system that plays through the monitor and headphone systems. To cue a channel, depress the cue switch. The
Program audio in the Monitor speakers will dim and the Cue audio from the cue’d channel will play through the monitor speakers and
through the headphones.
Channel On-off switches
Cue
switchs
Talk to the Phone
hybrid output, Ch 7
will be heard in cue

O P E R A T I N G I N S T R U C T I O N S
Channels one and two are dedicated mono microphone channels.
CHANNEL ON AND OFF
To turn a channel on, simply push the red ON switch at the bottom of the fader. When the channel is on, the LED indicator above the
switch will light. To turn the channel off, simply push the red ON button again.
CHANNEL ON AND OFF LOGIC
Channels One and Two are assumed to be located in the control room and therefore do not require remote channel on/off logic.
TALK BUTTON ON CHANNEL ONE
This button activates a bi-directional off air talkback between mic one and the channel 7 phone input if an external hybrid is connect-
ed. The mic feeds the caller while the caller feeds the console cue system. The caller is heard on the monitor speakers and in the
headphones. The switch is a push-push interlocking type. Push once for on, push again for off.
Mono mic level Input Channels (channels 1 & 2)
Push to talk to the phone caller on chan-
nel seven (if an external phone hybrid is
used). The caller will be heard through
the cue system. Channel seven does not
need to be on.
Channel
On switch
CHANNELS 1 & 2 ARE
MONO MIC LEVEL CHANNELS
Slide fader
Level control
3.2

O P E R A T I N G I N S T R U C T I O N S
Stereo Line Level Input Channels (channels 3-7)
The ARC-8 has stereo line level channels on channel 3-7 (channel 7 can also be used with an external phone hybrid).
CHANNEL ON AND OFF
To turn a channel on, simply push the red ON switch at the bottom of the fader. When the channel is on, the LED indicator above the switch will light. To turn the
channel off, simply push the red ON button again.
CHANNEL ON AND OFF LOGIC
The console does not have channel logic to start or stop audio source.
CUE
To activate cue, click on the CUE button above the fader. To exit the cue mode, click on the CUE button again. Cue audio will be heard in the monitor speakers and in
the headphones.
Channel
On switch
CHANNELS 3-7 ARE
STEREO LINE LEVEL
CHANNELS
Cue Bus
Assignment
Slide fader
Level control
CHANNEL 8 IS
STEREO LINE LEVEL OR
AN OPTIONAL PC INPUT
3.3