Arrakis ARC-5 Broadcast Radio Console 5 x 2 with USB

A Compact 5 Channel Console Built For Podcasting And Small Studio Use The Arrakis ARC-5 is an ultracompact 5 by 2 audio mixing console built for podcasting, production studios, remote broadcasts, and small internet or broadcast radio setups. It packs two mic channels, a stereo line input, a phone mix channel, and a USB computer connection into a small footprint, giving smaller operations the essentials without paying for features they don't need. The console has 6 total inputs across its 5 channels, with channel four handling phone hybrid connections and channel five serving as the USB channel for computer playback and recording. Both balanced RJ45 and unbalanced RCA connections come standard, so it works whether a studio is running professional balanced gear or simpler consumer-type equipment. This makes the ARC-5 a practical fit for a home podcast setup, a small on-air studio, or a portable rig used for remotes and on the road broadcasts. It's built to deliver a genuine broadcast console workflow at a fraction of the size and cost of larger boards. Two Mic Channels Built For A Host And Guest Format Channels one and two are dedicated high-performance mic channels with XLR inputs, making the ARC-5 well suited to a standard host and guest podcast or talk show format. Both channels include high-performance mic preamps, and 48 VDC phantom power is available as a separate add-on for stations running condenser microphones. Channel one includes a talk button that lets the operator communicate with a studio monitor, useful for cueing a guest or talent in another room. Switches across the mic channels are LED illuminated, giving clear visual confirmation of channel status during a live session. This setup covers the most common recording configuration for two-person shows without requiring extra channels that would go unused in a smaller studio. Balanced And Unbalanced Line Inputs With Flexible Output Options The ARC-5 includes one stereo line input channel, plus an A/B input option on channel five that effectively provides a second stereo line input when the USB channel isn't in use for computer audio. Every ARC-5 comes standard with active balanced RJ45 connections as well as unbalanced RCA, so it connects easily with both professional gear and consumer-type sources like CD players or portable media players. A single stereo output bus is available in both balanced and unbalanced formats, giving flexibility for whatever equipment sits downstream of the console. This dual balanced and unbalanced design also helps the ARC-5 resist RF interference, which keeps the broadcast signal clean even in electrically noisy environments. For a compact console, this input and output flexibility covers a wide range of studio setups without forcing a specific type of gear. Phone Hybrid Channel With Mix Minus For Clean Caller Audio Channel four on the ARC-5 is a dedicated phone mix channel that connects to an external phone hybrid, complete with audio and logic connections for a proper call handling setup. The cue button lets an operator listen to a caller off-line before putting them on air, while the talkback button allows private communication with the caller without going out over the broadcast. A mix-minus feed sends the caller a mix of the program output without their own audio looped back, which is standard practice for keeping calls sounding clean and free of echo. This channel gives the ARC-5 real call-in functionality despite its small size, making it a solid option for shows that take listener calls or conduct phone interviews regularly. Built In USB Sound Card For Direct Computer Play And Record Channel five functions as a built-in USB sound card, letting the ARC-5 connect directly to a Windows or Mac computer using a standard USB cable included with the console. Audio can be played from the computer straight onto the board and out over the air, while console audio can be recorded back onto the computer using any third-party software already in use. This works with most existing production, automation, or recording programs, so there's no need to adopt new software specifically for the console. Setup is simple since the connection functions as a standard USB audio device without complicated driver installation. For podcasters and small stations running their whole workflow through a laptop or desktop, this built-in USB connection keeps the computer and the console working as a single integrated system rather than two separately wired pieces of gear. Logic Control Buttons For Triggering Cameras And External Gear The ARC-5 includes four logic buttons that send a dry contact closure to third-party hardware, giving an operator a simple way to trigger external equipment with the press of a button. This can be used to switch between studio cameras, start an automation player, trigger jingles or sound effects, or fire off any other hardware built to accept a closure signal. Because these are physical buttons on the console itself, staff can trigger these actions in real time during a live show without needing to reach for a separate control panel or computer interface. This adds a layer of studio control that isn't common on consoles this size, giving the ARC-5 more functional range than its compact footprint might suggest. Durable Compact Construction Built To Handle Regular Use The ARC-5 is built with the same reliability standards found across the Arrakis console line, using high-quality switches and faders engineered to endure multi-million operations without failing. Conductive plastic faders provide smooth, accurate control and are protected with dust covers to extend their working life. Mechanical latching switches are LED illuminated and rated for extremely long service life, cutting down on the need for replacement bulbs or switch hardware over time. Headphone output includes both a balanced stereo line level output for an external amp and a dedicated headphone amp output for driving low impedance headphones directly. An auto-sensing 110 to 220 VAC power supply, certified UL, CE, CS, and CB, means the console can be used safely anywhere in the world. With accessible internal components, a technician can perform maintenance quickly, while the straightforward front panel layout keeps day to day operation simple for anyone running the board.