Arrakis DARC-Sur-12 Console Bundle

What This Arrakis DARC Surface 12 Console Bundle Actually Is This bundle brings you the 12-channel Arrakis DARC Surface paired with the DARC Virtual software console and three Simple IP 8 nodes, giving you a mid-sized physical control surface backed by a fully networked Dante audio system. The DARC Surface 12 is a Digital AoIP console, meaning it runs alongside DARC Virtual, a powerful mixing console that operates virtualized in a PC environment rather than through dedicated internal hardware. It's built to be simple to set up while still offering the depth and flexibility to grow with your studio over time. This particular bundle does not include a PC, so you'll need to provide your own computer capable of running the DARC Virtual software reliably. With three Simple IP 8 nodes included, you get a meaningful amount of I/O right out of the box, more than enough for a mid-sized studio, a multi-mic production room, or a station running several source inputs simultaneously. Everything here is designed to work together as a cohesive networked system rather than a stack of separately sourced parts. How the DARC Surface 12 Physical Console Operates The Surface 12 gives you 12 physical fader channels, each with dedicated Program, Audition, and Cue buttons so operators can manage sources directly at the board without navigating software menus mid-show. Monitor control lets you switch between Air, Program, and Audition feeds, with volume adjustment and toggling between Monitor, Headphone, and Cue paths built right into the surface. Bright LED VU meters give you a constant visual read on Program and Audition levels, and long-life OLED displays on each channel show exactly which source is currently assigned to that fader. Since this is a purely digital control surface, all of your actual audio input and output wiring runs to your Simple IP nodes rather than the console itself, keeping the physical cabling at the desk clean and manageable. Being AoIP-based, the Surface 12 has access to any audio source or output on your Dante network, so channel assignments aren't limited to whatever's physically connected to that particular fader. You can quickly reassign inputs and outputs either through the DARC Virtual software or via the console's own programmable controls. Installation is straightforward too, since the only real connections on the Surface itself are USB and an RJ45 for the meter input, with all the heavier audio wiring handled at the Simple IP nodes. DARC Virtual Software and Why It Runs Virtualized The DARC Virtual software is what actually processes and mixes your audio, running as a virtualized console inside a standard PC environment rather than requiring dedicated internal mixing hardware. This approach keeps the system flexible, since you can run DARC Virtual as a completely standalone console or connect it into a larger AoIP network spanning multiple studios. It's built to control any Dante-enabled device on your local network, whether that's a source running through one of your Simple IP nodes or another Dante device entirely, such as a Dante AVIO adapter. Each input channel can be labeled, color-coded, and saved into a user profile, so switching between different shows or hosts becomes a matter of loading a saved configuration rather than manually resetting every channel. The software also supports single-channel, post-fader recording, useful for anyone wanting to capture and later edit individual mic tracks separately from the finished program mix. Because the console is virtualized rather than hardware-locked, updates and added functionality can arrive through software rather than requiring new physical components. This setup gives you the same routing power as a traditional hardware console, but with the flexibility of a system that lives inside your existing computer infrastructure. What the Three Simple IP 8 Nodes Add to Your Studio Each included Simple IP 8 node handles 8 mono inputs and 8 mono outputs, or 4 stereo in and out, meaning three nodes combined give you a substantial pool of connectivity to work with across your studio. They're available in either analog or digital variants, so you can match the node type to whatever equipment you're connecting, whether that's traditional analog gear or digital sources already on your network. Each node connects using simple RJ45 cabling rather than punch blocks or long analog snake runs, which keeps installation fast even as you add more studio equipment. Every node also runs on its own external power supply, so a power issue on one doesn't take down your other connected nodes or your console. If you need more I/O later, adding another Simple IP node is as easy as connecting it to your network switch, since Dante Controller detects new devices automatically within seconds. Having three nodes from the start also means you can spread connections across different physical locations in your studio complex rather than routing everything back to one central point, which is particularly useful if you're running multiple rooms off the same console system. Why the PC Isn't Included and What You'll Need to Provide Since this bundle doesn't include a computer, you'll need a PC with enough processing power and RAM to run the DARC Virtual software smoothly, particularly if you plan on running other broadcast software alongside it. This arrangement suits stations or studios that already have suitable computer hardware in place, or that have specific IT standards they'd rather match than replace. It also keeps the overall cost down for buyers who don't need new computer hardware bundled in at a markup. Once your PC is ready, setup mainly involves installing the DARC Virtual software, connecting the Surface 12 via USB, and connecting your three Simple IP nodes to the existing network, at which point the system should detect and configure your available sources automatically. Who This Console Bundle Is Best Suited For This bundle is a strong fit for stations or production facilities that want a full physical control surface backed by a substantial amount of networked I/O, without needing the largest console in the Arrakis lineup. The 12-fader layout works well for shows with several regular hosts or a wider mix of local and remote sources than a smaller 8-channel board could comfortably handle. Because three Simple IP 8 nodes are included, this setup also suits studios with equipment spread across more than one physical location, since nodes can be placed near the gear they're connecting to rather than requiring everything to run back to a central rack. Facilities that already have a reliable PC in place will appreciate not paying for computer hardware they don't need, and the virtualized nature of DARC Virtual means the system can grow alongside future software updates without requiring new internal hardware. Overall, this is built for mid-sized operations that want real physical fader control paired with the flexibility and expandability of a Dante-native network.