{"product_id":"arrakis-darc-sur-12-plus-console-bundle","title":"Arrakis DARC-Sur-12-Plus Console Bundle","description":"\u003ch1\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArrakis DARC-Sur-12-Plus Console Bundle\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhat This Arrakis DARC Surface 12 Plus Console Bundle Actually Is This bundle pairs the 12-channel Arrakis DARC Surface with the DARC Virtual 16 software console and two Simple-IP-16A nodes, giving you a mid-sized physical fader surface backed by a much larger pool of connectivity than the standard 12-channel bundle. The DARC Surface 12 is a Digital AoIP console that works in conjunction with DARC Virtual, which handles the actual mixing and routing from within a standard PC environment. With two Simple-IP-16A nodes instead of smaller 8-channel units, this bundle steps up to 16 stereo or up to 32 mono audio inputs and outputs, a significant jump in capacity for stations or studios expecting to run a lot of simultaneous sources. This particular bundle does not include a PC, so you'll need to supply your own computer capable of running the DARC Virtual software. If you're comparing this to the standard Surface 12 bundle, the Plus designation here really comes down to raw I\/O headroom, giving you room to grow into a much larger studio setup without needing to add additional nodes right away. 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 you can manage sources directly at the board without digging through software menus during a live 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 console. 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 wiring runs to your Simple-IP-16A nodes rather than the console itself, keeping cabling at the operator position clean and simple. 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 happens to be physically wired to that fader. Installation stays straightforward too, since the only connections on the console itself are USB and an RJ45 for the meter input, with the bulk of your audio wiring handled at the Simple IP nodes instead. DARC Virtual 16 Software and Why It Matters at This Scale The DARC Virtual 16 license is what actually processes and mixes your audio, running virtualized within a standard PC rather than requiring dedicated internal mixing hardware. It can operate as a completely standalone console or as part of a larger AoIP network connecting multiple studios, and 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-16A nodes or another Dante device such as a Dante AVIO adapter. With 32 mono inputs available across the two included nodes, the software becomes especially useful for managing a large number of sources through labeled, color-coded channels saved into user profiles. Switching between different shows or hosts becomes a matter of loading a saved profile rather than manually resetting dozens of individual channel assignments. The software also supports single-channel, post-fader recording, useful for capturing and editing individual mic tracks separately from the finished program mix. Because DARC Virtual is software-based rather than hardware-locked, future updates and added functionality arrive without requiring new physical components, which matters more the larger your channel count gets. What the Two Simple-IP-16A Nodes Add to Your Studio Each Simple-IP-16A node handles 16 mono inputs and 16 mono outputs, or 8 stereo in and out, and with two nodes included this bundle gives you 16 stereo or up to 32 mono audio inputs and outputs combined, roughly double the capacity of the standard 3-node Surface 12 bundle. They're AES67 and Dante compatible, support both balanced and unbalanced analog connections, and connect using standard RJ45 cabling rather than punch blocks or long analog snake runs across the studio. Each node runs off its own external power supply, so a power issue on one doesn't take down your other node or your console. Adding more capacity later is straightforward too, since a third or fourth node connects to the network switch and gets detected automatically by Dante Controller within seconds. With this much I\/O available from just two nodes, you have real flexibility in how you distribute connections across a larger studio complex, whether that means multiple mic positions, several remote sources, or connections to more than one physical room. Why the PC Isn't Included and What You'll Need to Provide Since this bundle doesn't include a computer, you'll want a PC with enough processing power and RAM to comfortably run the DARC Virtual software, particularly given the larger channel count this setup is built to handle. This arrangement works well for stations that already have suitable computer hardware in place or specific IT standards they'd rather match than replace. It also keeps overall cost down for buyers who don't need new computer hardware bundled in. Once your PC is ready, setup mainly involves installing the DARC Virtual software, connecting the Surface 12 via USB, and connecting your two Simple-IP-16A nodes to the network, after which the system will detect and configure your available sources. Who This Console Bundle Is Best Suited For This bundle fits stations and production facilities that need serious I\/O capacity but still want a physical 12-fader control surface rather than working entirely through a touchscreen or software interface. The jump to 32 mono inputs makes this a strong option for larger productions, stations with many simultaneous mic positions, or facilities planning to eventually link several studios through the same console system. Buyers who already have a capable PC in place will appreciate not paying for computer hardware they don't need, while still getting significantly more connectivity than the standard Surface 12 bundle offers. Because the system is fully Dante-native, it also scales well for facilities anticipating future growth, since additional nodes can be added without touching the console or software license already in place. Overall, this is built for operations that have outgrown smaller I\/O counts and need serious headroom without stepping all the way up to the largest console in the Arrakis lineup.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Arrakis","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50995700367607,"sku":"DARC-Sur-12-Plus","price":6999.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0422\/1291\/7402\/files\/DARC-12.jpg?v=1785794821","url":"https:\/\/www.305broadcast.com\/products\/arrakis-darc-sur-12-plus-console-bundle","provider":"305broadcast","version":"1.0","type":"link"}