{"product_id":"arrakis-darc-sur-8-console-bundle","title":"Arrakis DARC-Sur-8 Console Bundle","description":"\u003ch1\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArrakis DARC-Sur-8 Console Bundle\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhat This Arrakis DARC Surface 8 Console Bundle Actually Is This bundle brings you the compact 8-channel Arrakis DARC Surface paired with the DARC Virtual software console and two Simple IP 8 nodes, giving you a smaller physical fader surface backed by a fully networked Dante audio system. The DARC Surface 8 is a Digital AoIP console that works alongside DARC Virtual, which handles the actual mixing and routing from within a standard PC environment rather than dedicated internal hardware. With two Simple IP 8 nodes included, available in either analog or digital variants, you get a combined total of 16 mono or 8 stereo audio inputs and outputs, enough for a single host studio, a small multi-mic setup, or a compact production room. This particular bundle does not include a PC, so you'll need to supply your own computer capable of running the DARC Virtual software reliably. For stations or studios that already have suitable computer hardware on hand and just need the console and networking pieces, this bundle covers exactly that. How the DARC Surface 8 Physical Console Operates The Surface 8 gives you 8 physical fader channels, each with dedicated Program, Audition, and Cue buttons so operators can manage sources directly at the board without navigating through 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 wiring runs to your two Simple IP nodes rather than the console itself, keeping the physical cabling at the operator position clean and manageable. Being AoIP-based, the Surface 8 has access to any audio source or output on your Dante network, so channel assignments aren't limited to whatever's physically wired to that particular fader. Installation stays simple too, since the only connections on the console itself are USB and an RJ45 for the meter input, with the actual audio wiring handled entirely 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. It can operate as a completely standalone console or connect into a larger AoIP network spanning multiple studios, and it's built to control any Dante-enabled device on your local network, whether that's a source connected through one of your Simple IP nodes or another Dante device 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 edit individual mic tracks separately from the finished program mix. Because DARC Virtual is software-based rather than hardware-locked, updates and added functionality arrive through the software itself rather than requiring new physical components down the line. This setup gives you real routing power without tying you to fixed internal hardware, letting the system grow alongside your studio's needs. What the Two Simple IP 8 Nodes Add to Your Studio Each Simple IP 8 node handles 8 mono inputs and 8 mono outputs, or 4 stereo in and out, and with two nodes included this bundle gives you 16 mono or 8 stereo inputs and outputs combined. They're available in analog or digital variants, so you can match the node type to whatever gear you're connecting, whether that's traditional analog equipment or sources already living on your digital network. Each node connects using standard RJ45 cabling rather than punch blocks or long analog snake runs, keeping installation fast and the studio wiring tidy. Both nodes run on their own external power supplies, so a power issue on one doesn't take down the other node or your console. If you need more capacity later, adding a third Simple IP node is straightforward, since Dante Controller detects new devices automatically within seconds of connecting them to your network switch. Having two nodes from the start also gives you the option to place connections in two different physical locations rather than routing everything back to a single point in the studio. 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, especially if you plan to run other broadcast software alongside it. This arrangement suits stations or studios that already have suitable computer hardware in place or specific IT standards they'd rather match than replace. It also keeps the overall cost lower 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 8 via USB, and connecting your two 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 solid fit for smaller radio stations, single-studio podcast operations, or campus and community stations that want a real physical fader surface without paying for a larger console than they actually need. It works particularly well for facilities that already have a reliable computer in place and would rather not pay for new hardware bundled into the deal. Because the system is built on Dante from the ground up, it's also a sensible long-term choice for stations that expect to add more studios or expand channel count later, since the networking groundwork is already in place. The two included Simple IP nodes give this bundle a bit more flexibility than a single-node setup, particularly for studios with equipment spread across more than one location. Overall, this is built for smaller operations that want genuine AoIP flexibility and physical fader control in a compact, cost-conscious package.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Arrakis","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50995700400375,"sku":"DARC-Sur-8","price":4699.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0422\/1291\/7402\/files\/Arrakis-DARC-SURFACE-8.jpg?v=1785794827","url":"https:\/\/www.305broadcast.com\/products\/arrakis-darc-sur-8-console-bundle","provider":"305broadcast","version":"1.0","type":"link"}