{"product_id":"arrakis-darc-virtual-4-4-channel-virtual-console-software","title":"Arrakis DARC-Virtual 4 4 Channel Virtual Console Software","description":"\u003ch1\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArrakis DARC-Virtual 4 4 Channel Virtual Console Software\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhat This Software Console Does For Your Studio The Arrakis DARC-Virtual 4 is a 4-channel virtual software console that turns a Windows computer into a full broadcast mixing surface, using either Dante audio-over-IP or an ordinary ASIO-enabled soundcard as its audio source. Instead of investing in a dedicated hardware console, a station or production room can run DARC on a standard PC and get the same core mixing functionality, controlling levels, routing, and monitoring for an on-air or production environment entirely in software. It's built around the idea that audio-over-IP doesn't need to be complicated or expensive to implement, so it works equally well for a small station just getting started with networked audio and for a larger facility already running Dante across multiple studios. Because it's software rather than a fixed piece of hardware, it can be installed, configured, and reconfigured far faster than swapping out physical console hardware, and it can run on touch screen displays for a more tactile mixing experience. This 4-channel version is the entry point into Arrakis's DARC Virtual console series, giving smaller operations exactly the channel count they need without paying for capacity they won't use. Dante And ASIO Compatibility Explained DARC Virtual can be driven by two different audio source paths, either Dante-enabled hardware or any ASIO-compatible soundcard, giving stations flexibility in how they build out their audio infrastructure. On the Dante side, the software uses the widely adopted Dante audio networking protocol, which is supported by hundreds of manufacturers and also carries AES67 compatibility, meaning any AES67-enabled device can connect into the same network. A Dante Virtual Soundcard is included with the software, allowing ASIO sources running on the same PC to be pushed onto the Dante network without separate hardware. For facilities that want simple point-to-point audio connections without deploying full Dante infrastructure, Dante AVIO adapters offer an affordable way to bring analog or digital devices onto the network, while the free Dante Controller software handles routing between inputs and outputs on the local network. This dual-path approach means a station can start with a basic ASIO soundcard setup and grow into a full Dante deployment later, without needing to replace the console software itself. Channel Configuration And Input Handling This particular version of DARC Virtual is configured for 4 input channels, though the same software platform scales up to 8, 12, or 16 channels depending on a facility's needs, so an operation can start small and expand later without switching to different console hardware entirely. Version 4.1, the current release in the DARC Virtual series, adds dynamic source switching that lets a single console connect to up to 64 available input sources, giving operators the flexibility to reassign what feeds each channel strip without reworking the entire signal chain. Because DARC can control any Dante audio source visible on the local network, the practical channel capacity of a facility is really limited by the network configuration rather than the console software itself. This makes the 4-channel DARC Virtual a strong fit for smaller production rooms or single-studio operations, while still sitting on the same underlying platform used in larger multi-channel deployments. Facilities anticipating growth can treat this as a starting configuration rather than a permanent ceiling. Output Routing, Monitoring, And Mix-Minus Buses DARC Virtual provides 3 stereo output buses, covering Program, Audition, and Utility, each with mono mixdown capability, and these outputs can be assigned to any output on the connected Dante network, including Arrakis Simple IP hardware, which offers 4 stereo outputs per unit with active balanced connections. Built-in Monitor, Cue, and Headphone outputs let operators preview audio off-air before it goes live, using the software's Cue function to route audio to headphones or monitors independently of the main program feed. A Mic Monitor Mute function automatically mutes the monitor output and switches audio to the headphones whenever a microphone channel is active, while also supporting talkback audio through the same headphone path. For phone-based programming, the software includes 8 phone mix-minus buses, giving stations enough capacity to run multiple simultaneous phone hybrids without needing separate external mix-minus hardware. Altogether, this output structure covers the core routing and monitoring needs of a typical on-air or production control room without requiring additional outboard gear. Podcasting And Individual Channel Recording Channels 1 through 5 on DARC Virtual support individual, post-fader playback, meaning each of those channels can be streamed or recorded separately rather than only as part of a combined mix. This is particularly useful for podcast production, where editors often want each participant or source recorded on its own track for cleanup and mixing after the fact, rather than working from a single blended file. Because these outputs are post-fader and mapped to specific assignable outputs, routing each channel to its own recording destination is straightforward rather than requiring a workaround. Through ASIO, editing software can be connected directly to a DARC Virtual channel, allowing for recording without additional physical cabling between the console and the recording application. This combination of individual channel capture and direct software-to-software connection makes DARC Virtual a practical console choice for podcast studios as well as traditional broadcast production rooms. Touch Screen Control, Presets, And Remote Access DARC Virtual is built to work with touch screen displays and supports 10-point multi-touch, allowing an operator to control multiple faders and functions simultaneously on a touch-enabled surface rather than being limited to mouse and keyboard input. Advanced user presets let operators save and instantly recall different show layouts, which speeds up transitions between programs or dayparts that each need a different channel configuration. Soft keys are also available for triggering closures, recalling presets, or firing other functions quickly during a live show, reducing how much a board operator needs to dig through menus mid-broadcast. Because DARC Virtual runs as Windows-based software, it can also be accessed remotely using standard third-party remote access tools, letting an operator run their console from outside the physical studio when needed. This combination of touch control, preset recall, and remote accessibility gives DARC Virtual a level of operational flexibility that's difficult to match with fixed hardware consoles. Who This Software Console Is Right For DARC Virtual 4 fits radio stations, production studios, and podcast operations that want full console functionality without committing to dedicated mixing hardware, particularly those already using or planning to adopt Dante audio-over-IP. It's a strong fit for smaller facilities that need a 4-channel setup today but want the option to scale into 8, 12, or 16 channels later on the same software platform. Because it also supports standard ASIO soundcards, it works for facilities not yet ready to invest in full Dante infrastructure, while still leaving that upgrade path open. Podcasters who need individual channel recording, stations running multiple phone-based segments, and engineers who want remote access to their console from outside the studio will all find direct value in this platform. For anyone planning a new production room or looking to replace aging console hardware with something more flexible and software-driven, DARC Virtual is worth evaluating early in that process.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Arrakis","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50995700957431,"sku":"DARC-Virtual 4","price":699.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0422\/1291\/7402\/files\/Arrakis-DARC-Virtual-4.jpg?v=1785794903","url":"https:\/\/www.305broadcast.com\/products\/arrakis-darc-virtual-4-4-channel-virtual-console-software","provider":"305broadcast","version":"1.0","type":"link"}