This wired remote has been designed for direct access to the most frequently used actions and commands of TotalMix FX, being an indispensable tool in the studio's daily applications. Its extremely flexible configuration through TotalMix FX will simplify workflow and greatly increase the usability of the RME interface in most real world situations.
The ARC USB is a USB 1.1 (UAC1) MIDI remote control, natively compatible to Windows and Mac OS X. As soon as it is present in the operating system TotaIMix FX will detect it and communicate with it, without disturbing other remote controls. Therefore it is also not necessary to switch the ARC USB on or off within TotalMix FX - it will just work. And because it communicates with TotalMix FX (via USB) it is compatible to all RME audio interfaces that are detected and supported by TotalMix FX. This goes back to RME interfaces released 2001!
As soon as the ARC USB is connected to a computer any button press or wheel turning will cause the respective action performed by TotalMix FX - and therefore also by the RME audio interface.
With the UFX+ and UFX II the ARC USB can also be connected directly to these devices, currently the only RME interfaces having an internal USB 1.1 host with matching connector. This way of connecting is handy in stand-alone mode, where the ARC USB is also supported by the UFX+ and UFX II.
The ARC USB is bus powered, but draws only little current. Also it uses USB 1.1 as bus standard, which these days is uncritical due to its lower frequency and speed demands. USB 2 cables with 5 meter to 10 meter length, and cheap USB 2 cable extensions that usually make a bus-powered interface fail will work perfectly for the ARC USB. Still at higher lengths RME recommends to use active USB 2 cables (also called extension or repeater cables), which are not expensive and work over lengths of more than 20 meters.
The ARC USB can control several interfaces simultaneously, which happens automatically as the Key Commands dialogue in TotalMix FX is specific to the currently selected audio interface. Just assign only the functions that are desired for each respective interface. After that the ARC USB keys and the encoder wheel remote the respective interface where they have been assigned to, without the need to further switch or select anything in normal operation.
The Advanced Remote Control is configured in the Options menu via the Key Commands dialog of TotalMix FX, tab ARC USB Settings. As the ARC does not have any memory, all configuration and storage is done via TotalMix FX. All settings of the ARC USB are stored within a Workspace, and are therefore identical in all Snapshots of that current Workspace. More than 36 different commands can be assigned to the 15 keys. The behaviour of each individual button can be changed between push, toggle, enable and disable, depending on the base function.
Features
- Allows you to control important functions from your RME interface with a tactile unit
- Natively compatible to Windows and Mac OS X
- Helps improve work flow by putting essential actions at your fingertips
- Command Settings menu in TotalMix FX allows you to assign more than 36 different functions to any of the 15 keys
- The way each key or button behaves can be changed based on original function (push, enable, toggle and disable)
- Some functions include - Global Mute, Solo, Mute Group, Fader Group, Speaker B select, DIM, Mute FX, Mono, Talk-back, Cue phones 1 to 4, Mic Gain, and more
- Buss powered
- Sturdy metal case - looks great!