Ark console
Fully Discrete - Class-A - High Voltage design
Modular - Classic Analogue - Modern Workflow
Wonderful sound
The concept and design of the Ark is the sum of the input from professionals from all over the world and from all parts of the audio industry.
The Ark has been designed from the ground up, with the ultimate goal to build the best-sounding console ever.
The Ark has been designed with full respect for decades of recording technology, but constantly keeping in mind that the best way to use an analogue console today may not necessarily be the way it was used in the past.
The Ark is fully modular, fully configurable, fully expandable and hugely flexible.
Designed for both tracking and mixing in a pure analogue or hybrid DAW environment.
We understand that buying a console can be a lifetime investment, so every feature needs to be exactly right for you and your studio.
The Ark can be configured to your requirements and budget, including a near infinite variety of channel count, signal flow, modules and layout.
The Ark may very well be the shortest, best-sounding and most affordable way to your dream studio.
Ark 8 / Ark FL
The Ark is available in two versions.
Ark 8 is our flagship console.
Ark FL is a stripped down version of the Ark 8.
Ark 8 offers a huge amount of features and options.
Ark FL drops features not absolutely necessary, resulting in large cost savings.
Ark 8 and Ark FL are fully modular, fully configurable and hugely flexible.
Designed for both tracking and mixing in a pure analog or hybrid DAW environment.
Both consoles offer wonderful sound.
Ark 8 and Ark FL are fully compatible.
Buckets and Modules can be mixed-and-matched and used in either console.
Ark 8 / Ark FL
All Ark consoles share the following:
* Fully discrete, Class-A, High Voltage design
* Full Dual Audio Path architecture (inline channels)
* Multiple inputs per channel
* Multiple Stereo Mix buses and Subgroups
* 8 to 16 Aux sends
* 2 insert points per channel
* Integrated Octa, 51x or 500 series slots for additional processing modules
* Fully customisable look.
* Classic VU Metering or Reference Bargraph Metering
* 5-year warranty
* Designed for easy “in-the-field” repair / replacement / upgrade / expansion
* Build like a tank and designed to be used for a life-time
Ark 8
Starting at €15900
Ark FL
Starting at €9900
Fully discrete, Class-A, High Voltage design
Dual Audio Path architecture (inline channels)
2 or 3 inputs per channel
2 Stereo Mix buses
8 Subgroups
2 insert points per channel
Integrated Octa, 51x or 500 series slots for additional processing modules
Classic VU Metering or Reference Bargraph Metering
Fully customisable look and 5-year warranty
Designed for easy “in-the-field” repair / replacement / upgrade / expansion
Build like a tank and designed to last a life-time
16 Aux sends
Balanced internal buses
(for improved headroom and signal-to-noise ratio)
8 Aux sends
Unbalanced internal buses
(as most other analogue consoles have)
Ark - Concept (or how combining channel buckets builds any size console)
To offer maximum flexibility, the Ark has been split-up in independent modular frames (buckets).
The buckets are used to construct any 8 to 64 channel Ark, and can be put next to each other in any order you prefer.
Each bucket is fully modular, and has either of the following:
• 8 inline input channels with multi EQ section and full dual audio path (2 simultaneous inputs per channel)
• 8 inline input channels with support for Octa, 51x and 500 modules (2 simultaneous inputs per channel)
• Different Master sections with or without support for 7.1 surround
• Rack rails for patchbay or 19” rackgear
• Producer desk / center control
See buckets overview page for details
Ark - Quality (or the sound of high-voltage, fully discrete, class-A circuitry)
Extended frequency response, low phase shift and ultra-low noise are standard on the Ark console.
(some companies call this “Super Analogue Technology”)
When designing the Ark, we did not want to cut any corners, and took every single detail into consideration.
The Ark has been designed from the ground up, evaluating every single knob, switch, connection and function.
Even placement of the circuit boards, screws, and cable paths took hours of discussion and evaluation.
Not only to make sure she looks as good on the inside as on the outside, but mostly to make sure that the absolute best signal quality and the absolute best user experience are achieved.
The Ark is a fully Discrete, Class-A design.
As a result, the Ark’s performance is “off the charts” in terms of headroom, distortion and dynamic range.
This is being achieved by using high-voltage, fully discrete, Class-A circuitry throughout the console, in combination with fully balanced mix busses on the Ark8. In order to keep the audio as clean as possible, active circuitry is kept to a minimum, passive circuits are used where possible and there are no electrolytic capacitors anywhere in the signal path (so no re-capping necessary in the future).
For signal amplification and control, we designed high-voltage, discrete op-amp cards that eliminate crossover distortion while offering extended headroom, dynamic range and improved frequency response. These discrete op-amp cards are used throughout the console.
TopAmp
Discrete Class-A - Audio Operational Amplifier
The TopAmp is a specialist audio operational amplifier that uses pure Class-A circuitry from input to output, designed to re-capture the clarity and character of classic audio recordings from the 1960’s and 1970’s
Derived from a long-held understanding that where sonic fidelity is concerned, “less is more”, the TopAmp uses the absolute minimum of components necessary to achieve the performance expected from a modern op-amp in terms of noise, distortion and power supply rejection.
Specifications:
- Ultimate Sonic Clarity
- Discrete Bipolar Class-A Design
- +26dBu Maximum Signal Handling
- Ultra Low Distortion: 0.0003%
- Ultra Low Noise: 1.8nV/√Hz at 40dB gain
- Common Mode Rejection >80dB
- Open-Loop Gain: >70dB
- Slew Rate: 8V/us
- Full Power Bandwith: 2MHz
Ark - Input Channels (or how the Ark can be fully configured to your needs)
The Ark is fully modular.
To offer extended configurability, each channel has been split up in separate modules / sections.
Different versions of each of the channel section modules are available.
While the Ark has been designed as in-line console, the Ark also offers stereo input channels and split-console functionality.
Each input channel is made up of different sections:
* Meter section
* Upper section which holds input and routing modules
* Middle section can hold our multi EQ modules, Octa modules or 500 / 51x modules
* Lower section which holds sends and faders
All this offers maximum flexibility so the Ark can be configured to your requirements.
The Ark 8 input channels feature Mic (or Group), Line and DAW inputs.
The Ark FL input channels feature Mic, Line and DAW inputs.
Each of these inputs can be routed through the small fader path, or the large fader path, on both Ark 8 and Ark FL.
Unlike most other in-line consoles, the Ark features two fully independent audio paths per channel.
Each of the audio paths has it’s own independent routing, insert, EQ, fader and auxes.
Both audio paths can be used simultaneously. It’s like having 2 channels in one.
Colour and character are added in the middle input channel section, by means of our own multi-EQ or Octa modules or with 500 / 51x series modules.
The lower input channel section features 8 auxiliary sends on the Ark FL,
and 16 auxiliary sends - using our unique Aux Doubling Technology - on the Ark 8
Signal Path
The Ark is an in-line console with two completely independent audio paths per channel.
We call them the Long Fader and the Short Fader signal paths.
Throughout these pages, these are referred to as LF and SF paths.
Each signal path has it’s own routing, fader and inserts.
Each signal path can be used by any of the inputs.
Both signal paths can be used at the same time.
Master and Group Outputs
Each of the signal paths has full, and independent routing to 2 stereo master outputs and 8 subgroups.
Inserts
Each signal path has it’s own inserts, for 2 insert send and returns per channel.
Direct Out
Each channel has one direct out, selectable to come from the Small or Large Fader.
Routing
The Ark in-line architecture provides huge operational flexibility and power.
The block diagram below shows the SF and LF (short and long fader) paths.
Each channel features three positions where you can change (swap) the signal path.
The [IP Rev] switch on the upper input module determines whether the Mic/Line/Group or the DAW input is used for a particular path. As default condition the Mic/Line/Group input feeds the SF path while the DAW signal feeds the LF path.
This could be considered a standard record / mix and monitoring setup.
Mic or Line signal goes to Small fader which feeds the direct-out and gets sends to the recording device.
DAW (or Tape) return signal goes to Large fader for mix and monitoring setup.
The [SF] switches put EQ’s and/or Auxes in the SF path. These can be found on the Hi-Cut Filter, Lo-Cut Filter, Inductive EQ and Swing EQ, and per pair of Aux Sends. The normal position for all switches on the console is UP and with the [SF] switch in the up position EQ’s and Auxes are in the LF path (ready for mixing).
The [Dir Out LF] switch on the upper input module determines whether the Direct Output comes from the LF or SF output. The normal position for all switches on the console is UP and with the [Dir Out LF] switch in this position the Small Fader signal is routed to the Direct Output (ready for recording).
Combining the [IP Rev], [SF] and [Direct Out LF] switches provides a huge amount of routing options, to offer full flexibility. Since these switches have a large impact on the signal path and workflow, they have a blue LED and are positioned on a blue background.
Note that there are no switches to change the signal path through the 500-series modules (if any are installed). 500 modules I/O can be directly connected to the SF and LF inserts or patched anywhere in the LF or SF path.
Please refer to the block diagram below for possible routing options.
Note that this is a “per channel” configuration.
Large Fader and Short Fader can independently be routed to all subgroups and Master outputs on Ark 8 and Ark FL.
Ark - Master Bucket (or how the Ark becomes the centre of your universe)
Like the input channel bucket, the Ark master bucket is 8-channels wide.
It contains:
* Master meter section
* Upper section with master output controls for Group 1-8, Aux A 1-8 and Aux B 1-8 (Ark 8)
* Upper section with master output controls for Group 1-8 and Aux A 1-8 (Ark FL)
* Main master section with full control of speakers, cues, talkback, etc (check out the IP70x page, our master section is really special)
* Producer desk with space for keyboard and/or trackpad
The middle master section can contain:
* 2 rows of 8 slots for Octa, 51x or 500 modules (for a total of 16 slots)
* blank panels to hold iPad, FX controls, pedals or whatever you feel like putting there
* 2 of the IP516 multipurpose stereo inputs
* a combination of the above
Ark - Connections (or how the Ark becomes the centre-piece of your studio)
The Ark has a very large amount of I/O.
Most Ark consoles have an integrated patchbay, with all connections internally wired to the patchbay.
When no patchbay is installed, connections on the rear panel of input and master bucket may look like this:
Some configurations may look different.
Ark - Bus, Aux and Master Inputs (or how to connect a side-car or other console)
All connections of the Ark are on the rear-panel or the patchbay (when installed).
But apart from all the input and outputs you expect from the descriptions above, the Ark also had direct inputs to the master, aux and group busses.
Inputs to the master busses? Why?
These inputs to the master busses can have some interesting uses.
Here are a couple of scenarios we have in mind.
Connect an additional console or sidecar.
If you happen to own this exclusive sidecar, or have this extra console lying around (maybe one for all your synths), you can connect this directly to the busses of the Ark.
- Connect the master outputs of the other console to the master bus inputs of the Ark
- Connect the aux outputs of the other console to the Aux bus inputs of the Ark
- Connect subgroup outputs of the other console to the group bus inputs of the Ark
You’ll get full access to auxes, subgroups and masters from both the Ark and from your additional console or sidecar. It’s like both consoles become one.
Connect automated effects from your DAW
Maybe you like to automate the effect sends in your DAW?
- Send the effect (aux) masters from your DAW to separate outputs on your audio interface
- Connect these outputs to the aux bus inputs of the Ark
You’ll get full access to your hardware effects from both the Ark and from your DAW
Connect mix outputs from your DAW
- Send stems or automated channels to separate outputs on your audio interface
- Connect these outputs to the master bus inputs or group bus inputs of the Ark
You’ll get full access to 2 stereo Master mix busses or 8 Group busses from both the Ark and your DAW
We can’t wait to find out what other uses you may come up with.
Ark - Modules
Ark - Modules overview page can be found here
Ark - Buckets
The overview of Buckets & Pricing can be found here
Ark - Example Configurations
Some examples
This website is about the Ark Console.
The Interphase Audio company website has all information about our other products.