Arrakis Systems

What Arrakis Systems does

Arrakis Systems, Inc. is a privately held, family-owned broadcast radio technology company headquartered in Loveland, Colorado, that designs, manufactures, and sells audio mixing consoles, broadcast automation software, and Audio over IP (AoIP) networking equipment for terrestrial and internet radio stations, podcasters, and government customers including the US armed services. Founded in the 1970s and continuously operating for more than 45 years from its single US facility, the company organizes its portfolio into three divisions: Automation (flagship APEX plus New Wave, Digilink Xtreme, APEX Live, APEX Cloud, APEX Connect, APEX Creator), AoIP and Software Consoles (DARC Virtual, DARC Surface, DARC S-Series, Simple-IP AoIP nodes built on Audinate's Dante/AES67 protocol), and Hybrid/Analog Consoles (MARC-15 modular flagship, H10/H15 hybrid consoles with software control, ARC-5/8/10/15 analog consoles, and accessories such as turrets, mic preamps, headphone amplifiers, Bluetooth adapters and on-air lights).

The underlying technology combines proprietary control and automation software (APEX, DARC Virtual, H-Series Controller) with US-manufactured hardware, differentiated by modular analog architecture, Dante-based AoIP interoperability, and multi-decade backward compatibility (original 1991 Digilink systems and 1980s consoles remain in service). Arrakis monetizes through one-time hardware sales (consoles priced $749-$7,499, AoIP nodes $2,199-$2,499), one-time software licenses (DARC Virtual $699-$1,599; APEX buyout $2,699-$4,999), a growing recurring software subscription motion (APEX at $100-$125/month), accessories, and support/training services, with international orders handled via regional dealers and US accessories orderable through a direct e-commerce cart. Distribution is dealer-led across more than a dozen countries on every inhabited continent, supplemented by direct enterprise engagement at the annual NAB Show, and customer segments span commercial radio broadcasters, podcasters, internet radio operators, and US military broadcasting units.

Name

Arrakis Systems

Legal name

Arrakis Systems, Inc.

Website

https://arrakis-systems.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Arrakis Systems designs and manufactures broadcast automation software, AoIP-enabled digital consoles, and analog/hybrid mixing consoles, sold globally through a dealer network to commercial radio stations, podcasters, internet radio operators, and US military broadcasters.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Broadcast Studio Equipment

NAICS

Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing (334220), Software Publishers (513210), Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (33431)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600)

akta.pro primary industry

Ad Insertion & Monetization (SCTE-35, DAI/SSAI) (MPAHAKAH)

Keywords

• Broadcast automation software
• Radio mixing consoles
• Audio over IP
• Broadcast studio equipment
• Radio broadcast hardware

Headquarters

HQ city

Loveland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales: Sale of broadcast mixing consoles (ARC, H, MARC, DARC series), AoIP nodes (Simple-IP), control surfaces, accessories, cables, and power supplies. Hardware is sold as one-time purchases with optional extended warranty/support.
2. Software Licenses (One-Time Purchase): Perpetual software licenses for automation (APEX, New Wave), virtual console (DARC Virtual), and tools. Buyout purchases include one year of support and updates. Additional support and updates available for purchase after initial period.
3. Software Subscriptions (Monthly/Annual): Monthly subscription plans for APEX automation software (APEX Hard Disk at $100/mo, APEX Plus at $125/mo). Subscriptions include support, updates, and phone training during the subscription period.
4. Support and Professional Services: Phone support, email support, training sessions, and remote configuration services. Cloud backup setup and failsafe system configuration included with APEX Cloud package. Additional licenses for APEX-Tools at $250 each.
5. Accessories and Consumables: Sales of console accessories including power supplies, mic preamps, headphone amplifiers, Bluetooth adapters, on-air light kits, custom cabling, and replacement parts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Arrakis Systems designs, manufactures, and sells professional broadcast automation software and audio mixing consoles for radio stations. Its product lines include the APEX automation system, New~Wave hard disk automation, DARC Virtual software console, ARC/H/MARC analog and hybrid broadcast consoles, and Simple-IP Dante Audio over IP nodes — sold globally to terrestrial radio broadcasters, internet radio operators, podcasters, and government/military customers.

Product overview

Arrakis Systems is a broadcast radio technology company offering a comprehensive portfolio of broadcast automation software and professional audio mixing consoles. The product architecture follows a platform-plus-modules approach with three main divisions: Automation (APEX flagship, New~Wave, Digilink Xtreme, plus APEX Cloud/Connect/Creator/Live add-ons), Consoles (MARC-15 modular, H-Series hybrid with H-Series Controller software, ARC-series analog), and AoIP (DARC Virtual software, DARC Surface/S-Series physical controllers, Simple-IP nodes). Products are designed, manufactured, and assembled in Loveland, Colorado, with global distribution through dealer networks across North America, Central/South America, Africa, Europe, Middle East, Asia, and South Pacific.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• APEX: Flagship broadcast automation software for terrestrial and internet radio
• DARC Virtual
• DARC Surface
• MARC 15
• ARC Series
• H Series
• Simple-IP
• APEX Cloud
• APEX Connect
• APEX Creator
• New~Wave
• APEX Live
• Digilink Series

Products and services

• APEX Flagship radio broadcast automation software supporting hard disk automation, satellite automation, URL playback, live assist mode, ball game broadcasts, networked multi-studio configurations, multi-monitor and touchscreen support, and 3rd party scheduler integration. Available via monthly subscription or one-time buyout license.
• New~Wave Hard disk automation software for small broadcast and internet radio stations, featuring live assist, music scheduling, voice tracking, hot keys player, and built-in streaming encoder.
• Digilink Xtreme Legacy radio automation software evolved since the 1990s, supporting thousands of existing users; continues to be supported for current customers.
• DARC Virtual Windows-based software mixing console supporting Dante AoIP or ASIO audio interfaces, available in 4/8/12/16 channel configurations with 64 I/O, 4-band parametric EQ, spectrum analyzer, and remote control capabilities.
• DARC Surface Physical control surface interface for DARC Virtual software, available in 8 or 12 channel configurations with OLED displays, LED meters, and tactile fader control.
• DARC-S Series Digital AoIP console with physical control surface in S8 (8 channel) and S15 (15 channel) configurations. Elite models include mix engine and interactive touch display. Controls any Dante audio source on the network.
• Simple-IP Dante AoIP interface nodes for connecting audio equipment to Ethernet networks. Simple-IP-8A provides 8 mono I/O; Simple-IP-16A provides 16 mono I/O. AES67/Dante compatible with 192kHz audio quality.
• MARC-15 Flagship 15-channel modular analog broadcast console with up to 30 source inputs, 3 stereo output mixes, modular design for custom configuration, and up to 2 phone modules for conference calling.
• H15 15-channel hybrid analog broadcast console combining analog simplicity with digital control via H-Series Controller software. Features 25 total inputs, Bluetooth, 2 mix-minus buses, and software-controllable channel on/off, user presets, and remote audio diagnostics.
• H10 10-channel hybrid analog console with software control via H-Series Controller. Features 15 total inputs, Bluetooth, LED or analog VU meters, automatic restore after power loss, and remote console control capabilities.
• ARC-8 8-channel analog console with single stereo output for live on-air, production, and internet streaming applications. Available with or without Bluetooth. Features mix minus bus for external hybrid support.
• ARC-10 10-channel analog broadcast console with 2 stereo outputs, available in U (unbalanced) and UP (USB) models, optional Bluetooth via ARC-Blue, 2-4 mic channels, and LED-illuminated switches.
• ARC-Talk-Blue 8-channel analog console with 5 mic channels, USB, and 2 built-in Bluetooth phone channels for conference calling. Designed for news talk studios, production studios, and remotes without needing external phone hybrid.
• ARC-5 5-channel compact analog broadcast console with 1 stereo output, 2 mic inputs, stereo line input, USB, and mix-minus for phone hybrid. Designed for podcasting, production studios, small broadcast, and internet radio.
• APEX Creator Recorder-editor software for podcast and radio production featuring cut-and-splice editing, auto-leveling, music bed mixing, ten-page hot key player with 18 hotkeys, and pause recording functionality.
• APEX Connect Automated Windows program that downloads audio files from radio program providers (news, weather, traffic, sports) for use in on-air automation systems, supporting HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, FTP/S, and SFTP protocols.
• APEX Cloud Optional package providing remote access, failsafe backup software, cloud and local backup via Synology NAS, and APEX Connect automated file downloader for station redundancy and accessibility.
• APEX Live Free live assist software for broadcast and internet radio stations featuring customizable user interfaces, multi-monitor support, dynamic live assist, multi-sort playlist tools, and hot keys player.

Quantifiable outcome

• Multi-million operation switch and fader lifespan
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Cirrus StreamingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership where Cirrus Streaming provides internet streaming services and Arrakis provides New Wave automation software bundled free with Cirrus subscriptions. Cirrus Streaming offers cloud streaming infrastructure with Synology NAS backup for internet radio stations. Partnership enables Arrakis to offer complete internet radio station packages combining automation software with streaming services.
• Audinate (Dante)coreTechnology or IntegrationAudinate's Dante protocol is the foundation of Arrakis's AoIP product line. Arrakis Simple-IP nodes and DARC Virtual software are built on Dante/AES67 standards, enabling interoperability with hundreds of Dante-enabled third-party audio products from manufacturers worldwide.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Axia Audio (Telos Alliance): Axia, part of the Telos Alliance, is a leading direct competitor in broadcast AoIP consoles with Livewire+/AES67 networking. Both Arrakis (Dante-based) and Axia (Livewire+) compete to provide IP console ecosystems to radio stations, with overlapping target customers in commercial broadcasting.
• Wheatstone Corporation: Wheatstone is one of Arrakis's closest direct competitors in the US radio broadcast market, manufacturing broadcast mixing consoles (Air, VoxPro) and AoIP networking solutions (WheatNet-IP). Both companies target professional radio broadcasters with integrated console and IP-audio offerings, competing head-to-head for station installations.
• Sonifex: Sonifex is a UK-based manufacturer of broadcast audio equipment including mixing consoles, audio routers, and AoIP products. Targets the same professional radio broadcast customers as Arrakis with similar console and IP-audio solutions, primarily in EMEA markets.
• Logitek Electronic Systems: Logitek manufactures digital broadcast consoles and routing systems for radio, including the JetStream AoIP network. Directly competes with Arrakis in console and IP audio networking for radio broadcasters, particularly in North American markets.
• Radio Systems Inc: Radio Systems manufactures analog and digital broadcast consoles and studio equipment for radio stations, including StudioHub+ integration. Direct overlap with Arrakis in serving small to mid-market radio broadcasters with console and integration products.

Broad incumbents

• Lawo AG: Lawo is a larger German-based broadcast equipment manufacturer offering RAVENNA/AES67-based AoIP consoles and large-scale broadcast routing systems. While not a direct head-to-head competitor in small-market radio, Lawo competes for the same broadcast technology wallet with broader portfolio including TV production.
• Allen & Heath: Allen & Heath manufactures professional mixing consoles including broadcast-specific models (Qu, SQ, Avantis series) with Dante networking. Competes with Arrakis for podcast, internet radio, and smaller broadcast studios where broadcast-specific features are less critical than price and versatility.
• DiGiCo: DiGiCo manufactures high-end digital mixing consoles primarily for live sound and broadcast, owned by Audiotonix. While focused on larger broadcast and live production, DiGiCo consoles overlap with Arrakis in radio on-air applications for premium installations.
• Yamaha Professional Audio: Yamaha is a dominant global manufacturer of mixing consoles across music, broadcast, and live sound. While primarily known for music and live applications, Yamaha consoles compete with Arrakis in podcast and small broadcast studios seeking cost-effective professional mixers.

Emerging players

• Tascam (TEAC Corporation): Tascam manufactures affordable broadcast and podcast equipment including mixers, recorders, and interfaces. Targets overlapping customer segments in podcasting, internet radio, and small broadcast with lower-priced alternatives to Arrakis's professional consoles.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ArrakisSystemsinc
• Facebookfacebook.com/Arrakis.Systems
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/arrakis-systems-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Arrakis Systems