Hi.

I bought an IK Multimedia Arc Studio and I haven't been able to use it.

I use Windows 7, and I know that the official website says it's compatible with Windows 10.

But I couldn't download the driver, even for Windows 10.

In the Windows 7 "Device Manager," the "ARC Studio DFU Control VCOM" driver appears as not installed.

The ID for this driver is:
USB\VID_1963&PID_00BF&REV_0105&MI_00
USB\VID_1963&PID_00BF&MI_00

I tried to register Arc Studio with the serial number that came with it, but "IK Product Manager" says it doesn't exist.
The forum on the IK Multimedia website is not working.

Does anyone have the driver for Windows 10?
I'll try installing it on Windows 7, maybe in compatibility mode.

Thank you.

 

Spoiler: Source: Grok KI

Hi,

I'm sorry to hear about the frustration with your IK Multimedia ARC Studio—sounds like a perfect storm of legacy OS issues, registration glitches, and driver hurdles. I'll break this down based on what I could dig up, including some community insights (your Reddit post in r/UsbCHardware from early November caught my eye—great details there). Windows 7 is indeed unsupported for this device (official specs start at Windows 10 64-bit), but since you've already made progress updating the firmware in a Win10 VM, that's a solid step. Let's tackle the driver, registration, and next moves.

Quick Status Check

• DFU Mode Driver ("ARC Studio DFU Control VCOM"): This is specifically for firmware upgrades (Device Firmware Update over USB). The hardware ID (USB\VID_1963&PID_00BF) confirms it's IK Multimedia's bootloader interface. Since you updated the firmware in the VirtualBox Win10 setup, the unit should now boot into normal operating mode (not DFU). Unplug/replug it on your Win7 machine and check Device Manager— it should appear as a standard USB Audio Device (Class 2 compliant) under "Sound, video and game controllers" or "Universal Serial Bus devices." If it's still showing as unknown/uninstalled, that's likely because Win7 lacks native support for the composite USB setup.
• Normal Mode: Once out of DFU, the device doesn't require a custom "driver" per se—it's USB audio class-compliant, so Win7's built-in USB audio drivers should handle the basics (playback/recording). However, for full control/integration with ARC software (e.g., measurements or presets), you'll need IK's software stack, which ties into the registration wall you're hitting.

Driver Options for Windows 10 (to Try in Compat Mode on Win7)
No public direct download for the ARC Studio driver exists outside IK's ecosystem—it's bundled in the IK Product Manager app after hardware registration. But here's what you can try:

1. IK Product Manager Route (Requires Registration—See Below):
   • Download IK Product Manager from the official site: ikmultimedia.com/demodownload.
   • Run it on Win7 (it installs fine there). Go to the Hardware tab > Drivers section. If registered, it'll offer the ARC Studio USB/firmware drivers (includes VCOM for any future updates).
   • Once downloaded, right-click the installer > Properties > Compatibility > Run as Windows 10. Install, then reboot and test in Device Manager.
2. Workaround for DFU/USB Recognition on Win7 (Using Zadig):
   • Community folks (including in your Reddit thread) recommend Zadig for forcing a generic USB driver on unsupported hardware like this. It's free, safe for testing, and works for DFU/composite devices.
   • Steps:
     • Download Zadig from zadig.akeo.ie (get the latest .exe).
     • Run as Administrator.
     • Plug in the ARC Studio (ensure it's not in DFU—power cycle if needed: unplug, hold the power button for 10s, replug without holding).
     • In Zadig, select Options > List All Devices. Look for "ARC Studio" or the VID_1963 entry (PID may change post-firmware to something like 0x00BE—check Device Manager for exact).
     • Select WinUSB (not libusb) from the driver dropdown.
     • Click Install WCID Driver or Replace Driver. Ignore any unsigned driver warnings (Win7 allows it).
     • Reboot, then test in ARC System 4 software—it should detect the hardware now.
   • Caveat: This binds it to generic USB audio, so advanced features (like low-latency control) might not work perfectly on Win7. If it bricks anything (unlikely), uninstall via Device Manager > right-click > Update Driver > Browse > Let me pick > Have Disk (point to original MS drivers).
3. Generic USB Audio Fallback:
   • If Zadig doesn't click, manually update in Device Manager: Right-click the unknown device > Update Driver > Search automatically (Win7 will pull MS USB Audio 2.0 Class Driver). Or download KB3073930 hotfix from Microsoft (search "Windows 7 USB Audio Class 2 hotfix") for better Win7 USB audio support.

No luck finding a standalone .inf or .exe for the exact PID_00BF outside IK's tools—searches turned up only general USB/CDC drivers, which won't match the composite setup.

Fixing the Serial Registration in IK Product Manager
This is blocking everything else (downloads, auth). The "doesn't exist" error is common for new hardware—could be a server-side glitch or input issue (e.g., leading zeros in serial?).

• Contact IK Support Directly: Don't rely on the forum (yeah, it's been flaky). Use their hardware support form—mention the serial #0500833, purchase proof, and exact error. They're responsive (1-2 business days typically).
  • Link: ikmultimedia.com/contact-support/hw
  • Or general contact: ikmultimedia.com/contact-us > Select "Technical Support" > Hardware > ARC Studio.
  • US/EU phone: +1-954-757-9105 (US) or +39-059-285496 (Italy). Email: [email protected].
• Pro Tip: Attach screenshots of Device Manager, serial sticker, and purchase receipt. Reference your Reddit post if they ask for context—they monitor communities.

Once registered, Product Manager will unlock ARC X software (free with hardware), firmware tools, and drivers. ARC System 4 (which you have) integrates with it for measurements.

Other Tips & Alternatives

• VM Setup as Permanent Fix: Since Win10 VM worked flawlessly for firmware (and USB passthrough handled the Topping D90 too), route your audio through it for ARC sessions. Use VirtualBox USB filters to dedicate the ARC Studio/mic to the VM. Low overhead if your host is beefy.
• Mic Issue (UMIK-1): The Code 10 error in Win10 VM is a known USB power/handshake quirk with miniDSP mics. Try a powered USB hub or different port/cable. ASIO4ALL can bypass for recording.
• Win7 Risks: Beyond no support, unpatched USB vulns could expose you—consider a cheap Win10 upgrade path if this is your main rig.
• Test the Hardware: Bypass software for a quick win—plug ARC Studio between your monitors/DAW. If sound passes through cleanly, the issue is purely software recognition.

If you share what Device Manager shows now (post-firmware update) or the exact registration error text, I can refine this. Hang in there—once registered, it'll fly. Let me know how it goes!

Best, Grok

 

I was able to update the firmware using a virtualized Windows 10.
But in Windows 7, it still shows up as "ARC Studio DFU Control VCOM" in Device Manager.
I can't get out of this mode DFU.

I contacted IK Multimedia regarding the registration, but have received no response so far.
I contacted them through the support form on the official IK Multimedia website.
I keep trying to register Arc Studio with the serial number that came with it, but "IK Product Manager" says it doesn't exist.

I'll try Zadig.

 

I turned on ARC Studio by pressing the CORRECTION button.
None of the lights came on.

In Zadig, it now shows "SE Blank RT Family".
First time I've seen that name.

 

Turning on ARC Studio normally (without pressing the CORRECTION button):



Zadig:





In Device Manager, it still shows the same "ARC Studio DFU Control VCOM".

 

There is no drivers specifically for the Arc Studio. Not even provided by IK Multimedia's Product Manager. It is not required per say because it relies on generic OS drivers in order for the Arc 4/X Software to recognize IK's own HW.

Drivers that ain't part of W7, ironically.

Even I can't make it work.

Your best bet is to either:

A) Update to Windows 10 (Well, at least.)
B) Find a machine, or use a VM like you did before, that runs either Windows 10 or 11 and use that as a dedicated controller for the Arc Studio. (Afterall, if you can update your HW's firmware that way, you can see Arc Studio in your Product Manager if you look under "Hardware", as i strongly believe its impossible to interact with it without authorization. At least, I can't do that with mine when switching accounts in IK.)

I'd go with option B, personally. Less waste of your time. There literally is no viable workaround for this on a well outdated OS.

 

Last edited: Nov 14, 2025