Upmixing is in our DNA at Arkamys

Since the beginning, Arkamys has been driven by one core belief: sound can be more than just louder or clearer; it can be immersive, dimensional, and alive. Since 1998, our team of acousticians and engineers has been developing a patented spatialization process, our own proprietary upmixing technology, that transforms simple mono and stereo content into expansive multichannel soundscapes, completely reshaping the listening experience.

Our earliest applications were in post-production, enhancing the soundtracks of beloved films. In our studios at the Château d’Hérouville, we remastered original audio for DVD releases such as Subway, Cris et Chuchotements, Peau d’âne, Tex Avery, Bagdad Café and le Gendarme de Saint-Tropez. These weren’t superficial upgrades. Even then, we rejected shortcuts like artificial reverb or decorative effects. Instead, our system relied on precise spectral analysis to uncover and redistribute the true content of the stereo signal, respecting the original mix as if it were created for surround. 

Our upmixing technology was also made available beyond our internal studio environment. It was distributed as a plugin within professional Digital Audio Workstations, reaching mix engineers and mastering professionals in the cinema and music studio communities. This made our technology and expertise part of the professional creative ecosystem early on. Additionnally, we offerend our technology as a physical rack-mounted processor – the Arkamix – which was rented by studios for high-end audio processing. 

The studio-grade mindset carried over, and we moved into embedded platforms. By the early 2000s, we had adapted our algorithms for constrained environments: audio-video players, mobile phones, and in-flight entertainment systems, including for Air France. With minimal hardware and limited speakers, our lightweight upmix engines preserved spatial realism in places it had never existed before. And importantly, the resulting audio remained fully compatible with stereo downmixing, free of phase issues or artifacts, ensuring clarity and balance at every playback level. 

In 2008, we entered the automotive space. The car cabin, one of the most intimate and acoustically complex listening environments, became our perfect setting. Rather than replicated studio conditions, we reimagined upmixing to suit the unique architecture of each vehicle, taking into account speaker layout, materials, and DSP constraints to create a tailored, immersive experience. 

As DSP platforms have evolved, so too has our upmixing. What began with detailed studio analysis now adapts dynamically across modern embedded systems. We optimized our process, ensuring our premium audio signature remains intact. Today’s versions are more precise and responsive than ever, incorporating dynamic adaptation and multi-band control. Features like adjustable center divergence and stereo image width, which were first introduced in our studio-grade tools, continue to give engineers creative control. But the core remains unchanged: deliver immersive sound without compromise, staying true to the original intent. 

Beyond upmixing, our product team have continued to broaden our scope. We have developed our intelligent tuning tools that automatically optimize sound settings in real-time. Among these tools is our Smart Tuning, our most recent addition designed specifically for automotive OEMS. It introduces automation, consistency, and real-time control to the tuning process. With its intuitive interface and dynamic calibration capabilities, Smart Tuning enables engineers to craft and refine listening capabilities directly inside the vehicle, streamlining development while preserving the richness and integrity of the sound. 

Looking ahead, the role of premium upmixing is only growing. In vehicles, connected spaces, and emerging audio platforms, the need for spatial sound that feels authentic is more critical than ever. As environments become more intelligent, our legacy of precise, immersive audio puts us in a unique position to shape what comes next. 

As Alexis Charbonnel, Deputy Executive Director at Arkamys puts it:

 Our philosophy hasn’t changed: great sound isn’t about volume or novelty; it’s about depth, emotion, and presence. That’s what upmixing has always meant to us. And that’s the standard we’ll continue to carry forward.