Specifications
Third Party System Integration
The Midas XL8 range and PRO Series systems incorporate several special features to aid
real world integration with other important sub-systems.
The Midas digital snakes (HyperMAC), both CAT-5e and Fibre Optic versions, carry
embedded control signals for general usage. Signals carried include standard Ethernet
trac, MIDI messages and GPIO (general purpose input and output signalling). This is a
great advantage since it avoids extra cables, extends the range of, for example MIDI, a long
way beyond normal limits and provides a free Ethernet range extension.
The Ethernet tunnel provides a 10Mbit/sec standard Ethernet connection from an
Ethercon RJ45 connector on the control surface to a similar connector on the stage router
unit (DL461, DL361) for use by third parties. Applications include carrying control signals
from a PC or Mac at FOH to a radio mic receiver rack on stage and similarly, control signals
from a PC or Mac to a system controller on stage. External standard Ethernet network hubs
can be used to connect many dierent systems together via the MIDAS snake, which also
provides redundancy in case of cable damage.
MIDI messages and GPIO (contact closure) signals can be sent and received by the Midas
Console Automation System to local connectors at the console position and remotely to
Midas I/O devices which can be 500m away.
The XL8 and PRO Series control surfaces incorporate a KVM switch (Keyboard – Video
– Mouse). This switch allows one screen on the control surface plus the keyboard and
trackball to be switched to one of three external computer connectors. This is a great way
of reducing “clutter” at the control surface position. A control surface screen, keyboard
and trackball can be used to control up to three other systems where the computers are
placed out of harms way. These external systems, such as ProTools*, Waves* Multi-Rack,
Shure* UHF-R radio mics and Dolby Lake* System Controllers, then appear on a Midas
control surface screen and are controlled by the surface keyboard and trackball.
As described above the Ethernet tunnel can then be used to pass the Ethernet messages
from these computers to the devices they are controlling on stage via the Midas snake. As
an extra renement the automation system can be used to communicate with external
systems via MIDI thereby integrating these systems into the Midas scene automation.
* All trademarks acknowledged.