Midas Consoles and Digital Audio Networks 2010
Midas Consoles and Digital Audio Networks 2010 WALTER NASH ROAD, KIDDERMINSTER, WORCESTERSHIRE. DY11 7HJ. ENGLAND. TEL:+44 1562 741515 FAX:+44 1562 745371 www.midasconsoles.com DOC05-MIDAS 01-06-2010. Due to company policy of continual improvement we reserve the right to change the specifications of any Midas product without prior notice.
Forty Years of Innovation and Leadership Midas have a long history of Innovation and leadership in the world of audio mixing consoles, which continues to this day.
Midas Digital Sound Quality The Midas reputation for fantastic audio quality has evolved over 40 years of development and research. By designing the best mic pre’s, equalisation and using the superior components. Midas has carried this tradition into the digital realm, by adding the best converters and custom processing algorithm to the mix Midas, takes audio quality to another level.
Midas Digital Audio Systems VCA and POPulation Groups With the advent of digital technology consoles channel counts and processing features have grown to a point where it is just not practical to have all controls physically available at the same time. Additionally the logistical advantages of smaller control surfaces are attractive.
Effects Processing Midas digital consoles include an ever expanding library of effects processing devices. Which includes: AA KT DN780 reverb Hall Plate Room Chamber ALIVE! Non-linear Reverse Infinite room AA Multi-band compressor AA Stereo pitch shifter AA Square ONE 8-channel dynamics processor AA KT DN370 Graphic EQ AA Stereo delay AA Stereo flanger AA Stereo phaser The effects devices are presented as a virtual rack of units.
Automation All Midas digital consoles are purpose-designed for easy, instant-access to all key functions when mixing, however, should the operator require the console to manage mundane repetitive tasks, or control complex and wide-reaching changes during a performance, the onboard automation system can handle all requirements with ease. Each show file within the consoles memory can contain many hundreds of “scenes” which can be individually recalled the instant their settings are required.
Patching Midas digital systems are much more than a “mixer” – they are complete digital audio distribution networks. The XL8 has a network capacity of 432 inputs and 432 outputs, and the PRO3, 6, and 9 all have capacities of 288 inputs and 294 outputs. All of these network connections can be patched and routed independently of the audio passing through the “mixer”.
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 traffic, MIDI messages and GPIO (general purpose input and output signalling).
XL8 Live Performance Systems Introduction Digital goes Midas. The industry held its collective breath when the XL8 was unveiled in 2006 as this was not merely another digital mixing console. It brought audio control and distribution, in fact all aspects of the live performance to one single control centre. Being a Midas it coupled sound quality, flexibility and reliability with an ease and familiarity of use unrivalled by other digital control surfaces.
XL8 Live Performance System Touring The touring version of the XL8 Live Performance System has been especially configured for high profile concerts, festivals and major events. Main inputs are connected via DL431 remote control 5-way mic splitters which have three fully independent non-interacting mic pres per input. Two of these are remote controllable (2.5dB steps) and the third is fixed gain feeding out as analogue via isolating transformers.
XL8 Live Performance System Install The Install Version of the XL8 Live Performance System has been especially configured to be cost effective for permanent installations. The I/O XLRs are replaced by high-density D-type connectors. Each of the four remote DL451 24 channel in and 24 channel out I/O boxes can be separately placed up to 100m from the stage router unit, which can itself be up to 500m from the control surface.
Audio System Signal Router Midas DL461 Audio System Signal Processor Midas DL471 The DL461 is a 3U 19” rack unit, which performs the stage-to-console link using a single CAT-5e cable (under 100 metres) or fibre-optic link (up to 500 metres) for the XL8. The DL471 is a 1U 19” rack unit, which forms part of the XL8 modular DSP engine. In addition to audio and control connections to the ten DSP modules.
PRO Series Introduction The Midas PRO Series Live Audio Systems employs technology developed from the class-leading XL8, offering the same exemplary sample - synchronised audio performance. The PRO series can provide up to 104 simultaneous input processing channels and up to 35 discrete mixes in monitor mode, all of which feature EQ and a choice of dynamics processing options.
PRO3 Live Audio System The Midas PRO3 Live Audio System provides entry to the PRO Series of consoles and will ensure that even more touring riders and professional installations can take advantage of Midas’ digital features. PRO3 naturally features the legendary and much-loved Midas sound characteristics, which have their roots in the classic Midas analogue consoles.
PRO6 Live Audio System The Midas PRO6 is the second networked digital audio system from Midas and is at the heart of the PRO Series Live Audio Systems. The PRO6 can provide up to 64 simultaneous input processing channels and up to 35 discrete mixes in monitor mode, all of which feature EQ and a choice of many dynamics processing options. By adding additional I/O hardware the PRO6’s network can be expanded up to 288 inputs and 294 outputs.
PRO9 Live Audio System The Midas PRO9 sits at the top of the Midas PRO Series, featuring a massive 88 channel input count and 35 buses, with the dual stage boxes offering placement flexibility up to 200m apart and 500m from the FOH position. The PRO9 benefits from the full range of Midas I/O box options, including the DL251 fixed format stage box, the highly acclaimed DL431 24 channel 5-way mic splitter offering three mic preamps per channel and dual digital network connections, both with full redundancy.
Audio System Engine Midas DL371 Audio System Modular I/O Midas DL351 The PRO Series processing engine is a 7U 19” rack mount unit, which houses up to 7 audio processing modules and routing hardware. Employing advanced FPGA architecture, it has three removable power supplies, only two of which are required for full operation.
Audio System Modular I/O Midas DL451 Audio System Modular I/O Midas DL I/O Card Options The DL451 is a 3U 19” rack unit, which provides a maximum of 24 audio inputs and 24 audio outputs.
Audio System Fixed Format I/O Midas DL251 Audio System Input Splitter Midas DL431 The DL251 is a 5U fixed configuration I/O unit with 48 audio inputs / 16 audio. The DL251 is limited to analogue connections and provides a more cost-effective solution for those not requiring the flexibility of Midas modular I/O hardware. The DL431 is a 6U 19” rack fixed configuration unit which features 24 mic / line inputs.
Digital Audio Format Converters DN9650 and DN9652 The DN9650 network bridge allows the AES50 interfaces on Midas XL8 and PRO Series digital audio systems, Klark Teknik’s DN9696 high resolution audio recorders and all Midas I/O units to connect to third party multichannel digital audio networks. Supported formats include MADI, Audinate* Dante, Aviom* A-Net, Cirrus Logic* Cobra Net and Digigram* EtherSound utilising network modules designed and manufactured by Lab X Technologies*, Audinate* and Cirrus Logic*.
Digital Snakes and Audio Distribution Traditionally microphones have been connected to mixing consoles by long multi-core cables. Over time, as sound systems have grown, the number of cores required and the number of cables needed to connect all parts of the sound system together (FOH, Monitors, Remote Truck etc.) have increased. This results in ever higher costs and lower performance. Midas digital snakes provide a solution to these problems.
Midas has invested seven years of research and development into multi-channel high performance digital audio networking systems. The Midas network and input/output devices are already in regular use with the XL8 and PRO Series consoles in hundreds of locations worldwide every day. Midas has now made this technology available to everyone as part of a portfolio of products including digital snakes and digital audio distribution systems.
Splitter snakes and audio distribution products AA All systems built from standard Midas I/O units AA AES50 network connections on rugged CAT-5e cable with Neutrik Ethercon connectors AA Redundancy options available AA All systems are supplied with Midas PC-based remote control software AA Two independent Midas mic pres separately controlled from each end point AA Analogue fixed gain transformer isolated output AA PC connects to any unit by ethernet (auto IP addressing) AA Hardware remote gain control optio
Graphic Controller Klark Teknik DN9331 Rapide High Resolution Audio Recorder Klark Teknik DN9696 The DN9331 is a 6U 19” rack unit and is the motorised fader remote control for the Midas digital onboard Graphic EQs. It connects using a single Ethernet cable and provides instant real-time control of all onboard assignable graphic equalisers, via the Solo Tracking System (STS). Klark Teknik has engineered an extremely easy to use, simple to setup, standalone hard disk recorder - the DN9696.
Analogue Audio Distribution Klark Teknik The analogue audio splitter remains the most versatile and cost effective way of distributing audio signals to multiple locations, especially in a world where digital and analogue consoles are paired in Front of House and monitor configurations, and digital consoles employ different audio transport protocols.
Venice Venice is Midas’ first truly compact console, built in direct response to customer demand. It does exactly what was asked, in that it provides a high quality alternative in a huge number of applications where previously Midas was not an option. These range from smaller conference or live band applications, to effects returns or additional inputs in a large multi-console application, or indeed as part of a small complete mobile system.
Verona The Verona takes the concept of the ultra-compact Venice, Midas’ best selling console of all time, and elevates it to the next level. Verona delivers more inputs, more features, along with legendary Midas quality in a package that revolutionized the 8 buss market. Visually, the console looks stunning; despite it’s physically modest proportions, it feels like a full-sized Midas to work on; and of course, most importantly of all, it sounds as good as it looks.
Siena Siena brings all of Midas’ knowledge and experience in building dual purpose consoles, such as the industry standard analogue console the Heritage 3000 and the now legendary XL3, and offers all of these benefits in a compact package. Siena has been designed to both complement and expand the groundbreaking Verona concept.
Legend 3000 The Legend 3000 is a semi-modular multi-application live production mixing consoles which combines the unique Midas sound quality with some truly innovative features. Legend includes the XL4’s high performance preamps plus the XL3 EQ to deliver the trademark Midas sound and it uses the same snapshot automation system as its larger cousins, but there are also some innovative features that make the console particularly attractive.
Dual Channel Mic Pre and Equaliser Midas XL42 8x8 Matrix Mixer Midas XL88 The Midas XL42 is a 1U rack mounted, dual channel creative equaliser incorporating the XL4 four-band parametric equalisation with XL4 mic/line pre-amplifiers and 48V phantom supply. Each channel has input, output and pan rotary controls, 10 segment LED metering plus a switchable insert send and return point, plus DIP switches to enable automute scene control from the automute masters of XL consoles.
