Midas Pro 2 and Pro 2C

[tombo]

Hi Guys, I am interested in the new Midas Console, the Pro 2. After looking on their website it all sounds great, but can I really trust what they are telling me?

I understand it is a DSP based digital mixing console, and the clue to my apprehension of this console is the fact they say 'Up to 28 Klark Technic GEQ's'...the give away being the 'Up to' part.

Has anyone used one? Can anyone elaborate on the architecture of the console...Can i really get 64 simultaneous inputs whilst mixing with 27 busses? Do I need to start sacrificing parts of the I/O to get more FX resources?

It annoys me when Manufacturers tell you porkies ...no!

Apologies if this is in the wrong section too...first thread!

Any help would be great.

Cheers

[alex_kyuss]

Hi, so there's 56 channels plus 8 fx returns. 16 aux + 8 matrix + L R M
The FX amounts are as follows you can choose from 6 FX + 8 GEQ, 5 FX + 12 GEQ, 4 FX + 16 GEQ, 3 FX + 20 GEQ, 2 FX + 24 GEQ, 1 FX + 28 GEQ. I believe that's correct. I've never mixed on one but I'm looking forward to it.

[tombo]

Ok then, so that would be 56 mono plus the 8 fx return aux...which i believe can be made into Input channels minus dynamics processing? So that would total 64 inputs.

Again, on the website it says 27 mix bussess...you have 16 mono Aux busses, and if you didn't use the return aux for extra channels, would boost the total up to 24...where is the 27 from then? Something to do with the L/R/C and the master buss maybe?

Interesting about the GEQ's, although I am a firm believer of less is more when I am FOH, it is quite annoying of the compromise you have to decide on.

I wonder if it is the same about with the POP groups and VCA groups too...

[tombo]

I also would really like to know how many insert points per channel there are too...!

[beingofsound]

I am too very interested in checking this little work horse out. The live sound company I work for (High Peaks Sound) will be having a demo of the board in a couple weeks, so any questions on this forum will be brought up to the tech. What I want to know is the console's recording capability. Is there any software out there that is compatible? How does the Pro2 interface with a DAW? I notice that there are AES ins and outs, does this mean that I can interface with my HD192 I/O? In Midas' FAQ section, they say yes. Anybody try this out yet?

I'll let ya'll know how the demo goes.

-Bryan
Welcome to High Peaks Sound

[waveterm]

You will need an AES50 to multiple AES3 converter if you want to record several channels. I´m not sure if there are any available to do this.

klark Teknik has a rackmount converter that can do AES50 to MADI but I am almost certain it cannot do what you need.

WT

[cheu78]

I'd just be the devil's advocate..
Sure the midas Pro is a nice console, but what about a Digico? Plenty of input and outputs and they have a MADI usb dongle to record all your tracks..
Processing power is outstanding as well..

I'd seriously consider this option..

Just my 0.02$,



Cheu

[waveterm]

Midas will always be Midas.....

WT

[cheu78]

Sure the Pro series is one of the very few (IMO) nice digital desks around.. But for the money involved, routing options, processing power, sound quality and last but not least workflow I'd choose a Digico.. Or at least consider it..

I must admit that the feel of the board is also nice and it definitely sounds good (hey for that money it should).. But I find the workflow cumbersome sometimes.. (but this is a very personal point of view of course).

Just my 0.02$,

Cheu

[waveterm]

True that,

a friend just got his Pro-2 delivered. It will be fun to try it out.

Digico is also very nice and the fact that they use Madi is a plus.

WT

[tombo]

I also think DiGiCo are one of the best and if not *bracing for backlash* the best digital mixing console manufacturer around. The amount of customisation and power in their consoles is incredible. The SD9 is also cheaper than the Pro 2, and the specs they state are actually true!

I find the delay compensation parameters rediculous in the Pro2. If your in Monitor Mix low latency mode you have no Inserts, FX returns or GEQ’s on your Aux sends and no insert points or GEQ on your master. Pretty sure the cost of the klark-technic aes50 to madi netwrork bridges costs the same as a small mixing console as well!

[beingofsound]

Alright I went to the demo, and the Midas Pro2 is indeed sick. Really easy to move around on the board, and the Pop Groups feature is great. The 3 things I was not a fan of:

Their wireless feature is kind of sub-par in comparison to other digital consoles out there. You can only use an ipad or apple (midas OS operates on unix/linux) and you can not make fader movements via the ipad. No more mixing from your tablet! Granted, I don't enjoy mixing on a tablet. However, in certain settings where the console is not in front of the speakers or you have multiple arrays in the field, it is quite a nice feature.

Secondly, the recording feature is very limited. There's really only one option according to the midas rep. A Lynx PCIe card that intefaces with AES50 (Midas's protocol - bidirectional cat 5 or cat 6 cable). Here's a link:

Recording: Lynx Studio Technology Introduces AES16e-50 With AES50 Interface At Winter NAMM ‘09 - Pro Sound Web

Lastly, as of now, Midas Pro2 does not support third party plugins. I think they have only a handful of efx onboard and are working on pairing up with TC Electronics (which would be bomb).


But I digress, the console is a beauty and sounds great. All top of the line Midas pres, with control over the analog mic pre and the digital trim. All digital consoles have their pros and cons. Apples and Oranges, what are you hungry for?