Midas PRO9 Live Audio Mixing System Touring Package, 80 Mic/Line Inputs, 8 Aux/Line Inputs x 35 Buss/Outputs

The Midas PRO9 Live Audio Mixing System Touring Package comprises a control surface (console), a DL371 modular, upgradeable, remote processing engine and a networked system of I/O devices (up to 11 discrete devices) all connected by inexpensive CAT 5e cabling. PRO9 is also compatible with any of the Midas DL series digital I/O units. In addition to this, the PRO9 console has 3 card slots on its rear panel which can house any combination of Midas DL series I/O cards. The default configuration is 8 line inputs and 8 analogue outputs with TRS connectors, 8 XLR analogue outputs, 8 digital inputs and 8 digital outputs on 4 AES3 input/output pairs. These card slots can be quickly reconfigured with whatever I/O is required. Redundant power supplies are included with every system as part of the PRO9's failure-tolerant architecture. PRO9 is easy to configure and operate. Engineers who are new to Midas digital can relax, enjoy the PRO9's sample-synchronous audio quality and mix from well within their comfort zone. Engineers already familiar with Midas can just load their existing show file straight into the PRO9, regardless of which Midas digital console it was created on and carry on working.

In addition to the PRO9's 80 primary input channels, PRO9 also features 8 aux returns, all of which feature 4-band Midas parametric EQ and insert points. These 8 aux returns can be used as returns for the PRO9's 8 internal multichannel FX processors or as additional mic input channels. A total of 88 input channels have routing to 35 phase-coherent mix buses, which comprise 16 user-configurable buses (which can be mixes, subgroups or mix minus groups) and 16 matrix buses. The Matrix buses source from inputs, as well as groups and so can be used as 16 additional auxes (monitor mix and FX sends) which provides a total of 32 mixes (plus L, R Mono) for monitor mixing duties. All buses can be linked as stereo pairs (except the mono bus). As with all Midas digital consoles, the audio paths can be routed to multiple destinations and the console format can be reconfigured live on a scene-by-scene basis.

Midas Audio Quality
The Midas reputation for fantastic audio quality has evolved over 40 years of development and research. By continuing to design the world's best live sound mic preamps through use of superior components, Midas has carried this tradition into the digital realm. Adding the best converters and custom processing algorithms to the mix, Midas takes audio quality to another level. A major problem affecting many digital consoles is a lack of attention to delay management. All digital processing takes time to run. Mix engineers working on analogue consoles routinely combine signals with different signal paths and processing and expect to do the same with digital mixers.

Ergonomics
The 5 high-resolution screens remain visible even in direct sunlight. In this aspect, the Midas console's visual support is exceptional, as most conventional consoles become difficult or impossible to operate in high ambient lighting. The screens provide visual feedback for the "channel" strips directly below and can also provide information for the entire system. In addition, Bay 4 of the surface has a 3-way KVM (Keyboard Video and Mouse) switch, allowing to you bring up third party applications from either a PC or MAC on screen and the console's keyboard and track ball can be used to operate the computer. The detail panel is a vertically-oriented channel strip. The controls are configured in a logical, signal-path sequence and are easily identified by their relative positions. Both analogue users and digital adopters will find no difficulty using the large multicolor LCD channel select buttons for navigating the console. This concept is carried on down through to the PRO1, 2, 2C, 3, 6 and 9.

Mic Pres
The Midas microphone preamp is the one by which all others are judged. Still built from discrete components and still based on the designs which were so successful in the legendary Midas analogue consoles such as the XL3, XL4 and Heritage, the current expressions in the XL8 sound better than ever. Whether you want pristine, transparent reproduction or that renowned Midas warmth and colorations, Midas' dual (analogue and digital) gain stages enable you to shape the mic preamp's character according to your own preference. All Midas digital consoles feature two input gains per channel. First is the remote analogue gained for that wonderful Midas mic preamp and the second is a digital trim. Set the analogue gain for the desired amount (if any) of that famous Midas "warmth", then use the digital trim to achieve your preferred gain structure.

VCA and Population
With the advent of digital technology, channel counts and processing features have grown to a point where it is no longer practical to have all controls physically available at the same time. Additionally, the logistical advantages of smaller control surfaces are becoming increasingly attractive. Midas' unique approach to solving this problem is to mirror the natural work flow used by mix engineers and to provide control and supporting feedback of system status at all levels, from the highest overview to the finest detail. This encourages the development of a mental picture or "Mind Map", of the whole system, even though focus may only be required on limited, specific functions.

Equalization
Midas digital EQ features fully-interpolated controls, which recreate the original phase shift as experienced when working on the world's best-loved analogue consoles. Each input channel has 4-band parametric EQ, with a choice of 4 different filter types for both the high and low filters. These powerful EQ options enable the user to employ EQ filters which emulate the sound of historic Midas consoles or to choose advanced digital filter types, freed of the limitations of analogue circuitry.

Dynamics Processing
The dynamics processing on the PRO9's input channels is identical to the much-acclaimed Midas XL8. Each input channel features a frequency-conscious gate and a choice of 4 different compressor algorithms. Further creative expressions are available, as all 4 compressor algorithms feature variable knee, internal and external side-chain filtering and colorations artifact options. Output (bus) compression offers a choice of 5 different options. These 5 output compression algorithms are designed to provide the engineer with a broad pallet of options for maximum creative potential, right down to the visual display on the screen changing to support the different styles. More dynamics processing options are available in the PRO9's FX rack, including multi-band compression and dynamic equalization.

FX
The cutting-edge 40-bit floating-point DSP processing hosts a wide choice of virtual FX devices, which range from dual-stereo delay units, stereo modulation and many diverse reverb FX, to multiband compression, dynamic EQ and multichannel dual-function dynamics processing. All FX processors are custom-designed to function within the Midas automatic latency compensation system. This ensures a phase-coherent, sample-accurate mix regardless of whether the FX devices are used as channel inserts or on a send-and-return basis. In addition, delay FX can be individually configured to synchronies to the XL8 button. This synchronization makes on-the-fly changes to delay effects simple and painless.

Surround Sound
In addition to normal stereo and SIS (Spatial Image System) operation, the console can operate in one of three surround sound modes are Quad 4-Channel - L-R front plus L-R rear, LCRS 4-Channel - L-R-C plus single rear channel, Quad 6-Channel - L-R-C plus sub plus L-R rear. All three surround modes feature a divergence control to tailor the depth of the surround panning. Dynamic surround panning can be implemented using the consoles trackball or the USB pointing device of your choice.

Navigation Mode
There are 4 modes of channel and mix bay navigation FLIP Navigation, FX Navigation, GEQ Navigation and MCA Navigation. These 4 options allow an engineer to easily and efficiently mix a large number of inputs on a compact control surface.

Automation
One of the most critical requirements for theatre applications is the power and flexibility of console automation. The Midas PRO9 has taken into consideration these very specific requirements and features the same automation software as the XL8, which is itself no stranger to Broadway! The PRO9's automation system can store and recall up to 1000 snapshot scenes. These contain the audio parameter values for every control on the console as well as the network routing, configuration of the FX rack and the format of the mixer itself, all of which is scene-specific. Hardware automation "safe" buttons are provided to enable the operator to quickly isolate selected processing areas from recall should this be required during a performance.

Patching
The PRO9 employs technology developed from the class-leading XL8 console and offers the same exemplary sample-synchronized audio performance.PRO9 has up to 288 inputs x 294 outputs, with point-to-point routing anywhere within the network which can then be patched and routed on a scene-by-scene basis via a powerful snapshot automation system.

iPad Remote Control
The Midas Mix tender iPad App provides wireless remote control for key functions of the Midas PRO Series and XL8 consoles. The App automatically selects the right console type so there is no difficult setup procedure.