Midas XL8 Install Live Performance System with 112 Simultaneous Input Processing Channels and 51 Sample-Synchronous, Phase-Coherent Mix Busses

The Midas xL8 Install Live Performance System has been specifically 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. The DL444 I/O cards in the DL451 frame each have 8 channels of remote controlled Midas mic preamps with 2.5 dB steps as well as 8 line-level outputs. This version is ideally suited to theatres, multipurpose venues, house-of-worship and touring applications where 5-way active mic split may not be required.

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.

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 coloration, 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. For example, channels by default are not layered but scrolled. By being scrolled, the console displays act as a window onto the available channels in the system and allow you to think of the channels in a simple linear progression, rather than forcing you to remember which layer contains the channels. This scrolled format brings the console to you, rather than forcing you to search for specific elements.

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 xL8's input channels is highly praised by everyone who has used the system. 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 coloration 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.

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.

Areas A and B
Midas' digital control surfaces can be divided into two areas, Area A and Area B, facilitating dual-operator use. The 8-input channel area on the far right of the xL8 surface can be designated as Area B by selecting the Area B button located below the scroll buttons in the ""input select"" area. The input control channels on the right-hand side of the Control Centre can now be used independently of those on the left.VCA and Population groups can be pre-selected to populate either Area A or B. This means a group of inputs can populate different areas of the surface. The engineer brings the required inputs to their local work surface, where they are quickly and easily identified and changes implemented. There are two independent stereo solo buses available. Any input or output channel can be assigned to either monitor bus, allowing two operators to work simultaneously or for stage monitor and in-ear monitor systems to be separated.

Automation
One of the most critical requirements for theatre applications is the power and flexibility of console automation. The xL8 has taken these very specific requirements into consideration. Channel settings can be edited in advance of recall - across all scenes - from the SHOW EDITOR screen and scenes can be re-ordered, inserted and deleted, simply and quickly, without overwriting their designation. Scenes can be recalled instantaneously, with no discernible drop in audio or via complex cross fade options, including programmable surround-sound panning events. MIDI input and outputs are provided for control of external MIDI devices or for recalling console events from an external MIDI source.

Patching
The xL8 has a sample-synchronized audio network capacity of 432 inputs and 432 outputs. All of these network connections can be patched and routed independently of the audio passing through the mixer and any correctly-directional node elsewhere on the network, simultaneously. The patching GUI is presented to the user in a highly-visual, easily-understood pictorial format, enabling quick, easy operation and comprehension of a large and potentially complex audio network. The format, configuration, routing and patching of the entire network can be re-configured instantaneously on a scene-by-scene basis by using the console's automation system.

iPad Remote Control
The Midas Mixtender 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. With the Mixtender you can monitor ALL input and output metering simultaneously in real time and you can remotely EQ any speaker mix with one of the console's on-board KLARK TEKNIK DN370 GEQs.