Midas Consoles
Encyclopedia
Midas has been designing and manufacturing audio console
s since the early 1970s.
Later on it became part of the Telex group
. When, in January 2006, Telex Communications was acquired by the Bosch group
, Midas consoles became part of the business unit "Bosch Communications Systems". Midas parted company with Bosch in February 2010 and are now part of "The Music Group".
Midas consoles are currently being used around the world by audio engineers
largely in the live sound realm. Applications for these boards include Front of House
(FOH) and monitor console positions. Common and historical consoles include the Heritage 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000, the venerable XL4, XL3 and XL200 & 250 large frame professional touring consoles and a variety of less expensive versions aimed at the club and regional sound market.
The first digital console from Midas, the XL8
, was launched at the Frankfurt Music Messe in 2006, becoming the flagship Midas console. Notable features include three pre-amps per channel to enable Front of House, Monitor and broadcast control surfaces to be fed from the same input rack, dual redundant master control processors, and integration with the Klark Teknik Helix EQ system via the Rapide remote. In September 2008 at the annual PLASA
tradeshow, Midas introduced the PRO6 Live Audio System, the second networked digital audio system from Midas. Employing technologies developed from the XL8, the PRO6 offers similar audio performance in a compact package. In 2010, the PRO3 and PRO9 digital consoles were added to the Midas product line, along with the VeniceF digital-analog hybrid ("digalog") console, which replaced the Venice analog console. At the 2011 PLASA
show, Midas unveiled the PRO2 and PRO2C consoles, which bring Midas digital features from the larger PRO and XL8 consoles into a more compact package and a lower price point.
At that same time, Midas also began retiring much of its analog console product line, including the Heritage, Legend, Siena, and Verona. Midas also markets the digital audio distribution components that are commonly used with their digital consoles as stand-alone digital snakes, or larger multi-site audio distribution networks.
Linux is used at the core of all Midas digital consoles. This is mentioned prominently in their marketing materials, as well as in their preference for Linux development and kernel programming experience in job postings for development positions.
Midas' sister companies include Klark Teknik
, famed for their graphic EQs and signal processing; EV (Electrovoice) who produce microphones, loudspeakers and electronics for the professional market; Dynacord, producers of loudspeakers, amplifiers and electronics; and DDA Consoles, who offer consoles for studio, broadcast and live use.
In December 2009, Midas and Klark Teknik were acquired by Music Group
, a holding company chaired by Uli Behringer, which also owns other audio companies such as Behringer
and Bugera as well as Electronic Manufacturing Services company Eurotec.
Mixing console
In professional audio, a mixing console, or audio mixer, also called a sound board, mixing desk, or mixer is an electronic device for combining , routing, and changing the level, timbre and/or dynamics of audio signals. A mixer can mix analog or digital signals, depending on the type of mixer...
s since the early 1970s.
Later on it became part of the Telex group
Telex Communications
Telex Communications, originally Telex Corporation, was a Burnsville, Minnesota-based manufacturer of hearing aids and audio equipment. Founded in 1936 as a maker of hearing aids, it entered the computer peripherals businesses in the 1960s. It became Telex Communications, a subsidiary of Telex Corp...
. When, in January 2006, Telex Communications was acquired by the Bosch group
Robert Bosch GmbH
Robert Bosch GmbH is a multinational engineering and electronics company headquartered in Gerlingen, near Stuttgart, Germany. It is the world's largest supplier of automotive components...
, Midas consoles became part of the business unit "Bosch Communications Systems". Midas parted company with Bosch in February 2010 and are now part of "The Music Group".
Midas consoles are currently being used around the world by audio engineers
Audio engineering
An audio engineer, also called audio technician, audio technologist or sound technician, is a specialist in a skilled trade that deals with the use of machinery and equipment for the recording, mixing and reproduction of sounds. The field draws on many artistic and vocational areas, including...
largely in the live sound realm. Applications for these boards include Front of House
Front of House
Front of house is primarily a theatrical term, referring to the portion of the building that is open to the public. In theatre and live music venues, it typically refers to the auditorium and foyer, as opposed to the stage and backstage areas...
(FOH) and monitor console positions. Common and historical consoles include the Heritage 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000, the venerable XL4, XL3 and XL200 & 250 large frame professional touring consoles and a variety of less expensive versions aimed at the club and regional sound market.
The first digital console from Midas, the XL8
Midas XL8
The Midas XL8 is the first audio console by Midas to feature fully digital operation. The introduction of the console came after a long time of console competition by Yamaha's PM1D, Digidesign's D-show, and the DiGiCo D5....
, was launched at the Frankfurt Music Messe in 2006, becoming the flagship Midas console. Notable features include three pre-amps per channel to enable Front of House, Monitor and broadcast control surfaces to be fed from the same input rack, dual redundant master control processors, and integration with the Klark Teknik Helix EQ system via the Rapide remote. In September 2008 at the annual PLASA
Plasa
The Professional Lighting And Sound Association or PLASA is a UK-based trade organisation representing over 500 members worldwide.In addition to providing members with expert advice on a wide range of business and technical issues, PLASA also monitors legislative developments, alerting members to...
tradeshow, Midas introduced the PRO6 Live Audio System, the second networked digital audio system from Midas. Employing technologies developed from the XL8, the PRO6 offers similar audio performance in a compact package. In 2010, the PRO3 and PRO9 digital consoles were added to the Midas product line, along with the VeniceF digital-analog hybrid ("digalog") console, which replaced the Venice analog console. At the 2011 PLASA
Plasa
The Professional Lighting And Sound Association or PLASA is a UK-based trade organisation representing over 500 members worldwide.In addition to providing members with expert advice on a wide range of business and technical issues, PLASA also monitors legislative developments, alerting members to...
show, Midas unveiled the PRO2 and PRO2C consoles, which bring Midas digital features from the larger PRO and XL8 consoles into a more compact package and a lower price point.
At that same time, Midas also began retiring much of its analog console product line, including the Heritage, Legend, Siena, and Verona. Midas also markets the digital audio distribution components that are commonly used with their digital consoles as stand-alone digital snakes, or larger multi-site audio distribution networks.
Linux is used at the core of all Midas digital consoles. This is mentioned prominently in their marketing materials, as well as in their preference for Linux development and kernel programming experience in job postings for development positions.
Midas' sister companies include Klark Teknik
Klark Teknik
1971 saw the start of Klark Teknik when brothers Phillip and Terence Clarke formed “Klark Equipment” a company that produced garage forecourt equipment; vending style vacuum cleaners, space heaters and other similar products....
, famed for their graphic EQs and signal processing; EV (Electrovoice) who produce microphones, loudspeakers and electronics for the professional market; Dynacord, producers of loudspeakers, amplifiers and electronics; and DDA Consoles, who offer consoles for studio, broadcast and live use.
In December 2009, Midas and Klark Teknik were acquired by Music Group
Music Group (company)
Music Group is a holding company based in Manila, Philippines. It is chaired by Uli Behringer, founder of Behringer.-History:In December 2009, Music Group acquired Midas and Klark Teknik from Bosch Communications Systems of Bosch Group.-Portfolio:, Music Group's portfolio includes:* Midas* Klark...
, a holding company chaired by Uli Behringer, which also owns other audio companies such as Behringer
Behringer
Behringer is an audio equipment company founded by Uli Behringer in 1989, in Willich, Germany. Behringer was listed as the 14th largest manufacturer of music products in 2007. Behringer is a multi-national group of companies, with direct marketing presence in 10 countries or territories and a...
and Bugera as well as Electronic Manufacturing Services company Eurotec.