Midas PRO1
At approximately 11.5 x 30 x 28.5 inches, this is the smallest console in the company’s digital lineup, but it’s certainly not lacking in the features department.
It includes 24 XLR inputs and outputs on the rear, and with up to 48 input channels available, input counts can be increased by connecting Midas digital stage boxes.
Also notable is the ability to connect multiple stage boxes allowing for point-to-point routing of audio to up to 100 inputs and 102 outputs within a network.
The PRO1 also offers 27 output buses, 12 multi-channel FX engines, 8 VCAs and 6 POP groups that provide primary access to multiple channels. Offline editing software is available.
Adding the Klark Teknik DN9650 network bridge allows the console to interface with MADI, Dante, Aviom, Ethersound and CobraNet networks.
Roland Systems Group M-200i
This is an intriguing mixer. It can dock an iPad, which can be used the main operation touch screen, but the user can also access all functions without docking the tablet. (There’s also a small screen onboard.)
The M-200i measures just 7.8 x 19.3 x 19.3 inches but provides 32 mix channels, 4 matrixes, 8 DCAs and 8 aux buses, as well as 17 motorized faders on 5 layers, 4 multi-effects engines and 8 user-assignable buttons.
It can certainly be used as a stand-alone console, offering 16 XLR mic/line inputs and 12 outputs on the rear. REAC stage boxes can also be interfaced for up to 40 additional remote inputs. This mixer also provides 2-track recording via USB and multi-track recording via the REAC port to the company’s R-1000 48-track recorder/player or MADI bridge.
PreSonus StudioLive 32.4.2AI
Presonus debuted this larger StudioLive console earlier this year. Of course, larger is a relative term, with the 32.4.2AI coming in at only 7 x 31.6 x 21.3 inches. It provides 32 input channels and 4 stereo FX engines, with the surface sporting 32 faders and offering up 4 subgroups and 14 aux buses.
A cool feature is that in addition to an iPad app, there’s also an iPhone/iPod Touch app called QMix that allows performers to remotely control their own monitor sends onstage. Recording is available via the built-in FireWire interface. The unit ships with Capture multi-track recording software and is also compatible with many other popular recording DAWs. And, StudioLive software incorporates Rational Acoustics Smaart measurement technology to provide an assist in system tuning.