Midas M32 LIVE User manual

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For over four decades, MIDAS has enjoyed a long
history of innovation and leadership in the world
of audio mixing consoles—a legacy that continues
ontoday.
Formed in 1970 by Je Byers and Charles Brooke,
MIDAS originally designed and manufactured
musical instrument ampliers. Je soon became
fascinated by the concept of improving and rening
professional audio systems, and so MIDAS went on
to develop the rst fully integrated modular audio
system, comprising consoles, crossovers, ampliers
and speaker systems. Indeed the powered mixers
built by Je in his at in West Hampstead, London
can be regarded as the very rst MIDAS consoles.
A fortuitous collaboration came about in 1972
when MIDAS found new premises near Euston
Station in London, which just happened to be
next to already-established speaker manufacturer
Martin Audio. The two co-located companies
became synonymous in the minds of many live
sound customers and the calibrated MIDAS / Martin
modular PA systems became a regular xture
MIDAS—40 Years of
Legendary Performance
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on concert tours in the 1970s, with Martin Audio
responsible for the loudspeaker cabinets, whilst
MIDAS manufactured the electronics.
The rst MIDAS console to achieve major success
was the modular PR04 system, which came
about through Je Byers’ time on the road with
Supertramp on their 1974 “Crime of the Century”
tour. The PR series, named after the modules
available for the consoles, found fame with acts
including Billy Joel, Yes, The Beach Boys and on
Pink Floyd’s 1977 and 1979 world tours.
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1980 saw MIDAS supplying the legendary Frank
Zappa with a custom PRO5 console. This innovative
console changed the way a generation of engineers
approached the art of mixing and opened new
creative possibilities, and led to the PR 40, generally
referred to as the “PRO40” becoming the console of
choice throughout the 1980’s.
MIDAS found new success at the start of the 1990’s
with the XL3 monitor console, which set the scene
for the greatest analogue console ever built—
the XL4.

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The XL4 went on to set the benchmark for live
performance consoles in the 1990’s. Audio
engineers were amazed by what they were able to
achieve using the XL4’s unbeatable combination of
audio performance and comprehensive moving-
fader automation. Many elements of this legendary
console are still available to today’s engineers in the
current range of MIDAS digital mixing systems.
Always seeking to redene the boundaries of audio
performance and exibility, the turn of the century
saw the launch of the ubiquitous HERITAGE 3000.
MIDAS employed the ultimate distillation of design
and experience in creating the perfect roadworthy
touring console. The HERITAGE 2000 and the
theatre-orientated HERITAGE 1000 completed the
line up.
Over the next decade, the HERITAGE 3000 became
the touring concert standard and formed the focal
point, along with the XL4, for most major tours
for the following decade including acts such as
Bon Jovi, Alanis Morrisette, AC/DC, Coldplay, Kid
Rock, Metallica, Alicia Keys, Foo Fighters, Christina
Aguilera, Sir Paul McCartney, Pearl Jam, and more.
Innovation continued into the new millennium with
the LEGEND 3000—the world’s rst tri-purpose
console—as well as the Verona and Siena, which
revitalised and redened the market for medium
format consoles.
Then, in 2006, Digital went MIDAS
When the MIDAS XL8 was launched, it set
unprecedented new standards for audio quality,
ease of use, power, exibility, and creative potential.
No other live digital audio console can compete
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LEGEND 3000

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with the sample-synchronous audio performance,
expandable network topology, and sheer ease
of use that XL8 provides. Since its launch, XL8
has become the system of choice for prestigious
installations, major touring performers, theatres,
and concert venues the world over, including many
unique international events where compromise is
not an option.
In 2008, MIDAS released the PRO6 console, which
strengthened the company’s digital product line.
PRO6 shares the same sample-synchronised audio
performance and extensive networked audio
system as the venerable XL8. The PRO6 has become
a common sight at front of house and monitor
positions in concert touring as well as global events.
2011 saw the introduction of the PRO2 and PRO2C,
oering all the advantages of the large format PROs
in a compact footprint. MIDAS has continued to
innovate by introducing the MCA—an advanced
navigation system allowing increased speed
of workow. The PRO1 introduced MIDAS’ rst
lightweight all-aluminium chassis.
An Exciting New Era
MIDAS releases the mid-format M32 console in
2014, leveraging innovative modern technology
and unprecedented manufacturing techniques to
introduce legendary MIDAS quality at a previously
unheard-of price point.
The M32 continues a 40-year history of excellence
and signals an exciting new era for MIDAS.
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Our goal for M32 was to combine the best of classic
British console designs with advanced modern
technology to completely redene what a medium-
format live console can oer.
We began the industrial design process by drawing
inspiration from a somewhat unexpected source -
the luxury and high-performance car industry.
Why High-Performance Cars?
Simply because the design teams at Aston
Martin*, Bentley*, Rolls Royce*, and other leading
manufacturers are skilled at introducing innovative
technological advancements while simultaneously
maintaining the feel, essence, and intangible
qualities of their cherished brands. And in essence,
that’s the challenge we too faced when creating the
M32 console.
So in order to create a future-forward design that
took the MIDAS legacy even further, we enlisted the
help of Rajesh Kutty, a leading industrial designer
known for his work with celebrated luxury auto
manufacturers including Bentley.
Kutty started by examining the design elements
that have made MIDAS consoles so highly sought
after - from the straightforward, logical layout to the
unparalleled usability and ergonomics. These are
characteristics that live sound engineers around the
world have come to rely on, and are key aspects of
the MIDAS legacy.
With these design elements in mind, Kutty set
forth to create a styling that would be modern,
innovative, futuristic, and stunningly elegant.
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Many dierent construction materials were tested.
Countless design variations were explored. And in
the end, a styling was chosen that represented the
perfect marriage between aerodynamic artistry and
uncompromising performance. The design is both
ultramodern and distinctly classic at the same time.
The Landmark in Console History
A close look at M32 reveals
that the styling is completely
new in every sense of
the word. RajeshKutty’s
automotive-inspired design
elements mesh perfectly
with a recognisable MIDAS
signature, setting the
M32 apart from any other console. Its beautifully
streamlined and elegant form factor completely
revolutionises the experience of livemixing.
The MIDAS M32 construction is equally impressive,
and is designed to oer you years of reliable
performance while withstanding the demanding
environment of live performance venues. M32
employs a predominantly space-frame construction,
with parts of the sub-frame consisting of durable
and lightweight carbon bre and aluminium.
Multiple alloys have been employed throughout to
guarantee maximum component eciency and an
improved performance-weight ratio.
The M32 is an innovative, evolved design that brings
together modern construction principles and high-
tech materials into a styling that’s destined to go
down as a landmark in console history.
Designing A Future Classic
Carbon bre armrest

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Industry-Leading 192 kHz Precision
The groundbreaking M32 console combines
legendary MIDAS sound quality with advanced
digital technology, future-proof 96 kHz capable
open architecture design and industry-leading
192 kHz ADC and DAC converters, creating a
revolutionary mid-format live console. M32 features
ultra-sleek styling, oering you a truly luxurious
mixing experience. High-end construction materials
including carbon bre provide unparalleled
durability and strength, plus substantially lower
weight than comparable consoles.
The M32 utilises
award-winning
MIDAS PRO
Series microphone
preampliers and
the custom-designed MIDAS PRO motorised faders
that are rated for 1million life cycles—three times
more than other leadingconsoles.
The MIDAS M32 is a future-forward console that
completely raises the bar for live mixing.
MIDAS is the Epitome of Excellence
In 2013, MIDAS approached me to create a new
design language for MIDAS and with it a new mixing
console. Having designed for Bentley, I am intimately
familiar with the challenge of transforming a brand
while retaining the precious heritage -- in this case the
40year old iconic British mixing console brand MIDAS.
Representing the pinnacle of its industry, MIDAS is the
Epitome of Excellence. When it comes to ergonomics,
performance and style, the aspects of a high-
performance luxury car equally apply to a high-end
mixing console. I was given a blank sheet of paper for
my choice of materials. This meant considering light
weight materials such as carbon bre and aluminum,
while using a sophisticated steel construction,
forhigh-impact structural areas.
High attention was paid to the tactile elements such
as fader knobs and the illumination to work under all
background conditions.
From the onset the idea was to break the mould! Hence
the form study deliberately tried to break away from
the static, bulky feel of today’s mixing consoles. Instead
making it more dynamic, ergonomic, yet luxurious.
Colours, size, mobility and hardware where given equal
importance to arrive at the M32. A true projection of
the brand, today.
I am very happy with the outcome of the M32 and feel
honoured to have my name associated with MIDAS.
Rajesh Kutty

Legendary MIDAS
Sound Quality
While the MIDAS M32 design, styling, and
construction will surely turn a lot of heads, it’s the
sound that matters most to engineers and performing
artists. And that’s where M32 shines even brighter –
as the latest in a long line of pristine-sounding MIDAS
consoles, it descends from a celebrated lineage that
literally set the standard in electrical design and
sound quality. Ever since MIDAS consoles rst found
fame 40 years ago with acts like Billy Joel, Yes, The
Beach Boys, Pink Floyd and others, the MIDAS legacy
has always been about uncompromising quality and
the ultimate in sound reproduction.
Backing the analogue input section are audiophile
Cirrus Logic* multi-channel 192 kHz capable A/D
converters, which boast a 114 dB dynamic range,
ensuring impressively low distortion and low
noiseperformance.
Built for Tomorrow
The M32 is a console built for today, and tomorrow
- its future-proof 96 kHz capable open architecture
design and industry-leading 192 kHz 24 bit ADC and
DAC converters provide outstanding state-of-the-art
audio performance.
8MIDAS XL8

Award-Winning
MIDAS Mic Preamplifier
The MIDAS mic preamp is considered by leading
live sound and recording engineers to be the
very essence of the famous MIDAS sound. More
than 40 years of design experience paired with
the nest choice of premium-grade components
lead to the acclaimed warmth and depth, bring
out subtle ambience, maintain spatial positioning,
and more eectively capture a precise image. The
acclaimed sound of the award-winning MIDAS
microphone preamplier has inspired generations
of live sound engineers to their best work,
creating sonic landscapes that have captivated
audiencesworldwide.
Creating Sonic Landscapes
The MIDAS preamplier design eliminates typical
imbalances of gain-setting stages, thereby improving
the common-mode rejection ratio (CMRR) and
harmonic distortion to an almost immeasurable level.
The constant high-frequency bandwidth topology
assures excellent stability, RF rejection and noise
performance at all gain levels, contributing to its
transparent, open and dynamic sound. But it doesn’t
end there, over the years many mix engineers have
found that this robust and overload-tolerant design
takes on a whole new dimension of sound when
driven hard, the pristine audiophile reproduction
giving way to just the right combination of
harmonics, a warm and organic sound heard by
millions of concertgoers and recorded for posterity
on countless live albums over the years.
Since pristine sound always begins with the
microphone preamplier, the rst point where your
signal enters the console, M32 features genuine
MIDAS microphone preampliers which faithfully
reproduce every sonic detail so no part of a
performance will ever be missed. Transparent and
pristine sound, low noise and high common-mode
rejection are all hallmarks of this classic design.
In MIDAS’ relentless pursuit for the ultimate in audio
performance, the microphone preamplier used in
MIDAS PRO Series is an enhanced version of the classic
design found in the XL4 and HERITAGE series consoles,
which many consider to be the greatest analogue live
consoles ever built. Over the past decade the XL4 and
HERITAGE 3000 have been utilised by countless top
artists including Bon Jovi, Alanis Morrisette, AC/DC,
Coldplay, Kid Rock, Metallica, Alicia Keys, Foo Fighters,
Christina Aguilera, Sir Paul McCartney, Pearl Jam and
many more.
The M32 draws from this same legacy to bring
you an elite professional level of audio quality
andperformance.
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MIDAS XL4
NAMM TEC Nominee 2012

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What Makes the M32 Possible is
– Everything
Whether you come from an analogue mixing
background, or are accustomed to using other
digital consoles, your rst experience with M32
has been engineered to be intuitive, uid and
straightforward.
The brilliance of the M32 is its simplicity and
workow. Tactile controls allow smooth adjustments
to critical elements as the mix progresses while the
TFT screen keeps you informed every step of the
way. This integration of tactile controls, motorised
faders and the array of LCD and TFT displays makes
the M32 experience the premiere solution for
Live Sound, Broadcast, Studio Recording and Post
Production applications.
M32 changes the game by completely rethinking
what is possible in a digital mixer. An intuitive
workow coupled with a fully interactive user
interface ensures immediate familiarity and
instills condence. Advanced engineering and
meticulous design deliver stellar sonic performance
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at an extremely aordable price - changing the
gameentirely.
What Makes the M32 Possible is – Everything
MIDAS’ experience spans over 40 years at the very
top end of the live audio industry on countless
world tours by the greatest artists and the most
prestigious events. 40 years of relentless research,
development with 300 of the world’s best engineers
plus complete control over the manufacturing
process. This is what powers the M32.
Above all, M32 is designed to put the power
of digital in your hands, without compromise.
MIDAS’ singular focus on a matchless value
proposition means M32 integrates advanced
features such as motorised faders, LCD scribble
strips, integrated personal monitor mixing and
true high-speed digital audio networking as
standard features.
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Queen’s Award 1986

Your “Mind-to-Sound” Interface
M32 is your “mind-to-sound” interface - the
intersection of creativity and production.
Whether you’re accustomed to digital mixers or
not, the M32’s intuitive user interface oers a uid
mixing experience that instantly feels like home.
From the rst moments of use, the workow
unfolds in a way that strips away obstacles,
distractions, and hesitation.
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The Live Award 1993

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Elements of Flow
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The M32 Channel Strip puts the most important
channel processing parameters into one section so
that no matter which channel you are working on,
the controls are always the same.
This highly-ecient layout stems from MIDAS’
decades of console design and input from our users.
Optimized control illumination ensures a clear
indication of levels or status from any viewing angle.
Illuminated rotary encoders and switches give you
control of preamp settings, frequency shelving,
dual dynamics sections, as well as multi-mode
fully parametric EQ, bus sends, main, mono and
stereopanning.
Channel Strip
M32’s 7"day-viewable colour TFT (Thin Film
Transistor) display shows the setting parameters you
need when you need them.
Selected for its high-contrast performance and
outdoor visibility, TFT is ideal for concert and open
air festival venues. Flanked by high-precision,
context-sensitive tactile encoders, the screen comes
to life and immediately reports in high denition all
adjustments applied to a wide range of parameters.
Intelligent design puts control of vital functions
such as Eects, Metering, Routing and much more,
just oneor two button presses away.
7" Main Display

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M32 brings the convenience of digital mixing to
your Aux and output bus mixes too, thanks to its
integrated Sends on Fader feature. This incredible
function allows you to build powerful, dedicated
sub-mixes for monitor, secondary zone feeds, and
much more—all without aecting the front of
house mix or levels.
The M32 allows you to send your choice of signals to
any Aux or output bus and then dial in the perfect
mix via the channel faders.
The console remembers where you set the faders
and instantly recalls them when you select a bus for
quickadjustments.
Sends On Fader
DCA (Digitally Controlled Amplier) groups allow
control over several signals at once without actually
mixing them into a subgroup bus. M32’s 8 DCA
groups let you control multiple signals via a single
fader, suchas the entire drum mix, the horn section,
or the backup vocalists.
DCA control aects the FOH mix, while allowing the
individual buses to remain unchanged. The result is
a customisable workow that provides maximum
exibility, butstill allows individual buses and sub
groups to serve the purpose they were intended for,
such as zone sends and broadcast feeds.
DCA Groups
Live Sound! Tin Ear Award 1994

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Across the M32 you’ll nd 11 strategically placed
View buttons associated with various functions.
These buttons enable immediate access to
information about that specic function.
For instance, if you press the View button in the
Equaliser section, information for that channel’s EQ
is instantly shown on the main display, providing
in-depth editing of all related parameters.
This direct access to visual ne-tuning gives the
engineer a level of control previously available only
on consoles costing exponentially more.
View Function
While some digital consoles oer a few user-
denable controls, M32’s Assign section sets
a new standard by providing a total of 36 fully
customisable controls on three separate layers.
As with channels and buses, individual Scribble
Strips are provided for immediate identication.
Buttons can be dened to toggle parameters on/
o, adjust timing of eects by tapping, orjump to
specic screen views.
Rotary encoders with LED collars can be assigned
to specic channel parameters, or to additional
parameters in the Dynamics section relevant to the
current channelselection.
Assign Section
Elements of Flow

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Legendary 40-year old British company
TURBOSOUND, famous for producing some of the
world’s best speaker systems, have teamed up with
MIDAS to seamlessly integrate mixer and speaker
systems. We call it “Acoustic Integration”.
The M32’s ULTRANET bus allows streaming up to
16-channels of pristine digital audio to an array
of TURBOSOUND iQ speakers - all on a single
CAT5 cable, along with control data to set sound
presetsremotely.
The iQ Series also features “True Physical Modelling”
of some of the most popular speakers which can
be easily remote controlled via the M32, allowing
“Acoustic Integration” – theLive
Sound Revolution
the sound engineer to apply dierent speaker
models in real time from the comfort of the
mixing desk. “Acoustic Integration” is the next live
sound revolution.
The M32 includes a high-resolution 100-band Real
Time Analyser (RTA), with full Bar and Spectrograph
views. This high-resolution RTA displays the
audio energy distribution in 100frequency bands
over time – capturing a sonogram window of a
full 10 seconds.
Switch between the Large RTA view, displaying
any available signal in full screen resolution,
or the Combined view with the RTA view shown
above each of the channel and bus EQ curves.
See the results of your ltering choices in the audio
spectrum directly. Additionally, the RTA can be
displayed on top of the 31 band graphic EQs in
theFX rack.
100-Band RTA for all
Channel/Bus EQ’s
Monitoring and controlling frequencies has never
beeneasier!
Live Sound! Tin Ear Award 1995

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We’ve added 16 new FX “Plug-Ins” to the M32,
giving you access to a total of 50+ eects that
would otherwise cost tens of thousands of dollars
inhardware.
This new generation of high-end FX “Plug-Ins” is
based on True Physical Modelling of classic audio
hardware. We essentially “rebuilt” classic analog
gear in the digital domain and included models of
legendary processors such as Urei’s 1176*, Teletronix
LA-2A* and Fairchild 670* compressors as well as
the legendary Pultec* EQP-1a and EQ5 equalizers
etc. We also added a cutting-edge 5 band multi-
bandcompressor.
16 Breathtaking FX “Plug-Ins”
Basedon True Physical Modeling
Last but not least, the M32 can now run 4 studio-
quality stereo reverbs together with 8 channels
of 31 band graphic EQ. This allows you to replace
your old outboard gear with a fully recallable
onboardsolution.
Gain Splitting and Remote Control
for FOH and Monitoring
A new Gain Split mode separates channel gain (trim)
from the head amp gain, allowing both the FOH
and/or the monitor engineer to adjust local trim
digitally – and independently of the preamp gain.
Additionally, the new Head Amplier (HA) Gain
Remote option allows console gains to be remotely
controlled by an external console, such as when
using the M32 as a stagebox.
Elements of Flow

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The M32’s highly exible routing allows output
signals and XLR outputs are to be treated separately,
and signals from AES50 sources or expansion cards
to be routed directly to the M32’s analog outputs.
You can use the outputs from an M32 for directly
routing back PA or monitoring signals from a main
or FOH console. Output tap points can be set as
pre- or post-mute for greater usability with your
P16 personal monitoring mixers. This is very useful
in situations where you don’t want mute groups to
interrupt your signal ow.
More Routing and
Processing Flexibility
Introducing the Cue List, an innovative way to
automate the loading of scenes and new “Snippets”
at dierent points during a show. Each of the 500
Cue entries can load any of the 100 Scenes or
Snippets separately or at the same time. This gives
you an amazing total of 500 Cues x 100 Scenes x
100Snippets!
For example, store your favourite EQ settings for
drums on channels 1-8 as a Snippet, recallable in an
instant as its own preset, completely independent of
the console’s overall scene. It’s like taking a snapshot
of a parameter on an input, return, FX slot, bus,
Matrix, Main or DCA group – and saving it for quick
access whenever you need it.
Mighty New Tools for Scene and
ShowManagement
The Live! Award 1994

The MIDAS PRO Fader-
Rated for 1 Million Life Cycles
In our pursuit to lead the industry in every possible
aspect, we decided to design the world’s most
reliable motor fader. We dove deep into materials
science, employing semi-precious metals that
oered the durability we desired. We took
painstaking care to design a motorised fader that
would provide continuous performance night after
night, year after year.
After spending a great deal of time working
with metal vendors, we developed precision
components that oer high linearity, robustness,
and smooth feel during operation. We needed ultra-
straight high-grade steel guide rods with smooth
polished surfaces—and we got them. We worked
closely with our manufacturing partners to maintain
the tolerance of our parts, always choosing the most