All Midas digital consoles are purpose-designed for easy, instant-access to all key functions when mixing, however, should the operator require the console to manage mundane repetitive tasks, or control complex and wide-reaching changes during a performance, the onboard automation system can handle all requirements with ease.

Each show file within the consoles memory can contain many hundreds of “scenes” which can be individually recalled the instant their settings are required. Scenes can be recalled instantly, or with a configurable crossfade time, for more subtle changes, or by programming user-configurable crossfade “groups” complex timed events can be prepared with instant user-intervention if required including manual control of crossfades.

Each scene contains every parameter on the system, including all audio parameters, network routing, console configuration, FX type, routing and settings, even VCA and POP group deployment and screen brightness can be pre-programmed into a scene recall! MIDI or GPIO (contact closure) ports, provide control of external devices or allow the console to respond to external prompts, permitting many external 3rd. party devices to be incorporated into the Midas automation system.

MIDI, GPIO, and internal (crossfade and text note)“events” all have a comprehensive palette of options which include all the usual MIDI parameters, plus the ability to assign time delays or offsets to the implementation of the programmed event.

The dedicated automation GUI displays all scenes programmed into the show, and provides visual feedback for all automation events, an area for text notes, and the facility to quickly re-order the scenes, should the set-list or running order change at the last second!

For those times when a well-rehearsed and programmed show does change at the last second, the console has dedicated hardware controls for every channel enabling the operator to “safe” any parameter from automation control should the need arise. Software control of scene-specific automation “scope” is also provided, as well as the ability to “cut and paste” any real-time parameter changes to subsequent scenes via the onboard SHOW EDITOR.

Midas products are renowned for their reliability, nevertheless component failures can occur in anyone’s product at any time. Midas mixing systems are regularly used on events where a loss of audio would be catastrophic. At Midas we have gone to great lengths to build redundancy into our digital systems to minimise or avoid completely the impact of such problems.

The flagship XL8 uses a combination of dual redundancy and (n+1) redundancy schemes in such a way that no single failure in the system can stop the product operating. One example of dual redundancy is the complete duplication of all the audio network and router devices. An example of (n+1) redundancy is the DSP engine where nine units are active and the tenth one is an auto-deployed redundant unit.

A particular case in point is the main control software and associated processor which is often a part of a digital mixer which will stop the audio if it fails or the software crashes. The Master Controller on the Midas XL8 and all PRO Series consoles is fully dual redundant. The backup unit is always running in the background and is kept constantly up to date with all audio and control parameters, enabling a completely seamless swap should a failure occur.

This is not a new concept at Midas. Dual master controllers have been part of the automation on the Heritage range of analogue consoles for ten years! At Midas we know that our customers are absolutely reliant on our products and we pride ourselves on meeting and exceeding their expectations.