For over 40 years, Midas has been a household name in British pro audio. The manufacturer, which was acquired by Music Tribe Group in 2009, has released a new version of its M32R digital mixing console for live and studio use. Like its predecessor, the Midas M32R Live was designed by Rajesh Kutty, who has designed luxury cars for Bentley, among others. But is this more than just a facelift of its predecessor, the M32R?
Midas M32R Live
This compact console has 40 input channels, including 16 Midas PRO mic preamps, and 25 mix buses. The upper panel houses a 5-inch TFT screen for visualization and control, while the lower one has 17 motorised faders. With AES50 networking expansion options, it’s possible to reach up to 96 ins / 96 outs configuration for large-scale productions. And the M32R Live is also compatible with the Mackie Control and HUI DAW control protocols, as well as the Midas app for iOS devices. All those features were in the original M32R.
So what’s changed? Expanding on the limited onboard recording capabilities of its predecessor, this mixer can record and playback 32 channels of multitrack audio in up to 192kHz sample rates via dual SD/SDHC cards. Of course, like the older M32R, the new version can also function as a 32/32 audio interface when connected to your computer over USB 2.0. Looks-wise, the M32R Live is a few shades lighter than its predecessor, and the control layout appears more intuitive. The function buttons on the top panel seem easier to read. But given that the 32-channel recording to an SD card is a new function, the M32R Live does seem to be more than just a facelift.
Features
- Live performance and studio recording digital console with up to 40 simultaneous input channels
- 16 award-winning Midas PRO microphone preamplifiers
- 25 time-aligned and phase-coherent mix buses
- AES50 networking allows up to 96 inputs and 96 outputs
- 32 bi-directional channels of live recording/playback on dual SD/SDHC (cards not included)
- Up to 3 hours of 32 channel PCM recording in one session
- stored as uncompressed WAV files
- High-performance aluminium and high-impact steel structure
- Rack mount brackets included for ultimate flexibility
- 40 bit floating point digital signal processing
- 8 DCA and 6 mute groups
- 8 digital signal processing effects engines
- 17 Midas PRO motor faders
- Daylight viewable 5” full colour TFT display screen
- 32 x 32 channel USB 2.0 audio interface
- DAW remote control emulations of Mackie Control* and HUI* protocols
- Optional wireless remote control with Midas Apps for iPhone* and iPad*
- Auto-ranging universal switch-mode power supply
- 10-Year Warranty Program*
- Designed and engineered in the U.K.