I have a hard and fast rule - only one person mixes at a time. If you aren't ready to take over don't get in the way of my mix. I don't mix/play well with others! Apparently MIDAS didn't get the memo but I guess this one time I'll have to give them a pass in the name of science.

Their quest was to build a system that would have up-time that is as good as their analogue gear. Who can count all of the times they have had to recover their crashed computer much less their fancy new digital console toy. MIDAS decided that if their system was to be used for live audio, IT HAS TO WORK. There are no do-overs in live audio. Thats one tall order.

So they rolled up their collective sleeves and built a monster. Now they had to put it to the test. They gathered up 10 eager volunteers to gang up on the system all at once. Let's see, that's ten engineers times two hands each for a total of twenty hands all groping and grabbing everything they could put their hands on - live - real time - and guess what happened - the system didn't hiccup even once. As The Rock says, "Just Bring It!" Or as his defeated opponent says,"Submission!"

The XL8 not only has enough horsepower to take everything to the max, but room to spare at an amazing super-computer 48 GigaFlops (Gflop). For those of you that never were good at math thats 48,000 BILLION mathematical calculations per second. And as if that wasn't enough, the system is scalable.

Ok, I have to go take a break and catch my breath. More very soon. Stay tuned! DON'T TOUCH THAT DIAL!

The new MIDAS XL8 uses Linux at its core. No bug-ridden, virus-magnet, blue-screen-of-death Windows crap. As a mater of fact it's an industrial version of an already industrial operating system. All of the unnecessary drivers and extensions have been striped from it, such as print drivers, to make it the most stable platform on the planet. Hoo-Rah!

The Frankfurt Music Messe trade show in Germany is now in its second day and the MIDAS booth with the XL8 has been packed with admirers. The booth has been so crowded that they have had to shut it down several times in an attempt to control the throngs trying to get a look at the new Mixing System.

I've been informed that (how do they say it - from a well placed inside source) only 18 desks were scheduled to be built this year. This represents world wide distribution. I am personally aware of three consoles that are already sold and I predict that the entire first year production schedule will be gone before the end of the show in Germany. Rumor has it that Metalica is scheduled to use the console in an upcoming show and that Paul McCartney's engineer has already placed an order for one at the show. I think it's safe to say that the new system already has achieved legend status. I expect the XL8 will be on allocation very quickly. The XL8 at the show is a preproduction model and final production systems are not even scheduled to start shipping until late May at the earliest.

The first question on most peoples minds is HOW MUCH? Pricing has not been finalized but I think it is safe say that it's not cheep. Since this is a mixing system rather that a mixing console there are many pieces to the system that must be considered in the final price. All you need to add to make an entire audio system is microphones, amplifiers and loudspeakers.

We will give quotes only to serious customers. You must first have the financial means and be ready to buy a system before we will give you a quote. First come first served. We will however be more than happy to answer all of your technical questions about the system.

The US introduction tour is being put together as we speak and we will let you know when it is coming to Greensboro.

Click here to download more information.

The MIDAS XL8 was unveiled today at the Frankfurt Music Messe trade show in Germany. This is not a new mixing console; it is a new mixing system.  There are many elements to this, of which the control surface is but one. The XL8 live performance system consists of a control surface and a number of 19” rack modules, inter-connected by a networked data system.  The network carries both proprietary control data and open architecture AES50 digital audio, and uses readily available standard CAT5, CAT6 and fiber-optic cabling and connectors.

Here are a few tidbits:
 

The XL8’s total DSP processing power is 48 GigaFlops (Gflop)
 That is 48,000 billion mathematical calculations per second
 We believe this is the most powerful audio processor in the world 
There are EIGHTEEN other high performance control processors in the XL8
 More than 200 Mbytes of software has been written for the XL8
 
 
The XL8 is the worlds’ most powerful and flexible audio processing system. It is a complete solution for any audio mixing and signal distribution application in a live sound environment.
 
The first XL8 in the US is scheduled to be installed right here in Greensboro, NC at Westover Church in their new sanctuary in the next couple of months.

Click here to download more information.

After years of research and development MIDAS once again sets the standard for live audio mixing and announces their new digital mixing system the new XL8. We've been dying to reveal details on this monumental project and we are finally allowed to talk about and take orders on this new mixing system.

A new standard for live mixing.

[Revolutionary - rev·o·lu·tion·ar·y adv. adj : markedly new or introducing radical change;]

The XL8 live performance system is truly revolutionary and heralds Midas’ entry into the digital mixing realm. However, this is not merely another digital mixing console. XL8 offers an incomparable design combining exemplary sound quality, flexibility and reliability with an ease and familiarity of use unrivalled by other digital control surfaces. XL8 is the first of a new generation of open-architecture, cross-platform, integrated audio control and distribution systems, which brings control of not only audio, but other aspects of a live performance to a single, intuitive control centre.

As well as offering classic Midas audio quality and superb reliability, XL8 actually improves upon the performance of the analogue consoles, which have established Midas as the number one choice of sound engineers the world over. XL8 represents a new generation of networked systems, requiring only mics, amps and speakers to provide a complete audio system.

The XL8’s open architecture ensures that both third-party hardware and software, including “plug-ins” can be easily integrated into the system. The very latest in high-speed networking technology ensures that XL8 will conform to all the classic Midas brand values of sound quality, reliability and longevity; it will not be obsolete in a few years.

• Failure-tolerant of any single failure of hardware or software
• Proven, stable, Linux operating system
• Dual redundant master control processors
• Five individual bay control processors
• 24/7 global telephone support
• Midas customer service and support centers World Wide
• Three year factory warranty
• Rugged design, tolerant of physical abuse

You will find the official product brochure in our Tech Download section to the right.