Midas M32R User Manual
Product Information Document
Digital Mixers
M32R
Digital Console for Live and Studio with
40 Input Channels, 16 MIDAS PRO Microphone
Preampli ers and 25 Mix Buses
Live performance and studio
recording digital console with up to
40 simultaneous input channels
16 award-winning MIDAS PRO
microphone preampli ers
25 time-aligned and phase-coherent
mix buses
AES50 networking allows up to
96 inputs and 96 outputs
Open architecture allows for future
96 kHz operation
192 kHz ADC and DAC converters for
outstanding audio performance
Industry-leading design by
Bentley* Motors Designer
High-performance aluminium and
high-impact steel structure
Rack mount brackets included for
ultimate exibility
40 bit oating point digital
signal processing
8 DCA and 6 mute groups
8 digital signal processing
e ects engines
17 MIDAS PRO motorised
100 mm 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
3-Year Warranty Program*
Designed and engineered
in England
*iPad and iPho ne are trademar ks of Apple Inc. B entley is a tradema rk
of Bentley M otors Limited. Al l third-part y trademark s are the proper ty
of their resp ective owner s. Their use neit her constitutes a cl aim of the
trademar k nor a li ation of the trade mark owners with M USIC Group.
Product n ames are mentione d solely as a refer ence for compatib ility,
e ects and/or com ponents. Warr anty details ca n be found at
music-group.com.
Designing A Future Classic
Our goal for M32R was to combine the best of classic British console designs with advanced
modern technology to completely rede ne what a rack mountable digital desktop mixing
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 M32R 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 such as
Bentley, etc.
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.
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.
Product Information Document
Digital Mixers
M32R
Digital Console for Live and Studio with
40 Input Channels, 16 MIDAS PRO Microphone
Preampli ers and 25 Mix Buses
The Landmark in Console History
A close look at M32R 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 M32R apart from any other console. Its beautifully streamlined and elegant
form factor completely revolutionises the experience of live mixing.
The MIDAS M32R construction is equally impressive, and is designed to o er you years of reliable performance while withstanding the
demanding environment of live performance venues. M32R employs a predominantly space-frame construction, with parts of the sub-frame
consisting of high-performance aluminium. Multiple alloys have been employed throughout to guarantee maximum component e ciency
and an improved performance-to-weight ratio.
The M32R is an innovative, evolved design that brings together modern construction principles and high-tech materials into a styling destined
to go down as a landmark in console history.
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 lightweight
materials such as top-grade aluminium, 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 were given equal impor tance to arrive at the M32R - a
true projection of the brand, today.
Rajesh Kutty
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Product Information Document
Digital Mixers
M32R
Digital Console for Live and Studio with
40 Input Channels, 16 MIDAS PRO Microphone
Preampli ers and 25 Mix Buses
Industry-Leading 192 kHz Precision
The groundbreaking M32R console combines legendary MIDAS sound quality with advanced digital technology, future-proof 96 kHz capable
open architecture design an d industry-leading 192 kHz ADC and DAC converters, creating a revolutionary mid-f ormat live console. M32R features
ultra-sleek styling, o ering you a truly luxurious mixing experience. High-end construction materials provide unparalleled durability and
strength, plus substantially lower weight than comparable consoles.
The M32R 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 M32R is a future-forward console that completely raises the bar for live mixing.
Legendary MIDAS Sound Quality
While the MIDAS M32R 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 M32R 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 M32R 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.
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Product Information Document
Digital Mixers
M32R
Digital Console for Live and Studio with
40 Input Channels, 16 MIDAS PRO Microphone
Preampli ers and 25 Mix Buses
Award-Winning MIDAS Mic Preampli er
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, M32R 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.
The microphone preampli ers are the very same ones used in the industry standard MIDAS XL4 and HERITAGE 3000 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 M32R draws from this same legacy to bring you an elite professional level of audio quality and performance.
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Product Information Document
Digital Mixers
M32R
Digital Console for Live and Studio with
40 Input Channels, 16 MIDAS PRO Microphone
Preampli ers and 25 Mix Buses
What Makes the M32R Possible is – Everything
Whether you come from an analogue mixing background, or are accustomed to using
other digital consoles, your rst experience with M32R has been engineered to be intuitive,
uid and straightforward.
The brilliance of the M32R 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 M32R experience the premiere solution for Live Sound, Broadcast, Studio Recording and
Post Production applications.
M32R 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 at an
extremely a ordable price – changing the game entirely.
Industry-Leading Technology for More than 40 years
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 M32R.
Above all, M32R is designed to put the power of digital in your hands, without compromise. MIDAS’ singular focus on a matchless value
proposition means M32R integrates advanced features such as motorised faders, LCD scribble strips, integrated personal monitor mixing and
true high-speed digital audio networking as standard features.
Your “Mind-to-Sound” Interface
M32R is your “mind-to-sound” interface – the intersection of creativity and production.
Whether you’re accustomed to digital mixers or not, the M32R’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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Product Information Document
Digital Mixers
M32R
Digital Console for Live and Studio with
40 Input Channels, 16 MIDAS PRO Microphone
Preampli ers and 25 Mix Buses
Channel Strip
The M32R 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.
5" Main Display
M32R’s 5" day-viewable color 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
1 or 2 button presses away.
Sends On Fader
M32R 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 M32R 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.
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Product Information Document
Digital Mixers
M32R
Digital Console for Live and Studio with
40 Input Channels, 16 MIDAS PRO Microphone
Preampli ers and 25 Mix Buses
DCA Groups
DCA (Digitally Controlled Ampli er) groups allow control over several signals at once without
actually mixing them into a subgroup bus. M32R’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, etc.
DCA control a ects the FOH mix, while allowing the individual buses to remain unchanged.
The result is a customizable work ow that provides maximum exibility, but still allows
individual buses and subgroups to serve the purpose they were intended for, such as zone sends,
broadcast feeds, etc.
View Function
Across the M32R 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.
“Acoustic Integration” - the Live Sound Revolution
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 M32R’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.
Furthermore, iQ Series loudspeakers feature “True Physical Modelling” of some of the most popular
speakers, which can be easily remote controlled via the M32R, allowing 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.
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Product Information Document
Digital Mixers
M32R
Digital Console for Live and Studio with
40 Input Channels, 16 MIDAS PRO Microphone
Preampli ers and 25 Mix Buses
100-Band RTA for all Channel/Bus EQs
The M32R includes a 100-band Real Time Analyser (RTA) with full bar and spectrograph views on
the M32-EDIT control application. This high-resolution RTA displays the audio energy distribution in
100 frequency bands over time - capturing a sonogram window of a full 10 seconds.
You can switch between the large RTA view to display any available signal at full screen resolution,
or the combined view, which displays the RTA view above each of the channel and bus EQ curves.
This feature lets you 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.
Monitoring and controlling frequencies has never been easier!
16 Breathtaking FX “Plug-Ins” Based on True Physical Modeling
We’ve included 16 breathtaking FX “Plug-Ins” in the M32R, giving you access to a total of 50+ e ects
that would otherwise cost tens of thousands of dollars in hardware.
This generation of high-end FX “Plug-Ins” is based on True Physical Modeling of classic audio
hardware. We essentially “rebuilt” classic analogue 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 equalisers etc. We also included a cutting-edge
5-band multiband compressor.
Gain Splitting and Remote Control for FOH and Monitoring
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 HA Gain Remote option allows console gains to be remotely controlled by an
external console, such as when using the M32R as a stage box.
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Product Information Document
Digital Mixers
M32R
Digital Console for Live and Studio with
40 Input Channels, 16 MIDAS PRO Microphone
Preampli ers and 25 Mix Buses
Routing and Processing Flexibility
The M32R’s routing is extremely robust and exible. Output signals and XLR outputs are now
treated separately, allowing signals from AES50 sources or expansion cards to be routed directly to
the M32R’s analogue outputs.
For example, you can use the outputs from an M32R for directly routing back PA or monitoring
signals from a main or FOH console. Plus, 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.
Mighty Tools for Scene and Show Management
M32R’s Cue List provides an innovative way to automate the loading of scenes and
“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 favorite 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.
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Product Information Document
Digital Mixers
M32R
Digital Console for Live and Studio with
40 Input Channels, 16 MIDAS PRO Microphone
Preampli ers and 25 Mix Buses
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 suitable materials and controlling the processes to ensure consistent moulding
quality and eliminating the warping and deformation caused by shrinking as the parts cool.
True, none of this was easy - we spent many long hours developing the MIDAS PRO FADER design.
However the results speak for themselves.
MIDAS PRO FADERS are rated for up to 1,000,000 cycles – three times that of other
leading manufacturers.
LCD Scribble Strips
A total of 17 programmable LCD Scribble Strips o er channel/bus identi cation that mirrors what
is being controlled.
Use them to enter input/output tags, plus add icons you recognize at-a-glance. Then assign colors
to create visual groups for immediate, on-the- y recognition of similar inputs.
Simple, elegant and e ective – plus you’ll never need masking tape again.
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