Midas Venice F Application Guide

VeniceF

Professional Audio Mixing

Consoles

Application Guide

Midas Klark Teknik Ltd.,

Klark Industrial Park,

Walter Nash Road,

Kidderminster.

Worcestershire.

DY11 7HJ.

England.

Tel: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.midasconsoles.com

VeniceF — Application Guide

DOC04-VNFAPPLICATION Issue A — December 2010

In line with the company’s policy of continual improvement, specifications and function may be

subject to change without notice. This document was correct at the time of writing. E&OE.

© Red Chip Company Ltd.

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Venice F Application Guide

What is “DiGi-LOG”?

Digi-log is Midas’ term for a combination of technologies which brings together the best
aspects of analogue and digital audio processing for use in a live mixing environment. Both
disciplines have particular strengths for live (sound reinforcement) use, the aim of digi-log is to
offer the operator a simple yet powerful and flexible live sound mixing, processing and
recording system.

Let’s begin by reviewing the individual advantages of analogue vs. digital mixers:

· Analogue mixers
o Easy to understand and operate
o Excellent sound quality
o No latency issues

·Digital mixers
o Integral signal processing and effects
o Store/recall of control settings
o Smaller & lighter than equivalent analogue mixer plus outboard gear

There is also an increasing demand for multitrack recording of live events but this is not easy
to achieve with smaller general purpose mixers of either type.

Venice

F

Venice F is designed primarily for use in live sound reinforcement applications. Its rugged
design makes it ideal for portable use, as are all Midas mixers.

Firstly, you don’t need to use the laptop! VeniceF on its own is easy to use and operate, very
small, sounds great (just like a big Midas!) and is very affordable.

However, if you connect a laptop via FireWire to the VeniceF, you can add channel
processing, effects and multitrack recording very easily, and you don’t need to be a computer
genius. But before we go into this let’s look at the VeniceF as a standalone mixer:

The bus structure remains true to the original Venice concept. Six aux sends, four groups and
stereo masters. The F model adds an additional mono bus and a 7 x 2 matrix. All bus outputs
feature XLR connectors and insert capability. VeniceF has individual routing to groups, all six
aux sends are individually switchable pre or post fade, and the two aux buses designated as
monitor (foldback) sends are also switchable pre/post EQ on an individual channel basis.

Inputs pack a host of Pro features, starting with the indispensible Midas mic pre, still crafted
from discrete components, rather than the cheaper IC option. The 15mm gain pot is
surrounded by a quartet of switches, +48v, -20dB pad, polarity reverse and 80Hz hi-pass filter.
A further pair of switches select analogue or digital (FireWire) input and analogue and digital

VeniceF
Application Guide

2 Application Guide

(FireWire) direct out either pre or post EQ. Further switches with LED status indicators are
provided for insert and EQ in/out. The equaliser section is an updated XL3 design, featuring
four bands of swept Midas EQ, with the addition of constantly variable bandwith (Q) on both
the high and low midrange filters.

Add a Laptop

Connect a FireWire (1394) equipped laptop (or desktop) computer to the VeniceF, install the
ASIO driver from the included USB key, then boot up either the supplied RECORD or your
favourite DAW software, and the VeniceF is transformed into a powerful, comprehensive,
professional hybrid audio workstation.

Add some software

Your VeniceF ‘s FireWire interface will operate quite happily with most audio-processing
software packages. The included ASIO driver is designed to work with both Mac and PC
hardware, and a wide selection of software options, such as:

CUBASE

LOGIC

NUENDO

RADAR

RECORD

WAVES

Propellerhead RECORD

Important:
You will need an internet connection to register your RECORD software and also to
open and save files created with your registered account.

RECORD is a software suite by Propellerhead, and has been chosen by Midas as the best
possible solution which provides an excellent choice of processing, FX and recording options
most appropriate to live sound applications. Good sounding, easy to use, stable, and featuring
low latency, the VeniceF includes a free 60-day trial version of RECORD. Continued use of
the software can be obtained by purchasing a license from www.propellerheads.se

Application Guide

VeniceF