Midas M32 and Pro Tools

[aftermid]

Hi,
I'm using an HDX card with an Omni rack. I thinking of getting a Midas board. Does anyone know if there is a way to use the Midas preamp and then route it to the HDX card? The Omni has two pre amps and the back of the Omni has a special plug/cable that goes to the HDX card. Is there a cable/plug that could go from the Midas to the HDX card and be recognized by Pro Tools 11?

[Nathan W.]

ADAT Optical OUT M32 to the OMNI Optical IN. That will give you 8 preamps through the Avid OMNI. You won't be able to use the built in Preamps on the OMNI with this setup. The MIDAS 32 would act as the "daddy" or master clock setup--you can pass Wordclock through the ADAT but it's probably safer to get a BNC cable and terminator and go from the MIDAS wordclock out to the OMNI IN. If you have any other A/D converters you'd need an external wordclock.

[albee1952]

The 2 pieces of hardware(HDX/OMNI and M32) would kind of be working against each other. What's the goal here? If its to get the sound of the Midas(which I also like), save some cash and buy the Midas XL-48. 8 Midas preamps and a lightpipe connection to the OMNI, and done If its the HUI control function on the M32, its not quite as cool as you might think(it only relates to the 8 faders in the master section of the M32). A decent HUI controller(Faderport8 or 16?) or an Artist Mix will work as well(and still save you cash)

[aftermid]

The plan would be to use the Midas preamps. I thought that maybe by connecting to the Omni, it would show up as extra preamps. I also wanted to use it as a automation controller, but if it's like you mention only 8 faders, it's not really worth the extra expense. Also, from the Midas pictures I see two SPDIF digtal RCA jacks, but I don't see any Toslink ports. Where does the Midas have the ADAT ports?
The other thing I would like to have is the use of 1/4" stereo jacks so as to connect external sound modules/rack effects to the Midas. From what I see on the pictures, there are about 6-8 1/4" jacks, but they look more like mono returns or maybe inputs.

Thanks for the pointers.

[Darryl Ramm]

The MIDAS as a control surface provides HUI, is that sufficient for what you want? It's not all the fancy features of say EUCON and an S3.

You need the ADAT expansion card in the M32 if you want to do ADAT to/from it.

The Omni is very expansion limited. You get a total of 8 inputs, so if you want 8 ADAT inputs you have to disable all the other inputs on the Omni. If you really wanted an ADAT connected digital Mixer connected to your system then add more DigiLink digital interface capacity, e.g. with a HD IO Digital or 192 IO.

... or even easier just give up on DigiLink IO and and the Omni and use the M48 as a USB interface.

You do need to start reading the documentation for stuff you are asking about, and is likely to get you to things you did not even think to ask about otherwise.

Hopefully you are buying a M48 because you really need a digital live mixer for other reasons. A digital mixer as audio interface and control surface is often a compromise.

Are you after external hardware as Mic preamp inserts (which the M32 does not have AFAIK) or hardware inserts while mixing?

Be careful lusting after external effects boxes...and worrying about spending money to connect them, you might be much better off just using plugins.

[aftermid]

I am familiar with the HUI and EUCON , as far as the S3 you mentioned, we used to have an ICON. Quite pricey. My conclusion was that it was a glorified mouse with no preamps at quite a hefty price. Furthermore, the controls were quirky and unresponsive at times. I don't think I'll be buying any Avid boards anytime soon. As far as connecting external hardware, these would be vintage sound modules, some that don't have softsynths versions. I did actually read the Midas manual and it's brother's manual the Behringer X32. Not even Midas itself could give me a concrete answer on the 1/4" jacks on the M32 for use for the modules in question. Sometimes what's in the manual and how things actually work in real life don't quite line up. Think back to Icon board. Not sure what M48 you're referring to. Maybe this would have the features I need, full DAW automation with clean preamps. I know the M32 preamps are good, but if I can't use it with Pro Tools, it defeats the purpose. I suppose I could go with an Avid preamp/interface, but it seems there are cheaper options out there like Apogee and UA. Maybe I could get one of those and add a Automation controller. It's a shame cause as far as quality the M32 is good.