"My experience has been that the function and sound quality of the smaller format Midas consoles is close enough to the larger Midas consoles that I can switch back and forth relatively easily," says Dave Rat. "I also wanted to step away from the increasingly popular trend of wedging highly complex and powerful consoles - digital or analogue - into simple and relatively non-complex gigs. I wanted a compact and easy to set up FOH world, yet I also wanted to be able to see everything that is going on at a single glance, without pressing buttons. Digital denies me this, but I can easily achieve it with a compact analogue setup."
This setup worked so well for Rat that when he returned to the US he continued with the concept, going on to mix larger shows on small format Midas analogue consoles.
"Since the consoles make it relatively easy to remember settings and/or chart, I found I was able to swap out and even transfer between console versions fairly easily," he continues. "When the Peppers headlined the 18,000 capacity, KROQ Weenie Roast at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine Meadows, I used a 32-channel Siena. Even though the console is more optimized for stage monitor applications, I actually preferred it as I loved having the extra aux/groups.
"A further benefit was that every other artist was mixed on a digital console, converted back to analogue and then back to digital in the system processors. For the Peppers, I went straight into the processors and eliminated an A/D, D/A conversion which I felt gave the Peppers a sonic clarity advantage. Oh, plus it is really fun mixing big sound on little boards!"
Available in six frame sizes, from 24 up to 64 channels, Siena features 16 dedicated aux sends that can be simply configured as stereo pairs if required. In common with Verona are the high stability, low noise mic preamps and four-band EQ section, which in turn are based on those of the industry-standard flagship XL4. Other features include switchable insert points on all outputs, the unique solo tracking system which allows the solo'd outputs to be shown on the Klark Teknik Helix EQ system, and clear and accurate, long throw, output metering, say Midas.
(Lee Baldock)
