Brand development manager Richard Ferriday was on hand to place the desk into precise context. "Siena and Verona are both dual-purpose consoles," he told me, "but the Verona is a FOH console that can also do monitors, while the Siena is a monitor console that can also do FOH. The Siena has been developed from the Verona platform, which means the front end of the console is already sold - everyone's been really happy with the mic pres and the EQ.
"I see the Siena going into live music venues with different requirements from day to day, places that need a very flexible monitor console with the ability to configure the auxes as stereo or mono sends. The other target market is rental companies, who often find that if they buy a dedicated monitor console, it's the last thing left in the warehouse on a Friday night. By giving the Siena FOH capability as well, those rental companies will find greater utilization from it. It's actually got a more sophisticated solo system, too, as well as a more flexible buss structure and the data interface to KT's Helix digital EQ. In fact, there will be sales deals for Siena and Verona together, and for Siena and Helix together. For monitor engineers, the Siena and Helix - especially with the Helix's new wireless remote control capability - is a great package."
Next year, perhaps, Midas will perfect a medium-format analogue console for use on Tuesday evenings in the West Midlands between October and Christmas, alongside six other versions for every region of Britain with modifications for changes in temperature year-round. And, finally, while the world gasps at the company's flagship digital solution, a Special Edition Jon Anderson console will be launched for use when the audience fails to reach double figures . . .
