The golden touch of the master of concert sound has struck again. The Midas PRO6 live audio mixing console is the control center for a network audio system that can be expanded to handle up to 264 channels in and 264 channels out.

While it isn't the kind of board you'd rush to call "compact", the Midas is small for it's routing power. 80 channels are available (before any additional hardware expansion) in a space that comparable to a 32-channel Verona board. With two 7U 19" rack units, the core PRO6 console can also handle 32 discrete mixes, each with their own EQ and dynamics procession settings. The mic pre's are the same found on Midas analog consoles like the XL3 and Heritage.

The "VCA" and "POPulation" groups navigation methodology that was introduced in the first networked Midas console, the XL8, is interactivity concept that infirmed the design of the entire PRO6. A color-coded system that is deployed directly to the control surface at the touch of a button is reminiscent of the colored-tape method with which many FOH engineers will no doubt be already familiar.

Routing, effects parameters and other digital functions readily accessible via the PRO6's dual display screens. Though adjustments are dictated digitally, the actual variable controls are analog potentiometers, meaning you get the traditional Midas sound with digital flexibility.

Redundant cabling and top-notch hardware make the PRO6 as reliable as it is powerful. After the Midas PRO6, the only components missing from a complete audio system are mics, amps and speakers.

Four Midas PRO6 consoles will be on display at PLASA 2008.