Midas M32, M32C & DL16

I like Midas gear… so I designed a system in order to maximize input sources (without re-patching), use Show Control, and build a Dante network (audio over IP) with these three components at the core.

The M32 console serves as the master clock and mixes the 30 local inputs in the theatre. It’s connected to the DL16 via AES50 for an additional 16 channels in. This helps when bringing in a wireless system like I did in this post:

orb.club/p/0x019d96-0x13a2-DA-b7ddb0b3

I installed a Klark Teknik DN-32 Dante expansion card in the M32C rack, which connects over AES50 to the DL16. So it’s possible to route a combination of the 30 local inputs, the 16 AES50 ins, or anything on the Dante network. Pure flexibility. I even have two Fostex 6301 Dante speakers for playback - no analog connections on the back!

Lastly, in order to run cues from QLab on a Mac Mini, the M32 console connects over USB and functions as an interface to the computer. This way we can run cues from the show control section of the console via MIDI, and get playback from QLab on a stereo Aux input. You can also do multitrack recordings up to 32 channels in Abobe Audition if needed.

This has been one of my favourite builds, proving to be totally stable and predictable (which I was initially concerned about given the AES50 and Dante combo). The system should be future-proof for the next ten years.

Endless hours of fun. 🤓🎛️🎚️🔊🎭