Production Works, Australia, Upgrades to Midas PRO9

L to R: Production Works' Gareth Kays (digital systems engineer), Nathaniel Collins (ICT specialist), Tony Miller (CEO), Malcolm Battersby (senior audio engineer), Tom Black (digital system engineer) The Australian events company, Production Works, based in Hobart, Tasmania, has become the first in the country to upgrade its Midas PRO6 digital audio system to a Midas PRO9.

The PRO- package, supplied by Victoria-based Midas distributor National Audio Systems, tops the Midas PRO Series and features an 88-channel input count and 35 buses, with the dual stage boxes offering placement flexibility up to 656' apart and 1,640.5' from the front-of-house position.

Tony Miller, CEO of Production Works, says. "The PR09 gives us identical features to the PRO6 but with expanded input channels live on the surface. This allows us to tackle larger theatre shows and concert events without the need for multiple consoles. Twenty-four extra live channels make a big difference when you have 30 or so radio microphones and a large chorus or choir with a 30-piece orchestra. Now everything is condensed onto one console, with the benefit of the PRO Series features available on all channels."

He adds, "The PRO series has so many highlights. The population groups are a fantastic feature, allowing live channels to be brought to the working surface very quickly and in manageable groups, and the audio distribution system is flexible, reliable and convenient. You can send, patch, and assign anything almost anywhere. Combined with the latency management system it is a force to be reckoned with."

In addition, he says "The whole analog feel to the operation and layout of the console makes for an easy transition from an analog to digital console for die-hard, 'I'll-never-use-digital' FOH and MON engineers," he explains.

Most important of all? "The sound," says Miller. "A digital Midas PRO sounds like an analogue XL4. It's the sound quality all digital console manufacturers would die for."