About the MIDAS V240 24-Channel Analog Mixing Console
The MIDAS V240 is a classic, medium-format analog mixing console that carved a distinguished reputation in both studio and live sound applications during its era, known for delivering the signature MIDAS sonic quality in a more accessible package. This 24-channel console combines robust construction with a thoughtfully designed signal path centered around the brand's highly regarded discrete microphone preamplifiers and musical four-band equalization. It served as a versatile workhorse for project studios, smaller touring bands, corporate AV, and installation environments where reliability, straightforward operation, and superior sound were paramount. The console's architecture provides a clear and logical workflow, with dedicated channel strips, flexible subgroup routing, and comprehensive monitoring facilities, all laid out on a single, manageable surface.
Each input channel on the V240 features a transparent, high-headroom mic preamp, switchable phantom power, and a four-band EQ with sweepable mid-frequency controls for precise tonal shaping. The channel path includes inserts for outboard gear, high-pass filtering, and multiple auxiliary sends configurable for monitor mixes or effects loops. The console typically offers 4 or 8 subgroups, allowing engineers to mix drums, vocals, or other elements together before sending them to the main stereo bus, a feature that adds significant mix control and facilitates live recording to a multi-track recorder. The master section is comprehensive, including balanced XLR outputs, a dedicated mono sum, extensive matrix routing for feeding additional zones, and a flexible control room/studio monitoring section with separate level controls and source selection.
Built with the durability characteristic of MIDAS products of its time, the V240 features a heavy-duty steel chassis, a solid wood side-cheek construction, and high-quality components throughout. While it lacks the digital connectivity and recall of modern consoles, its strength lies in its pure analog signal path, tactile immediacy, and a sonic character often described as warm, open, and musical. The console fosters an intentional, hands-on mixing approach, making it an enduring favorite for engineers and producers who value sonic character and dedicated physical control over menu-driven functionality. The MIDAS V240 remains a respected classic, representing a period of analog console design where build quality and sonic integrity were foundational principles.