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Behringer just bought Midas and Klark Teknik

#2
Interesting news, although I have to ask "what have Midas and Klark Teknik done for me lately?" :) Aside from one older model of Klark Teknik compressor that I've heard is decent enough, I don't know of any products from either of those brands that I have ever wanted or heard anything stellar about.

(You can read that as cynical dismissal, or as an open request to be shown something really good from one of those brands.)
 
#5
Both Midas and KT were/are great high end pro audio brands with long histories. The KT 360 eq is still a first choice for monitor mixers that prefer non digital eq's.

Hopefully, this will mean better Behringer audio stuff, not worse Midas/KT stuff.
 
#7
bongomania said:
Interesting news, although I have to ask "what have Midas and Klark Teknik done for me lately?" :) Aside from one older model of Klark Teknik compressor that I've heard is decent enough, I don't know of any products from either of those brands that I have ever wanted or heard anything stellar about.

(You can read that as cynical dismissal, or as an open request to be shown something really good from one of those brands.)
Click to expand...

They make gear that is out of most bar bands budget. I am sure that when blowinger gets through with them they will be just a POS. Here is one of their products. Link Removed
 
#9
Midas makes some of the best analog and digital FOH and Monitor boards on the market. They are used in a lot of large touring and intalled concert systems.

Lets hope that Uli Behringer is true to word and lets them run independently. I would hate to see the Midas brand name ruined.

Here are a couple of stellar products from Midas.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#10
Hi.

Sad, sad news.

I'm not surprised if someone hasn't heard about the companies, but if someone listens any music at all, whether recorded or especially live, You most certainly have heard the gear in action.



Fortunately both brands made gear to last, so we won't run out of the "good stuff" anytime soon.

Also fortunately for those who like to purchase some of their older gear, the probable price drop in the new offerings will result sinking prices for the oldies.

Perhaps I will be able to buy some of that old gear myself :).

As for what will happen, take Ampeg, think what's happened to them and say: "this will be 10 times worse for Midas and Klark"

Sad, sad day indeed.

Regards
Sam
 
#12
it's not sad, it's typical.
i highly doubt that these companies will be affected by their parent company, but i could be very wrong, of course....
for example, peter gabriel basically had to save ssl.
midas and klark are two of the best quality companies out there for live audio equipment,
bongo, surely you jest?!
i'm touring in europe at the moment (foh mixing, not playing unfortunately), my rider has klark and midas as my first choices
for outboard eq and mixing consoles, which is quite common,
if not the most common for the professional engineer who prefers analog.
a midas pre will easily stand with neve, api, ssl, gamble etc. with it's own flavour. absolutely amazing eq, too...
i feel the midas xl4 has yet to be matched for live sound quality...
even though they are old consoles at this point.
 
#13
musicelectronix said:
Both brands are bigger in Europe than they are in US. In fact, I don't think Midas exports to US at all. Do correct me if I am wrong though.
Click to expand...

Wrong. Midas is available in the US. My band did a show recently with a sound company. The board was a MIdas Venice which is one of their low end boards[32 channel would cost at least $5000.00]. The sound provider also had a Klark Teknik dual 31 band EQ. Here is a link to Sam Ash Invalid Link Removed
 
#15
well, if the 'venice' is any indication of where midas is heading... i can't think of a console i hate more than that POS...

their large format analog stuff is great, and the KT graphic EQ's are standard... it will probably just bring us more low end offerings from Midas and Klark Technic... and maybe there will be a few high end Behringer things... we will see.

john
 
#16
D.A.R.K. said:
bongo, surely you jest?!
Click to expand...

Nope. I'll fess up to my ignorance of these mixer brands that are apparently common in live sound; most of my experience is as either a performer or a low-budget studio engineer. The half-dozen times I have worked a live desk it was never one of those two brands.

I'm aware of the graphic EQ mentioned in another post--it did not seem to me to be any different from the EQ's by Yamaha, Rane, Ashly, and every other low-to-middle range pro audio brand. I'd certainly be interested to learn if their EQ's are much better than those other brands. Klark's compressors are generally considered to be "good enough" but not "great".

So anyway--now I know, Midas makes pro-level mixing desks.
 
#17
I don't know what to think.....

Some buyout have been desastrous , some have been good , just hope it's gonna elevate the quality of Behringer and not the contrary.

The DN360 , DN410 and XL4 are reference in "live" market.
 
#18
bongomania said:
I'm aware of the graphic EQ mentioned in another post--it did not seem to me to be any different from the EQ's by Yamaha, Rane, Ashly, and every other low-to-middle range pro audio brand. I'd certainly be interested to learn if their EQ's are much better than those other brands. Klark's compressors are generally considered to be "good enough" but not "great".

So anyway--now I know, Midas makes pro-level mixing desks.
Click to expand...
fair enough...
it is true that a decent midas can range from 30k all the way to half a million dollars for their xl8(digital controlled analog desk).
what a joy to use though..
hardly consumer level for sure.
the klark eq has very musical filters, seems to induce much less phasing when working to it's fullest than ashley or dbx, for example.
only way to know for sure though would be to do a bench comparison..
their gates and comps are definitely minimal and neutral, reliable but not "sweet" sounding...
midas is alive and well in the us, the heritage 3000 is the standard analog install at house of blues, for example.
the venice and verona are not great, but do offer a decent pre.
their downfall is a main mix buss which loads way too early...
it is also unbelievable that the venice does not include a phase reverse switch, you have to use a cannon adapter to phase check overheads with snare, or di and mic on bass, for example.
the real danger i see here is behringer supplying cheaper parts for the midas and klark designs... it is what they do best, cut costs.
hopefully they will just enjoy ownership and leave these companies
to do what they do, as they are still top sellers... a good investment for any parent company for sure.
 
#20
It was a pleasure to work with Klark DN360's, and Midas pro 5's and pro 40's a few times. They worked exactly the same way in 1988 as they do today. Very high end, no nonsense, high quality gear. Not quite got the same feeling from Behringer.

What's next ?, is Samson gonna buy Meyer and EAW.
 

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