The Midas brand and the Yamaha brand are two of the most popular manufacturers of digital mixing consoles on the market. Yamaha is recognized as the pioneer of digital mixers. This is because it was responsible for introducing the first digital mixer in the year 1987.
That notwithstanding, brands like Midas have bridged the gap, thus producing excellent mixing consoles as well. One of the most popular Midas mixing consoles is the Midas M32.
In this article, I am going to compare the Midas M32 with the Yamaha TF5, which is one of the many mixing consoles that have come out of the Yamaha brand.
Specifications
| Attribute | Midas M32 | Yamaha TF5 |
| Price | Check Current Price on Amazon | Check Current Price on Amazon |
| Analog Input Channels | 32 XLR, 8 Aux | 32 XLR/TRS combo |
| Analog Output Channels | 16 XLR | 16 XLR |
| Headphones | 1 x ¼” TRS | 1 x ¼” |
| Busses/Groups | 25 mix buses, 8 DCA groups | |
| USB | 2 (1 Type B & 1 Type A) | 3 (2 Type-A & 1 Type-B) |
| Computer Connectivity | USB, Ethernet | USB (34 x 34) |
| A/D Resolution | 24 – bit/48kHz | 10-bit/48kHz |
| EQ Bands | 4-band EQ | 4-band EQ |
| Effects | Yes (8 Stereo FX Engines) | Yes (8 Effects + 10 GEQ) |
| Screen | 7” Thin-film-transistor (TFT) Screen | 7” Touch Panel |
| Storage | 2 SD card slots | USB |
| Dimensions (H x D x W) | (10.1 x 24.1 x 35.1)” | (8.9 x 23.6 x 34.1)” |
| Weight | 55 lbs | 44.1 lbs |
| Phantom Power | Yes | Yes |
| MIDI In/Out | Yes | No |
Similarities Between the Midas M32 and Yamaha TF5
Number of Preamps
Preamps are one of the most important components in mixing consoles. The Midas M32 (on Amazon) and the Yamaha TF5 (also on Amazon) digital mixing consoles have the same number of preamps.
This can be attributed to the fact that both mixing consoles have the same number of analog input channels, i.e., 32 channels. Each channel has a preamp inside it.
Though the same number of preamps can be found in both mixing consoles, these preamps are not of the same type.
The type of preamps found in the Midas M32 is the Midas PRO series microphone preamps. This is an award-winning Midas Pro Series mic preamp that produces amazing sound.
On the other hand, the Yamaha TF5 is designed to come with D-Pre mic preamps that sound great as well.
In a live situation, you probably wouldn’t hear any audible difference in sound between the Midas PRO preamps and the D-Pre mic preamps from the Yamaha TF5 console.
Display Screen Size
Most of the digital mixing consoles on the market come with display screens of different sizes that are used to view and navigate various settings and controls.
Though the Midas M32 and the Yamaha TF5 are different brands of mixing consoles, they come with display screens that are of the same size. Due to this, the view presented by both mixing consoles to users is basically the same.
The Midas M32 has a full-color TFT-angled screen that is 7” in size. This angled screen found on the Midas M32 is a 7” full-color TFT display screen which is viewable even in daylight.
The Yamaha TF5 also comes with a 7” Touch Panel high-resolution screen. This display screen also doubles as a touchscreen. Thus this display screen is a multi-touch screen with a straightforward design and is fully optimized to give you creative freedom.
Remote Control
Remote control in this context refers to the ability of users to control digital mixers from a distance, usually wirelessly, using another device. Most modern digital mixers offer the option of remote control. The Midas M32 and Yamaha TF5 are no different. Thus, this is one similarity shared by these two mixing consoles.
The Midas M32 has its own range of offline and online apps for remote control. These apps are; an M32 Editor for Macs and PCs, M32 Mix app for iPad devices, and M32-Q for both Android and iOS devices.
The M32 Editor These apps provide users with ease and the flexibility to make adjustments to the mixing console while mobile or away from the console.
The Yamaha TF5 also comes with an iOS application that allows for wireless personal monitoring and mixing. This iOS application is known as the TF StageMix.
Apart from this TF StageMix, there are two other dedicated apps that can be paired with the Yamaha TF5 to extend its use on smart devices. These apps are the TF Editor and the TF MonitorMix.
Therefore, both digital mixing consoles enable users to seamlessly integrate and have access and control of all the main mixing functions remotely.
Number of Analog Output Channels
Another similarity between these two digital mixing consoles lies in the number of analog output channels they come with. When it comes to output channels, the Midas M32 has 16 XLR outputs, with two of these serving as the main outputs. This is the same for the Yamaha TF5, which also has 16 analog XLR output channels.
Difference Between the Midas M32 and Yamaha TF5
Since different music equipment manufacturing brands produce these two digital mixing consoles, there will be several differences between them. Let’s take a look at them.
Input Channels and MIDI In/Out
When you compare the input/output channels of the Midas M32 with that of the Yamaha TF5, you will realize that the Midas M32 offers you more input and output channels than the latter does.
The Midas M32 mixing console comes with 40 input channels. Of these 40 input channels, 32 are XLR analog mic input channels that have Midas Pro Mic Preamp inputs and offer phantom power capabilities.
The remaining eight channels are AUX channels that provide you with auxiliary mixes separate from the main mix.
On the other hand, the Yamaha TF5 comes with 32 analog XLR 1/4” combo input channels that are expandable to 48 mixing channels. These 32 analog combo inputs serve as both mic and line inputs, thus, are equipped with D-Pre mic preamps that sound great.
All of these 32 channels offer phantom power capabilities as well and are expandable to 48 channels using network audio racks.
Since the Midas M32 has more input channels than the Yamaha, it is suitable for setups that require relatively more connections.
Besides having more input channels than the Yamaha TF5, the Midas M32 also comes with MIDI In/Out ports. The MIDI In/Out is often underused on mixing consoles, but it’s a useful tool that can help you get more control over your console.
With the MIDI In/Out ports, you can connect an external MIDI controller to the Midas M32 and map it to different parameters for even more control.
Unfortunately, this MIDI In/Out port is not found on the Yamaha TF5.
Build Quality and Interface
One great thing about the Yamaha TF5 is that it has a simple layout that makes mixing efficient and feels natural. The Yamaha TF5 has been built to give you a setup that is smooth and easy to operate.
It has 33 motorized 100 mm faders. Thirty-two of these motor faders serve as volume control for the 32 individual channels, with the last motor fader being the master volume control of the entire mixing console. This gives you quick control over the volume of each individual channel.
On the other hand, the Midas M32 digital mixing console comes with 25 Midas PRO motorized 100mm faders. It sports a sleek, ergonomic design that bears strong traces of classical British mixing console designs.
In addition to this, it is durable, elegant, and beautifully streamlined. Additionally, this Midas M32 mixing console has a fully interactive user interface and comes with LCD scribble strips that allow you to name channels easily and quickly.
This mixing console has dedicated physical buttons and knobs for tweaking and making parameter changes.
Effects
The effects that come with the Yamaha TF5 are outstanding. This Yamaha TF5 mixing console comes with eight powerful SPX processors onboard effects and ten graphic equalizers (GEQ) that work to make your sound more phenomenal.
The eight SPX processors provide users with a wide range of sonic control and programs such as reverb, modulation effects, and delay.
However, the effects that come with the Midas M32 digital mixing console are more than what you will find on the Yamaha TF5 mixing console and blows the TF5 out of the water.
With the Midas M32, you can find over 60 effects that can be applied to every individual input channel. This gives you more than enough room and freedom to craft your live sound using the compressors, reverbs, delays, and equalizers available. Additionally, the Midas M32 is equipped with 16 vintage analog gear-based plugins that provide users with more equalization and effects units.
Display Screen Functionality
Even though these two mixing consoles come with screens that are of the same size, i.e., 7”, they do not offer the same functionalities.
The 7” screen which comes with the Midas M32 is not a touch screen. However, there are knobs and controls around the screen that allows you to navigate and interact with the parameters on the screen. And once you get the hang of it, they are quite easy to use
On the other hand, the Yamaha TF5 is designed to have a multi-touch screen display. And this makes the TF5 extremely easy to use and navigate. You can quickly change EQ, compressor parameters, and much more with a touch on the screen.
The TF5 also comes with one knob known as the “Touch and Turn” knob. This is a universal knob that can be used to tweak any parameter inside the Yamaha TF5.
Just as the name depicts, all you have to do is to touch the parameter you want to alter on the display screen and turn the knob to change it. This knob can be used to adjust the gain, EQ, and compressor.
Apart from this knob, the Yamaha TF5 is designed to have four extra knobs that are user-defined and help to make performing changes and settings seamless.
Which One Should You Buy? My Opinion
Every mixing console has its strengths and weaknesses. The same goes for the Midas M32 and the Yamaha TF5 digital mixing consoles.
However, when these two are weighed together, the Yamaha TF5 comes up top against the Midas M32. So personally, I’ll choose the Yamaha TF5 (Amazon) over the Midas M32 (Amazon).
But I understand everyone has his/her needs and things they look out for. So I’ll try my possible best to be unbiased here. So here are reasons why you may want to go for the Midas M32 over the Yamaha TF5 mixing console.
Firstly, the Midas M32 mixing console is a far more popular mixer than the Yamaha TF5. For this reason, there are a ton of free materials online that will help you learn to use the M32. Various YouTubers and audio engineers have explained every single feature and function in this console.
And there are many different forum discussions you’ll find online on very specific issues you need help with.
Also, since a lot of people use this console, it’s easy to find help online on any issue relating to the Midas M32.
Secondly, the Midas M32 has a ton more audio effects than you’ll find on most mixing consoles in this price range. With over 60 audio effects, you have different ways to tweak your sound to your liking.
From digital emulations of analog audio processors to experimental audio effects, there are a ton of effects to help you achieve whatever sound you’re looking for.
Here is why you may want to consider buying Yamaha TF5 over Midas M32 mixing console.
The touchscreen display is the first reason why Yamaha TF5 is a better option than the Midas M32. This display makes it quick and easy to use this console.
There’s no need to learn which button controls which parameter. You can simply touch and change whatever parameter you want to tweak. And this gives you a much faster workflow.
Furthermore, Yamaha TF5 has neat and very useful features you wouldn’t find on the Midas M32.
For instance, its GainFinder feature makes setting gains for all your microphones and instruments effortless. Also, its one-knob EQ vocal mode is worth mentioning. These are features you probably wouldn’t find in any other console.
One final reason you may want to choose the Yamaha TF5 over the Midas 32 is that it is expendable from a 32-input channel to a 48-input mixing console. This makes the Yamaha TF5 mixing console future-proof.
In the near future, when you need more input channels, all you’ll have to do is to purchase the Yamaha NY64-D I/O expansion card (on Amazon). And these are the reasons why the Yamaha TF5 is the better option compared to the Midas M32.
Conclusion
The Midas M32 and Yamaha TF5 are awesome mixers that deliver phenomenal sound and provide a platform to achieve great mixing results. They are ideal for both small and large applications. Thus, you can rely on them for both live and studio applications.
Hello, I’m Elijah. A writer on Geek Musician, based in Ghana-West Africa. I am a writer with a passion for research and reading. I usually spend my free time playing chess or watching movies. For more info, check out my about me page. Or read more of my articles here.