Midas MR18 Vs. QSC TouchMix 8: Reviewed & Compared

Choosing the right mixer when there are so many on the market these days isn't easy.
Especially when many of them are built for one specific need but being marketed as an all-rounder 🙄
But not to worry, I've got ya!
I have taken a deep dive into two beasts in the audio-mixing game and gone head to head with them: Midas MR18 vs. QSC TouchMix 8.

We're looking at things like:
  • Sound Quality: This is the heart of the matter, right? How each mixer holds up in delivering crisp, clear audio. Are we talking about a mixer that makes your tracks sound like they're live from the garage, or are we hitting studio-quality sound?
  • Ease of Use: Nobody wants to spend hours figuring out which button does what. I’ll break down the user interface of both Midas MR18 and QSC TouchMix 8. Are they plug-and-play easy, or will you need a PhD in mixology to use them?
  • Features and Functions: Ie. What's under the hood? Let's find out what sets them apart.
  • Durability: No matter your reason for buying, you want something that's gonna last, not fall apart after a few light sessions.
  • Price Point: Yep, money talks. When it comes to prices, we need to see which mixer gives us more bang for our buck. Is the higher price of one justified by its features, or is the other a hidden gem at a bargain price?
  • Customer Reviews and Feedback: What's the word on the street? Sometimes real-world use tells a different story than what the sales page says.

Midas MR18

After thoroughly testing the Midas MR18 for a few months, I'm ready to spill all the details – the good, the bad, and the not-so-pretty. This mixer is a powerhouse in a compact package, perfect for both live sound and recording. Here's the full breakdown for anyone eyeing this mixer.

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Sound Quality and Performance

Right off the bat, the sound quality is top-notch. The MR18 delivers a pristine audio experience with impressively low latency. Whether you're mixing live or laying down tracks in a studio, the clarity and warmth of the sound are remarkable. Plus, the variety of outputs offers immense flexibility, making it a versatile choice for various audio setups.

Build and Connectivity

The mixer is built tough with Neutrik connectors, ensuring robust and reliable connections. This is a big plus for anyone who's had to deal with flimsy ports in the past. The MR18's ease of configuration is another high point. It offers numerous signal routing options, catering to both planned and spontaneous audio needs. The price-to-quality ratio is exceptional, putting it ahead of competitors like the X-Air 18, especially with its superior Midas converters.

User Interface and Software

The software is intuitive and musician-friendly, not overly complicated like some gear designed with tech whizzes in mind. There's a wealth of online resources and user communities, which is a godsend for troubleshooting and getting creative with your setup. As an audio interface, it boasts 18 inputs and outputs, offering ample connectivity for most studio and live situations.

Challenges and Considerations

However, it's not all smooth sailing. While the MR18 is user-friendly, there's still a learning curve, especially if you're not used to digital mixers. It might take a bit of time to fully grasp all the features and make the most out of this mixer.

Also, while it works great as an audio interface, those who are looking for more integrated DAW control might find its capabilities a bit limited. It's more suited for live mixing and straightforward recording setups rather than complex studio productions.

Final Verdict

All in all, the Midas MR18 is a solid investment. It's especially great for live sound applications and straightforward recording needs. The sound quality is exceptional, and the flexibility in routing and connectivity is a major win. Just be ready to spend some time getting to know this mixer inside out. For its price point, you're getting a lot of bang for your buck. Just remember, while it excels in many areas, it might not be the perfect fit for those needing advanced studio integration.

QSC TouchMix-8

I Got My Hands on the QSC TouchMix-8: Still Impressed

I got my hands on the QSC TouchMix-8 when it first came out, and man, it's still a game-changer. This little beast replaces racks of EQs, compressors, and gates. The best part? Everything's super easy to access. You don't need a cheat sheet for menus because there's no annoying digging through sub-menus. Plus, the noise level? Ridiculously low, perfect for on-location gigs or filming.

Power and Portability

If you're thinking of going mobile with this mixer, keep in mind the AC adaptor is proprietary, supplying several different voltages. While you won't need a gas generator, rigging an outboard battery means getting a 12-volt, 17-amp AGM battery and a mini sine wave inverter. Trust me, this board's powerful enough to lay down all your tracks on an optional SSD drive for processing through your favorite DAW.

Touch Screen: A Mixed Bag

Now, let's talk touch screen. The sensitivity can be a bit frustrating at times, and the graphics could use a higher resolution, especially for the RTA. An LED screen update would be nice, particularly for outdoor gigs.

Reliability Issues

One thing to note – there have been a few issues with the aux sends and the board freezing up. I've also noticed some lag when moving the virtual faders on the built-in touch screen, which can be pretty annoying. But remember, no mixer is perfect.

Sound Quality and Effects

The sound quality? Spot on. The effects are top-notch, easily rivaling other portable digital consoles in this range. The mic pres are good, and the compressor lets you dial in precisely. It’s a bit bright, but the dynamics are stellar.

Overall Verdict

Despite its few quirks, the QSC TouchMix-8 is a fantastic, powerful mixer in a compact package. It's got big power and a small footprint, making it a solid choice for those needing a robust feature set in a portable design. Just be prepared to deal with that touch screen and keep an eye on those aux sends.

Head 2 Head: Midas MR18 or QSC TouchMix 8

Midas MR18 Review: A Powerhouse Packed with Features


When it comes to delivering top-notch sound quality, the Midas MR18 really hits the mark. It's quite a gem, offering pristine audio with impressively low latency. Whether you're a live sound engineer or recording artist, this mixer will have you swooning over its clarity and warmth. And don't even get me started on the variety of outputs; talk about flexibility!

Build and Connectivity

A robust build? Check. Reliable connections? Double check. The Midas MR18 is decked out with Neutrik connectors that scoff at flimsiness. Configuring this bad boy is a breeze too; it comes with an array of signal routing options to cater for all your audio needs, planned or spontaneous. Now, if we're talking price-to-quality ratio, this mixer puts competitors like X-Air 18 to shame with its superior Midas converters.

User Interface and Software


The software of the MR18 is refreshingly user-friendly and not overly complicated like some techy gear out there. The online resources and user communities available are a godsend for troubleshooting and exploring creative setups. As an audio interface, it offers 18 inputs and outputs – ample connectivity for most studio and live situations.

Challenges and Considerations

But let's not sugarcoat things here; while the MR18 is quite user-friendly, there's still a learning curve involved if you're new to digital mixers. And while it does work great as an audio interface, those looking for more integrated DAW control might find its capabilities somewhat limited. It shines in live mixing scenarios and straightforward recording setups rather than complex studio productions.

QSC TouchMix-8 Review: The Compact Game-Changer


The QSC TouchMix-8 is a little beast of a mixer that replaces racks of EQs, compressors, and gates. No need for cheat sheets or digging through sub-menus – everything is within easy reach. And did I mention how low its noise level is? Perfect for on-location gigs or filming.

Power and Portability


If you're thinking of taking this mixer on the road, keep in mind that its AC adaptor is proprietary. However, it's so powerful that you could lay down all your tracks on an optional SSD drive for processing through your favorite DAW – no gas generator required.

Touch Screen: A Mixed Bag


The touch screen can be a bit finicky at times and the graphics could use a higher resolution. An LED screen update would certainly do wonders, especially for outdoor gigs.

Reliability Issues


Some users have reported issues with the aux sends and the board freezing up. There's also some lag when moving the virtual faders on the built-in touch screen – not exactly ideal but hey, no mixer is perfect.

Sound Quality and Effects


The sound quality of the QSC TouchMix-8? Absolutely spot on! The effects are top-notch and rival other portable digital consoles in this range. The mic pres are good and the compressor allows you to dial in precisely. It's a bit bright but delivers stellar dynamics.

The Final Verdict

After close examination, we have to declare a winner here. Taking into account all factors – sound quality, build, connectivity, user interface, software and even the learning curve – the crown goes to the Midas MR18. While both mixers are impressive in their own right, the superior sound quality and flexibility of the Midas MR18 sets it apart. Even though there's a bit of a learning curve, it offers exceptional value for its price point. The QSC TouchMix-8 is undoubtedly a potent contender with its powerful features and compact design but falls short due to its touch screen and reliability issues. Therefore, for those needing advanced studio integration or more complex setups, you might want to consider other options. However, for live sound applications and straightforward recording needs, the Midas MR18 is your guy.