Midas MR18 Vs. Soundcraft Signature 22MTK: 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. Soundcraft Signature 22MTK.

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 Soundcraft Signature 22MTK. 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.

Soundcraft Signature 22MTK

Everything The Product Sales Page Doesn't Tell You About The Soundcraft Signature 22MKT…

I tested the Soundcraft Signature 22MKT for a couple of weeks. I know, not that long, but it's been a revelation every day.

I work with a local piece band and they've been able to lay down live recordings in one take, capturing everything onto separate tracks in the DAW.

The ability to record up to 22 tracks simultaneously has been a game-changer in this respect.

Soundcraft Signature 22MTK 2
Click To View

Sound Quality and Support

Warm, Analog Sound ✅

The sound quality is exactly what we were looking for. The mixer provides a broad, balanced frequency range, delivering that warm, analog sound.

Plus, the onboard effects buses allow for creative mixing. Not to mention, the support from Soundcraft has been exceptional, both before and after purchase.

Who Is The 22MKT For? Not Beginners

Soundcraft Signature 22MTK
Click To View

Difficult Setup and Poor Documentation ❌

I always have to give the good, bad and the ugly… so here it is:

It's not all smooth sailing. Setting up the mixer with Windows was a nightmare, with no useful online resources.

The manual was no help either. It's a great board for those who know what they're doing and know their way around boards, but I can definitely see how for a beginner, it would be a steep and frustrating learning curve.

Early Impressions ✅

Impressive Functionality

Soundcraft Signature 22MTK 3
Click To View

In the early days of testing out the 22MTK, I was impressed with its routing capabilities, especially to outboard gear.

The onboard Lexicon effects are a bonus, and the ability to use DAW plugins during live play is a huge plus. However, the lack of an on/off switch and inserts is a bit puzzling.

Channel Issues and Sturdiness

Some Quality Concerns

Unfortunately, I soon ran into issues with channel one having low gain and a hum. This was unexpected, especially considering the mixer hadn't seen much use.

While the mixer is generally sturdy, these issues do raise some concerns about its long-term reliability.

Perfect for Specific Needs

Ideal for Unique Applications

This mixer was perfect for running a mic through guitar pedals. Its small footprint and built-in effects make it versatile for creating unique sounds. It's a solid choice for those needing a compact mixer with good functionality.

Soundcraft 12MTK: A Better Choice For Beginners

Soundcraft Signature 22MKT record up to 22 tracks simultaneously
Click To View

I know I have kind of shifted between the 12 and the 22 and thats because they are pretty much the same thing, you either need the extra channels (22MTK) or oyu don't (12MTK).

But the like its big bro, the Soundcraft 12MTK offers good sound quality and is fairly lightweight. The preamps are notable, as is the mid-range EQ. However, there are significant design flaws, like the problematic gain ratio and the lack of an on/off switch, which can be frustrating. It's a good mixer overall but be prepared for some quirks.

Check Out The Soundcraft Signature 22MKT
View The 12MTK

Head 2 Head: Midas MR18 or Soundcraft Signature 22MTK

The Midas MR18: Compact Powerhouse or Overhyped Gadget?

First up, let's dish out the deets on the Midas MR18. I've been testing this baby for months and I'm ready to spill the tea. This mixer is like that small but ripped guy at the gym – compact yet powerful, flexing both for live sound and recording.

Sound Quality and Performance

The sound quality? Top-notch! The Midas MR18 delivers a pristine audio experience with impressively low latency – it's like Usain Bolt of mixers. Whether you're mixing live or laying down tracks in a studio, the clarity and warmth of the sound are remarkable. Plus, it comes with a variety of outputs offering immense flexibility, making it a versatile choice for various audio setups.

Build and Connectivity

This mixer is built tougher than my grandma's fruitcake with Neutrik connectors, ensuring robust and reliable connections. The MR18's ease of configuration is another feather in its cap. It offers numerous signal routing options, catering to both planned and spontaneous audio needs. And when it comes to price-to-quality ratio, this mixer is giving its competitors a run for their money.

User Interface and Software

Don't worry; you don't need a Ph.D. in computer science to operate this baby. The software is intuitive and musician-friendly. Plus, there’s a wealth of online resources and user communities available, handy for troubleshooting or getting creative with your setup.

Challenges and Considerations

But hey, no one said it would be all rainbows and butterflies! While user-friendly, there's still a learning curve if digital mixers aren't your jam. 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.

Soundcraft Signature 22MTK: Hidden Gem or Just Another Mixer?

Next up, we have the Soundcraft Signature 22MTK. I've had this one for a couple of weeks, and it's been a revelation every day.

Outstanding Creative Capabilities

With my 4-piece band, we can lay down live recordings in one take, capturing everything onto separate tracks in our PC-based recording software. The ability to record up to 22 tracks simultaneously is like having an all-you-can-eat buffet at your fingertips.

Warm, Analog Sound

The sound quality is like warm chocolate on a cold winter night – exactly what we were looking for. The mixer provides a broad, balanced frequency range delivering that warm, analog sound. Plus, the onboard effects buses allow for creative mixing.

Difficult Setup and Poor Documentation

However, setting up the mixer with Windows was tougher than helping my grandma set up her new iPhone – there were no useful online resources and the manual wasn't much help either. So if you're a beginner or not tech-savvy (like grandma), brace yourself for a steep learning curve.

Impressive Functionality

Despite these challenges, I've been impressed with its routing capabilities (especially to outboard gear) and onboard Lexicon effects. But here's something that bugged me: there's no on/off switch – it's like buying a car without a key!

Some Quality Concerns

Unfortunately, I've already run into issues with channel one having low gain and a hum. This raises some concerns about its long-term reliability.

Ideal for Unique Applications

Despite these issues, this mixer has been perfect for my specific needs. Its small footprint and built-in effects make it versatile for creating unique sounds.

Drumroll Please: And The Winner Is…

After much deliberation, the crown goes to the Midas MR18. Despite its learning curve, it offers superior sound quality, robust build, and excellent connectivity. It's like the Swiss Army Knife of mixers – compact but capable of handling various audio setups.

While the Soundcraft Signature 22MTK offers impressive functionality, the lack of an on/off switch and quality concerns pull it down a notch.

The Midas MR18 might not be perfect for those needing advanced studio integration but if you're looking for a reliable workhorse for live sound applications and straightforward recording needs, this mixer is your golden ticket!