What does 'MI' mean?

S

Stu Miller

Freshman
Jul 23, 2012
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Hello,

I have seen, in several posts, the term 'MI' when talking about equipment. What does 'MI' stand for?

I'm new to sound reinforcement so am not yet familiar with all the acronyms.

Thank you,

Stu
 
Musicial Instrument, basically refers to the lower quality level gear found at music stores.

Between "Pro" (L'Acoustics, Midas, Danley, etc) and "DJ" (Kustom, Gemini, American DJ, etc).
 
Re: What does 'MI' mean?

'MI' can also be used as an abbreviation for other stuff in a broader context, for example I'm sure I've seen it used to abbreviate 'music industry' in UK/EU oriented trade publications, websites etc.

Outside the sound/music world it is commonly used as shorthand for 'management information' such as specific statistics, KPI's (key performance indicators) and so forth. Also I know folks in the Market Research industry use it to mean 'marketing information'.
 
Re: What does 'MI' mean?

Caleb Dick said:
Musicial Instrument, basically refers to the lower quality level gear found at music stores.

Between "Pro" (L'Acoustics, Midas, Danley, etc) and "DJ" (Kustom, Gemini, American DJ, etc).
Click to expand...

A minor semantic quibble... but "quality" is generally a measure of how well a product delivers to it's design goals, often confused with higher performance feature sets demanded and paid for by more profession customers. So MI gear can be built to very high quality standards, but will generally lack professional product features. I even count things like ruggedness in package design and robust amplifier thermal headroom as "features" designed in, not "quality" related to process discipline that is assembled in.

The MI market is much larger than the tip of the iceberg, pro market, so manufacturers respect the revenue involved. Pro customers OTOH generally look down on MI customers...

One cause of tension between MI and pro community is when people try to use MI gear to accomplish professional tasks and fail. Advancements in technology over the last couple decades have dramatically improved the performance of MI gear, blurring the line between some of the performance differences and making this even more likely to happen.

Good luck and have fun out there.

JR
 
Re: What does 'MI' mean?

John Roberts said:
Pro customers OTOH generally look down on MI customers...
Click to expand...

Definitely, and they also tend to look down on the companies that respect the MI customers ;)~;-)~:wink:

Funny thing, you get all these derogatory remarks about GC, MF etc., and the people shopping there, and yet the "pros" wonder why musicians that buy their AC30s and their Strats out of GC think of a lot of these "pros" as arrogant little exit openings.

I think that to most of these "pros", MI means Massively Inferior.

I know there are real pros out there with a better attitude, but it is really funny to see these twenty year old fresh out of six weeks of "pro sound school" and a couple of weekend mixer courses turn their noses up at stuff just because they happen to work for a sound company with a million dollar inventory.
 
"Sure, I'll drive a few hours, multiple times, to demo and recommend quality gear, based on real testing and experience, as unbiased as possible. I'll even give ultra tight pricing. To say thank you, you'll forget to tell me that you then took my work to GC and had them snipe our work, then have the balls to get upset at us when we won't play their games anymore."

I have no issue with music stores offering quality, expertise, and service, on musical instruments. It's when they pretend to offer pro AVL gear/design/install as a clueless box-pusher that appeals to the lowest common denominator that steams me.
 
Re: What does 'MI' mean?

I didn't mean to poke this open sore but there are real differences between the definitions of pro and MI gear, just like there are real differences between pros and amateurs. Unfortunately this business has become the modern day equivalent of running away to join the circus, without really running away, or even quitting your day job, while that really grinds on the real professionals trying to make a full time living, getting under cut by bottom feeders often using marginally adequate MI gear.

This isn't good or bad, it just is, but not exactly a win-win for anybody but equipment sellers. I wouldn't expect much love from professionals after looking at it from their perspective.


JR
 
Re: What does 'MI' mean?

There is no official line in the sand when gear is categorized. Mass produced gear isn't necessarily a bad thing. MI grade gear of today, if used properly can do amazing things. It's often the case that events don't need, or can't afford to have the ultra high end gear to get the job done. It really boils down to the market segment that your business is trying to serve.

My business caters to what I call the 'high end MI' market. I don't do big enough shows that can justify the toys of the big boys, but I don't come in with a pile of junk either. While I'd love to afford higher end gear, and would be able to tell the difference, the money isn't there to support it. If a show comes along that I couldn't handle, I certainly wouldn't attempt it. Now, because of this, the bigger players don't like me as competition, as I can offer lower prices than they can, as I have less invested in the gear I use. But if the big guys could get enough shows using their high end gear, that shouldn't even be an issue. The tighter the market you can work with and keep your schedule filled, the less gear you actually need. Of course, that could get boring, and you'd end up buying new stuff just because, but that's another topic.
 
Which is the cause, and which is the effect? Small production (or install for that matter) budgets leading to lower grade gear, or lots of lower grade gear flooding market leading to small budgets?

In install world, when given a budget amount, I try to ask how that figure came about. XYZ competitor quoted a Super Ultra Craptastic Pro system for 25% of realistic, thus that is the budget limit we are expected to come in under. However, there are a few situations where the powers that be only want something that passes signal, which leads to entrepreneurs filling the void.

My take is that all the "cheap anklebiters" pushed expectations down, which led to market demand for the resulting race to the bottom.

Caleb
 
Re: What does 'MI' mean?

Caleb Dick said:
My take is that all the "cheap anklebiters" pushed expectations down, which led to market demand for the resulting race to the bottom.
Click to expand...

The sound business serves two purposes, one commercial and one cultural. As far as commercial considerations go, there has to be a fair balance between promotor earnings and expenses. If someone gets greedy, others suffer. If the big sound provider makes the promoter loose money, the big sound company won't have a customer. If the greedy promoter screws the ticketholders with crappy sound, there won't be an audience next time. It sorts itself out eventually.
The cultural considerations are to me much more important, and in that respect I couldn't care less if the sound provider makes any money. When the sound budgets get in the way of the culture, good, inexpensive equipment can be the saviour. Not good for the pro, but the audience isn't there to listen to your mixing, your desk, your outboard and your mains, they are there for the performer.
Of course the audience wants good sound and a mix that is right for the performer, and pro equipment and pro operators go a long way to ensure that the performer gets what he/she deserves and what the audience deserves, but when all this professionalism makes live culture too expensive to be performed and enjoyed on a regular basis, culture dies.
 
Re: What does 'MI' mean?

Caleb Dick said:
Which is the cause, and which is the effect? Small production (or install for that matter) budgets leading to lower grade gear, or lots of lower grade gear flooding market leading to small budgets?

In install world, when given a budget amount, I try to ask how that figure came about. XYZ competitor quoted a Super Ultra Craptastic Pro system for 25% of realistic, thus that is the budget limit we are expected to come in under. However, there are a few situations where the powers that be only want something that passes signal, which leads to entrepreneurs filling the void.

My take is that all the "cheap anklebiters" pushed expectations down, which led to market demand for the resulting race to the bottom.

Caleb
Click to expand...

Install has always been a sharp pencil (cheap customer) business. TOA gained market share from old line players by building low cost (but reliable) product in japan. Other value manufacturers pursue that business also because it is larger than many think.

Live sound providers have always been a mix of pro sound companies and those who want to be. Some learn and grow to be more substantial "pro" providers, some fade away. This is not a new thing.

As far as the equipment makers are concerned follow the money. There's a reason Uli is buying up other "pro" brands... he makes more money selling MI product to MI customers. While most MI giants want to be all things to all people, and it isn't a technology limitation, brand perception makes it difficult to hold two market positions at the same time.

JR
 
Re: What does 'MI' mean?

A few of the things I consider to be the main differences between Pro and MI gear. Pro gear is:
1) Road worthy
2) Continuous duty cycle (able to perform at FULL rated specs 24/7 365.)
3) Sounds really good and has high headroom (some MI gear sounds really good and actually has some headroom but all Pro gear meets this spec or it won't sell at all).
4) Built to not need repairs but usually somewhat easily repairable in a pinch (modular and easily replaceable components etc.)
5) Road worthy
6) Did I mention road worthy? This is really really important.
All the above things cost money in both construction and in engineering and development so it is easy to figure out that the cost is reflected in the end price. Another unfortunate aspect of alot of Pro gear is some of it is REALLY heavy compared to the MI counterparts. Continuous duty and road worthy generally add some weight.
 
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