BVE 2019: Lawo Debuts Three New A__stage Devices; Introduces Dual Fader Bay in mc²56 Production Consoles

Lawo (J30) will be displaying two specific products along with others at BVE 2019:

A__stage WAN-Capable AoIP Stagebox Series
Three new A__stage devices will premiere at BVE. All feature switchable Mic/Line inputs capable of handling balanced or unbalanced sources, AES3 I/O with broadcast-grade sample-rate conversion, PTP/Word clock sync and conversion capability, and dual-redundant power inlets. The A__stage family includes:

• A__stage 80, a maximum-capacity 3RU multi-input AoIP stagebox with Mic, Analog line, and AES3 I/O presented on standard, high-density D-SUB connections. It features 32 switchable Mic / Line inputs, 32 Analog line outputs, 8 stereo AES3 inputs and 8 stereo AES3 outputs. A__stage 80 also includes dual-redundant MADI ports on SFP, 8 opto-isolated GPIO ports, and dual 1000BT streaming and control ports on SFP/RJ45. A separate management port is supplied on RJ45.
• A__stage 48 supplies 16 switchable Mic / Line inputs, 16 Analog line outputs, 8 stereo AES3 inputs and 8 stereo AES3 outputs on standard D-SUB connectors, with dual-redundant MADI ports on SFP, 8 opto-isolated GPIO ports, dual 1000BT streaming and control ports on SFP/RJ45, and 1000BT management port on RJ45, in a 3RU form.
• A__stage 64, for applications where discrete I/O is preferred, has a capacity of 32 switchable Mic / Line inputs, 16 Analog line outputs, 8 stereo AES3 inputs. and 8 stereo AES3 outputs, presented on XLR connections. Like the other A__stage products, dual-redundant MADI ports on SFP, 8 opto-isolated GPIO ports, dual 1000BT streaming and control ports and 1000BT management port, in a 4RU package.

Lawo A__line AoIP nodes are compact devices capable of streaming uncompressed broadcast-quality audio to Layer 3 networks in real time via both WAN and LAN connections. A__line nodes effortlessly convert audio – mic, line-level, AES3, and even digitally-encoded baseband MADI – to audio-over-IP streaming traffic using open-standard SMPTE 2110-30/31, AES67, and RAVENNA protocols. IP-audio streaming is managed using either the open-source Ember+ control API, or standards-based RAVENNA advertising and discovery. Additionally, A__line provides true flexibility through a non-blocking routing matrix that allows any input to be routed to any output, and simplify level control in networked infrastructures by supplying ppm metering for all Analog and AES3 interfaces. They integrate tightly with Lawo’s VSM IP Broadcast Control System and mc² audio production consoles, and serve as IP audio stageboxes for mc² consoles, audio extensions for the V__matrix ecosystem, or as stand-alone IP audio gateways.

Third-Generation Lawo mc²56 Production Console Intros Dual Fader Bay
Lawo will be showcasing a new option for their third-generation mc²56 audio production console at BVE 2019: a dual-fader operating surface that increases fader count while keeping console size small.

With this new option, mc²56 becomes the only audio mixing console in its category that can host up to 144 faders within the footprint of a much smaller console. The dual fader option also incorporates Lawo’s LiveView thumbnail previews of associated video streams directly in the fader strips, enhancing user accuracy in fast-paced production situations.
Known for its compact size, flexibility, and versatile design with capabilities drawn from Lawo’s flagship mc296, the 3rd generation mc²56 is optimized for today’s complex IP-video production environment. It features native support for SMPTE 2110, AES67 / RAVENNA, DANTE, and MADI audio streams. And because downtime isn’t an option, mc²56 has adopted the SMPTE 2022-7 standard for Seamless Protecting Switching (SPS), delivering dual-redundant IP-network links to its Nova73 routing engine.

The third-generation mc²56 is full of unique features, such as Lawo’s IP-Share Network Gain Compensation, which prevents unexpected gain changes during simultaneous use of up to eight networked consoles. Each of the console’s fader bays can either be equipped with the new dual-fader module or the standard fader module with an extended free control section giving direct access to as many as four global or individual parameter assignments on each channel strip. The mc²56’s color-coded Button-Glow controls, touch-sensitive encoders, and color TFT displays provide clear color-coding of channel strips for enhanced visibility and fast access in low light.

Built-in loudness metering is standard, with full loudness control adhering to ITU 1770 (EBU/R128 or ATSC/A85) specifications. Peaks and loudness can be monitored together, or separately.

mc256 is perfect for broadcast applications, with multi-user operation, advanced mix assist systems (AutoMix, upmix, downmix, and optional Lawo KICK), Audio-Follow-Video functionality, integrated 3D/immersive mixing tools, and parallel compression.

For recording applications, mc256 provides dynamic time-code automation, Lawo-grade mic preamps and processing, DAW remote control, and a customizable signal chain with four independent dynamic modules.

Features tailored to the performing arts include Selective Recall, Oversnaps (relative trim-sets), theater automation cue list including multiple triggers (MIDI, GPIO, LTC), Waves SoundGrid and Neumann DMI-8 digital microphone integration, and mirror-console operation.

Available in frames from 16 to 144 faders, mc²56 supports a massive 8,192 x 8,192 crosspoints, with 888 DSP channels, 144 summing buses, and 128 Aux buses at 44.1 – 96kHz operation. With a 64-fader surface suited to most OB vehicle dimensions, a 16-fader stand-alone extender may be added to an mc²56 for subsequent expansion. Comprehensive local I/O includes 16 Lawo-grade Mic/Line inputs, 16 Line outputs, eight AES3 inputs and outputs, eight GPIO, and a local MADI port (SFP).