ProAudio Review - September 2008 - (Page 10)

BROADCAST | FIRST LOOK by Mel Lambert Lawo mc256 Digital Production Console A fine achievement from the “other” German console manufacturer The new mc256 Digital Production Console utilizes the same 40-bit floating-point DSP engine and basic operating system as the current mc2 Series, but with a more compact – and narrower - control surface intended for use within mobile-broadcast and sports-production vehicles and similar applications where space is at a premium. New control-system structure updates ensure that the third-generathe mc266, which is targeted at HD broadcast vans as well as live-broadcast and production studios, plus the mc290, which is intended for larger HD broadcast and production facilities. The new compact mixing system offers the complete functionality of the existing mc2 Series, including transfer of snapshots and dynamic automation, as well as networking Functions that might be accessed less frequently during live production, such as Sequence Automation, also are now one layer down on the touch screen. Other secondary functions relocated off the surface include highpass filter, selection of metering and aux send pickup points, delay-mode settings, four-band EQ curve selection and pan mode, plus certain bus-assignment and monitoring functions. But, as is to be expected, essential control elements that need to be easily accessed during a live broadcast are retained closer to the operator on the control surface: gain trim, EQ frequency, Q and cut/boost, plus delay time, dynamics and panning. Finally, with monitor source selection and functional modes now handled completely via the touch screen, re-labeling of user control buttons is dramatically streamlined. A reduced fader width of 30 mm packs more controls and display elements into the same amount of control-surface space. Each 16-fader bay offers full metering mono, stereo or 7.1-channel, including bus assignment, gain reduction, audio-follow-video status and VCA assignment - on the high-resolution TFT. Each fader bank tion mc256 console stays 100% alive while the DSP Core engine is receiving power. This means that, in case of a power failure, audio throughout remains uninterrupted. The console is also compatible with a number of router-control systems. The DSP Core operates at either a 48 kHz or 96 kHz sampling frequency, with 40-bit floating-point processing. Various frame sizes accommodate between 32 and 80 channel faders, plus a special flightcase version for portable use. (Optional remote operation of up to 32 faders is available via an Ethernet connection.) Each mc256 is built from bays that feature 16 channel faders, enabling 32 faders to be arranged in a single row just four feet (1.2 meters) wide, or 64 faders across the width of an average broadcast mobile truck. A maximum of 144 faders occupies just nine feet (2.77 meters.) US prices start at $110k for a 32fader surface with a small DSP core that accommodates 128 I/Os plus 96 fully equipped 24/96 signal paths. Other mc2 Series digital consoles comprise with other Lawo-brand products. The small-format mc256’s reason for being, so to speak, is to handle live-mixing and onair applications where speed and ease-of-use are more important than multiple functionality. Using the design paradigm of “Form Follows Function,” Lawo has redesigned the user interface using dynamic automation allied with rapid access to the most important control parameters, a hybrid combination that ensures easy operation and a reduced learning curve. Now crucial live features controls are located within easy reach on the control surface, while less-used features are accessed exclusively via a touch screen-based GUI on the primary TFT screen. The firm’s new design allows a live-to-tape/server or tapedelayed program, for example, to be mixed with timecode automation running in parallel, a set-up that enables faster and more efficient post sessions that might be required for small fixes. In addition, for added speed, bus assignment is now fader-oriented rather than favoring the channel-type version provided on larger mc2 Series control surfaces. offers two assignable layers. Options include provision for a second fader row, and the inclusion of PPM metering. A pair of rotary controls and an input gain controller can be freely assigned to any channel signal path. The new mc256 includes Lawo’s new 7.1-channel controls with Hyper-Panning, a function that enables broadcast and post-production mix engineers to control multiple surround elements via a single fader with fully linked parameters and eight-channel metering. A fully-loaded mc256 console with a maximum of eight DSP cards will handle up to 384 fully-featured DSP channels at a 48 kHz sample rate, 144 summing busses and a routing capacity of up to 8,192 cross points. Sources offer A/B input selection, with 48 sub groups, 32 aux sends, 96 track busses and 48 main sums; grouping can be changed on the fly from mono through stereo to surround. All mc2 Series consoles offer full compatibility with VST-format DAW plug-ins, an ability that allows EQ, compression and ambience algorithms to be accessed during live productions from the recently developed Lawo Plug-in LAWO continues on page 12 ® 10 | ProAudio Review | September 2008 www.proaudioreview.com http://www.proaudioreview.com

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ProAudio Review - September 2008 Contents Publisher’s Page: It's A Hard Drive World Broadcast News and New Products Lawo mc256 Digital Production Console Studio News and New Products Earthworks PM40 Piano Mic System Onkyo Professional PR-SC885 HDMI 1.3a Surround Sound Processor Developments and Trends: Instrument Microphones Benchmark Media DAC1 Pre Focal Twin6 Be Studio Reference Monitors Cascade FAT HEAD II Blumlein Package Studio Projects CS5 Microphone M-Audio Pulsar II Small-Diaphragm Condenser Live News and New Products JBL MRX512M Live Monitor QSC: Behind The Scenes Contracting News and New Products Primacoustic Broadway Professional Acoustic Solutions Buyer's Guide: Contracting Amplifiers/Mixers Buyer's Guide: Contracting Speakers Single Slice: pc muñoz "Chatter & Buzz"

ProAudio Review - September 2008

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