Lawo Unveils New mc²36 Compact Mixing Console and Next-Generation Audio Processing Core

Showing what a digital audio mixing console in the IP age can be, German company Lawo recently introduced its new mc²36, with the most compact footprint and the most powerful feature set ever. The new console expands upon Lawo's successful mc²-series control surfaces, and redefines what a compact production console can deliver, from theater, to broadcast audio applications. The all-in-one mc²36 doubles the number of DSP channels, both at 48 kHz and 96 kHz, with all industry-standard audio inputs and outputs built-in, and native IP connectivity at its center.

In my previous report on IBC 2018, I addressed some key technology trends from the IBC show in Amsterdam (September 13-18, 2018), in the perspective of audio technology, content production, and distribution. Of course, on the backbone of all the tremendous changes that are currently happening in the media business, broadcast, and professional production, the topic of audio-over-IP (AoIP) and the ongoing transition to fully IP-enabled operations in all platforms - traditional linear television, radio (digital, hybrid, virtual, etc.), and new over-the-top and on-demand streaming services - is front and center.

Following the introduction of the new NEWT IP Gear series of products at NAB 2018, where Ross offers a simple SMPTE ST2110 compliant IP gateway with audio and video crossbars for I/O routing and more, at the IBC 2018 show in Amsterdam Ross expanded the possibilities on audio-over-IP (AoIP) connectivity with the introduction of IGGY, a clever and very useful AES67 / ST2110 to MADI audio converter box, which is powered over Ethernet and supports for NMOS, EmBER+, Dante/SAP, Livewire+ and DashBoard environments.

At IBC 2018, Ross Video is launching a pin-compatible drop-in replacement module to Dante Brooklyn II, named BACH Liberty. BACH Liberty features a fully compliant AES67 and ST2110 implementation, complete with full-stack support of RAVENNA, Dante/SAP, Livewire+, NMOS and various other network protocols and control solutions. Equipment manufacturers no longer have to wait for full AES67 and ST2110 compliance, nor tie themselves to a single supplier for their audio networking technology.

Swiss audio technology company and Ravenna partner Archwave has launched AudioLan, an AES-67 audio networking suite of hardware and software products with simplified control & command options, using licensed CopperLan technology. According to Archwave, AudioLan allows manufacturers to quickly and cost-effectively add open standard AES67-compliant audio networking to their products.

Digigram confirmed availability of its LX-IP RAVENNA AES67-Enabled PCIe Sound Card with optional MADI interface. The French IP audio and IP video pioneer also confirms it will be displaying extended RAVENNA/AES67 solutions during the IBC 2014 Show in Amsterdam, including a new LX-MADI PCIe Sound Card.