Lawo is introducing the second generation of its mc²66 production console at the AES Convention in New York City later this week, offering advanced redundancy for fail-safe operation, mc² bay server technology, a new control system on the MKII router, real-time DSP data transfer within the HD core, and extended frame modularity, among a long list of new features.
Lawo’s advanced redundancy features ensure the demands of the project are secure at all times.
At the heart of the new mc²66 is the MKII router technology of the HD Core. This core technology supports in excess of 500 DSP channels, provides extremely flexible routing capacity with 8,192 x 8,192 crosspoints, and incorporates a fully integrated control system—all with full redundancy for maximum reliability.
Further, the core supports hot swapping of the router board, including that for system control.
The second generation mc²66 now offers a totally redundant signal path. This includes redundancy from the stage box through to the processing channel and on to the output stage.
These redundancy levels are fully scalable, enabling one to work with different redundancy levels within any given configuration—with full support for 96 kHz sample rates.
The new mc²66 streamlines interconnections within the overall system while offering greater control than previously. Lawo’s new mc² bay server technology eliminates the requirement for both Ethernet and ATM (asynchronous transfer mode) between the control surface and the HD core. Now, a single Ethernet line handles all system communication.
Additionally, the mc² bay server technology provides a control system on the MKII router as well as real-time DSP data transfer within the HD core.
The new mc²66 offers greater choice for customizing the control surface to one’s requirements. Flexible frame sizes exist in configurations from 8 x 8 x 8 upwards to 48 x 8 x 48 faders. Extender frames range from 8 to 16 to 24 faders while stand-alone extenders are available from 16 to 24 faders.
The mc²66 control surface provides OLED displays with 8 digits for easy labeling and reading, FC 4 operation/2nd layer access for flexible surface layouts, ISO bay access for full feature 2nd man operation, and TFT touch screens for fast, intuitive operation and control over numerous system parameters.
The central control section of Lawo’s second generation mc²66 offers OLED displays that provide improved visualization and operating ergonomics.
With the flexible new User Panel concept, there are 3 insert possibilities instead of 1 for the individualized panel layout. This area also supports the integration of external metering devices, provides 9 additional user buttons, and LED color coding of DSP modules for clear, easy operation.
There are different GUI pages for the signal list, matrix, buss assign, DSP configuration, and other parameters as well as a dedicated display of modules and sections such as the Input mixer, Direct Out, dynamics gain reduction, and panning.
The central GUI screen provides visual support for metering in mono, stereo, surround up to 7.1, and 8-channel VCA metering. There are also detailed sections with high resolution graphics for EQ, dynamics, hyper-panning, etc.
The new mc²66 incorporates a wealth of additional software features. The storage and recall of DSP presets has been enhanced and these presets are applicable to individual modules or an entire DSP channel. Similarly, they can easily be imported and exported via the GUI.
Surround sound enhancements include placing a surround channel with metering (up to 7.1) on a single fader strip and a Reveal function is available for opening and inspecting the surround bundle. Further, mix-minus functionality has been improved—with up to 128 mix-minus buses.
Also, surround mix-minus with individual channel select for the mix-minus feed is available.
When running the new mc²66 under Lawo’s Version 4.6 OS software, extensive Dynamic Automation enhancements—including Trim Relative Mode, Trim on the Fly, and Time Code Editing—are now available.
Equally significant is the mxGUI, a sophisticated tool for improved online/offline tasks that facilitates the configuration and operation of the console, as well as the operation of Lawo’s Nova 73HD.
“For several years, the original mc²66 has served countless production companies as an indispensible tool for mixing everything from Austria’s Bregenz Festival to MTV productions,” said Herbert Lemcke, President of Lawo North America. “The new mc²66 extends that tradition while elevating the capabilities of the console to the next level.
“With extensive provisions for redundancy, a dramatically improved user interface, and a long list of additional features that industry professionals have been asking for, I’m confident the new mc²66 offers the ideal blend of security, intuitive control, and functionality that will streamline workflow—no matter what the application may be.”
Lawo will showcase the console during AES in New York at booth #637.
