mc²56

Audio Production Console

Futuristic – Flexible – Formidable

The third generation of the mc²56 represents the next step in the evolution of a console that has dominated the audio production industry with hundreds of units in operation around the world. Designed to deliver unrivaled innovation, it provides not just pure and simple access to ultimate performance – it’s a global standard redefined.

The mc²56 incorporates several groundbreaking features from Lawo’s mc²96 flagship console, without sacrificing the identity of its predecessors – retaining virtues like compact size, flexibility and versatile design for applications ranging from broadcast trucks and studios to live performance and recording.

For optimized performance within IP video production environments, there is full support for native ST2110, AES67 and RAVENNA.

Best-in-class performance in networking applications has been taken to the next level with the addition of unique capabilities such as HOME-based simplified network setup. All of this and more, simply reinforces this console’s place as the number one choice within complex IP-based production infrastructures.

Push the envelope and take your audio production capabilities even further than you imagined with the new mc²56. Now more than ever, the global standard in audio production consoles.

A Global Standard Re-Defined.

Lawo mc²56 brochure

The mc²56 represents the next step in the evolution of a console that has dominated the audio production industry with hundreds of units in operation around the world. Designed to deliver unrivaled innovation, it provides not just pure and simple access to ultimate performance — it’s a global standard redefined.

Download the brochure here

Overview

Up to 2,496 DSP channels

Frames with 16 to 144 faders

Up to 256 summing buss

HOME-native: IP setup as simple as analog

Up to 256 AUX busses

48kHz & 96kHz* operation (*HOME mc² DSP currently supports 48kHz)

Supported IP standards: ST2110, AES67, RAVENNA, Dante, Ember+, NMOS

Surface

High Quality Faders

The mc²56 features the same dust-proof, long-life performance faders as its MKII predecessor, providing smooth and precise fades for a lifetime.

The Power of Compact

Perfect for outside broadcast vehicle dimensions: 64 faders fit across most standard installations. A 16 fader stand-alone extender may be added at any time for subsequent expansion.

Enhanced Color Coding

In addition to Button-Glow and colored, touch-sensitive encoders, new color-TFTs slow for an even more obvious color-coding of the central control strips, resulting in enhanced visibility and faster access, even in low light conditions.

Interaction

A perfect Symphony of Hardware & Software Controls

The mc²56’s unique design combines large screens with a low over bridge height to provide a more ergonomic profile without compromising an engineer’s view. The console’s super-precise 21.5″ full HD touchscreens work hand-in-hand with the touch-sensitive, color-illuminate rotary encoders.

An equalizer window will automatically pop up when touching the equalizer encoders, and after adjusting the parameters, the auto-close function will close the window without additional user action, to restore the full overview. Close positioning of the TFTs and encoders provides a constant and clear overview of parameters and graphs.

Super-Precise HD Touch-Screens

The mc²56 features state-of-the-art capacity-sensing 21.5″ full HD touchscreens, providing mechanical robustness and super-precise control.

Touch-Sensitive, Color-Coded Encoders

Multi-User Operation

In multi-user mode, 64 rotary encoders in each 16-fader bay give direct access to all important parameters to create an additional central control panel and allow for independent operation and monitoring of a second engineer.

Extended Free Controls

The new mc²56’s extended free control section gives direct access to four parameters in addition to gain control. The result: A perfect balance between de-centralized and centralized control workflows. The console allows both global and individual parameter assignments to the free controls of each channel strip.

Features

HOME — Simple as Analog

Being an IP-native device powered by A__UHD Core, the mc²56 is a HOME-native, which makes configuring IP setups as simple as analog. The system automatically detects devices and makes them available to the console at the push of a button. Furthermore the console’s device management includes all needed security features such as access control and quarantining of unknown devices.

Selectable Channel Labeling

In addition to standard channel labeling via channel numbers and individual text labels, the mc² 56 allows users to use static pictures or icons for even more intuitive channel identification. Simply touch a fader and the graphic switches to to full-screen mode.

Technical Design

Comprehensive Local I/O

The mc²56’s comprehensive local I/O features 16 Lawo-grader Mic/Line inputs, 16 Line outputs, 8 AES3 inputs and outputs, 8 GPI/O’s plus a local MADI port (SFP).

Redundant Local I/O Connectivity

The console’s local I/O provides two IP network interfaces for redundant connection of the surface’s local I/O to the A_UHD Core following ST2022-7 hitless merge principles of stream and port redundancy.

Low-Noise Design

The console is optimized for low power consumption, which allows the use of inaudible, low-spinning fans for cooling. This is especially important in environments such as quiet control rooms, where fan noice can be intrusive.

Central Control Section

Parallel Compression

Parallel compression, also known as New York compression, is a dynamic range compression technique achieved by blending a dry signal with a compressed version of the same signal. Rather than bringing down the highest peaks for the purpose of dynamic range reduction, it reduces the dynamic range by bringing up the softest sounds, which results in adding audible detail. Parallel compression can be applied in every channel, group, aux and sum of the mc²56.

Audio-Follows-Video

Automated transitions and the perfect coupling of image and sound – all of this is provided by the mc²56’s Audio-follows-Video function. Each camera tally is assigned to an event, which can be selected in one or more channels with a total of 256 available events. The Rise-Time, On Time, Hold Time, Max Time and Fall Time parameters can be used to set the processing envelope, creating amazingly smooth and natural sounding transitions from camera to camera.

Immersive by Nature

Reflecting today’s requirements for 3D/immersive audio productions, the mc²56 provides not only superb tools for surround sound mixing, but also a dedicated elevation controller as standard.

Intuitive Monitoring

The monitoring section of the central GUI has been redesigned for easier access, enhanced flexibility and easy adaptation to user requirements.

Have It Your Way

User Pannels

The mc²56’s clearly structured central control section delivers an optimal workflow with maximum overview.

In addition, the console’s overbridge contains two slots for individual user panels, which can be filled with a choice of five options: additional 40 buttons, a TC automation panel, a dedicated Reveal Fader panel, a RTW TM7 or RTW TM9 phase scope (occupying both slots) – the choice is yours.

Automated Mixing Assistants

The mc²56’s automated mixing capabilities include an Automix function that can automatically adjust the Ievels of active and inactive microphones, while maintaining a constant, natural sounding ambient Ievel. This feature provides unique functionality especially in live productions with multiple presenters or performers. Automix can be used for any signals, from mono and stereo to multiple surround channels to minimize background noise and crosstalk with reduced sound coloration. Truncated sentences and late fade-ins are things of the past, enabling the sound engineer to focus on overall balance and sound quality.

The console also features a Downmix function and Lawo’s highly acclaimed AMBIT Upmix function, which guarantees perfect conversion of stereo signals into amazingly authentic surround sound using very few parameters. Last but not least, the mc²56 is set for KICK 2.0, Lawo’s automated close-ball mixing solution for sports such as football, hockey or basketball.

Remote Desktop

Lawo’s integrated Remote Desktop function allows seamless integration into the console’s user interface of multiple external PCs running third-party solutions.

With the switch of a button, the external PC and its software applications are displayed in the console’s screen while the console’s keyboard, touchpad and touchscreen provide control.

The seamless integration of external recording systems, effect engines, or other user interfaces, means less equipment – and the engineer has control over the complete set-up, conveniently from a single, central position.

Overbridge

Customizable Overbridge Views

The console’s overbridge can be adapted to your requirements by adjusting the channel display accordingly – just choose and display those parameters that are important and hide any unnecessary or distracting elements.

The metering shows all fader Ievels permanently on the HD display. ln addition, multi-row metering allows for permanent metering of signals from other layers or banks.

Integrated Loudness Metering

Originally requested for broadcast applications, Lawo has developed built-in loudness metering into a tool that is useful also in live, theater and house of worship applications. The feature provides full loudness control in accordance with ITU 1770 (EBU/R128 or ATSC/A85) and features peak and loudness metering either separately or in combination.

ln addition to the sums, Lawo Loudness Metering can also measure individual channels, which allows fast and convenient “visual” mixing for things like background singers or multiplemicrophone setups for brass sections, strings and choirs.

Specifications

Control Panel

Frames from 16 to 144 faders*
Remote stand-alone frames of 16 faders
6 banks each with 2 layers
100 mm fader + 4 freely adjustable rotary knobs or 100 mm + 60 mm dual faders + Input-Gain controller + channel display for each fader with sense-triggered change of module display
TFT metering: mono, stereo or multi-channel immersive, including bus assignment, gain reduction for dynamics, AfV status, VCA assignment, Mix-Minus, Signal Patching, Meter selection, Automix state
GUI page output, e.g. metering, on an external monitor
8 user buttons, 4 talkback buttons and 4 user buttons per fader, with 16 functions each
Optional: two integrated user panels (TC automation panel, 40 user button panel, reveal fader panel, RTW TM7 or TM9 Phase Scope), script tray

* With dual fader option

Signal Processing

40-bit floating point
A__UHD Core: 1,024 DSP channels (number of inputs and buses depends on A__UHD Core and configuration); immersive audio support up to 9.1.6; Up to 1024 inputs with A/B/C input; up to 256 busses
HOME mc² DSP: 2,496 DSP channels; immersive audio support up to 9.1.6; up to 448 busses
Supported audio formats: A__UHD Core – SMPTE ST2110-30/31 (incl. RAVENNA, AES67)
HOME mc² DSP – SMPTE ST2110-30 (incl. RAVENNA, AES67), NDI, SRT and Dante*
Up to 256 AUX busses, up to 96 groups, 96 sums, up to 128 VCA groups with metering, 256 GP channels
A__UHD Core: up to 32 Automix groups per virtual A__UHD Core mixer
HOME mc² DSP: up to 32 infinite Automix groups
3D multichannel downmixing for all supported immersive channel counts
Rapid switching of channel and bus to mono / stereo / surround
2 AFL: 1 immersive audio, 1 stereo
2 PFL: stereo
Audio-follows-Video with 256 events, control via Ember+, GPI or matrix connection, envelope up to 10s fade time
Solo In Place
5 independent dynamics modules: expander, gate, compressor (incl. parallel compression), limiter, de-esser; image, meter, direct out; multi-channel processing
Adjustable INPUT, PF, AF, DIROUT, TRACK meter point in channel display
Loudness metering according to EBU R128 and ATSC A/85, momentary or short term in every channel, integrated measurement on sum channels with display of integrated LUFS value in headline
Modules: INMIX with MS decoder, digital amp, 2-band fully parametric filter, 4-band fully parametric EQ, 2-band fully parametric side chain filter, insert, delay up to 1800 ms – switchable units: meters, milliseconds, frames

(*) Dante support for HOME mc² DSP is a future product development. For A__UHD Core, it requires a Power Core with a Dante card, which is readily available.

Audio Handling

HOME – Routing with dynamic support of network resources
Internal matrix for RX and TX audio
A__UHD Core stream sizes from 1 up to 128 audio channels
HOME mc²DSP stream sizes from 1 up to 64 audio channels
A__UHD Core: Up to 96kHz, 24-bit
HOME mc² DSP: Up to 48kHz, 24-bit
Downmixing from immersive audio to stereo
Integrated monitoring devices for remote locations, e.g. director’s room
Internal loop-backs
Full Snapshot and production portability independent of matrix and DSP size

Waves® Plugin Integration

Waves SuperRack SoundGrid® and SuperRack LiveBox using new Waves ProLink API; synced snapshot generation in Waves

Interfaces

Mic / Line, Line Out, AES3, 3G SDI, HD-SDI, MADI, GPIO, Serial, MIDI, ST2110 / AES67 / RAVENNA Audio-over-IP
Stereo and surround monitoring systems
Headphones

Synchronization

Wordclock, PTP Slave and Grandmaster modes

Redundancy

PSUs, Network Interfaces (ST2022-7 Class C)

Control Unit

Global A / B / C input switching
Enhanced mix-minus control with independent off-air conference
Fader control of all level parameters
Diverse tally and fader start modes
Program switch
DAW Machine control
Audio-follows-Video, up to 128 camera tallies, Ethernet or GPI controlled
Camera mic remote via GPI or voltage control

Remote Maintenance

Connection via mxGUI remote software
Software updates, error diagnostics, remote assistance

External Control Systems

Remote control of all routing, matrix monitoring units and channel parameters via Ember+ control protocol
QSC Q-Sys proxy in HOME, Remote Show Control using OSC
mxGUI: remote control via Windows® or macOS laptops
External Broadcast and Automation Controllers: Lawo VSM, EVS Cerebrum, Broadcast Solutions Hi, GV Ignite, Ross Overdrive & Acuity, Vizrt Viz Mosart, and others