Lawo looks to software to R3lay the message
Published: PRODUCTS
Following its unveiling at NAB 2016, Lawo’s virtualised radio studio technology has entered the real-world. Intended to allow broadcasters to gain the maximum use from high-powered laptops and desktop PCs, the German manufacturer claims that using the Lawo R3lay virtual radio mixer enables ‘an entire studio’s worth of broadcast gear to be run on a single PC’.
With R3lay, all mixing is handled natively on a standard Windows laptop or PC and operated via its multitouch interface. Behind the scenes software apps from R3lay partners provide functionality such as additional virtualised codecs, phone hybrids, audio processors, cross-point routers, streaming encoders and other broadcast tools, interfacing with the mixer via standard WDM or ASIO interfaces.
The system is described by Lawo as being perfect for field journalists, fast setup of on-location studios, webcasting, a replacement for aging studio hardware, or even as a permanent personal studio at home.
In other news, Lawo has also updated its ball-tracking technology for live sport production with Kick 2.0. Used to gain audio pickup close to the action during sports such as football and rugby, the system is designed to deliver transparent sound with an ‘excellent kick-to-noise ratio’ and ensure that audio is consistent for seamless inclusion within a broadcast mix. Using the manufacturer’s motorised microphone stands, Kick 2.0 offers automatic remote control to follow the ball.
All parameters can be adjusted with the system’s graphical user interface. This includes microphone placement, polar patterns and microphone priority. Kick 2.0 requires a host PC running Windows 7 or later and a browser running HTML5 for the UI. It is available as either a hardware bundled solution for those using third party consoles, or as a software-only package for productions equipped with Lawo’s mc² mixing consoles.
Staying with sport, the German manufacturer has released the latest version of its Commentary Unit (LCU). The IP-based solution for off-tube commentary in OB Vans has gained additional features, such as direct connection to mc² audio mixing consoles and Nova routers, enabling standalone operation. Providing a user interface for up to three commentators per unit, the LCU is designed to allow commentators to focus on their primary role, without having to worry about the technology in use.
Last but not least, there’s a new addition to the mc² family of broadcast audio mixing consoles. The mc²56xc is available in 32-, 48-, 64- and 80-fader versions, all with native Ravenna/AES67 support and a Nova73 core. Up to 888 fully-configured DSP channels and 144 summing busses are supported, while the matrix capacity is up to 8,192 x 8,192 mono-channels. The mc²56xc consoles also present an updated interface that includes an overbridge with 21.5-inch HD touchscreens, button-glow for color-coding and reportedly enhanced user guidance.