The largest Lawo mc²66 audio mixing console in use in an OB vehicle has been commissioned by Viacom Media Networks Music and Entertainment Group for its new remote production unit, Atlas, which comprises two 53-ft trailers – an A Unit for the video operation and a B Unit for audio.
Unusually large for a production truck, the facility currently also has one of the mobile broadcast industry’s largest audio control rooms.
Viacom Media Networks Music and Entertainment Group is one of the early adopters of Lawo technology, with the German manufacturer’s consoles currently installed in five of mobile audio production units. The Lawo mc²66 console used in Atlas offers a main section with 48-fader central mix position and two 16-fader wings, which can be used to form an 80-fader mixing desk, or as auxiliary mix positions where additional audio engineers can manage effects, recording feeds or other tasks. The infrastructure supports 384 channels and includes 240 mic preamps.
The Atlas B unit is home to a custom designed and built control room, with design provided by Texas-based acoustical designer Russ Berger Design Group. The control room and console allow for separately configurable mix positions with capacity for 5.1 audio monitoring and an innovative use of 4K multi-viewers to monitor video feeds, as well as various functions of the console and associated software tools such as DAWs, effects plug-ins and audio routing management functions. Lawo’s Nova73 routing technology provides the system core where all audio routing is performed, and can be controlled by either the A1 or the EIC from multiple points within the truck, or remotely. Three Dallis Stageboxes and a plug-in server were also provided by Lawo as part of the audio infrastructure.
‘Lawo as a natural choice for us when we designed Atlas,’ says Danny Walters, Director of Remote Engineering for Viacom Media Networks Music and Entertainment Group. ‘We selected the mc²66 because of the ability to customise the console’s specification to our workflow needs, and for its ability to handle sophisticated and demanding productions like Grease Live along with its unsurpassed sonic integrity.’
‘We’re pleased to be able to continue our long-standing relationship with Viacom Media Networks and their team,’ says Lawo VP of Sales, Michael Mueller. ‘They are always looking to provide their customers with the highest possible quality. We are very proud of the fact that we’ve been able to continue our great working relationship over many years and, with Atlas, to continue to enhance a legacy of great audio quality and design innovation.’
Atlas undertook its maiden voyage with the successful production of Grease Live!, aired on Fox. Its plannued use is for HD and 3 Gigabit location work and live events, with several 4K productions scheduled for 2016
