Among the most renowned music universities worldwide and a leader in audiovisual education, the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna (mdw) can trace its history back over more than 200 years. Building on this legacy, a recent upgrade in Studio B – used for teaching classical music production – has seen the installation of a Lawo mc²36 MkII all-in-one mixing console. Following the earlier installation of a Lawo mc²56 MkIII in Studio Control Room 1 (Tonregie 1) in 2023, this is the second Lawo console now used at mdw for both training and production.
At its Institute of Composition, Sound and Music Production, mdw equips audio engineering students with the expertise needed to thrive in an increasingly digital and networked audio world.
‘The introduction of the mc²36 MkII enables us to train students at the highest technical level while preparing them for the unique challenges of classical music production,’ explains Hans Döllinger, Studio Director at the Future Art Lab. ‘The console’s powerful DSP capabilities and flexible configuration options offer the precision and adaptability required for our projects. Additionally, the widespread use of Lawo’s mc² consoles in public broadcasting, opera houses, and theatres significantly eases the transition for our graduates into professional careers.’
The mc²36 MkII provides 256 processing channels at 48kHz and 96kHz, alongside an I/O capacity of 864 channels, delivering exceptional flexibility for concert and opera mixing. Its versatility makes it an ideal solution for students learning both music recording and postproduction across diverse scenarios.
With its IP-based architecture and native support for IP Easy/Home plug-and-play management, the mc²36 MkII integrates readily into mdw’s existing network infrastructure. The console enables straightforward Audio-over-IP workflows, including point-to-point stagebox connections, without requiring additional network hardware. Studio B supplements the console’s robust local I/O with a DirectOut Prodigy for expanded connectivity.
‘This combination ensures superior sound quality,’ says Professor Pauline Heister, who oversees the classical audio engineering programme at mdw.
The mc²36 MkII not only delivers high-quality audio processing for classical music but also offers innovative features for education. Its intuitive interface, featuring colour-coded TFT fader strips and touch-sensitive rotary controls, makes it easy for students to navigate, enhancing their learning experience. Full-HD touchscreens provide precise visual feedback, offering a clear overview of audio channels and levels. Additionally, all DAWs can be integrated via a secondary monitor.
‘With the mc²36 MkII, we provide students with hands-on experience on a state-of-the-art console that equips them for professional audio production while preparing them for the demands of modern theatre, music and broadcast environments,’ says Döllinger.
‘We observe that our students quickly adapt to operating the mc²36 MkII while also developing critical problem-solving skills as they configure complex routings or network connections in applying logical thinking. This provides ideal preparation for future challenges in their careers,’ adds Professor Heister.
The adoption of the mc²36 MkII underscores mdw’s commitment to cutting-edge audio education. The console’s rapid installation and seamless integration into the university’s infrastructure demonstrate Lawo’s role as a trusted technology partner, delivering innovative solutions tailored to the educational sector. Configured at Lawo’s facility in Rastatt, the mc²36 MkII was delivered in June 2024, installed in July, and fully integrated into mdw’s infrastructure by August through a collaborative effort.
The Lawo mc²36 console completes the Institute of Composition, Sound and Music Production’s comprehensive educational offerings. While Studio C features an analogue console and Studio A employs a controller-based set-up, Studio B now meets the goal of training students on a high-end digital console.
More: www.lawo.com
