The ABC TV studios in Elsternwick, Melbourne, now host the largest fixed Lawo mc-series mixing console system in Australian broadcasting. Installed by Professional Audio & Television (PAT), comprises a 105-fader mc290 and a Lawo 48-fader mc256.
The mc290 flagship console core was supplied with 27 Madi ports, 96 AES3 inputs and outputs, eight DSP cards including a redundant standby card, redundant controller cards and power supplies. Two local Dallis frames in Control Room 31 provided access to all local Control Room I/O, while being connected to the main console core in DCAR via Madi. six mobile stage boxes with fully redundant Dallis frames – each with 48 mic inputs, 16 line outputs, four AES3 I/O, as well as four serial ports. The system can be expanded via the console’s Madi fibre infrastructure. In addition to two local Dallis I/O frames in Control Room 33, the mc256 Nova73 HD core is equipped with 18 Madi ports, 64 AES3 I/O channels and five DSP cards including a redundant DSP card. Both console systems provide the operators with access to VST plug-ins via two Lawo plug-in servers located in DCAR, and one of each connected to the consoles’ Madi infrastructure.
After winning the tender to be head contractor in June 2014, PAT worked with the Lawo project team in Germany to deliver the mc256 MkII console for Studio 33. Due to tight project timelines, Lawo built and testing the system in Germany, while PAT provided a comprehensive fibre network throughout the ABC facility. ‘We had to accommodate TV production schedules while performing this major upgrade of the audio facilities and it was imperative that the PAT project team worked extremely close with Lawo in Germany to assure all timelines were met precisely,’ PAT MD, Patrick Salloch, explains.
Once the mc256 had been installed and commissioned, PAT’s focus moved to the install of the mc290. As the console was delivered in various sections due to its size, specialized Lawo factory engineers assembled and commissioned the 3.2m console.
‘We are delighted to have supplied the ABC with Lawo’s mc290 and 56 television production consoles,’ says Lawo CEO and President, Phillip Lawo. ‘In cooperation with our Australian partner PAT we are looking forward to servicing the ABC in their future broadcasting needs.’
