One highlight at IBC will be the official launch of the HOME mc² DSP app – announced at NAB in April and already being used at global sporting events – which will become available in Q4 2024. In addition to significant enhancements to the current HOME Apps offering, Lawo will unveil a broadened feature set for its existing HOME Apps in live production, playout across multiple media, and broadcast platforms in compressed and uncompressed workflows. The advanced .edge gateway platform receives an audio and video power boost, and welcomes new optional licenses that can be activated and stopped via the Lawo Flex commercial scheme. The free and standard version of the highly anticipated Lawo VSC app will be released in August, and the new crystal broadcast console will make its first appearance at a major European tradeshow.

A new member of the HOME Apps family, the ultra-low-latency HOME mc² DSP app is a server-based, agile audio engine that combines the superior flexibility of the HOME Apps platform in terms of connectivity and scalability with Lawo’s legendary audio processing quality and ultra-low latency. Like all HOME apps, the mc² DSP app is built on cloud-native technology using micro-services and containers. It can be used together with mc² mixing consoles or as headless mixing system providing server-based audio processing in situations where no A__UHD Core is available or where remaining within the HOME Apps realm is more practical.

Lawo VSC is a virtual audio device specifically designed for macOS 14 and later on Apple desktops and laptops, sending local computer audio sources as RAVENNA/AES67 streams for network sharing, and receiving audio streams from the network. Designed for modern broadcasting, Lawo VSC facilitates, in the full version, up to 128 audio devices per instance and up to 128 uncompressed, bi-directional audio channels per virtual audio device in multicast or unicast mode, with sampling rates up to 96kHz, supporting open Audio-over-IP standards. The free Lawo VSC version supports one virtual audio device with up to 2-channel senders and receivers on a single network interface. Both the free and standard version will be available in August 2024.

In a European premiere, Lawo presents at IBC the new crystal, an IP-native broadcast mixing system which is built upon the open RAVENNA/AES67 Audio-over-IP networking standards and complies with SMPTE ST2110-30/-31 for audio, and ST2022-7 for redundancy. Powered by the Lawo Power Core Engine, crystal supports expandable I/O, accommodating AES67, MADI, analog, AES3 as well as Dante^® audio sources and destinations. The crystal offers two distinct modes of operation: Power Core and Controller. This versatility caters to a wide range of audio production workflows, from traditional broadcast operations to backup and disaster recovery sites. The Controller mode serves as a powerful extension interface for mc² audio production consoles.

For diamond or crystal consoles, Lawo provides a standard configuration and application. Each fader strip is augmented with real-time PPM and/or Loudness level meters, DSP processing information, and much more. When a channel’s Access mode is activated, an interactive parameter control page opens and allows touch-screen operation of various parameters like processing, delay times, snapshot recall, etc. In addition, the GUI offers user management, audio routing and other workflow-relevant settings. When using the Virtual Extension Module for diamond and crystal frames, the adaptable VX App and GUI come into use, for off-console applications the desktop App and GUI can be operated using any external touchscreen monitor.

Introduced will be a new OnAir Radio Virtual Interface with Power Core support and workflow principles consistent with diamond and crystal console setups.

The .edge Hyper-Density SDI/IP Conversion and Routing Platform boasts with increased processing functionality for SDI Gateway and IP to IP workflows, providing more on the same footprint with additional options for audio and video processing increasing the power. Targeting IP and supporting the transition from SDI to IP in 1080i/1080p and UHD workflows and in harmony with Home Apps for an overall infrastructure. These extended capabilities are seamlessly integrated with Home and VSM and are available within the Lawo concept of perpetual or Flex licensing.