Lawo helps train future sound engineers at the University of Vienna

The mc²56 MkIII audio production console with A__UHD Core of Lawo is a key element in the training of students at this prestigious Austrian music institution.

With a history that goes back to 1817, the Vienna University of Music and Performing Arts (MDW) It is one of the largest music universities in the world. With more than nine locations spread across the Austrian capital, He also teaches courses on various instruments, address, music education, Performing Arts & Audio Engineering.

The MDW and Lawo collaborated to install an audio production console mc²56 MkIII with A__UHD Core in the I am a student Tonregie 1 of this university, which is used both for training students and for daily productions.

The new AoIP equipment also includes a Lawo Power Core and a A__stage64 as stage boxes (stageboxes) for the Campus-wide audio signal aggregation. MDW's new infrastructure uses a Ravenna network, which can integrate formats such as Madi or AES/EBU.

the Dante devices within the network are supported via an expansion card in Lawo Power Core. The facility allows productions of a wide variety of genres, all supported by the integration of a Waves server.

"Our requirements for in-house productions and training of sound engineers easily explain why we chose Lawo mc²56," he says Pit Kaufmann, MDW Project Team Member and Installation Manager-. One of the focuses of attention is the Tonmeister degree program".

During the six-year bachelor's/master's degree program, Graduates must deal with typical market technologies and learn how to work with various systems in different scenarios.

The open concept of Lawo consoles allows define, teach and produce different applications and workflows as per course requirements. Presets make it easy to simulate different scenarios: from the production of small ensembles to orchestras, theatrical performances and operas.

Thanks to the clearly structured interface and configurations, Even inexperienced users can use this console to make their first productions quickly and without in-depth explanations.”

Kaufmann points out another advantage: "With the MC²56 console It is possible to divide the mixing desk so that two people can work on it, independently of each other. For an opera production, we can have one person mixing the orchestra and another the soloists. In the future, we want to use the Lawo console to expand the production and streaming of multichannel formats".

The study Tonregie 1 is one of the largest in the MDW and, along with others located in the new Future art lab of the university, is available for training in the Tonmeister program.

"Many classes are taught here with different approaches, both in groups and individually, explains Kaufmann. The first ones deal with topics such as Studio productions and recording management, with a sound engineer sitting live at the console to mix the music. In the 'study practice' courses, students can receive classes on the console".

Tonregie 1 it is also used for other areas of MDW's course offerings, as regular studio productions, compulsory for master's or diploma programmes and which are carried out entirely in the company itself.

In cooperation with other universities, also offered Two-way teaching and music creation Joint Remote. Ravenna's inherent very low latency transmission allows players to play together in different locations, with a mix that is created on the Lawo console.

Individual tracks that are streamed live from other locations are also processed through the console so that music students can play or receive live lessons remotely.

"Effects can be integrated through the Waves server and automatically saved as snapshots, Keeping all settings. Now we can easily reproduce the pop and rock genre, as well as jazz, with low latency, because we have access to all these effects that go beyond the DSP of the Lawo console".

The integration and configuration of the system has been carried out remotely and no problems. "If someone needs help operating the console or a problem needs to be solved, We can use the network through Lawo Home to access the studio computer and equipment from anywhere and provide help through the visualization software", Ensures.

The MDW sound team recently had their first experience with large productions during an opera performance at the Schlosstheater of Vienna, where a video control room was available, but not a sound control space.

"We set up Lawo A__stage64 and the signals were transmitted throughout the 5 km. to the MDW campus, where the mixer and the recording manager used the Lawo mc²56 console," recalls Kaufmann.. The final mix was sent back to the Schlosstheater and combined with the video for live broadcast. A production like this is only possible with AoIP".

Although this production was made in stereo, "The plan is produce binaural or 3D audio in the future, which is especially interesting for streaming. I am looking forward to our future AoIP with the Lawo.", concludes this expert.

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