Lawo has released details of a collaboration with ORF.
The Austrian public broadcaster has deployed Lawo solutions as part of a programme to modernise its sound control room at the Vienna Musikverein, aiming to enhance live broadcast workflows and ensure robust operational reliability for high-profile productions.
With the control room a vital element in mixing live concerts including the Vienna Philharmonic New Year’s Concert, viewed by millions around the world, ORF faced a need to enhance system compatibility and foster synergies across its production infrastructure.
An mc²56 MkIII production console featuring 48 faders, powered by an A__UHD Core audio engine licensed for 256 DSP channels forms the base of the deployment. Two A__stage80 stageboxes provide connectivity, while signal architecture is managed via Lawo’s HOME platform. The console uses the latest software v12.2, which incorporates a new 7-band EQ with three dynamic bands. Additional enhancements include optimised channel displays, more intuitive operation of audio crosspoints via the HOME API and the ability to switch banks and layers from the fader panel.
Commenting, Reinhard Tomek, project manager audio technology at ORF, said, “This new setup is more than just an upgrade—it’s our gateway into next-generation audio IP technology. It offers us tremendous flexibility for future expansions and seamless integration of external devices. The incorporation of Lawo’s HOME platform simplifies system management, while keeping interfaces to external IP-enabled systems open and adaptable.”
Previous software versions such as 10.12 and 12.0 laid the foundation for deeper integration between console, DSP, and network. CPU-based programming resources are now available with the HOME mc² DSP app. Additionally, Waves SuperRack V15 is now fully integrated. Waves plug-in bundles can be loaded into the Immersive Wrapper and operated directly from the console—ideal for immersive formats such as 5.1.4, 7.1.4, or 9.1.4.
Tomek said, “Native control of Waves processing within the console streamlines live operations significantly.It allows complex sound processing to be embedded directly into the workflow, eliminating the need for external workstations or workaround solutions.”
A three-day training session was provided for ORF’s sound engineers following commissioning in August and the system was debuted on 20th September, during the season-opening concert featuring the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra.
