With responsibility for producing both the opening ceremony and awards gala of last month’s Berlinale 2025 Film Festival, Studio Berlin undertook a comprehensive upgrade of its OB truck, Ü2.
Aiming to fully modernise the vehicle with Lawo’s Audio-over-IP (AoIP) solutions, the upgrade was based around a 48-fader mc²56 MKIII console. Implemented as I/O devices, A__stage units, along with the HOME mc² DSP App, provide 256 DSP channels with the existing Lawo VSM expanded to optimise control.
Enabling scalable, decentralised signal processing, the app was a key component of the programme, as Mathias Heinrich, head of audio at Studio Berlin explained: “With the HOME mc² DSP App, we can manage DSP resources flexibly and efficiently—an essential improvement for our workflow. This is particularly crucial as we continue to upgrade and expand our studio facilities and control rooms. Virtualisation eliminates the need for dedicated DSP hardware, which not only saves space but also provides exceptional flexibility in configuration and scalability.”
Migration to IP necessitated efficient routing of all relevant audio signals while maintaining seamless communication between the console, A__stage units and redundant DSP App. The Lawo VSM system provided centralised control across the whole infrastructure, enabling workflow optimisations. The transition to IP has simplified setup and adjustments for productions.
Heinrich added, “Previously, modifying signal processing during large-scale productions was a challenge. With the HOME mc² DSP App, we can make real-time adjustments as needed without reconfiguring physical hardware, saving both time and resources,”
The upgrade enabled live streaming of events by broadcasters Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg and ZDF/3sat. The Berlinale’s opening gala and premiere film were also transmitted live to seven German cinemas in collaboration with X Verleih, said the company.
Leonard Weisshahn, audio engineer at Studio Berlin, commented, “We now have a production environment that meets current demands while being fully prepared for future developments in the broadcast sector. At the same time, we are gaining valuable insights together with Lawo as we navigate this exciting technological transition”
