Studio Berlin Upgrades OB Truck Ü2 With Lawo AoIP Technology

Studio Berlin has completed a comprehensive modernisation of its OB truck Ü2, integrating cutting-edge Audio-over-IP (AoIP) technology from Lawo.

At the heart of this upgrade is a 48-fader mc²56 MKIII console, replacing the previous mc²66 mixing desk. Additionally, A__stage units have been implemented as I/O devices, along with the mc² DSP App, providing 256 DSP channels. The existing Lawo VSM system has been expanded to optimize control over the IP-based broadcast infrastructure.

This technological upgrade was completed in time for the 75th Berlinale, which commenced on February 13, 2025. Studio Berlin's Ü2 truck was responsible for producing both the international film festival's opening ceremony and the awards gala on February 22. These events were live-streamed and later broadcast with a time delay by the broadcasters Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg (rbb) as well as ZDF/3sat. In collaboration with X Verleih, the opening gala and premiere film were also transmitted live to seven cinemas across Germany.

Maximum Flexibility with the HOME mc² DSP App
Beyond the console and stageboxes, a key component of this upgrade is the integration of the HOME mc² DSP App. This software-based solution enables highly scalable, decentralized signal processing, perfectly suited for modern IP-based production environments.

"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," explains Mathias Heinrich, Head of Audio at Studio Berlin. "Virtualization eliminates the need for dedicated DSP hardware, which not only saves space but also provides exceptional flexibility in configuration and scalability."

During the transition, it was critical to integrate the new technology seamlessly into Ü2's existing 3G-SDI workflow. "The challenge was to replace a well-established infrastructure with emerging, continuously evolving technology," says Leonard Weißhahn, Audio Engineer at Studio Berlin. "The HOME mc² DSP App has proven to be a solid, future-proof solution: it delivers the renowned Lawo quality and performance while offering a valuable learning and development opportunity for both Lawo and Studio Berlin."

Challenges and Solutions for a Seamless Production Workflow
The full transition to IP technology required efficient routing of all relevant audio signals while ensuring seamless communication between the mc²56 MKIII console, A__stage units, and the redundant DSP App. Here, the existing Lawo VSM system played a crucial role, providing centralized control of the entire infrastructure and enabling intuitive workflow optimizations.

The new IP-based structure of Ü2 also significantly simplifies setup and adjustments for productions. "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," Heinrich adds.

Efficient Workflows and Future-Proof Production
The upgrade process for Ü2 began with the delivery of new components in calendar week 4. Thanks to the close collaboration between Studio Berlin and Lawo teams, installation, testing, configuration, and programming were completed efficiently, ensuring the truck was fully operational in time for Berlinale. This teamwork, extending throughout the production days, guaranteed a secure live broadcast of the Berlinale opening ceremony.

With this upgrade, Studio Berlin is setting new benchmarks in mobile audio production. The HOME mc² DSP App enables optimized signal processing, superior audio quality, and flexible resource management. "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," Weißhahn concludes.

This investment underscores Studio Berlin's commitment to pioneering the future of mobile audio production through IP technology and virtualised signal processing.

www.lawo.com