Lawo releases important software upgrade

Lawo has released new software for its diamond broadcast mixing console, Power Core DSP engine, VisTool graphical control interface and On-Air Designer configuration.

Release 7.0.0 PL-001 adds numerous additions and refinements, including software support for the new Power Core AIOX (Audio I/O Extender) device, additional DSP and metering features, and several new license options for Power Core.

“Broadcasters tell us constantly that Lawo’s ‘software-defined hardware’ approach to developing new production tools is a major advantage,” says Johan Boqvist, Lawo’s senior product manager of radio. “Not only do our users love our products, they appreciate our commitment to collaborative development. Many of the new features and options in this software release arose from in-depth conversations with everyday users. This commitment helps ensure that Lawo’s clients are always on the cutting edge of broadcast technology.”

The new features

New features for the diamond broadcast console include PPM meters and media icons for the full-color displays in monitor sections and input source displays, access and channel-based gain reduction meter for dynamics, LUX correlation meter, a new “fader over press” function that adds programmable logic functions that can execute when faders are closed, and new logic that enables operators to instantly clear DSP parameters applied to an audio source.

For the Power Core DSP engine, refinements include extended “Q” values to help fine-tune EQ curves, a self-keyed side-chain filter for dynamics processing which excludes frequencies from its calculations, the ability to adjust the de-esser’s active frequency, and support for up to eight automix groups — a boon for morning show and talkshow producers.

Lawo has expanded license options for the Power Core. “Power Core is already the most flexible audio core available for broadcast,” notes Boqvist. “There are multiple choices for expanding analog and digital I/O, and several license packages that enable users to tailor their production environment to their needs. With this software release, we’ve introduced more license options to help broadcasters achieve the perfect balance of capability and cost.”

The cost-effective choice

Power Core Compact is a new license choice that Lawo claims provides a cost-effective choice for broadcasters building small to medium studios. This expands the total number of main Power Core license options to six, including Power Core edge I/O and super audio node configurations; a console engine for large and extra-large consoles of up to 60 faders; and the MAX multiple-access license, which permits a single Power Core to provide resources to up to four diamond consoles.

Also introduced are two new “add-on” licenses: conference assign (which allows control over the level of the associated N-1 bus and inclusion or exclusion of other N-1 busses) and aux pan (which provides control over the panning of individual sources per aux bus). The update retains existing add-on license packages for GPIO, MiniMixer, N-1 and loopback expansion.

“With this release, Lawo reinforces our clients’ vision of mixing consoles and AoIP cores they can customize to fit any individual workflow,” says Boqvist. “This flexibility makes the combination of diamond, Power Core and VisTool the premiere choice for use in radio production, TV master-control and even OB applications worldwide.”

Lawo software Release 7.0.0 PL-001 is available for download now at the Lawo download center.