Studio Berlin has replaced its long-serving Ü6 HDTV outside broadcast truck, which has been in service since 2006, with a modern, permanent control room at its Hamburg facility as part of the “Ü6 Renewal” project. The new control room leverages Lawo AoIP solutions and a Ravenna network, enhancing workflows and significantly increasing production flexibility.
The Ü6 OB truck was a cornerstone of Studio Berlin’s fleet, broadcasting major sports and entertainment events. Although it was permanently based in Hamburg and operated as a fixed control room, its technology no longer met current standards. Studio Berlin retired the vehicle and established the new control room to meet modern production needs.
Flexible, lossless signal distribution
At the heart of the upgraded control room are two Lawo mc²36 all-in-one audio mixing consoles featuring integrated Lawo A__UHD Core technology. Each console provides 256 processing channels and 864 I/O channels, offering robust performance in a compact setup. Lawo says that with native IP connectivity and the company’s IP Easy technology, the consoles enable seamless plug-and-play operation.
The system also includes three Lawo A__mic8 stageboxes connected via a Ravenna IP network. This network facilitates flexible, lossless signal distribution, allowing technicians to access or feed signals from anywhere in the system.
Enhanced production flexibility
The upgrade has introduced a new level of flexibility to Studio Berlin’s operations. “Hamburg now has two identical control rooms that can operate simultaneously, something that was previously impossible,” said Matthias Hitz, technical director at Studio Berlin’s Hamburg location. “Both control rooms can independently manage any production, and the Ravenna network enables flexible signal routing between them, ensuring we can quickly adapt to audio requirements.”
Hitz added that Studio Berlin is prepared for future developments with these new solutions. “Lawo’s technology equips us with the flexibility and IP-based solutions to adapt to evolving media production demands. We’re excited to continue our partnership with Lawo and remain committed to their technologies moving forward.”
