Lawo introduces Crystal, a console for broadcast applications focused on IP

Based on Ravenna/AES67 open network standards and compliant with SMPTE ST 2110-30/31 for audio and ST 2022-7 for redundancy, Crystal complements the Lawo Diamond consoles to allow users to take advantage of the benefits of audio over IP in broadcast infrastructures.

Available with 6, 8 and 14 faders, and with two different modes of operation (Power Core and Controller), Crystal has been designed to suit a wide range of broadcast situations and environments: small and medium on-air studios; regional studios; news and commentary suites; smaller production studios; MCR control and mobile units; podcast recording studios; remote production applications; backup and disaster recovery sites; DAW control and integration, as well as workflow standardization.

Crystal takes the philosophy of the Lawo Diamond to deliver an intuitive mixing console that brings together the benefits of the physical and virtual worlds. The system includes benefits such as the usual quiet motorized faders, inspired by Lawo’s mc2 consoles; encoders ready to work in automation and playout processes; programmable and customizable LED lighting; optional Virtual Extension modules for extended information and easy control; Ember+ and HTML5 integration for hardware and third-party software control; and Lawo’s Lux user interface.

Powered by Lawo Power Core Engine, Crystal supports expandable I/O, accommodating AES67, MADI, analog, AES3 as well as Dante audio sources and destinations.

Algorithms and customization in Crystal

Crystal employs intelligent algorithms that accelerate production workflows. Possibly the most prominent features of Lawo’s solution are AutoMix, which automatically maintains the balance of multimic productions; AutoMix Grouping, which allows this intelligent automatic mixing to be applied to multiple independent source groups; and AutoGain, an automatic gain adjustment feature, optimizes guest and host microphone levels at the touch of a button.

Thanks to an unlimited number of DSP profiles that can be stored and recalled from any networked console, individual profiles or custom settings are available from anywhere, even for operators working remotely in home studios or mobile units. The system also allows shared management of user rights and snapshots across all studios with Crystal/Diamond/virtual interfaces.

Lawo Power Core in Crystal

Crystal’s Power Core mode allows operators to use the console in combination with a Power Core engine, the software-defined high-density DSP mixing engine and Lawo’s modular I/O device. In this mode, Crystal supports the Power Core Compact license for single 6-fader or extended 14-fader configurations, and the Power Core MAX license. Accommodating up to four consoles, one Power Core with the MAX license allows four studios to share their processing power in different configurations.

On the other hand, the Controller mode responds to the demand for a small, native IP extension panel for mc² audio production consoles. A Crystal main or fader module can be used as a control panel for an mc²/A__UHD Core-based back-end. With this configuration, Crystal presents itself as a suitable tool for second-row/grammar mixer applications, as a dedicated control surface for an otherwise headless system, and to take advantage of the shared processing options of a single A__UHD Core via a Pooling 4/8/16/32 license. According to Lawo, this opens up new possibilities in distributed production workflows, or for backup purposes.

Crystal also integrates with Home, Lawo’s management platform for IP-based media infrastructures. Home helps connect, manage and secure all aspects of live production environments, providing centralized microservices for fast and efficient interaction between engineers and their tools. In this way, the solution turns a collection of devices, configurations, sites, hubs and data centers into a powerful and agile network, “quickly and seamlessly securely”.