Viacom Taps Massive Lawo Audio Console for New Atlas Mobile Unit

Viacom Media Networks Music and Entertainment Group has purchased and installed the largest Lawo mc²66 audio console currently deployed in an OB vehicle in their newest remote production unit, Atlas. The unit’s maiden voyage supported the production of Grease Live!, which aired Jan. 31 on FOX.

The massive mc²66 audio console inside the new Atlas mobile unit.

Viacom Media Networks Music and Entertainment Group is one of the early adopters of Lawo Technology, with Lawo consoles currently appearing on five of their mobile audio production units of which Atlas is the newest—consisting of two 53’ trailers, an A unit for video and a B unit for audio. The newly installed Lawo mc²66 console consists of a main section with central mix position containing 48 faders. In addition, the console is outfitted with two 16 fader wings mounted left and right, which can be used inclusively to form an 80 fader mixing desk, or as auxiliary mix positions where additional audio engineers can manage effects, recording feeds or other tasks. The system infrastructure supports 384 channels and includes 240 mic pre-amps.

The Atlas B unit is home to a completely custom designed and built control room, with design provided by Texas-based acoustical designer Russ Berger Design Group. Unusually large for a production truck, the facility contains one of the mobile industry’s largest audio control rooms and also boasts an adjoining large equipment storage room.

“We’ve enjoyed a great relationship with Lawo over the years, so it was a natural choice for us when we designed Atlas,” Danny Walters, Director of Remote Engineering for Viacom Media Networks Music and Entertainment Group says. “We selected the mc²66 because of the ability to customize the console’s specification to our workflow needs, and for its ability to handle sophisticated and demanding productions like Grease Live along with its unsurpassed sonic integrity.”

The control room and console allow for separately configurable mix positions with capacity for 5.1 audio monitoring and 4K multi-viewers to monitor video feeds, as well as various functions of the console and associated software tools such as DAWs, effects plug-ins, and audio routing management functions. Lawo’s Emmy-Award-winning Nova73 routing technology is at the heart of the console core, where all audio routing is performed and can be controlled by either the A1 or the EIC from multiple points within the truck, or remotely. Three DALLIS Stageboxes and a plug-in server were also provided by Lawo as part of the overall audio system infrastructure.

“We’re pleased to be able to continue our long-standing relationship with Viacom Media Networks and their team,” says VP of sales for Lawo, Michael Mueller. “They’re a class act in every sense of the word and are always looking to provide their customers with the highest possible quality. We are very proud of the fact that we’ve been able to continue our great working relationship over many years and, with Atlas, to continue to enhance a legacy of great audio quality and design innovation.”