At the 30th edition of Prolight + Sound, the international trade fair for event technology taking place in Frankfurt am Main from April 8 to 11, 2025, Lawo will showcase its latest advancements in professional IP audio technology. The focus will be on innovative solutions for theaters, opera houses, and live events, addressing the unique challenges of these demanding production environments.
The demands on modern theater and live productions have increased permanently in recent years. With increasingly complex audio setups, maximum flexibility and seamless integration are essential to meet both artistic and technical requirements. At the same time, optimized workflows and enhanced sound quality are crucial for delivering the best possible listening experience. Additionally, solutions must integrate easily into existing workflows and control structures – a key factor for touring productions and guest performances, where mobility and system compatibility are critical.
Lawo has responded to these challenges with important innovations for its mc² audio mixing systems, reflecting these exact requirements. Recent software developments introduce enhanced snapshot handling, including oversnaps, snapshot preview, and VCA maps, enabling even greater control and flexibility in mixing scenarios.
Particularly relevant for theater and musical productions today is the fact that in many cases the mixing console is no longer the central control instance, but the console may be automated by external show control software such as QLab. These systems allow for detailed sequence control and can be integrated with a variety of mixing consoles and audio systems – an invaluable advantage for touring productions and multi-venue performances. Lawo’s mc² mixing systems stand out in this regard, offering powerful integration capabilities.
To fully support these evolving production demands, Lawo’s latest software releases (10.12.0 and 12.0.0) introduce standard functions that seamlessly integrate mc² consoles into external show control systems via the Open Sound Control (OSC) protocol. This enables direct snapshot loading, cue triggering, and transport control from external sources. At the same time, new QLab integration allows engineers to trigger QLab workspace actions – such as “Go,” “Panic,” or “Pause” – directly from the console, ensuring tactile control over audio sequences while benefiting from software-based automation. Additionally, the integration of ADM-OSC – a cutting-edge specification in which Lawo plays a leading role – enables an unprecedented seamless integration and interaction between systems from different manufacturers.
At Prolight + Sound 2025, Lawo will be demonstrating how its audio portfolio meets a wide range of requirements – from smaller setups to comprehensive, distributed mixing console systems. The latest mc² mixing systems include the compact crystal, which, when used in controller mode, acts as an extension of Lawo’s mc² production consoles, increasing efficiency in complex productions. Alternatively, it allows sound designers or directors to make limited but direct adjustments. Additionally, users can now utilize up to 256 available AUX buses for personal monitoring, allowing artists to adjust their own monitor mix via a tablet.
Lawo’s platform-based approach ensures a tailored solution for every production scale and application. In addition to showcasing event-specific innovations, visitors to the Lawo booth can explore the company’s full range of IP-based solutions, including .edge and the latest HOME apps.
As a special preview of future developments, Lawo will unveil its Dynamic EQ concept and decentralized touch control, both expected to launch in summer 2025. The Dynamic EQ expands the existing EQ module, while decentralized touch control offers greater flexibility, particularly in distributed systems and two-operator workflows.
Lawo cordially invites all industry professionals to experience these innovations firsthand at Prolight + Sound 2025. The Lawo team will be on hand for detailed demonstrations and to answer any questions.
