mc²96 - Control Surface Overview

The Channel Display provides visual feedback and touch-screen operation for the channels assigned to the fader strips. The first (lower) metering row is always present and shows information about the current bank and layer. The second and third rows are optional, and can show either the flip layer (of the current bank) or a specific bank and layer. Operators can make changes by touching the screen - for example, to edit the VCA and bus assignments or assign a different channel to the fader strip.

The channel fader strips provide dedicated mixing controls for the channels on the current bank/layer. Each bay can be fitted with either a single or dual-fader panel. The differences in operation are described below.

All faders and rotary controls are touch-sensitive, and are clearly labelled by the panel's displays. Any fader strip can control any type of channel and supports six banks, each with two layers. This allows you to control inputs and masters from any fader position, and handle lots of signals from very few physical faders.

The Central GUI (Graphical User Interface) is a high resolution touch-screen display that sits above the centre section controls. It is used to set up the console, and provide visual feedback and metering for the channel in access.

A few of the elements are visible at all times, while the main area can be paged through different displays. To change page, there are three possible methods: press a SCREEN CONTROL button in the centre section (7); touch the on-screen page menu; or use a keyboard shortcut. In the example above, the Main Display is open (to access all available parameters for the selected channel).

The Central Control Section provides parameter control for the selected channel (also known as the "channel in access"). From here you can adjust any channel parameter: input gain, EQ, Compressor, Aux sends, Panning, etc.

Start by pressing a fader strip SEL button (2) to select a channel. Then use the Central Control Section (4) to adjust the parameters. The rotary controls are touch-sensitive, and are clearly labelled by the panel's displays.

The main fader strips are identical to the channel fader strips (2), except that they do not have any upper (rotary) controls or a dedicated Channel Display. As standard, the console comes with 8 main faders, but this can be increased to 16 (by specifying the Xtra main faders option).

The main faders can be used for any type of channel: inputs or masters. To adjust parameters such as input gain or EQ, press a fader SEL button and use the Central Control Section (4). For touch-screen operation and metering, open the Main Faders display (on the Central GUI).

The space beside the Central GUI is fitted with an RTW TM9 (as standard) or a full-height blanking panel.

The space to the left of the MONITORING panel can be fitted with up to two Lawo user panels. If the centre section is fitted with the Xtra main faders option, then the lower slot must be used for the XTRA USER PANEL. In all other cases, the two slots are freely configurable. The available options are described below. Unless otherwise specified, the console ships with two blanking panels.

The centre section provides master controls and navigation for the Central GUI. There are two possible layouts to support either 8 or 16 main fader strips. In each case, the panel is divided into clearly-defined control areas. The SCREEN CONTROL page buttons, soft keys and trackball operate in conjunction with the Central GUI (3).

The following connections can be found on the underside of the front buffer (beneath the trackball).

1 x ETH A Network Port - connects to the control surface internal network (for diagnostics and setup).

4 x USB 2.0 Ports - the first three ports connect to the mc² control system. They can be used to connect a USB memory stick (to save and load user data). The USB port marked RTW connects to the TM7 or TM9 meter (if fitted). This can be used for RTW diagnostics (as described in the RTW user manual).

1 x Stereo Phones - can be used to connect a pair of stereo headphones for the main engineer. By default, this follows the CRM 1 monitor source selector.

A second stereo phones socket can be found further along the front buffer. By default, this follows the CRM 2 monitor source selector making it ideal for a second engineer.

The console keyboard (and trackpad) are located on a pull-out drawer beneath the main faders. 

The keyboard is available in one of two layouts: either English (default) or German. The matching version must be selected using the Global → System → Keyboard Layout option (in the System Settings display).