Teatro Real, situated in the heart of Madrid at the Plaza de Oriente, a beacon of excellence in the performing and musical arts, has elevated its audio production with the recent integration of immersive audio technology from Lawo. Recognized as one of the best theaters in the world and awarded in 2021 the title as the best opera company in the world, (https://operaawards.org/archive/2020/) Teatro Real has undergone a technical upgrade to meet the demands of modern productions while preserving its rich heritage.
Since its inauguration in 1850, Teatro Real (i.e. “Royal Theater”) has continuously evolved, with the latest renovation completed in 1997. Now, with the installation of Lawo’s audio infrastructure, the institution is equipped to master today’s and future audio demands of varied performances, from opera productions to concerts and dance recitals.
Teatro Real chose Lawo’s IP audio solutions by acquiring Lawo mc² consoles, stageboxes, HOME platform and routing units to enhance its audio capabilities. The integration was executed by Telefónica, a leading systems integrator and technology partner renowned for its expertise in audiovisual engineering, also providing the network infrastructure with a Cisco solution.
Key components of the upgrade include two 32-fader mc²56 MkIII consoles and one 16-fader mc²56 MkIII, powered by six A__UHD Core audio processing engines in redundant design, each boasting 1024 DSP channel processing. Seamlessly integrated with Waves SoundGrid server, these consoles provide operators access to Waves’ extensive plug-in library for real-time signal processing, allowing them to conveniently control reverbs, multi-tap delays, graphic equalizers and multiband compressors directly via the console’s keyboard and touchscreen. All plug-in settings can be easily stored and recalled with the console’s snapshots.
The consoles are integrated into and supported by the existing audio infrastructure via audio stageboxes with Lawo A__stage64/80. This combination and the integration via Lawo’s HOME management platform for IP-based media infrastructures ensures seamless communication and efficient distribution of audio signals throughout the theater’s infrastructure. The installation features desk mirroring and signal ownership which results in a user-friendly and efficient workflow when optimizing console settings for different purposes and the flexible use of resources.
“The Lawo mc²56 MkIII consoles were the natural choice for Teatro Real’s audio infrastructure upgrade,” remarked Fernando Valiente Uceda, Head of Audiovisual Resources. “Their unrivaled performance and modular design not only meet the demands of our current productions but also offer flexibility for future endeavors. All desks can now access the same central infrastructure, which we see as a big step forward for our workflow.” He adds: “This technical revamp not only underscores Teatro Real’s unwavering pursuit of artistic excellence but also exemplifies its embrace of cutting-edge technology to enrich audience experiences. At a time when immersive audio is increasingly integral to the theatrical landscape, Teatro Real’s investment in state-of-the-art systems sets a new standard for innovation and quality.”
