CLIENT
David Atkins Enterprises
LOCATION
Doha, Qatar
YEAR
2006
PROJECT TYPE
Opening & Closing Ceremonies
Scope
Audio system design and show control
Services Provided
- →Stadium audio system design
- →Dual-redundant control system design
- →Multi-channel replay and timecode integration
- →Environmental system planning
- →System modelling and optimisation
- →Collaboration with international suppliers
The Brief
The Doha 2006 Asian Games marked a turning point for the event. Historically more regional in scale, the 2006 ceremonies were conceived with an ambition comparable to that of recent Olympic Games.
Working alongside David Atkins Enterprises, Auditoria were appointed to design the audio for this large-scale event.
The objective was to deliver an event of genuine international stature, serving a full stadium audience while meeting the demands of a global broadcast.
The Challenge
The most immediate challenge was environmental.
Rehearsals ran for almost two months in desert conditions. Temperatures were high, dust was constant, and the systems remained installed for an extended period leading into the Games themselves. Equipment needed to be protected from heat and airborne debris without compromising ventilation.
Then, on the night of the Opening Ceremony, Doha experienced an unusually heavy rainstorm, more rainfall than the city would typically see in a single evening. Systems that had been engineered primarily for heat and dust now also had to remain secure in wet conditions.
Given the length of the installation period, the project moved beyond typical “event” thinking. Cabling, housing and equipment layout were approached more like a permanent installation than a short-term deployment. Ventilation paths were carefully designed, equipment spaces were shielded, and routing decisions were made with long-term reliability in mind.
From a design perspective, the stadium itself presented asymmetry. One side featured a roofed VIP grandstand, while the opposite side was largely open. This influenced both loudspeaker placement and delay strategy.
Our Approach
Building on the control architecture developed for Athens and refined in Melbourne earlier that year, Doha 2006 represented a step forward in execution.
Advances in manufacturer hardware meant signal transport networks could now handle greater capacity and zoning with less compromise. For the first time, the system architecture aligned fully with the design intent.
System modelling was carried out using EASE, informing loudspeaker positioning within the stadium bowl. A predominantly ground-stacked deployment was used to cover the open seating areas, integrated directly into the overall show design. On the VIP side, a delay system of Adamson Y10 supported the upper bowl seating.
The loudspeaker system was based on L-Acoustics KUDO, supplied by Norwest Productions. Control was handled via Yamaha PM1D consoles at Front of House and Yamaha PM5D consoles on monitors. Optocore provided signal transport, with Dolby Lake processors managing system processing and switching.
Replay and timecode systems followed the dual-redundant methodology established in Athens, ensuring synchronisation across all departments.
Technical Highlights:
Audio Design
Yamaha PM1D consoles at FOH
Yamaha PM5D consoles for monitors
Optocore signal transport
Dolby Lake processors for system management
L-Acoustics KUDO main system
Ground-stacked coverage for open seating
Dedicated delay system for VIP grandstand
EASE modelling for stadium coverage
Installation-grade cable routing and equipment housing
Extended environmental protection for heat, dust and rainfall
Show Control
Dual-redundant replay and timecode systems
The Results
The Doha 2006 Asian Games Ceremonies were delivered at a scale that elevated the event to a new level internationally.
Despite the environmental challenges, the audio systems operated reliably throughout rehearsals and both ceremonies. The refined control architecture allowed for more precise zoning and signal management than previous projects, setting a new benchmark for subsequent large-scale ceremonies.
For Auditoria, Doha represented the point at which ceremony control design, system hardware and operational workflow aligned fully, a culmination of lessons learned across earlier Games and a foundation for future international events.
Acknowledgements
Our Client
David Atkins Enterprises
Our Team
Scott Willsallen – Audio Designer
Our Supplier
Norwest Productions
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