CLIENT
Done + Dusted
LOCATION
Boulevard City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
YEAR
2022
PROJECT TYPE
Immersive AV Installation
Scope
Full audio system design, sound content integration, playback systems, and onsite support
Services Provided
- →Immersive audio system design
- →Soundscape programming
- →Spatial audio playback design
- →System commissioning
- →Content integration
The Brief
Auditoria was invited by Done + Dusted to design and deliver a complete immersive audio system for Fame Factory’s Joy Awards Experience, a walk-through theatrical attraction that takes guests on a journey through the life of a celebrity. The experience, housed in Boulevard City, Riyadh, was created to engage, entertain and surprise, combining rich visuals with an intricate soundscape to transport visitors into a world of stardom.
The Challenge
With 16 distinct spaces, 130 loudspeakers, and an evolving creative brief, this was no typical installation. The sound design had to be both flexible and precise, able to adapt to last-minute changes, yet consistent and robust across the entire experience. Each room required its own unique atmosphere, while the audio playback system needed to handle hundreds of cues and integrate live mics, special effects, and spatial transitions, all without breaking the immersive illusion for guests.
Our Approach
We approached the project as both sound designers and engineers, working closely with the creative team from the outset. The system was designed to be deeply immersive to consistently maintain the illusion of the guests journey through stardom, with the audio design forming a critical part the storytelling.
- Each of the 16 rooms featured two discrete loudspeaker systems—one for ambient soundscapes and one for targeted content such as voiceovers or special effects.
- The design used 130 L-Acoustics loudspeakers across the full range to suit each space’s needs: X4i for atmospheric beds, 5XT for spot effects, and X8 or Syva where the music source was visible and required presence.
- Audio playback was handled via a 64-channel Q-Lab system, running over AVB and Dante through Luminex network infrastructure and mixed via a Q-Sys Core 510i alongside live inputs and media server audio.
Automation was key: OSC messaging enabled dynamic control of mic volumes, reverbs, and playback settings in real-time, with system monitoring and zone control delivered through a custom Q-Sys touchscreen interface.
Technical Highlights:
Audio Design
Loudspeaker System
- 130 L-Acoustics loudspeakers across 16 rooms
- X4i for immersive ambience, 5XT for spot FX, X8 and Syva for feature audio
- 80 channels of amplification, all running over AVB on Luminex switches
Show Control Design
64-channel Q-Lab system with over 700 cues
Playback via Dante into Q-Sys Core 510i DSP
OSC for automation of mix parameters including reverb, mic gain and muting
Q-Sys touchscreen and UCI dashboards for live control and maintenance
Audio Production
Creative Integration
- Audio content created by Carolyn Downing under the direction of Joe Callister
- Dynamic updates during install and rehearsals to refine and expand the soundscape
The Results
The Joy Awards Experience set a new standard for immersive attractions in Riyadh. The sound design brought each space to life, guiding visitors through emotional highs, dramatic tension, and playful moments with seamless transitions and layered sonic storytelling. The system not only met the creative vision but remained adaptable to changes during rehearsals, allowing the experience to evolve and improve ahead of opening. It was a true fusion of technology and creativity.
Acknowledgements
Our Client
A huge thanks to Rachel and Hamish for inviting us to join the project and for building such a fantastic team. The project was a joy to deliver.
Our Team
Our team consisted of Scott Willsallen in the early concept design stage with Joe Callister as our main Project Manager and Sound Designer. Joe was assisted by Lee Holmes as Systems Engineer and Caz Downing who created the majority of the audio content.
Our Supplier
Thanks to Giulio Rovelli and his team from Agora for supplying, installing and maintaining the system for us. Thanks to Edo, Matt, Will and the rest of the Agora team for their excellent work.
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