CLIENT
RAMUS
LOCATION
K’gari (Queensland), Australia
YEAR
2024
PROJECT TYPE
Permanent Outdoor Immersive Installation
Scope
Immersive audio system design and control for nightly lake-based attraction
Services Provided
- →Immersive loudspeaker system design
- →Spatial audio programming and integration
- →Audio routing and processing design
- →Show playback system design
- →Environmental system specification
- →Commissioning and tuning
The Brief
Illumina: Return to the Sky is a permanent light and sound experience staged on a lake within a resort on K’gari, off the coast of Queensland. Accessible only by ferry, the island setting is part of the appeal, and part of the challenge.
The 25-minute show runs three times each evening for resort guests. Projection and lighting transform the water and surrounding landscape, with music forming the backbone of the experience.
RAMUS engaged Auditoria to design an immersive audio system that could sit naturally within this environment, supporting the visuals without disrupting the landscape.
The Challenge
The show takes place outdoors, around the edge of a lake, which immediately limits where equipment can go. There are no overhead structures and very few conventional mounting positions, so loudspeaker placement had to be considered carefully to achieve the intended coverage.
The environment also needed to be taken seriously. The system would be operating nightly in a coastal island climate, exposed to humidity and changing weather conditions. Equipment selection and installation methods were approached accordingly, with durability and long-term performance in mind.
Our Approach
Auditoria developed a distributed immersive layout positioned around the lake’s perimeter, working with the natural contours of the site rather than imposing obvious infrastructure.
JBL AWC series loudspeakers were selected for their weather resistance and long-term suitability in outdoor environments. Placement was carefully considered to balance coverage with discretion, ensuring technology did not dominate the setting.
SPAT by Flux was used as the spatial engine, integrated with Reaper for content programming. The RAMUS CORE handles daily playback, while a Q-SYS Core 110f manages routing and processing throughout the system.
The immersive field was shaped on site, responding to reflections from the water and the open-air environment. Rather than treating the lake as a limitation, the design allowed it to become part of the acoustic character of the show.
Technical Highlights:
Audio Design
SPAT by Flux as immersive spatial engine, integrated with Reaper during programming
JBL AWC series loudspeakers, specified for high weather protection and long-term outdoor use
Show Control Design
Q-SYS Core 110f for routing and processing
Integration with RAMUS CORE for daily playback
The Results
Illumina: Return to the Sky now runs three times each evening as a permanent part of the resort’s guest experience.
The immersive system supports the flow of the show while remaining largely out of sight around the lake. Designed as a fixed installation from the outset, the system continues to operate reliably in an outdoor environment.
Acknowledgements
Our Client
RAMUS
Our Team
Luis Miranda – Audio Design and System Integration
Related Projects
