CLIENT
Done + Dusted
LOCATION
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
YEAR
2023
PROJECT TYPE
Live broadcast awards ceremony
Scope
Sound design, system delivery, FOH and monitor engineering, broadcast audio support
Services Provided
- →Full sound system design and management
- →Live audio operation for music and broadcast
- →Wireless system coordination
- →Onstage and front-of-house mixing
- →Playback and show control
The Brief
Auditoria was brought on board by Done + Dusted to deliver the live sound for the 2023 Joy Awards, a televised awards ceremony celebrating entertainment talent from across the Middle East and worldwide.
Broadcast live to millions and held as part of Riyadh Season, the Joy Awards shine a spotlight on music legends, screen stars, sports heroes, and cultural icons. Our task was to ensure every voice, performance and moment was heard clearly and with impact, both in the theatre and on the air.
The Challenge
Live award shows are always fast-moving, but this one raised the bar. The show featured six major musical acts, each with different staging, band configurations and technical requirements, including multiple solo vocalists, hosts, presenters and wireless lecterns.
With changeovers needing to happen at speed and absolutely no margin for error in a live broadcast environment, the audio system had to be flexible, reliable and responsive. The compressed load-in schedule only added to the intensity.
Our Approach
Our sound design focused on three key goals, clarity, localisation, and operational efficiency.
We deployed a main L-Acoustics Kara II system for the theatre’s primary coverage, with 5XT and Syva front fills added to localise audio to the action on stage. Every word, every musical moment needed to feel anchored and natural, and that meant accurate positioning as well as great sound.
To handle the complex stage setups, we worked with rolling risers for the musical ensembles, enabling quick transitions between acts. Our team managed all mixing at both front-of-house and onstage, and we handled playback and system control using a tight, well-rehearsed workflow.
Technical Highlights:
Audio Design
Main Loudspeaker System
A stereo L-Acoustics Kara II system covered the main audience area, supported by 5XT and Syva front fills to deliver precise localisation for performers and hosts.
Stage Systems
With nine musical acts and a constantly changing stage, we used rolling risers to speed up changeovers. 28 wireless microphone channels were managed for solo vocalists, hosts and presenters, ensuring seamless transitions between live music and speech.
Wireless Systems
All wireless microphones were Shure Axient Digital, with Shure PSM1000 and Sennheiser 2000-series in-ear monitoring systems for performers. Wireless coordination for multiple critical carriers in an RF environment filled with LED screen was critical and executed with precision.
We ran a dual engine DiGiCo Quantum 7 at front-of-house and a Quantum 338 on stage. Input and output signals were managed via SD Racks and a robust Optocore network, delivering low latency and rock-solid reliability.
The Results
The 2023 Joy Awards delivered exactly what the name promises, a joyful, high-energy celebration of talent and achievement, with broadcast-quality sound to match.
Despite the tight schedule and complex show format, the entire audio system performed flawlessly throughout the night. From soaring musical performances to heartfelt acceptance speeches, the sound remained consistent, clear and emotionally impactful.
It was a real pleasure to work with such a world-class team on this vibrant, culturally significant event and to help bring its message of joy to millions of viewers across the region.
Acknowledgements
Our Client
A huge thanks to Rachel, Holly and Simon from Done + Dusted for getting us involved in the project and thanks to Technical Director Sven De Beul for keeping things on track during the compressed load in.
Our Team
The system was designed by Scott Willsallen and Ethan Curry with Simon Sayer on FOH, Ethan on Monitors and Joe Callister on replay.
Our Supplier
Our thanks to Agora for supplying, installing and maintaining the system for us and thanks to their onstage team lead by Nico for their amazing work.
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