CLIENT
People Creative
LOCATION
Expo City, Dubai, UAE
YEAR
2023
PROJECT TYPE
National Ceremony
Scope
Immersive audio system and show control design
Services Provided
- →Audio system design
- →FOH and orchestra mixing
- →Show replay and control system design
- →On-site systems engineering
The Brief
Auditoria were engaged from concept stage to design an immersive audio system and show control infrastructure for the 52nd UAE National Day celebration. The event needed to deliver an experience that matched the creative ambition of a revolving, two-storey stage surrounding a central audience grandstand, an unconventional layout that called for a fresh approach to immersive sound.
This year’s show held added significance. Taking place during COP28 at Expo City Dubai, the intention was for international delegates to experience the Union Day celebration firsthand.
The Challenge
Designing a loudspeaker system that revolved around a stationary audience grandstand, while supporting a live 94-piece orchestra, presented a unique set of challenges. The loudspeaker arrays were physically attached to the outer structure of the rotating stage, which meant the audience’s position relative to the loudspeakers was constantly changing. The system needed to preserve a coherent sound image, no matter the stage’s orientation.
Further pressure came from the compressed production schedule. With limited time on site and an open-air venue, our team needed to devise solutions that enabled rehearsals and system prep to occur in parallel with the build.
Our Approach
Auditoria responded by developing a dual-layered L-ISA workflow to deliver a fixed immersive sound field, regardless of the stage’s position. The creative mix was built using a static 13-array wide scene, output via an L-Acoustics L-ISA Processor II. These outputs were then passed through a second L-ISA Processor (v1), which applied pre-programmed counter-rotation cues aligned to the stage automation data.
From the audience’s perspective, the loudspeaker scene appeared completely static, locking the primary focus to the front of the grandstand while the loudspeakers rotated around them.
We designed a redundant network architecture to ensure system stability, incorporating dual DiGiCo Quantum 7 consoles, mirrored L-ISA processing using a total of four processors in this unique workflow, redundant Ovation playback systems, and robust Optocore and AVB signal distribution. A full replica of the orchestra control, input, and monitoring systems was installed off-site, allowing rehearsals to begin immediately upon the orchestra’s arrival and transfer seamlessly to the show venue during a short break.
Technical Highlights:
Audio Design
Loudspeaker System:
- 23 Kara II arrays mounted around the top of the revolving stage, each with 4 elements. 13 arrays formed the central L-ISA scene at any given moment. All driven by LA7.16i amplifiers.
- Nearfield coverage was achieved with 340 L-Acoustics 5XT, 24 X4i, and 24 Syva Low speakers.
- Sub-bass extension came from a KS28 end-fire array (12 boxes in 3 stacks of 4).
Processing & Mixing:
- Dual redundant L-Acoustics L-ISA Processor II devices for object-based mixing
- Dual redundant L-ISA Processor I devices for counter-rotation
- Dual redundant single-engine DiGiCo Quantum 7 FOH consoles with nearfield monitoring replicating the 13-wide scene
- Separate dual-engine Quantum 7 console for orchestra mix
Rehearsal Strategy:
Off-site orchestra rehearsal system mirrored the venue setup, enabling seamless transfer of mixes and files to the show site with minimal downtime
Comprehensive signal distribution via Optocore and AVB networks
Show Control Design
Dual redundant Merging Ovation playback systems and timecode host
Integration with show control and communications systems for tight interdepartmental coordination
The Results
The system delivered a compelling and immersive experience for every audience member, maintaining precise localisation and mix stability despite the revolving loudspeaker arrangement. The technical infrastructure allowed for creative flexibility while meeting the demands of a complex production schedule and site logistics.
The immersive audio design played a vital role in the show’s storytelling, allowing objects to be moved dynamically through the space, drawing the audience’s focus and enhancing key visual moments.
Acknowledgements
Our Client
Client: People Creative
Production Partners: WonderWorks, Musicom, Es Devlin, Bruno Poet, VYV, Done + Dusted (Broadcast)
Orchestra: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Arabic soloists and strings
Our Team
Sound Designers: Scott Willsallen, Ethan Curry
FOH Mix Engineer: Richard Sharratt
Systems Engineer: Martin Dineley
Replay Operators: Simon Sayer, Federico Rizzi
Orchestra Mix Engineer: Simon Fox
Our Supplier
Agora LLC
Related Projects
