L-ISA immerses audiences in Saudi spectacular
- Details
Terhal features acrobatics, stunts, aerial performance, and dazzling special effects alongside traditional Saudi art and dance. To accompany and enhance this awe-inspiring production, Dragone chose L-ISA Immersive Hyperreal Sound technology by L-Acoustics to create an immersive sound experience to complement the enchanting visuals.
While the show run is temporary, to ensure that each performance is memorable, the venue housing the show is purpose-built, designed explicitly for Terhal. Delivering the large-scale production in the purpose-built venue within the allotted timeframe created a great challenge for the sound team, which consisted of Sebastian Hammond, sound designer, L-ISA engineer Adriaan van der Walt, and mix engineer Andy Tsang.
Having crafted immersive sound experiences with L-ISA spatial audio for high-profile projects like the opening and closing Ceremonies of Expo 2020 Dubai and Dragone’s La Perle, Hammond explains that Dragone shows are known for pushing the limits of audience experiences.
“Although this was a temporary show, I wanted to deliver the complete residential theatre experience for the audience via the immersive sound design’s detail and live sound technology.” Maximising the design possibilities of the performance space during the initial design and collaboration was crucial. Hammond continues, “L-Acoustics and L-ISA were part of my plan from the beginning, providing the tools I needed to immerse the audience in the performance and deliver exceptional clarity, depth, and dynamics.”
Hammond knew that the show would undergo numerous iterations during the pre-production and creative process. Therefore, it required a sound design that could easily adapt. "My mission again was to create the best design possible for the venue and performance space. Knowing the type of productions Dragone delivers and building on my experience - I had to ensure the design is as flexible as possible both technically and creatively," he explains.
“When I shared my sound design for Terhal, the team at L-Acoustics asked if we’d like to trial the upcoming L-ISA 3.0. I said yes because the new release gave us remarkably updated features, such as the FX Engine, which enables reactive movements and trajectories, and customisable controls for organic interactions between objects.
Adriaan Van Der Walt concurs: “The one thing that stood out for me was how well the room engine transformed the sonic landscape beyond the venue's actual acoustics. It brought another dimension into the mix, creating so much more depth - which, with the help of the new FX Engine, could be automated to follow trajectories. Each object would then follow its path, as programmed from scene to scene,” he says.
Weight restrictions were an important consideration, leading Hammond to choose a combination of L-Acoustics K2, Kara II, and Kiva II. The main system, which needed to cover an audience area that extended almost 360° around the central performance area, was provided by 10 main arrays of Kiva II, complemented by two arrays of K2 and four arrays of Kara II. Twenty-eight KS28 supplied low-end extension and extra power for sound effects. Eighteen 5XT placed around the stage-lip provided spatial front-fill while twenty Syva were placed around the walls for surround.
The system was provided and installed by local L-Acoustics Certified Partner Clair Global. “We all worked together to bring this project to life, and it was crucial to have the support of a reliable and experienced team,” explains Hammond. "We were very fortunate to have Clair Global handling the delivery and operations of the immersive sound and communications design.”
“One of the most impactful moments of Terhal is a massive and intense sandstorm scene, which was a sensory overload in all the right ways,” recalls Hammond. “Music, sound effects, lights, and video all coming together created an impactful, unforgettable moment, and having L-ISA helped us raise the bar. This was a thrilling deployment of L-ISA technology, which gave us numerous imaging possibilities."
