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Electro-Voice and Dynacord deliver digital sound system evolution at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit
Yas Marina Circuit, home to the season-ending Formula One Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, UAE, has undergone a digital evolution to replace the analog backbone of its audio system with a fully digital architecture. The project was delivered by PKE Gulf, who called on equipment from Electro-Voice and Dynacord to ensure the circuit would meet modern international sports venue standards.
The decision to upgrade the sound reinforcement system was confirmed a couple of months before the race with a phased approach agreed. The first phase would see the replacement of its analog backbone which was installed when the circuit opened in 2010, and an upgrade to the main grandstand’s audio system. Further phases will cover the remaining north, south and west grandstands.
“Our objective was to move away from a system that had reached the end of its lifecycle and toward a robust, fully digital platform that could support current operational demands and future expansion”, states Omar Naiem, Smart Venues Senior Manager at Ethara, the venue management company for Yas Marina Circuit. “The phased approach allowed us to upgrade critical areas ahead of the Grand Prix while maintaining full operational continuity across the venue.”
PKE Gulf was selected to handle the phased project based on its experience in the sector. “The large portfolio and scalability of the Electro-Voice solutions allowed the entire project to be covered with a single, coherent audio platform, ensuring consistent sound quality, reliability, and visual integration across all areas of the main grandstand”, explains Gerald Zak, Senior Technical Manager at PKE Gulf WLL. “Combined with Dynacord’s processing and amplification technologies, the solution delivers a future-ready system.”
“The circuit needed a complete digital evolution to meet international motorsport standards and deliver a premium audio experience”, adds Aju Antony, Sales Manager MEA for Electro-Voice and Dynacord. “By implementing our multichannel IPX series DSP amps combined with Electro-Voice EVH, EVF, and EVC point source loudspeakers, we provided the brain and power to deliver a future-proof experience.”
The first phase of the project saw 155 weatherized loudspeakers and subwoofers powered by thirty amplifiers added to the main grandstand. Flown in vertical clusters from the front lip of the roofline, the new sound system delivers homogenous sound coverage. While the new loudspeaker deployment was a key component, the primary objective of this phase of the project was the creation of a new digital infrastructure for the circuit. Dante was selected for audio distribution throughout the facility with audio electronics and software from Dynacord playing a critical role.
“The MXE5-64 Matrix Mix Engines and Sonicue Sound System Software were key enablers of the project’s success”, states Zak. “They formed the heart of the new digital backbone, allowing the legacy analog mixer infrastructure to be fully replaced while seamlessly integrating existing analog amplifiers and loudspeakers across multiple buildings. This approach ensured a smooth transition to a modern, centrally controlled digital platform without disruption to ongoing operations.”
The combination of IPX amplifiers and MXE5 Matrix Mix Engines managed by Sonicue ensures effective production signal management for audio engineers at the track. A customized GUI allows instant signal selection, pre-listening, and routing to audience areas. Sonicue has also enabled a precise, application-specific control environment, not only replicating the old analog audio console but also providing extra features such as instantaneous delay control for lip-syncing with video displays in the public areas, or scene recalls during different event stages.
“We have a lot of different input sources based on different race series requirements, so Sonicue is used to combine them if required”, furthers Zak. “With this setup we can cover any local or international race series.” Naiem adds: “The transition to a Dante-based digital backbone has significantly improved system reliability, monitoring, and operational flexibility. Centralized control, improved signal routing, and application-specific workflows have enhanced both live event production and day-to-day venue operations, while also reducing dependency on manual interventions previously associated with the analog setup.”
A third element of phase one saw the installation of a Praesensa public address system which ensures that live and pre-recorded announcements can be broadcast across all zones of the circuit. The system has been buffered from the rest of the audio network using a proprietary Dante gateway unit, to ensure overall system compatibility.
“From an operations and risk management standpoint, the upgrade delivered exactly what we were looking for - greater control, consistency, and scalability”, says Naiem. “The system now aligns with international motorsport venue standards and gives us the confidence that audio performance will be consistent across different event formats, broadcast requirements, and crowd capacities.”
“Equally important was the ability to future-proof the investment”, he concludes. “The new digital architecture has been designed to seamlessly accommodate additional grandstands, zones, and technologies in upcoming phases, ensuring that future expansions can be integrated without reworking the core infrastructure.”
(Photos: Keenfinity Group)
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