How G42's Technical Deployment Redefined Live Events

The live events industry is experiencing a paradigm shift in audio technology, moving beyond traditional stereo setups toward complicated yet seamless spatial audio systems that create truly immersive experiences for audiences. At the forefront of this evolution is G42’s recent deployment at ICC Hall in Abu Dhabi, which represents the largest spatial audio installation in the region to date and offers a compelling glimpse into the future of live event production.

The Dawn of Object-Based Audio

“We prefer the term ‘spatial’ or ‘object-based audio’ to ‘immersive,’ finding the latter to be a bit too generic,” explains Wissam Shaheen, Head of Audio at CT Middle East and the project’s lead sound system designer. This approach represents a return to fundamental principles of sound perception, echoing an era before electronic amplification when the natural placement of instruments guided audience attention.

The concept harks back to 19th-century orchestras, where the solo of the first violin or the entry of the brass section commanded immediate focus, facilitating a form of storytelling that directed listeners’ attention precisely where needed. Modern spatial audio technology enables this same principle to be applied creatively across any sound source, treating each element as a distinct object that can be positioned anywhere within a 360-degree auditory landscape.

The system architecture showcased what is possible with modern spatial audio technology. The main 180-degree coverage utilized seven hangs of d&b XSL arrays with ArrayProcessing, creating an immense amplifier channel count, while Y-Series point sources completed the 360-degree surround field. At the heart of the system were two d&b DS100 Soundscape processors running in redundant configuration. The redundancy and signal paths were managed through DirectOut’s Prodigy.MP, delivering resilient control, networking, and playback.

The effect of operating at 29.1 surround was extraordinary, providing pinpoint accuracy in object placement. This technical precision enabled seamless synchronization between visual elements and spatial audio, with smooth sound movements in any direction creating moments that left audiences asking, “What is going on here?” The playback system, managed by George Abi Aad, featured Q-Lab sessions of staggering complexity. Each multitrack or stem represented a channel sent to a sound object within the Soundscape processor, with three layers of redundancy ensuring instantaneous failover without even a split-second interruption.

Democratizing the Audio Experience

One of spatial audio’s most compelling advantages is its ability to create optimal listening conditions throughout the venue. “This evolution in live sound amplification ensures that every seat in the venue offers an optimal listening experience; effectively, every spot is the sweet spot,” Shaheen explains. This democratization of audio quality represents a fundamental shift from traditional systems where seating location significantly impacts the listening experience.

The G42 deployment featured nine themed sequences—nature, fire, space, and others—each designed to showcase the system’s capabilities. After each sequence, audiences responded with spontaneous applause, a testament to the technology’s immediate impact. The external spatial programming was provided by Aaron Holloway-Nahum from Southby London, and the sound design by Luke Hatfield from AudioVille.

The spatial audio system was part of a broader technical ecosystem. The lighting design, handled by Justin Adams, utilized fixtures primarily from Ayrton’s range, with programming on Avolites consoles despite an MA backbone system. Sam Connolly, Head of Lighting at CTME, explains that much of the design reflected G42’s triangular logo, creating subliminal visual arrows throughout the space. A particularly striking element was the kinetic triangle centerpiece, seven or eight individual pieces that moved on custom rail systems, forming a triangle above the stage during opening sequences while serving as a projection mapping surface. This required extensive custom manufacturing and precise cable management through the unusual rigging system.

Follow-spot systems with RoboSpot technology enabled precise tracking and highlighting during keynote presentations. The lighting rig included Ayrton moving lights across multiple models—Cobra, Rivale, and Diablo units—each offering precise beam control and color mixing capabilities. Forty Astera PowerPar units provided dynamic color effects, while 48 Kyalami pixel effect lights added granular control for complex visual sequences. The entire lighting network was programmed by Werner Van Wyk, whose expertise in complex stage lighting brought concert-level precision to the corporate environment. The programming allowed for seamless transitions between presentation modes, ambient environments, and high-energy sequences that reinforced G42’s positioning as a cutting-edge technology leader.

On the video front, CTME delivered a massive LED setup driven by Disguise VX4+ media servers, ensuring seamless 4K content playback across the venue. For IMAG, the team deployed Panasonic UC4000 4K system cameras, providing broadcast-quality capture and crystal-clear live feeds to the LED walls. The entire infrastructure was supported by a robust 100G network backbone, guaranteeing low latency and flawless synchronization between video, audio, and lighting.

Another layer enhancing this synchronicity was the communications network, which had to support not only the 16-person technical crew but also seamless coordination with client representatives, security, and venue management throughout the event. The system included 35 Riedel wireless beltpacks, providing clear intercom communications across lighting, audio, video, and stage management teams. Sixty Motorola two-way radios extended communications to security, logistics, and venue staff, ensuring every aspect of the production remained coordinated.

Enterprise-grade Wi-Fi infrastructure, built on Ubiquiti equipment, supported everything from wireless device management to streaming and remote monitoring. Multiple Luminex network switches distributed data across the venue, creating redundant pathways that protected against potential failures.

“In a production this complex, communication isn’t just convenience — it’s safety. Every department needs to know what’s happening in real time,” noted Darius Charlerly, Head of Integrated Networks at CTME.

The G42 deployment required extensive pre-production work, including building a scaled-down replica of the system in CT Middle East’s warehouse for four days of rehearsals with all stakeholders present. This level of preparation enabled the team to complete the massive installation in just 48 hours on-site. For CTME, the project served as both a technical achievement and a blueprint for future large-scale corporate productions. The successful integration of broadcast-quality video, precision lighting, robust communications, and revolutionary spatial audio demonstrates the company’s position as a leader in the region’s evolving events ecosystem, where technology becomes a medium for storytelling.

The G42 “Supercharged 2025” event represents more than a successful production—it signals a broader evolution in how corporate events are conceived and executed in the Gulf region.  As the UAE continues to position itself as a global hub for innovation and technology, productions like the G42 forum set new standards for what corporate events can achieve. The combination of technical excellence and creative vision demonstrated by CTME suggests that the future of corporate communications in the region will be increasingly experiential and unforgettable.