TiMax delivers spatial audio for immersive Dubai Airport experience

Pixel Artworks has specified, with the advice of EM Acoustics, the spatial audio server TiMax SoundHub to create an immersive AV experience at Dubai International Airport (DXB).

Passengers arriving at Dubai International Airport (DXB) They are surprised with a unique immersive audio and video installation, carried out by Pixel Artworks with technology TiMax y EM Acoustics, with which one wants to show the spirit of the Expo 2020 in this arab emirate, which has been rescheduled for its celebration of 1 from October to 31 March 2022.

Due to his late incorporation to this project, the TiMax team had to adapt to the already defined audio design in a very tight time frame, which added new challenges “to what was already a quite difficult scenario”, explains the audio advisor And Roncoroni.

In addition to the highly reflective environment of the airport and the high level of background noise characteristic of this type of facility, The project requirement was that the speakers were not surface mounted or visible.

Another challenge to overcome was the negotiation with those responsible for the airport to 'smooth out’ the restrictive decibel limits that this type of environment has, To which was added that the planned deployment of electrical wiring did not coincide with the airport's infrastructure schedule and only data cables could be passed through it..

Despite these challenges, Airport officials expected the sound to be as immersive as the visual effects installed, in a comparatively small physical space.

“The project required a spatial audio configuration that went beyond the limits of most existing processors, Roncoroni points out.. It was one of the many situations where you could do something difficult in a difficult way, or just do what you needed with TiMax”.

The solution revolves around a spatial audio server TiMax SoundHub, of 32 canales, that provides a nuanced and multilinear soundscape through Dante has 16 EMS-51, as defined by the acoustic consultant EM Acoustics, which flexible Led display panels were fixed, fixed around four of the airport's marble pillars.

The speaker specification was based on the EMS51 being “best in class that fit audio requirements, size and budget set by the airport”, adds Roncoroni.

Specifically, Four speakers have been installed per pillar to provide coverage at an angle of 120º for each one. For this audio specialist, “I don't know of any other processor that could so easily meet this challenge., with groups of four speakers pointing at each other at 20 meters apart at the widest separation”.

As Roncoroni adds, “TiMax's powerful spatial audio capabilities ensured compliance with the airport's restrictive decibel limits just ten meters from the facility”.

Bandwidth management and total width of the ultra-compact EMS51 ultra-compact groups, powered by Mezzo half-rack amplifiers Powersoft, produce enough low end to compensate for subwoofers that could not be installed. In addition to audio playback, TiMax also does all the mixing and EQing, which is activated with a server Seventh Sense Media.

“Despite being possibly the worst environment I have ever known to install a spatial audio system - says Roncoroni -, TiMax technology allowed us to create an incredible, cohesive soundscape that impresses everyone who passes by the facility. Thanks to the excellent localization of your system, the airport's reflective environment is no longer a concern, the speakers became invisible from an acoustic point of view and there is only a sound field of incredible quality”.