Electro-Voice and Dynacord deliver digital sound system evolution at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit

• Dynacord MXE5-64 Matrix Mix Engines and SONICUE Sound System Software ensures effective production signal management for audio engineers
• More than 150 Electro-Voice point-source loudspeakers deployed to provide state-of-the-art audio for the main grandstand in the first phase of the project, with more to follow
• A Praesensa public address system ensures clear announcements across the circuit
• The project was delivered by PKE Gulf under a tight timeframe while the circuit remained operational

Abu Dhabi, UAE, Feb 2026 – Yas Marina Circuit has undergone a digital evolution to replace the analog backbone of its audio system with a fully digital architecture. The project was delivered against a tight timeframe by PKE Gulf, which called on equipment from Electro-Voice and Dynacord to ensure the circuit would meet modern international sports venue standards.

Yas Marina Circuit is home to the season-ending Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The decision to upgrade its 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 Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi 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 and opted for equipment from Electro-Voice and Dynacord to help it achieve the results that the circuit required. “Electro-Voice and Dynacord were selected for their outstanding professional design and proven performance,” explains Gerald Zak, Senior Technical Manager at PKE Gulf WLL. “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. Combined with Dynacord’s powerful processing and amplification technologies, the solution delivers a robust, future-ready system that meets the highest standards expected at a modern international motorsport venue.”

“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 high-end 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 premium, future-proof experience.”

The first phase of the project saw 155 weatherized loudspeakers and subwoofers powered by 30 amplifiers added to the main grandstand. Flown in vertical clusters from the front lip of the roofline, the new sound system is intended to ensure an optimal spectator experience during motorsports events held in the facility and delivers homogenous sound coverage to every seat.

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 professional 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, while significantly improving flexibility, control, and future expandability of the overall audio system.”

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.”

“The transition to a Dante-based digital backbone has significantly improved system reliability, monitoring, and operational flexibility,” adds Naiem. “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 for effective communication. 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,” concludes 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. 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 efficiently without reworking the core infrastructure.”

With the new system and digital infrastructure deployed in time for the grand prix, Zak is happy to reflect on a successful first phase. “A defining moment was seeing the CEO’s smile when experiencing the sound quality for the first time. An instant, genuine reaction that perfectly reflected the success of the system and the impact of the upgrade.