In a landmark moment for live music in Asia, Chinese pop sensation Ada Zhuang launched her 2024 “Hi Stranger” concert tour with a revolutionary 360° L-ISA immersive sound experience. The tour’s Shenzhen’s Bao’an Stadium show on June 29th marked the first-ever concert to deploy L-Acoustics L-ISA immersive hyperreal sound technology in a full 360° format, promising audiences a more intimate connection to the artist and an unprecedented level of audio immersion.

“This is the first L-ISA tour in full 360° immersive hyperreal sound in Asia. I’m looking forward to it very much,” Zhuang enthused before the show. The prolific artist, with 14 studio albums to her name, sought to elevate her live performances, recognizing the potential of L-ISA immersive sound technology to create a more intimate and engaging experience for her fans – an important improvement when performing in stadiums to audiences of 40,000 and up.

Guangzhou HaoNa Audio Equipment Co, Ltd rose to the challenge, deploying nearly 300 L-Acoustics speakers in a configuration that surrounded the audience with sound from all directions, including overhead. This immersive setup aimed to dissolve the traditional barriers between performer and audience, allowing Zhuang’s music to envelop listeners in a three-dimensional soundscape.

Jason Tao, CEO of Rightway Audio Consultants, who supported Guangzhou HaoNa Audio Equipment Co, Ltd on the project, emphasized the transformative nature of this technology: “I firmly believe that immersive sound will be a key trend in the future. L-ISA technology uses more scientific algorithms to better localize the source in three-dimensional space. It can create multiple spatial sensations, allowing the audience to be completely immersed and surrounded.”

The implementation of L-ISA immersive technology offered Zhuang and her creative team unprecedented control over the soundscape. Music Director Cai Xiaoen likened the experience to “converting two-dimensional audio to three-dimensional audio,” while Sound Director and PA Engineer Bob Zhang noted that “the feeling of being immersed in the music and the sound will be even more amplified.”

The L-ISA Hyperreal Immersive Sound configuration comprised a frontal system of five hangs of 12 L-Acoustics K2 each and 12 K3 speakers per hang for extension on either side. Sixteen KS28 flown behind the frontal system, and 10 ground stacked KS28 subwoofers extended the low frequencies. Side-fill utilised an array of nine K2 speakers per side, while a surround system employed seven hangs of six Kara II speakers each. The overhead system comprised four hangs of six Kiva II speakers.

This enhanced audio experience isn’t just about volume or clarity – it’s about creating a more emotional and connecting experience for the audience. By precisely placing and moving sounds in three-dimensional space, L-ISA technology allows for a more nuanced and dynamic performance. Fans can feel closer to Zhuang’s renowned vocals and experience her music in a way that was previously impossible in a live setting.

The concert also integrated the BlackTrax infrared sensor system for real-time tracking, creating a seamless audio-visual show incorporating lighting, video, visual projection, AR, and camera systems. This resulted in a natural and realistic multi-dimensional experience for concertgoers, where sound and visuals worked in perfect harmony to amplify the emotional impact of Zhuang’s performance.

Li Feng, Director of Immersive Sound Application at RAC, highlighted the creative possibilities opened up by the L-ISA technology: “L-ISA immersive sound technology provided a powerful tool for concert sound engineers to create a completely immersive audio experience.” This technology allows for greater artistic expression, enabling Zhuang to craft soundscapes that complement and enhance their musical vision.

The inaugural concert was met with unanimous praise, showcasing Zhuang’s lush vocals, deep catalogue of sentimental rock ballads, and upbeat pop numbers in a way never before experienced. As the sound enveloped the stadium audience from all directions, it became clear that this technology sets a new benchmark for live concert production in Asia.

For Ada Zhuang, the use of L-ISA technology represents more than just a technical achievement – it’s a way to forge a deeper connection with her audience. By immersing fans in a 360° sound experience, she’s able to create a more intimate and memorable concert environment, despite the large-scale venue.

As the “Hi Stranger” tour continues, it promises to redefine expectations for live music experiences in Asia. The success of this first show demonstrates that immersive audio is not just the future of concert sound – it’s here now, ready to transform how artists connect with their audiences and how fans experience live music.

L-Acoustics