ABBA Voyage
ABBA Voyage is one of the most technically ambitious live entertainment productions in the world: a purpose-built immersive concert environment combining spatial audio, active acoustics, video, lighting, motion capture, automation, and tightly integrated show control.
The audio system is built around a large-format L-Acoustics loudspeaker system, including multiple L2, Kiva II, KS21, Syva and X8 arrays used for main reinforcement, front fill, surround and overhead coverage with a combination of KS28 and KS21 subwoofer integration. The system is designed not only for clarity and power, but for precise spatial placement throughout the arena. Spatial processing is handled through dual-redundant L-Acoustics L-ISA Processor II units, with approximately 120 timecode-triggered snapshots controlling panning, level, placement and movement throughout the show.
A key part of the production is its use of L-Acoustics Ambience, an active acoustics system that adds real-time early and late regenerative energy into the room. Using 16 room microphones and four L-Acoustics P1 processors, the system shapes the acoustic environment moment by moment, helping the digital performance feel live, physical and emotionally immediate.
The show control and playback architecture is equally complex. At the centre of the audio control system are dual DiGiCo Quantum 5 consoles, AVB and Optocore signal distribution, Merging Technologies Ovation show control, Optocore systems and clocking, Direct Out Prodigy Signal Distribution and Shure Axient Digital wireless with PSM1000 in-ear monitoring and Monitors provided by a DiGiCo Quantum SD7 with Theatre Software. Two mirrored Ovation systems provide multitrack playback, click and cue tracks for the band, and timecode distribution to the wider technical system, ensuring audio, lighting, video and movement remain locked together every night.
The system is designed and spec'd by Auditoria Systems' Scott Willsallen whom I worked closely with to ensure the smooth operation and maintenance of the system over it's continuous improvements and operation.
My role at ABBA
I spent four years at ABBA, in many capacities but predominantly as the Audio Production Engineer.
I started on the show as a Technical Swing working across departments (Audio, Video and Lighting). I look back at this role as arguably the most beneficial to my development as I was able to learn and understand all operating positions on the show including Video Engineering, Photon Operation and MA Operator.
These roles all prepared me incredibly well to then progress to be the Audio System Engineer in early 2023, as I had a great understanding of how the audio system integrated with the complex show across all departments. As System Engineer my job was to ensure the smooth every day running of the system and troubleshoot issues as they arose. I managed every day maintenance and operated and ran shows with the wider team. This included roles mixing FOH, Monitors, Systems and Stage Tech.
In 2024, I moved into production, working with the show team to ensure the continued smooth running of the every day shows, but focusing more on system updates and new content which was premiered in May 2025. In January 2025, we rebuilt the audio control and distribution system and swapped from L-Acoustics KARA II to L2 arrays. We did this in a ten-day dark period, with the main goal being to ensure that shows could continue as if we had touched nothing at all.
In August 2025, I was asked if I would move back into show operation to lead the team as Head of Audio, with the goal of handing the reins over to a new era of engineers.
My time at ABBA was great. We solved and troubleshooted a lot of gremlins, but did it with as much preparation and training as possible. I spent hours mixing and operating the show and rehearsals, building new files for education programmes and careers events, breaking things and then fixing them.
It is an incredibly unique show, that has shaped who I am as an engineer and I continue to work with the onsite team today to ensure that 3000 people get to enjoy ABBA's music five days a week!
