Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai Upgrades its Resident Audio System with DirectOut PRODIGY.MP

	"The PRODIGY.MP gives us exactly that balance; simplicity in daily operation, but huge capability when we need it," says Chetty.

Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai recently undertook a significant upgrade of its resident audio infrastructure. The arena is the first multi-purpose, fully air-conditioned indoor arena in the Middle East operating year-round.

As part of the upgrade, unveiled in September 2025, the venue introduced a brand-new d&b audiotechnik line-array system and the integration of DirectOut PRODIGY.MP platforms.

Julian A. Chetty, head of technical services at Coca-Cola Arena, says, "With the integration of our new system, choosing DirectOut was the obvious direction to take. Malcolm Giles, our senior director of venue management, and Mark Jan Kar, general manager of Coca-Cola Arena, have a strong understanding of new technologies and how quickly the industry evolves, so they were instrumental in the choice. The PRODIGY Smart Platform has become an industry standard across major touring, live, and broadcast environments. I had originally specified MAVEN.A, so being able to integrate two of the larger PRODIGY.MP was ideal."

Both PRODIGY.MP units are fitted with Dante/Milan Dual network cards, plus two AES SRC I/O cards and an AN8 I/O card. Typically, the PRODIGYs act as primary and secondary units, with the secondary providing complete redundancy. Thanks to the flexibility of this setup, the PRODIGY.MPs are able to function as matrix processing but also fulfil several other uses, depending on the application.

"I believe the PRODIGY platform is a device with virtually no limitations," Chetty says. "While we primarily refer to it as a matrix processor, it can just as easily function as a standalone mixer for almost any application. With all the features added over the past two years, the PRODIGY now feels closer to a fully capable audio console rather than just a processor.

"Pressure is always part of a live show environment, regardless of the artist," he notes. "The audio department is always thoroughly prepared and takes every precaution to ensure each show runs smoothly. The PRODIGY.MPs serve as the master clock for our MILAN setup, while also providing analog outputs as a redundant secondary protocol. They are responsible for system management, clocking, routing, and backup paths, essentially ensuring that every part of the signal chain remains stable and secure. Having the PRODIGY.MPs is a major advantage, a real asset. They provide quick, reliable solutions even in complex and demanding setups, which definitely helps reduce stress on show days."

"It's always exciting when visiting productions arrive with the same level of technology we've invested in, but for me, the most important thing is to keep those systems simple, while still retaining the flexibility to handle any request at any level," he finishes. "The PRODIGY.MP gives us exactly that balance; simplicity in daily operation, but huge capability when we need it. It has definitely made many tasks easier without adding any unnecessary complexity. 7Hertz team -- the official DirectOut pro audio distributor in the UAE -- is always available, both by phone and email, and DirectOut Luca Giaroli's CEO videos go into impressive depth, especially on more complex topics. With all the excellent documentation and support on hand, I feel more than lucky."