Naostage’s K SYSTEM, an AI- and computer vision-based real-time stage tracking solution, was deployed at Jazz Open Stuttgart 2025 to automate performer tracking and enhance immersive audio experiences. The system, designed for pro AV environments, synchronises lighting, audio, and video effects by detecting performer positions on stage without the need for wearables or markers.
At Jazz Open Stuttgart, the K SYSTEM was integrated with d&b audiotechnik’s Soundscape spatial audio platform. The manufacturer says this enabled precise localisation of audio objects in real time, creating the effect of voices and instruments originating from their physical positions on stage.
While K SYSTEM’s lighting integration had already been used widely at European festivals throughout the summer – including Art Rock, Solidays, and Les Vieilles Charrues – its deployment at Jazz Open Stuttgart marked a more advanced use case. The system’s tracking data was sent via OSC (Open Sound Control) protocol to d&b Soundscape, aligning audio output with artist movement to create a spatial mix beyond traditional stereo.
The integration was managed by Dutch firm So-light BV at the request of d&b audiotechnik. So-light, a Naostage distributor in the Benelux region and key partner in Germany, was responsible for deploying and operating the system onsite.
Olaf Jenniskens, CTO of So-light, said: “We were invited by d&b audiotechnik to collaborate on the festival. Our role was to deploy and operate Naostage’s K SYSTEM for real-time stage tracking, ensuring perfect coordination with d&b Soundscape and delivering a new dimension of spatial sound on the main stage.
“We were able to create a vibrant and immersive soundscape that followed the artists’ movements. This precision enhanced the connection between the audience and the performance, far beyond what a traditional stereo mix could achieve.”
The Stuttgart stop was part of Naostage’s most ambitious summer campaign to date, supporting eight festivals between June and August, according to Alexis Reymond, the company’s sales director. He said: “Seeing the K SYSTEM operate night after night in such diverse contexts illustrates its robustness, technological maturity, and ease of integration with third-party immersive systems.”
Looking forward, Jenniskens suggested the approach could see wider adoption. “Markerless real-time tracking simplifies installations and ensures reliable operation,” he said. “This approach, combining time savings, flexibility, and creative freedom, is poised to become the standard for major live events.”
